Page 26 of The Beautiful Pretender

Except for Lady Magdalen. Unlike Avelina, Magdalen was kind and gentle and probably never had a selfish thought in her life.

Magdalen deserved someone wealthy and powerful, and mostimportantly, she deserved someone kind and good. And though Lord Thornbeck sometimes looked quite severe and frightening, and he had a bad temper at times, he was much better than most other noblemen Magdalen might end up married to. And if Avelina had anything to do with it, Magdalen would end up married to him.

“The truth is,” Avelina told Magdalen the next day, “I cannot dance. I never learned.”

Magdalen stared at her in shock. “How is that possible? Did no one try to teach you?”

“My father never hired a tutor for me.” In the strictest sense, this was true. While Lord Plimmwald had made sure his daughter had learned every dance known to the noble class of the Holy Roman Empire, Avelina’s father told her that her duty was to Lord Plimmwald and his daughter and had never let her go to the festivals with the other peasant girls, where they danced and played games. She should be grateful that she had a place in the earl’s household and did not have to work in a field all day in the sun and rain and mud.

But she couldn’t tell Magdalen that.

“Did your father never hold balls and parties at Plimmwald Castle? Did he not want you to attract the attention of a nobleman who would want to marry you?”

“No.” Avelina shook her head, trying to look innocent. And there had been very few balls and parties for Lady Dorothea either. She had once heard the earl say that he planned to arrange Dorothea’s marriage, and therefore there was no use in holding dances at the castle or sending her elsewhere to balls.

Perhaps that was one reason she ran off with Sir Dietric.

“What if Lord Thornbeck is angry with you for not dancing? You must let me teach you how.” Lady Magdalen looked at her thoughtfully.

“Do you think you can teach me in one afternoon?”

“Perhaps not all the dances, but most of them are simple.” Magdalen explained and demonstrated some of the dances, helping Avelina practice them.

“But how will I know which dance they are dancing?” Avelina asked. “I am certain to make a fool of myself in front of everyone. Besides, I told Lord Thornbeck that I would not dance, and he did not say anything.”

Magdalen merely smiled in her pleasant, calm way. “You will have ever so much more fun if you dance. Come. It is not so difficult. We shall go through the steps again. You can learn these two dances, and if they are dancing something you do not know or recognize, you can say you are tired. But you must dance.”

It did seem as if it would be fun, if she knew what she was doing. So they continued to practice until they were both laughing and out of breath.

Hegatha came into the room, a stern, disapproving look on her face. “Dear Magdalen, you must not tire yourself before the ball tonight.”

“I shall go.” Avelina clasped Magdalen’s hand. “Thank you ever so much.”

“You are most welcome.” She leaned closer and whispered, “I am sorry Hegatha is so rude. You do not have to go.”

“I should go get ready for the ball. Thank you again.”

Avelina hurried down the corridor to her own chamber. It was a bit exciting to think of going to a ball and actually dancing.

10

HE NEVER SHOULDhave let Jorgen and Odette talk him into having not one but two dances.

Reinhart stood in the large ballroom at the bottom of the stairs. Already the men were assembled. He had asked several young noblemen to come to the ball so the ladies would have enough partners for the dances.

He couldn’t dance, with his permanent limp and injured ankle. But the ball was another of Jorgen and Odette’s tests, a trial of vanity and pride. They would not have quite enough men for all the ladies to have a partner, so they would be able to observe how each lady dealt with this. Would they vie for partners? Or would they allow another lady to dance by sacrificing a dance or two? Would they compete for the best-looking and wealthiest men with the highest titles, or would they flirt with the margrave?

The second ball would take place on the last night of the two weeks. There he would reveal whom he had chosen to be his wife.

Already they were starting to come down the stairs to the ballroom floor.

The leader of the musicians was looking to Reinhart. He gave him a nod, and the musicians started to play, a sound that should draw the rest of the ladies from their rooms.

Jorgen strode toward him. “My lord, you are in a very good place from which to observe while everyone is dancing. Are you sure you do not wish some paper and a piece of charcoal for taking notes?”

“I shall rely on my memory.”

Jorgen bowed and hurried away.