“Aye, that I would,” he said to the instructor, although he gave Mari a dark look.
“Very well,” Miss Berry replied and turned back to the class. “We shall begin with thela pantalonfigure and progress tol’été.Remember, each is two-quarter time, so do not go rushing about.”
“’Tis a wonder to me why ye English speak so much French when ye were at war with Napoleon,” Jamie said as Miss Berry called the steps.
Mari giggled. “The quadrille originated in France, so of course the movements will be in French.”
“Umph.” Jamie watched the young dancers for a few moments. “’Tis a lot of fancy steps,” he finally said. “A mon could have his side gashed open prancing about with nae care to leaving himself open.”
“They are not fencing, sirrah. They are dancing. Civilized gentlemen do not need to worry about being attacked at a ball.”
Jamie looked skeptical. “Ye have nae heard of the Black Dinner then.”
“The Black Dinner?”
“Aye. The Black Douglas and his brother were invited to dine with young King James at Edinburgh Castle. Whilst they were guests, the governor, holding the reins of power, accused them of treason to young James.”
“King James? There has not been a James on the throne in over a hundred years. When was this?”
“In 1440.”
“That’s over three hundred years ago.”
“Scots have long memories, lass.”
Mari shook her head, wondering if perhaps Jamie’s brains had been addled during his last stint at the pugilist place. “And what, pray tell, does something that happened so long ago have to do with Society balls?”
He looked at her like she was the one discombobulated. “The Black Douglas was unarmed as courtesy demanded. He had nae chance to defend himself or escape.”
“Well, Society has changed since then. We have become much more civilized.”
Jamie raised a brow. “Ye might want to discuss that with the families who had their lands taken with the Clearances, lass.”
Miss Berry approached before Mari could ask him what he meant. She had only a smattering of historical knowledge—it had seemed rather boring when the schoolmaster presented the lessons.
“Your turn,monsieur,” Miss Berry said in a tone that brooked no nonsense. “The students are waiting.”
Mari caught the briefest of hesitation in Jamie’s eyes, and then he nodded and held out his hand to her.
“You will be joining me.”
It was a command, not a request. For a tiny second, Mari contemplated making him dance with the youngsters by himself. But then, she loved to dance. She put her hand in his and let him lead her to the group.
Surprisingly, he acquitted himself rather well, even if he did falter on the first few steps. Maddie had been right. All that grace he used in fencing displayed itself in the dance movements as well. The girls were soon giggling and trying to exchange places to partner with him. Mari stifled a groan. Jamie’s charm apparently knew no boundaries, young or old, although she had to admit he treated the young girls with the utmost decorum.
When the session was over and the governesses had come to collect their charges, Miss Berry motioned for Jamie and Mari to stay.
“Were you here for the spring Season last year?” she asked Mari.
“No, this year will be my first.”
“Ah, I did not think I remembered seeing you. I thought perhaps you might want to try the very latest dance from Paris called the waltz. Lady Jersey introduced it just last season.” She tilted her head slightly to look up at Jamie. “I must warn you, it is a bit scandalous.”
Apparently, fourteen-year-old girls were not the only ones mesmerized by Jamie, Mari thought. Miss Berry had a reputation for being a no-nonsense type of woman, yet she certainly was looking at Jamie with interest.
“Scandalous?” Mari asked.
“Indeed. The movement is actually quite simple—step, step, glide and close,” Miss Berry replied as she demonstrated. “The scandalous part is that the couple actually embraces.”
