∞
Lord Adam met me at six o’clock as promised. His blue eyes quickly looked me up and down in my purple gown before he offered me his arm. I guess I had met his approval.
“Miss Evelyn, shall we?” he said with a pleasant smile. I smiled back at him as he led the way to his coach. We chatted amicably during the ride to Madame Isabel’s residence in the South Village for our first class. We weren’t the only ones, I noticed, as the coach approached the entryway to her manor. Her residence, created out of dark gray stones with many sweeping arches, came into view and awed me. Two coaches preceded us and one followed us into the intricate entryway. Adam exited the coach first, offering me his hand to step down into the fine gravel that covered the drive. Servants bustled here and there directing the traffic as we gathered for our lessons. My mood picked up as I actually felt excited to be here. The only thing to do at night before bed was to read in the firelight, which got old pretty quickly when you are used to smart phones, the internet, and television.
All together there were four couples attending dance class tonight including me and Adam. We were shown down a long, warmly decorated hall to a large elegant parlor that was cleared of most furniture. I recognized some of the faces from a few of the banquets I attended. They greeted Adam and I politely as we waited for Madame Isabel to arrive.
After a few moments, our instructor appeared as punctual as could be. She looked nothing like what I had expected. Dressed in a dark royal blue gown, she was a human somewhere in her thirties with frizzy curly hair and brown eyes. She regarded me and Adam curiously.
“Welcome to your first dance lesson, Lord Thornton, and you, Miss Evelyn, I am pleased you have come.” She seemed like a decent and warm person as she continued with pleasantries. I hoped I wouldn’t let her down with my two left feet.
Madame Isabel enthusiastically clapped her hands together for attention, “all right everyone, let us begin! Tonight we will start with an easy one; the Maltese Bransle. Everyone form a circle and join hands.”
The eight of us did as she commanded. My knowledge of medieval dance was next to nothing but I wanted to learn. I wanted to dance at the banquets if only to catch glances of a certain handsome prince.
The musicians began playing a pleasant melody and Madame Isabel joined the circle and started instructing us. “Now, two steps left, then two steps back to the right.” We double-stepped and then repeated as she said, then we moved to the in and out part. She showed us how to let go from our circle and then take three steps inwards, alternating our hips with our arms raised then we all clapped three times and took three steps back out to the circle and clapped three times again. Joining hands, we repeated the whole sequence again several times as the music gradually went faster and faster. As we all became more comfortable with the routine, some people started adding fancy spins, hops, and kicks. By the end of the night I could not help but enjoy myself. I’m not sure whether it was the simplicity of the dance or the kind way the other people regarded me, but I certainly would not look at my lessons with Lord Thornton as a chore.
∞
The next time we had a lesson, he picked me up at the usual time. I’m sure he noticed that I was wearing the same gown as the first time, but didn’t say anything. After all, I didn’t have much free money to spend and of the two gowns Lady Aryn generously gave me, I wanted to save the better one for the banquets. All eight of us were present for the second lesson as before.
Madame Isabel floated in with her musicians to greet everyone. This time she wore a shiny silk gown of the deepest purple. Clapping her hands again, she announced, “lords and ladies, now that you have mastered a simple dance, tonight we learn the Dargason. It is a little bit more complex.” She arranged us into a single line, with all the women facing all of the men. Four of us women stood one in front of the other with a small space in the center in between the men who stood one in front of the other facing us. We almost appeared like a row of dominos. Our teacher and her assistant demonstrated how to perform the steps. The couple in the center facing each other would double-step side to side and then circle around each other towards the opposite side to meet up with next dancer of the opposite gender and start the whole process again until each dancer had a partner. Then at the end, the dance would reverse leaving one dancer on each side without a partner until the two lead dancers were back in the center again. Then it would start all over again, except this time the men and women would link arms as they twirled moving up and down the line and back again. For the third and final round, the men and women would join hands as they changed partners.
It seemed simple enough, but I quickly changed my mind when I kept turning the wrong way. Adam fared better than I did; but then, I never was great at country line dancing which is what this reminded me of. But, after a few tries, it started to get easier. I hoped I wouldn’t embarrass myself if I actually had to do this at a banquet in front of the nobles. After we passed Madame Isabel’s approval, the class was dismissed for the evening. Adam smiled at me as we climbed into his coach. I wondered if he was thinking about doing the dance with the courtier he had a crush on. I believe the formal dances here were the only socially acceptable way of touching someone you weren’t married or engaged to in this world.
Chapter 14
I could not quell the butterflies in my stomach nor stop fidgeting with my pale silver gown as I rode in Lord Thornton’s carriage to the banquet where we would make our debut as dance partners. I rather would have walked, but I was afraid I would soil the gown from the earthen streets before I even left the village. Sam had woven my strawberry blonde hair into a crown braid before I left and I kept feeling it to make sure nothing had fallen out of place. I’m sure Adam thought I was nuts, but he didn’t say anything about my nervous behavior.
