One Look

Chapter 41

"Just beautiful?" I teased, after he complimented me. His brows furrowed as he spun as around, his hand gently squeezing my waist.

"Wonderful. Magnificent".

"Is that all you have? You are a prince; you should have more compliments to give a lady than just three". I wiggled my eyebrows conspiratorially.

"How about this?" he asked, as he bent lower to my ear. "I just wish all these people would disappear so I can taste your lips for a third time". My stomach felt as if someone let off a swarm of butterflies inside it, my cheeks flushed red.

"Prince Philip said I look ravishing", I grinned. He snapped his gaze to mine, a scowl on his face again. I felt my body relax, as Nathaniel returned to his broody self. "But I much prefer what you said".

"I am glad, though I would rather you refrained from engaging in flirtations with my cousin".

I let out a short giggle but nodded my head anyway. "I was annoyed that you didn't choose to dance with me first".

"I am dancing with you now, am I not?" he titled his head to the side. "Eloise what do you want me to do, do you want me to call your name out or not? Just remember that everything will change if I do. You are going to have more enemies than friends. No doubt this whole charade of keeping four girls in the palace will end up being a catastrophe".

"Nath, it is your decision. Though I won't be mad if you call my name out".  I had thought my response was clever but funny. Instead of chuckling, his face fell, and the music ended. Without getting to tell him that he better call my name out, he turned around and asked Henrietta to dance. I squeezed my eyes shut, before I opened them and made my way off the dancefloor and over to the banquet table. I nibbled at a pastry, as I felt annoyance creep up inside me. I had forgotten to tell Nathaniel that I had ended things completely with Charles. That I wanted him to call my name out. That I wished it were only my name he would call out. I knew better than that though.

When I looked around for someone to talk to, to take my mind of everything I should have said, I spotted Ruth and Charlotte close to my left. After hesitating for another few minutes, I eventually brought myself over to join in on their discussion.

"Eloise", Ruth smiled sweetly when I stood beside them.

"Charlotte. Ruth", I greeted, with a forced smile.

"I am feeling quite nervous right now", Charlotte fretted, her eyes darting around the room. It was then I noticed her forehead was shiny and she looked pale.

"Whatever is the matter?" I asked.

"Nathaniel has not chosen me for a dance yet".

"Oh Charlotte, he has only danced with three girls thus far and I am sure he will dance with all the ladies before the announcement",

Charlottes eyes narrowed, and I quickly realised that that was the wrong thing to say. Charlotte did not want to be danced with because it was something Nathaniel had to do, she wanted Nathaniel to want to dance with her.

"Actually, Eloise you are mistaken", Ruth said. "Nathaniel told me he won't be dancing with everyone before the announcement, as that is to come early on in the night".

"Then maybe he is saving you for his first dance after the announcement", I suggested to Charlotte, and tried to ignore the pang of jealousy I felt at my own words.

"Oh Eloise, I do hope you are right", she giggled excitedly. I forced a smile on my face as I turned my attention to the dancefloor. My eyes swooped over the dancers and landed on Oscar who was dancing with Amelia. Her face was glowing with delight, as she skipped away from Oscar to Philip and then back to Oscar again. I could not help but pout, that I had not been chosen to partake in one of the fun dances.