"And then we can sneak away?"
"I'm not sure if we're going to manage tonight," he responds, nodding over to where his father is watching us.
"I should have known."
"Mmm."
"Can you imagine if this had been when we'd found out about one another?" I ask, already forgetting about all of the people around us.
Linc laughs. "I would have been quite shocked."
"I'd have felt even more like an idiot than I already do for not having worked out you were the Prince."
"In fairness, I'm just as much of one for not realising you're from House Rothorne," he says.
"You know what should have really given it away?"
He spins me under his arm before responding. "What?"
"Marcus."
He chuckles. "Ah, yes. That one should have been obvious. You told me you met your cousin on the first night here."
"And I should have been tipped off by the fact he was comfortable on the third floor of the library with Lord Luca. I just thought the two of you were good friends."
"I suppose we are," he responds. "But we're also brothers. Well, half-brothers." He spins me again, the move effortless when it's with him.
"I know this is all fast, but I'm glad it's you I'm here with."
"Me too," he agrees.
"What would you have done if it had been someone other than me your father had announced?" I'm not sure whether I want to know the answer. We've been skirting around it for a few weeks, trying to work out what it will mean for our relationship.
"My duty," he responds as he pulls me closer to him. It's probably closer than we should be during a dance, but I doubt anyone is paying attention. Or if they are, they're thinking that it's sweet for us to be like this just after the announcement of our betrothal.
"I hope this is better than that," I respond, meeting his gaze.
"Yes." He swallows hard. "But I'm also scared." He spins me outwards, and I make sure to extend my arm the way we've been taught in class. I don't know if this looks as good as it feels, but I hope so.
He pulls me back to him and I place my hand on his chest to complete the move. "Scared?"
"For you. Being a princess is dangerous."
"My family keeps telling me that being married to someone I love is also dangerous," I respond.
He raises an eyebrow. "Do you love me, Beatrice?"
I meet his gaze. "I don't know," I whisper. "But I could."
The dance comes to an end and the two of us break apart. I step back and dip into another curtsy, looking forward to getting off the dance floor and somewhere with fewer people staring at me. It's enough to make me wish that the masks were back on, then at least I could pretend that they're just trying to work out if they know me.
Several couples head onto the floor ready to dance, and I take the opportunity to slip my arm through Linc's and allow him to lead me to the refreshments table.
"I will admit, it's nice not to feel like we have to sneak around to spend time with one another," I say.
"Yes. And a relief."
"Oh?"
