I wondered if Ella could hear how illogical her plan was. “You can’t have a servant as a guest at a royal ball.”
“You’re not a servant. Not when you’re with me.” She said it so easily, as if it didn’t even warrant consideration.
“You might not think so, but anyone who recognizes me . . .”
Her brow furrowed in concern when I didn’t continue. “What?”
“I don’t want to embarrass you.”
She wrapped me in a one-armed hug. “You could never embarrass me. And anyone who would like to take issue with me inviting my own husband’s sister to my parents’ celebration can take themselves off.”
I picked at a hole in my skirt and let out a sigh, wondering how silly I would look in a ball gown. “They will probably look all wrong on me.”
“I can guarantee that you will make the right dress look marvelous.”
My heart sank and then soared. It could be a complete disaster, and I could make a fool of myself and of my brother and of Ella. But it could also be great fun and the experience of a lifetime. “Perhaps if I’m all done up, no one will recognize me.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
I chose a dress with a bodice and skirt of light blue, embroidered with silver. It was lined with deep blue velvet at the neck and laced over the white chemise at my bust. The skirt opened at the sides, revealing a soft silver underskirt. Ella thought I should choose one with a fuller skirt, but I assured her that anything more elaborate would only increase my anxiety. I looked forward to wearing this dress. I thought it was absolutely exquisite.
Once I had tried it on, we handed it over to Ella’s housekeeper to do a few small alterations. Then we met Gavin in the parlor, and they proceeded to show me a few dances. The condurra and the filara, both of which Rylan had shown me, and the appiano, which required a lot of gliding as we moved from one step to another. I didn’t think anyone other than Gavin would dance with me, but their optimism was sweet. They were surprised by how easily I picked up the steps, and I smiled to myself, thinking of the day Rylan had spent teaching me. I didn’t admit my former knowledge to Gavin, however, because I knew that he was suspicious of Rylan’s intentions. I wished I were confident enough in Rylan’s character and feelings that I could boldly defend him, but there was enough doubt in me to make me hold my tongue.
Perhaps Rylan would attend this evening, and we could talk. Normally I would have dismissed the idea outright. He was, after all, the boy who had abandoned a noble party that his father had sent him to in favor of spying on a common dance. I doubted very much that he would subject himself to something so formal as a royal ball. However, there was his recent behavior to consider, so perhaps he would be there after all. The idea twisted my stomach into knots, and I had to distract myself with preparing for the ball.
By the time I was primped and fluffed and dressed, I hardly recognized myself. I’d been fascinated by the tall looking glass that hung in Gavin and Ella’s home since the first time I’d seen it, so I was familiar with the way I normally looked from head to toe.
I did not look normal now. The top half of my hair was smoothed back, sectioned off and twisted into multiple ropes before winding into a complicated knot. My hair, combined with the lush fabric wrapped around me and the jeweled necklace hanging at my throat, made me look like someone who belonged at a fancy ball instead of a dance in the village square. I didn’t look like me. I didn’t feel like me, either.
It was an odd feeling, but one which intrigued me. I was excited to pretend to be someone else for the evening. I could pretend like I didn’t usually serve the people that would be swirling around me. Tonight I would simply be Ella’s sister. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
Ella gave me a few pointers about how to walk in a ball gown before we descended the stairs. I walked slowly, holding on to the banister. Ella went before me, gliding. I smiled, thinking of how unwieldy I would look next to her.
Gavin waited in the entry. I had seen him in formal attire only a handful of times, and it always caught me off guard. He looked so different. Still handsome as ever, but the polish seemed to make him less carefree and more tense. My poor brother was still not comfortable in his wife’s world, but he endured it well. And for good reason. His entire countenance brightened as he watched Ella descend.
Ella, on the other hand, forced Gavin’s attention to me. “What do you think?” she asked.
He looked me over, surprise and amusement mingling across his face. Finally, he raised one eyebrow and said, “Well, I’ll stop worrying about people recognizing you.”
I lifted my chin, trying to imitate Ella’s royal bearing. “Do I look so different?”
“You don’t look like you.”
I laughed. “I know. I was thinking the same thing.”
Ella grinned at Gavin then turned to me. “Are you ready to help a princess play a trick on the rest of society?”
“You mean convincing them that a common girl belongs among them?”
“Precisely.”
“I’ll never be more ready than I am now.” I was nervous, but I couldn’t help grinning.
Ella wrapped her hands around my arm. “This is going to be fun.”
Gavin shook his head, bemused. “I’ve never seen you so excited for a royal ball.”
“And with good reason. Is the carriage ready?”
The housekeeper stepped forward. “It is ready and waiting.” She had several items of clothing draped over her arm. The top one she handed to Gavin, who shook it out and wrapped it around Ella’s shoulders. The cloak matched her gown perfectly. Next he took a second cloak from the housekeeper, this one a beautiful blue, the hood trimmed in silver, which he draped over my shoulders. He bent down and whispered in my ear, “Think of it as armor,” before pulling back and winking.
