“Do you want me to play a waltz, Miss Knight?” Kade asked. “I’m sure I could stumble along all right if you had one in your music.”
“No, that’s all right, Kade. I’m going to show your brothers the basic steps, and then I’m going to play a waltz for them.”
Grant peered down at her. “But who are we going to dance with if you’re playing the piano?”
“You’re going to dance with each other,” she said calmly.
The twins stared at her and then at each other, clearly appalled.
“But . . . but I can’t do that with another man,” spluttered Graeme, “even if he is my brother.Especiallyif he’s my brother.”
His tone suggested she’d all but asked them to perform an unnatural act.
She tilted her head. “But you dance with other men when you perform reels and the sword dance, do you not?”
“Aye, but we’re not hugging each other,” Grant said in a disgusted tone.
“Muttonheads,” Angus muttered. Still, the old fellow was starting to look amused.
“Young ladies dance with each other all the time when they’re taking lessons,” Victoria said.
“That’s different,” protested Graeme.
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin. “Why is it different?”
“Because it just is,” said Grant, awkwardly waving his arms.
Royal, who’d settled onto the chaise, flashed an evil grin. “Such impeccable logic.”
Graeme shot him a scowl. “Bugger you.”
“Watch your language,” Nick said sharply. “You’re in the presence of a lady.”
The twins pulled almost identical grimaces. “Sorry, Miss Knight,” said Graeme.
“Sorry, Miss Knight,” Grant echoed.
“Apologies accepted,” she said. “And if you don’t wish to learn how to waltz, I will completely understand.” She nodded and started to turn away.
Their loud protests brought her back around. “Ah, do I take it that you’re now willing to partner each other?”
The boys looked at each other. “I suppose so,” said Graeme. “If it means we eventually get to dance withrealgirls.”
“That is the point of this exercise, isn’t it?” she said with an approving smile.
By now, Royal was gasping with laughter, and Kade had clapped both hands over his mouth to contain his giggles. Even Angus seemed reluctantly impressed with the masterful way she’d managed the twins.
Watching his dainty, ladylike governess ruthlessly manipulate his brothers was the most entertaining thing Nick had seen in a long time.
Victoria shot Royal a stern look that had little effect on the rampant hilarity that Nick was glad to see. His brother never laughed anymore, and it was wonderful to see Royal’s eyes once more light up with genuine amusement.
“Just ignore him,” she said to the twins, who were glaring at Royal. She glanced down at their boots. “Now, those aren’t exactly dancing shoes, are they?”
“We don’t have any of those,” Grant said.
“We’ll have to order some if you’re serious about learning dances for balls and parties,” she said. “For now, you’d best just take off your boots. It’ll be easier to do the turns in your stocking feet.”
Once they’d obediently pulled off their boots, with Victoria looking rather horrified by the state of their socks, she showed them how to hold each other.
