Don't Call Me Cinderella

Chapter Six: Dancing

Ella stood in front of a chalkboard while studying the book in her hand. She's been tutoring Mary for a week now, and in the process, she started to teach herself how to do so.

Mary was very energetic, she enjoyed the outdoors, and absolutely hated being inside the mini classroom all day. Then again, all day was only a few hours. There was still tea time, dance lessons, music lessons, and gardening to attend to.

That's why after every lesson was over, she would sit in the classroom and relearn all of the material again. Ella felt that by having a complete understanding of what she's reading, she could make sure that Mary had a complete understanding of what she's learning.

With a sigh, she picked up the chalk and began to copy some of the main points down. She must have looked funny, standing with a book in one hand, copying down what she needed with the other, not removing her eyes from the book unless necessary.

When she finished, she placed a bookmark on the starting page and closed the book, disposing of it onto her desk. It had been a long day and Mary should be done with supper, which meant that Ella needed to prepare her for bed.

Ella exited the room and walked down the halls, enjoying her brief moments of silence. When it came to a child such as Mary, the silence was golden. Ella did enjoy how Mary could talk for hours about the same thing, but it was nice to have some quiet time now and then.

"You stepped on my foot again." She heard through the door as she neared the dining hall. 

"I'm sorry! I'm still not used to dancing so quickly!" Ella chose this moment to knock, making her presence known to the two people.

She was not surprised to see the nine-year-old in a dancing position with her Uncle, who seemed to be running out of patience. "Lady Ella, you've been taught how to dance, correct?"

Ella nodded her head with a neutral expression, finding the question to be rather obvious since she was once in Mary's shoes. "Good, come dance with me so Mary can learn the steps."

She couldn't help silently laugh to herself. "My Lord, I believe that it is proper etiquette to ask a woman to dance, not demand." Mary covered her mouth as she giggled; it was very entertaining to watch them banter, she didn't want to ruin it.

The Lord cleared his throat, not finding her rudeness humorous at all. "Fine. Lady Ella, will you please do me the great honor of teaching my dearest niece, Mary, how to dance by dancing with me." He bowed mockingly with exaggerated movements, reveling at the moment as his niece's giggles became laughter.

"I don't know, you are being rather rude," Ella faked a pout and turned her head away from him. She may have been slightly insulted, but Mary's cheerfulness eased her mind. 

"I apologize my Lady for being rude, but you're the one who's being stubborn."

Ella gasped, her head snapping in his direction. "I am not being stubborn, I am simply denying a rude man a dance." She could see his jaw clench, meaning that she didn't have much more patience to test.

"Maybe if you asked nicely, I would accept your offer." The Lord wanted to growl in annoyance and send her and Mary away for bed, but he also wanted his niece to dance, no matter what it took. With a sigh, he relaxed his tense shoulders and held out his hand.

"Would you be so kind, Lady Ella, to have this next dance with me?" Ella couldn't help but smile at her mini triumph, she won at least one battle in the many to come. 

"I guess it wouldn't hurt, now would it?"

She stepped forward and put her hand in his, allowing him to pull her closer and wrap his other arm around her waist while she lifted her skirts in one hand. "No music?" She jokingly asked as she peered above his shoulder.

"Why would I call an entire orchestral group to my home just to teach one person how to dance?" Ella shrugged, not really caring about his answer. 

"Just thought I'd ask."

She could practically feel the Lord roll his eyes as he turned his head to Mary. "Now watch Lady Ella's feet." Mary nodded eagerly from where she sat on the floor.

"Ready?" Ella nodded and waited for him to lead her. "And 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 ..." Ella stepped wherever she was guided as he counted aloud. "Then the spin, 2, 3 ..."

She was spun and dipped and twirled around the room like it was second nature. Ella had no clue how Mary was going to learn how to dance, this was an expert level, not easy. "Maybe you should slow down and make the steps easier for her." Ella finally spoke up as she stepped away.

She felt Mary's presence beside her in an instant. "My turn! Will you spin me this time Uncle?" The Lord didn't respond to Ella's suggestions and instead took his niece's hands. 

"Sure, but you have to keep up."

With determination Mary nodded, focusing on her feet. "And 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 ... " Ella watched from the sidelines as Mary took clumsy steps, trying to keep up.

When Ella was little and learning how to dance, she would spend time with her parents who would spin around their room, office, or dining hall trying to teach her. She didn't get the steps down until her father took her into the garden for tea and allowed her to stand on his feet.

"Why don't you let her stand on your feet?" Ella didn't mean to say her idea aloud, but by the look on the Lord's face, it wasn't a bad suggestion. 

"I guess I could." Mary lifted her feet and stood on his shoes, holding on to her Uncle for support.

"And 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3..." As Ella expected, the pair easily spun across the room to a musicless waltz. By the time they finished, Mary was yawning and Ella wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed. 

"Come along Mary, let's get you to bed." Mary complied without an argument, even taking Ella's hand and allowing her to lead her out. 

"Good night Uncle." The girl called out tiredly as she rubbed her eyes. 

"Good night, you too Lady Ella." Ella glanced up at him and shook her head.

"You can just call me Ella, Sir." The man was surprised by this but simply nodded. 

"So be it. If that is what you wish then please call me Anthony." Ella nodded, too tired to care that her employer asked her to call him by his first name. 

"Good night." She finally responded as she exited the room, a half-asleep child behind her.

"Lady Ella?" She looked down at the child with a small smile. 

"Yes, Mary?"

"Will you be my aunt someday?" Ella froze up in shock. How could she respond to a question like that? Especially one that implied marriage! 

"I-I can't say that I know the answer to that."

Mary nodded tiredly as she pushed the door to her room open. "I think you will. I like you very much, and I think that Uncle does too." Ella didn't respond, she simply helped the girl into a nightgown and tucked her in before silently doing the same in her room.

She didn't know why, but the thought of being Mary's aunt intrigued her. The idea was a lovely one, but she knew that she couldn't force herself into that position.

And she wasn't going to make the Lord fall for her. She was just fine the way she was. If anything, he needed to make her fall for him.