First at Last (Updated Version)

Chapter Seven

The carriage ride to the ball the next day was tense and awkward. No one spoke as we jounced along the cobbled streets of Belhaven.

I stared out the window, watching the world slide by as the sky darkened.

Father cleared his throat, as if intending to speak, but he said nothing. Finally, when it felt like the weight of the silence was about to crush all of us, we reached the palace.

The four of us made our way up the marble steps to the grand front doors. Our arrival was announced by a footman as we reached the ballroom. It looked much as it had the other night, with men and women wearing exquisite dress to impress the king and queen, platters of hors d'oeuvres laid on the tables, servants in dark uniforms holding trays of bubbling drinks.

Just like before, the room smelled of warring perfume, mingled with sweat. No one seemed to mind, however, as they continued to drink and dance and chat amiably as musicians played lively music.

I did not bring my book with me this time, though I really wished I had. My father immediately saw some dignitaries and left us to go speak with them—about work, no doubt. Mother and Alice were not far behind him, probably on a search for the prince. And, once again, I found myself alone, wishing I could be anywhere else.

Sighing heavily, I stood against the wall and watched as couples danced and laughed around the room.

"You came," a familiar voice said nearby. A pleasant shiver ran up my spine as I turned to find William walking toward me. He looked hansom as he always did, wearing a dark blue waistcoat and trousers edged with gold.

"Oh, yes, I did," I said a little breathlessly. "I told you I would, didn't I?"

"You did, but I know how you loathe social events. So, I wondered anyway." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, which made my heart flutter.

I opened my mouth to reply and then faltered.

His Highness would be ashamed to have you for a wife.

I swallowed against the lump that suddenly formed in my throat. I looked away from him quickly, my eyes burning. "I appreciate your willingness to make me feel comfortable here, Your Highness, but you should go dance with someone. Maybe my sister. I think she expects it."

He blinked at me, looking startled. "Erika, what—"

"It's Lady Lovet. That is what is proper. You may not presume to know me so well in the future."

His eyes flashed with hurt and he took a step back. "Forgive me . . . Lady Lovet. Have I done something to offend you? If I have, please tell me. I would like to right it."

I shook my head and took a step away from him to widen the distance between us. "It is nothing you've done. Though, as you might end up marrying my sister, I do not wish to complicate things further by being seen as anything more than an acquaintance to you."

A crease appeared between his brows as he seemed to try and decipher the meaning behind my words. I fought the urge to apologize to him, to explain that it wasn't because of me. "I should have liked to think we were more than acquaintances. That, perhaps, we were friends."

I would have liked to be, I wanted to say. I looked up into his eyes, the sparkling blue of sapphires. "Forgive me for leading you to think so, Your Highness."

His Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed and neither of us spoke for a moment, unsure of what else there was to say. My chest felt tight and my eyes burned with the threat of tears. "Erika—Miss Lovet," he corrected quickly. "I know you have just said that we are no longer friends, but I would like to speak with you, perhaps in private," his eyes wandered the room as he said this and mine followed, meeting many of the gazes of men and women who seemed to be watching us interact, "to understand your sudden coldness toward me."