Just One Dance

Chapter 12 - Tea Time

Wilfred's POV

The Day Before Tea Time

I feel so jittery inside. I can't wait for tomorrow's tea time with Kate, but I'm also filled with the most indescribable feeling of dread. I like spending time with her, but every moment we spend together is a reminder that we can never be together. She treats me kindly, but I...I want...I don't know what I want, but I know it's something different. What is this feeling? I can't describe it. As I try and force myself back to work, my mind is filled with thoughts of her.

"Prince Wilfred," Claude interrupts me. "Prince Joshua, Prince Roberto, and Prince Edward are here to see you. Shall I show them in?"

"Of course," I nod, closing the files on my desk.

"Wils!" Roberto greets me enthusiastically, skipping into my office.

"Hello," I greet each of them as they enter. We sit and take tea whilst discussing all manner of things. That is until the conversation turns to a different subject entirely.

"Wilfred," Edward begins. "We were all curious about your friend at the dinner party."

"Yes," Roberto agrees, "she seemed really cute! She was the one from the ball too, right?"

I nod. "Lady Katelyn Morgan. She is the daughter of Earl Morgan, and a friend to myself and Lord Michael."

"Just a friend?" Roberto prods.

"We were...betrothed several years ago, but it was called off," I admit. I don't want to say anything further, and I certainly do not want to inadvertently cause them to assume things about Kate.

"And now you're friends?" Edward asks. I nod.

"She's a very interesting woman." Joshua adds. "At the dinner, she was...very helpful."

"Helpful?" Roberto queries before I can say anything.

"Yes. As you know, my date was unable to make it." Joshua sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Well, I was understandably upset, and Katelyn said something rather enlightening."

"What was it?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.

"She said, 'you should know that you're not the only one who feels like they've been cheated.' It really surprised me. I will admit that I had only been thinking of myself so I was rather harsh to her, and hearing her speak forced me to rethink how I had spoken to her before. Afterward, she gave me some advice, and it really helped me."

I nodded. How interesting. Kate feels as though she has been cheated? How so? Is it because of her injury? What exactly is her injury?

"What was the advice?" Edward asks, interrupting my thoughts.

"She advised me on how to know if a woman was interested in seeing me. She said that I could not learn from books, but rather that I would learn from experience."

"She's right." Roberto grins. "The best things in life are not seen or heard; they are felt with the heart!"

"She is an amazing woman it seems," Edward nodded.

"The only thing that bothered me was that she never looked me in the eye." Joshua frowns.

"Yeah," Roberto nods, "so, it wasn't just me."

Edward shakes his head. "No, we have all felt this."

"She doesn't look anyone in the eye when she speaks, and if she does look in your direction, it almost feels...off." Roberto says with a puzzled expression. "Is she normally like that, Wils?"

I frown. Now that they mention it, I don't think I have ever seen Kate look me in the eyes. Strange. From the moment we met, she kept her eyes lowered or to the side.

"I can't say." I frown. "I don't think she has ever looked me in the eyes. I always thought it was because she was shy."

"Maybe that's what it is." Roberto shrugs.

"Either way, she is a good woman. Even Arielle thinks so." Edward smiles.

I nod. The princes and I continue our conversation on other subjects, but I can't help but think about Kate. Is she shy? Is she embarrassed by her injury? What can it be?

#

Kate's POV

I ran my hand over the clothes in my closet. Silk, cashmere, taffeta. I sighed. Tomorrow the prince will be coming for tea, and I want everything to be perfect. We agreed that the tea would be casual, so I don't want to be too dressed up. But I also don't want to look like I didn't try enough to be presentable. Granted, I have no say in how my makeup will look once it is applied, but I can at least choose my clothes. I finally settle on a pair of skinny jeans, a baby pink silk camisole, and a white cashmere sweater. Perfect. Now I can sleep. Tomorrow the prince will come, and I can have a private conversation with him without Sasha having to read me his words.

The Next Day at Tea Time

I'm anxiously awaiting the prince in the sunroom. He is due any moment, and I can't wait. Sasha and I have already worked out a plan so that I don't have to pour the tea and have my secret discovered. I feel bad not letting the prince know about my blindness, but I also don't want to ruin the friendship we currently have. If he knew about my blindness, I have no doubts that he would no longer want to associate with me. Then again, how would he react if he knew? Maybe I could risk it. But if he walked away, I'm not sure my heart could take it. My thoughts are interrupted by Sasha.

"His highness is here," Sasha says in his quiet yet deep voice.

"Your highness," I say, standing from my seat and giving a slight curtsy.

"Lady Katelyn," he says as he walks forward. We take our seats, and Sasha steps forward.

"May I serve the tea, madame?"

I nod. "Of course, Sasha." Sasha pours our tea and then walks away. I know he is within earshot in case something goes wrong, but he is out of the way enough for Wilfred and me to have a conversation.

"Kate," he begins, "you look lovely today."

"Oh, thank you," I smile. "You're looking well." I blush. "I mean you look handsome...um...good...um." I shake my head. "I'm sorry," I say with a laugh. "It seems I'm not good at giving compliments."

He chuckles, "I understand." He pauses to sip his tea. "I've been looking forward to this tea."

"As have I," I smile, taking a bite of a biscuit. "I'm glad you had the time to travel here."

"Of course. I wouldn't dare miss tea with you." He says, and I can tell he's smiling.

"As I recall, we scheduled this tea so you could tell me about your work," I say, sipping my tea.

"Oh, yes," he says as the sound of a teacup being set on its saucer rings faintly in my ears. "After meeting Chelsea, I was...how do you say," he thinks for a moment before continuing, "inspired. I couldn't stop thinking about you tutoring her."

My breath catches in my throat. Has he figured out my secret?    

To Be Continued...