When he turned back to the housekeeper, she was holding up his coat, ready for him to turn around and let her help him put it on. Instead he took it from her and slid his arms in without assistance. The housekeeper looked a bit frustrated. I had a feeling this was an ongoing battle. She would try to get him to conform to the noble lifestyle, while he did all he could to resist. I raised my hand to my mouth to hide a smile.
Gavin tugged on his lapels, then bowed as he swept his hand toward the door. “Shall we?”
The carriage ride was smooth, allowing me plenty of time to admire the dimming sky, which seemed to be preparing for a spectacular display of colors as the sun neared the horizon.
When we were approaching the palace gates, I spoke. “I’ve never been inside the walls before.”
“Not even to see the gardens?” Ella asked.
I shrugged. “What reason would I have had?”
She opened her mouth to say something but seemed unable to find any words. She dropped her gaze, her brow furrowed. I wondered what was bothering her but forgot to ask as I was distracted by the sight of the castle lit up. I wondered how many servants had been tasked with the sole purpose of lighting candles. The view was glorious.
I gazed out the window in awe until we stopped in front of the doors that beckoned guests with open arms. I swallowed. “I’m going to make a fool of myself, aren’t I?”
Ella shrugged, not at all concerned. “We shall all make fools of ourselves together. It will be grand fun.”
Gavin didn’t wait for a footman but opened the door himself and jumped out before letting the steps down. Then he assisted Ella and me to the ground while the footman stood by, trying not to look nonplussed. Gavin shut the door and nodded to the footman before offering an elbow to both Ella and me.
It was fortunate that I had Gavin’s arm to guide me because I was so distracted with looking every which way at every lovely and extravagant thing that I would surely have walked into a wall, or another person, if he had not acted as my anchor.
When we reached the landing above the short flight of stairs that would take us down into the ballroom, I heard myself mutter, �
��Oh, glory be,” under my breath. It was breathtaking. The polished silver and gold, the marble floors, the gleaming banisters. I had worked in noble manors and thought I would be prepared for the extravagance of the palace, but I had been wrong. Everything shone and glittered. Even the laughter that floated on the air tinkled like bells. Then my eyes rested on the opposite end of the room where a raised dais held two thrones. And upon those thrones sat Ella’s parents, King Forrester and Queen Lorilai.
I, Kinley Amaro, was a guest at a royal ball.
Chapter Sixteen
ELLA LEANED FORWARD so that she could look at me around Gavin. “Happy birthday, Kinley.” Her look was nothing short of triumphant.
“Thank you.” My voice came out higher pitched than normal, no doubt pinched off by the overwhelming feeling that I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.
We stepped down the stairs, and while I saw a handful of people watching our descent, it was clear that we were not attracting a significant amount of attention. Thanks be to heaven.
Just before we sank into the crowd, I caught a glimpse of Bram Mantock deep in conversation with a lady who stared up at him with rapt attention. I quickly looked away. No need to catch the attention of someone I worked for. I’d have to keep an eye out so that I could steer clear of all the Mantocks.
I leaned in closer to Gavin. “I hope my employers don’t see me.”
Gavin chuckled. “It would be awkward, no doubt, but it’s not as though you snuck in. You have every right to be here.”
“They could fire me.”
He cut his gaze over to me. “For what? They knew you were related to Ella from the beginning. They can hardly hold that against you just because you appear somewhere they think you don’t belong.”
“I’m fairly certain they can fire me for any reason whatsoever.”
“Then we shall have to make a game of it,” Ella suggested. She was still grinning. It seemed nothing was going to dampen her spirits this evening, and for that I was grateful. “Any time we see any of the Mantocks, we’ll be sure your back is to them.”
“And honestly, I don’t think they would recognize you anyway,” Gavin said.
I turned to him, wondering if he were serious. “I work in their house every day.”
“And they ignore you every day.”
Well. That was true.
“Besides. They won’t be expecting to see you in a place like this, so even if you look familiar, they likely won’t make the connection.”
“Be confident and mysterious,” Ella advised. “That’s all you need.”
I took a deep breath and decided to embrace our charade with both hands. I stayed at Gavin’s elbow as the three of us wove our way through the crowd. Ella was greeted by many people as we passed, but the majority of them seemed to only glance at Gavin and then look away without much—if any—acknowledgment. He, in turn, kept his hand on Ella’s lower back and a pleasant look on his face. No one asked who I was, which was a relief, though I wondered if I should be insulted. When we had made our way only halfway across the room and Ella had been stopped by yet another person, I leaned in and asked Gavin in a low voice only he would hear, “Does it bother you?”
“What?”
“The fact that they barely acknowledge your existence.”
He grinned. “It didn’t used to be that way. At first, they peppered me with questions, and I strained to answer. Some of them were sincere; many were not. I tired of the effort and started answering with one- or two-word answers.” The person talking to Ella moved on, and the three of us continued through the room. Gavin continued to speak to me quietly. “After some time, they all seemed to give up. We’re all happier this way. Ella doesn’t feel I’m being attacked, I don’t have to answer the same inane questions all evening, and they don’t feel they have to make an effort when most would rather not.”
“So you’re snubbing them just as much as they are snubbing you?”