When the carriage stopped, I took his arm and we walked casually up to the banquet hall. Since most of the guards were used to seeing me, none gave us any trouble for our entrance into the festivities. The ornate doorways opened into a magnificent ballroom. The smooth floor glittered here and there with silver flashing specks of stone in its meticulously laid eight star pattern. I paused for a moment to admire the craftsmanship of it. Numerous candelabras above us provided ambient soft lighting. Three sides of the room possessed chairs, small tables, and chaise lounges. The back of the room contained the three thrones of the royal family; empty of course. Off to the side a large banquet table had been erected with fancy embroidered tablecloths displaying the royal crest on them. My mouth watered at the aroma of the food being laid out. I noticed a beautiful silver punch bowl at one end. Servants scurried here and there putting the final touches on things. I caught a glimpse of Paul running around, but he did not notice me. I saw a group of women chattering with one another. They were dressed similarly in long white and lavender flowing gowns.
“Those are the court singers,” Lord Thornton remarked, noticing my gaze as I walked on his arm. I saw him glance around, apparently looking for Lady Jocelyn Elyot, the one he told me he was interested in. I looked around too, but nowhere did I see Prince Eythan or Princess Emeley. This being the first formal banquet since his return, I wondered if he would attend.
After a few more minutes of standing around and quietly mingling with acquaintances that Lord Thornton knew, a hush fell over the crowd as the sun set and everyone turned to glance at the entrance.
“Lord Garrett Crievan, and Lady Christabel Crievan,” the door attendant announced as two new nobles entered the room.
I recognized Lord Crievan first. He was the one who had reprimanded me after I almost ran into him as I was leaving a banquet no so long ago. Tall and slim he possessed shoulder length pale blonde hair pulled back in a neat tail and dressed in all dark gray of the finest tailored clothing I had seen yet. As soon as he took in the room he quickly glanced in our direction and back. He had a sharp, sculpted angular face and a large prominent high-bridged nose.
“Who is Lord Crievan?” I asked Lord Thornt
on softly. Lord Beaumont had mentioned him before, but I still had no idea what his role was.
“Only one of the wealthiest men here, second to the king of course.”
“Is that his wife?” I asked looking at the young appearing woman with the same color of hair worn in beautiful intricately woven braids down her back. She was dressed just as exquisitely in a fine pale gold gown, but unlike the man next to her, she did not appear as powerful with her fair complexion and blue eyes. She also did not seem as light on her feet as her escort.
Thornton chuckled. “No, Evelyn, that is his daughter, his half-vampire daughter,” he said in a low voice, almost too quiet to hear.
Half-vampire? Like Lady Aryn and Princess Emeley . . . like the prince I’d love to see again. I looked at Lord Crievan again, who was now conversing with a few other lords that had arrived. Vampire. No wonder he looked like a god. A few more minutes passed and the nobles kept arriving. I could do nothing other than stand at Lord Thornton’s side. I wondered when this party would start . . . I was itching to try out my new dance moves. Finally, everyone fell silent and stood facing the doors.
“His Majesty, King Edreyan Claymore, and Princess Emeley Claymore,” the doorman announced. Everyone hushed and kneeled, Thornton and I doing the same.
As the doors opened again, a man stood there regally with Princess Emeley on his arm. He looked young, somewhere in his late twenties with pale, almost platinum blonde hair pulled back in the same fashion as Lord Crievan. The king was dressed all in black with sliver embroidery on his coat to symbolize his coat of arms. But unlike Lord Crievan, this man had a kind face with fascinating green eyes, darker than my own. He is definitely a vampire, I thought, as I watched him step smoothly into the room.
We remained kneeling until the royals approached and assumed their thrones. A slight feeling of disappointment flared within me when I realized the prince was not in attendance. The crowd resumed standing positions and the king rose and moved forward.
“Good evening, guests of Eteryn,” he said in a rich deep voice, the kind that could mesmerize you. “Thank you for joining us this night as we celebrate the recent end of battle with Shadowlea.”
A few cheers and lots of clapping ensued. “Tonight, I wish to welcome home our feudal lords, our soldiers, and also my son, Prince Eythan.” Everyone clapped and turned towards the arched doorways. The prince, clad in tall black boots, pants, and an overcoat also embroidered in the silver coat of arms stepped elegantly into the room as everyone kneeled again. He took no time at all to cross the void and take a place at his father’s side. I found it strange to see a vampire and his half-vampire children standing side by side. They could have all been siblings because they appeared so similar in age. I wanted to stare at the handsome planes of Prince Eythan’s face, his pleasantly shaped mouth, and his soulful greenish-blue eyes, but I looked down respectfully instead. As the prince nodded politely at his welcoming courtiers, he glanced briefly in my direction.
“Let the festivities commence!” King Edreyan announced.
The court singers instantly launched into action beginning with soft slow music. “The dancing will not start until later, would you like to something to eat?” Lord Thornton asked politely.
“Yes, that sounds nice,” I replied. As we turned towards the banquet table we came face to face with Lady Aryn and her husband Lord Clayton Symons.
We bowed and curtsied courteously as they acknowledged us.
