I spotted Ellery’s mother dancing with a sea merchant and my father and Bria talking with the Earl of Calwick. Ivan remained on the dais with the earl and his two sons.
Partygoers packed the dance floor, and the seats along the wall were full of amsirah seeking a rest. Through the open doors on the side wall, servants hustled around outside as they set up the tables for a buffet-style supper.
From other parties here, I knew that after gathering their food, the attendees would travel into the dining room, where they could sit to eat. During other events, the earl had placed three and, at one time, four tables in the room to accommodate all his guests. I suspected there might be five tonight, as this was the largest crowd I’d ever seen here.
The other open doors, which opened onto a different area of the gardens, would remain free of any clutter or servants. It would stay that way for the night.
I didn’t see Ellery in the crowd and suspected she’d slipped out to the gardens. Many others would do the same throughout the night as they sought privacy or a chance to cool off amid the hedges and trees.
This could be my opportunity to get her alone. I went to set my glass on the tray of a passing server when the crowd shifted, and I spotted her standing at the edge of the dance floor.
The man beside her waved his hands as he prattled on about something. The way she stared at the dance floor with glassy eyes told me she had no interest in whatever he said.
I couldn’t intervene without drawing attention to us, but I didn’t have to as the music switched to the jovial beat of the Catari dance. I inwardly groaned as a collective cheer went through the crowd, and many clapped.
The drawn-out dance was far from my favorite, but no one sat it out, including Ivan, who must have commanded its start. The minstrels wouldn’t dare to play the song if they didn’t know the king was willing to leave his throne.
Ivan rose from his seat and lifted his arms in the air. The raucous cheers intensified.
“Let the dance begin!” Ivan declared.
As the crowd swarmed toward the dance floor, it swallowed Ellery again. The partygoers separated, so the men and women stood across from each other.
There were so many guests that three rows of lines were necessary to accommodate everyone. By the time the dance ended, every man and woman in the room would dance with each other at least two or three times.
Which meant I would get a chance to talk with Ellery again. It also meant she was soon to come face-to-face with my father again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ellery
I’d never dancedthe Catari before. My parents had trained me in it, and I’d expected to do it at the coronation, but for some reason, Ivan didn’t have the extremely popular dance performed at his coronation. He probably thought it would take some of the attention away from him if he did.
I dreaded having to perform this dance with every fiber of my being. It would put me in close contact with the king, the duke, and Ryker… if he’d recovered enough to dance.
My heart thudded against my ribs, and sweat coated my palms. I’d give anything not to seeanyof those men again, but I didn’t have a choice.
Unwilling to let anyone know how unnerved I was, I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress and tried to prepare myself for what was to come. But I wasn’t sure how anyone could prepare for Hell.
When the merchant I’d been talking with offered me his arm, I took it. We went out to the dance floor and joined one of the lines.
I stood across from the merchant while others filtered in around us. Once everyone was ready, Ivan clapped his hands to indicate the dance should start.
I tried not to think about the men I’d soon encounter as I focused on the steps I’d practiced with my parents and Scarlet’s family over the years. The last thing I needed was to make a fool of myself.
In unison, the men and women stepped toward each other. When the man lifted his right arm, I snaked my right arm around his until our palms pressed together.
In rhythm with the music, we moved in a circle.Don’t bump into anyone. Just don’t bump into anyone.
When our hands lowered, he touched my waist and pulled me close. Together, we twirled around our spot before he dipped me, lifted me, and spun me into the arms of the next gentleman as I moved through the line.
A vast array of colorful dresses twirled around the floor, making the room come alive. I smiled at each new partner as they twirled me from one man’s arms to another’s.
It was only a matter of time before I encountered someone I despised, but the dance was fun. As my nervousness over making an ass of myself waned, my joy in it grew.
Ivan was the first one I encountered. I braced myself for whatever he’d say or do, but he showed no recollection of me as his eyes flickered briefly over my face before shifting away while we danced.
He didn’t speak as he moved with the others; I was immensely grateful for that. Out of the three men I dreaded encountering, he was the one I feared least, but it was nice to escape his embrace without being leered at or ridiculed.