A funny look of confusion and amusement crossed his face. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I suppose it’s true.”
“Well then, I’ll stop feeling badly for you.”
He laughed outright. “Don’t worry. Society and I struck a truce long ago.”
“Ella!”
I turned to see a woman who looked very much like Ella approaching her with a gentleman following close behind. She gave Ella a quick hug, and their warm greeting made it clear that she was a princess—one of Ella’s sisters.
“Kalina, I’d like you to meet Gavin’s sister, Kinley.” She said this in a quiet voice and then turned eagerly to me.
Princess Kalina looked first surprised and then delighted. “How lovely to meet you.”
I tried to gracefully dip into a curtsy. “And you, Princess.”
She stepped closer and bent her head as if we were in confidence. “I would guess that this was dear Ella’s idea.”
“Of course.”
“Splendid. It will be thoroughly amusing to hear the gossip that starts when Ella’s mysterious and alluring guest captures everyone’s attention.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Somehow I don’t believe that idea appeals to her.” This was said by the gentleman that I presumed was Kalina’s husband. He tipped his head to me. “A pleasure, Miss Kinley.”
I dipped into another curtsy but couldn’t find my voice to return the sentiment.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Kalina apologized. “And I promise that any speculations will have no ill effect on you. Society simply loves to talk, is all.”
“Ah.” I was somewhat appeased and convinced myself to relax. It was fun to see the way Ella and Kalina interacted. I had seldom had the opportunity to be around Ella when she was with her family, and somehow I always imagined them being stiff and formal and . . . royal around one another. That clearly wasn’t the case.
As Ella and Kalina continued to speak, I let my gaze wander over the beautiful clothing and towers of food. I marveled at the splendor of it all, but my admiration was cut short when I spotted Rylan several paces away. My feet stalled and a knot tightened in my chest as I rethought my expectations for the evening.
So he had come. But why? He didn’t like gatherings like this. The higher the society, the less likely he was to show. You didn’t get any higher than a ball at the palace. Why was he here? Would he recognize me? Did I want him to?
I was staring, but I couldn’t help it. It had been weeks since we had seen each other, and in that time, I had heard people talk about him as if he wasn’t the person I knew. I missed him, and I was thrilled to see him while at the same time horrified that a young woman was clinging to his arm. I tried to recall what his sister Tayana looked like. Perhaps it was her. But no, she had been tall and full-figured. This girl was slight and almost short, and the way she was pressing into his side was not sisterly.
Rylan gave a polite smile to whomever he was speaking with, and then his eyes drifted in my direction.
I spun away from him as quickly as possible. I didn’t think he had really seen my face, and there should be no way for him to recognize me otherwise. I was far from wearing an apron and kerchief tonight.
Ella and Gavin were only a few steps ahead, having been stopped by yet another person. Gavin was looking back at me, his brow raised in question. I tried to smooth my features so as not to look suspicious. I didn’t want to discuss Rylan, especially right now when the image of him with a noble lady slathered on his side was imprinted on my mind. I forced a smile and caught up with him.
“So when does the dancing begin?” I asked. “Or is that merely a rumor used to lure unsuspecting people into this room?”
“It should be any moment now. What say you to standing up with your brother? We can show these noble folks how to have a grand time.”
I smiled. “Will I know the dance?”
Just then, the band struck the first chords, and couples started finding their places on the dance floor.
; Gavin grinned. “This is the condurra that we practiced earlier. I think you’ll do just fine.”
I took a breath for bravery and nodded. In the next moment, I watched as Gavin fell into the bearing of a fine gentleman, holding his palm up for me to place my hand in his, with his other hand fisted behind his back and his shoulders squared. I tried to match his posture as we took our position and started the dance.
It was decidedly different than a common dance, but there was still a certain element of exhilaration in it, as well as a good bit of satisfaction as I was able to remember and execute the steps correctly as he led me from one movement to the next.
The only time I faltered was when a couple passed us by, and I recognized Miss Aveline staring at her partner with stars in her eyes. I turned my face away, and we were soon beyond their view.
When the dance ended, we returned to Ella, who was speaking with another couple whom she introduced to me as Princess Lylin and Lord Fallon. I recognized Lylin, having met her before while visiting Gavin and Ella. They engaged me in conversation while Ella convinced Gavin to take a turn dancing with her. I couldn’t help but keep one eye on my brother and his wife as they performed the steps. They did so perfectly, but the expressions on their faces seemed to indicate that they didn’t take the dance seriously, that they viewed it as a great joke to be so stiff and precise. A time or two I thought I even saw them stifling laughter.
“They create quite the diversion, don’t they?” Lylin asked.
I turned to her, realizing that I had become so caught up in watching that I was neglecting the conversation. “I’m sorry. That was impolite of me.”
“Don’t be sorry. They always provide a diverting spectacle.”
“Do they always do this?”
“At first your brother danced with the stoicism of someone enduring a punishment.” She smiled at the memory. “Ella took pity on him and started to dramatize her own steps, which eventually convinced Gavin to play along.”
Keeping Kinley Page 19