“Good evening, Miss Evelyn, and Lord Thornton,” Lady Aryn said pleasantly, eyeing the dress she gave me. We returned the sentiment. “You look lovely,” she said sincerely resting a hand on her small baby bump.
“Thank you, Lady Aryn. I am very grateful for your generosity,” I replied softly.
“You are quite welcome. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight,” she said as she moved on. Lord Thornton didn’t say a word. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Lady Bluteau scowling at me.
Paul served me politely when we reached the punch bowl. I let my eyes roam over the room as I drank the wine punch, something reminiscent of a sweet red dessert wine. It tasted so nice compared to the ale I was used to consuming in the village. Lord Thornton and I continued on to settle at a small table where he left me to find a servant to serve us. He wasn’t gone more than five seconds before my name was called again.
“Miss Evelyn,” a familiar voice called. I stood and curtsied as I faced the princess, who had other men and women I did not recognize standing there with her.
“Good evening, Your Highness,” I said politely.
“There are a few people I wanted to introduce you to,” she began. “This is Lady Margaret and her husband Sir Arthur Templeton.” Both of them nodded to me politely. “This is Sir Henrik Beaumont,” she continued quickly gesturing to a familiar young man with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He gave me a broad smile and a wink because we already knew each other. “And last but not least, Sir Reginald Von Lare,” she concluded, pointing at the large burly man with reddish brown hair, a closely cropped beard and stormy gray eyes. He smiled at me but there was something about him I did not like. I instinctually inched a little closer to Lord Thornton who had just returned. He smiled and accepted my closeness without protest. I could not help but feel as though I was being put on display like one of the princesses other-worldly treasures she kept locked up.
“I have never met a wayfarer before, Miss Evelyn,” Lady Margaret began. “Where do you come from?” I should be used to this question by now, but I still cringe when I have to tell the tale again and again. I had barely begun when the music started. Lord Thornton picked up the cue to take me dancing.
“If you will excuse us please, Miss Evelyn and I would like to practice what Madame Isabel has taught us,” he said politely before pulling me away. I caught Lord Beaumont and Lord Von Lare staring after us as we walked away.
“Thank you,” I said to him as we assumed our places. “Is she here?” I asked him, inquiring after Lady Jocelyn, the woman he wanted to claim the attention of.
“Yes,” was all he said. Then he ever so slightly glanced off to the right to a petite brunette woman with beautiful eyes and delicate features wearing a pale blue gown. It seemed like several would-be suitors surrounded her.
“She’s lovely,” I said, looking up at him. He winked at me.
We took our places and the music began. I recognized it immediately as the Maltese Bransle. Thank goodness it was something easy and something I recognized. I concentrated on the moves and singing as it gradually sped up, feeling confident that I’d had enough practice. Judging from the smile on his face, I’d say Lord Thornton was pleased. Casually glancing around, I saw that Lady Jocelyn was staring at us, but that’s not all I noticed. Prince Eythan and Lord Beaumont seemed to be having a conversation and I noticed the prince glanced at me a time or two, making my heart skip a beat. After a few more dances, some more punch, and a few hours, people began to leave.
I had to admit, I did have a good time, even though I was only there to attract a certain lady’s attention to Lord Thornton.
“Well, I would say I was right about you,” Lord Thornton announced as soon as we were tucked away in his carriage. I looked at him. “Did you see the way everyone was watching and gossiping about you?”
“I guess,” I said as I shrugged. “I saw Lady Jocelyn watching you quite a bit,” I said with a smile.
“Yes, she did. Hopefully next week when we go back I’ll be able to talk to her,” he said in a satisfied tone.
“Next week?”
“Yes, they have one every week, although this one was a little more formal to welcome home the prince and the soldiers.”
“What kind of a war was it?” I asked, inquiring about the battle with Shadowlea. The villagers rarely spoke about it.
“A territory battle of course. Though I wouldn’t say that the war is totally over. Word has it that a treaty was reached but the Queen of Shadowlea is somewhat of a sore loser. There are lands to the no
rth of us called Norbury of the Rain Provence that King Edreyan wants to add to his realm, however Queen Hadreah wants them as well. It is said the lands contain valuable resources and can serve as a buffer if war strikes again. Lord Von Lare is an emissary from Norbury and is here to try to negotiate a better treaty agreement I suppose.”
“Is Queen Hadreah immortal like the vampires?”
“No, however it is said that she is a powerful witch.”
“We don’t have witches where I come from.”
“Oh?” was all he said.
“I’m curious. Why don’t the vampires here just create more vampires and wipe out the humans entirely? We are obviously weaker.”
“For a few reasons perhaps. It is against King Edreyan’s laws for a vampire to sire a new one without permission. New vampires can be blood thirsty and difficult to control. It is said the blood lust is so insatiable they can sometimes kill dozens of humans in one night. He likes to keep the kingdom in peace. Human blood is the only thing they crave. They could live off of animal blood if they had to, but they do no prefer it so I have heard. If they destroyed the human race, they would no longer have their favorite food.”
The Twilight Star Page 14