“Nyoh,yes. But, there is a problem.”
“Oh, what problem could there be? I am certain the dance will be well attended.”
“Perhaps,” answered Skenan. “But, you see, I do not know any of the white man’s dances. And, since you and I are to be honored at this dance, I feel I must learn the steps, for they look complex to me.”
“Of course I will teach you, if that be what you are asking. But, did I hear you right? Did you say you and I are to be honored at this event?”
“I believe so.”
“Oh my, then we had better start learning. Mind you, I do not knowallof the steps and hand motions, as well as the promenades, but I know enough so that we could join in perhaps one or two of the dances.”
A strange look came over his countenance, one that seemed to say he was unsure of himself. Skenan uncertain? What folly.
But his voice was confident as he asked, “May I escort you to this dance?”
“Escort me?” she asked without hesitation. “You wish to accompany me to a dance? Here at the fort?”
He cleared his throat, then said, “Since we both entered the fort together, and since we are both to be honored at the same time, I would like to escort you…if you will have me.”
“Of course I will have you. Oh Skenan,” she said, as she took a step toward him. “I have missed you. I cannot tell you how very happy I am to see you again. I had thought…well I don’t know what I’d thought. But, it is all over now. You are here now and we will need every hour of the day to learn at least a couple of the dances. Come in here now and we shall begin to practice them at once. This might also be a good place where we can learn the dances in private.”
“It is good,” he said, smiling at her.
“Yes, indeed,” she replied. “It is good.
“Now, we stand opposite each other. When the music starts, you bow from the waist, and I curtsy. Then we begin. Oh, I should show you the steps first, shouldn’t I?”
Skenan grinned at her. And, Abagail, smiling back at him, felt instantly lighter.
“Now, the minuet step is the dance most commonly done, so I’ll teach you this one first. You start with your feet out in what’s called first position, and then you begin. This step is done to the count of six, and we dance on the balls of our feet.”She showed him exactly what was the ball of the foot.“Now,on count one, we both step forward with our right foot. On the count of two, we both bring the ankle of our left foot forward and we touch it against the right foot, like this, and we bend the knee slightly at that same time. We then take more steps, and on step six, you bring your right ankle to your left foot like this.” Again she demonstrated. “Then we start all over. It is usually danced in a circle or in a line, with the gentleman in one line and the ladies facing them.”
Skenan asked, “Have you ever been to one of these dances?”
“I admit I have not,” she replied.
“Then, tell me,” he said, “how it is you came to know this dance so well as to teach it to me.”
She looked down and grinned. Then, glancing up at him, she admitted, “It is because I was so small, back there in England. And so, I could easily sneak into the ballrooms where these dances were held, and I watched the couples until I knew the steps, the arm motions and the promenade. Then, privately, much as we are doing here, I practiced.”
“I am glad you watched, so that here and now you might teach these steps to me. I am glad also that this will be your first dance, and also mine. We shall then both experience this together, our first dance.”
“Yes,” she replied, grinning. “But, Skenan, I have only now realized I have none of the fine dresses women wear to these balls. Perhaps you might not wish to take me to this ball after all.”
“Fine dress or not,” he said, “you and I are both to be honored, and I wish to take you there and dance with you. I fear dancing with anyone else but you would be a waste of my energy. But, if you do not object, perhaps one of the Oneida women might lend you one of her best dresses. Shall I ask for you?”
“Oh no, I could not possibly have you ask someone to loan me a dress.”
“But—“
“I mean it, Skenan. I will not allow it.”
He grinned. “As you say. Come, let us practice.”
“All right. Now, Mr. Skenan, before we begin the lesson, I must tell you about the talk I had with Mr. Wilson shortly before you arrived here.”
“Nyoh,yes, I met him on the stairs as I was climbing up them. What did he say?”
“Skenan, he told me he had spoken with you, and it is you whom I have to thank for my freedom.”
