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“She’s a prude, not a lackwit, Vicky. I had a governess or two which were the exact same way.”
“You did?”
“Yes. My brothers and I used to play a particular game—Valor of Vinehill—that would drive them each batty.”
“Valor of Vinehill? That sounds exciting, how did you play it?”
“It involved climbing the vines that ran up the side of our grandfather’s castle and then storming in through the windows. The one that could climb the fastest and quickest would win. And we had at least—”she paused, counting on her fingers—“six of our governesses quit after not being able to get us down from the wall. We were quite terrible rascals now that I reflect upon it.”
Vicky giggled. “Terrible, maybe—though it does sound exciting—I wish I had brothers.” Vicky set the sheet music back onto the pianoforte.
“Yes, I didn’t ken it when I was younger—they thought I was a pest and I thought they were mean for not always including me—but now I would move heaven and earth for either of them.”
“They sound like princes—are they handsome?”
Sloane chuckled. “I suppose some ladies are enamored with them—I’ve been looking at their faces for far too many years to be able to tell if they’re handsome. Though if it feeds the fantasy of them, they are both big men—warriors.” Her eyes darkened for a moment. “Warriors that will be out for blood once they discover I’ve been held captive here.”
Vicky’s eyes expanded to saucers. “They won’t hurt Uncle Reiner, will they?”
“I don’t ken what they’ll do, Vicky.”
“Well, then he should let you go. And apologize. That will stop them, won’t it?”
“Possibly. I do agree with you—he should let me go.” Her lips puckered into a frown. That was too much to hope for at the moment.
Claude and Lawrence—the two guards Reiner had ordered to follow her every step—sat just outside the library in the corridor. It’d been that way since the morning she’d found her door open when she awoke. They were always just outside the door—just ten steps behind her. It was clear Reiner had no intention of letting her go until he got answers.
Answers she wished she had for herself.
The most important answers she needed being what had happened to her arm and then, how did she get here?
Wiping the sourness from her face, Sloane clapped her hands and motioned for Vicky to come to her. “But let us not dwell on that, for it is something we cannot change at the moment. Let us start on the waltz—from what I can remember of it. Since we have no music I can hum a tune, if it will help.”
“I thought you said you knew how to dance it.” Vicky walked toward her.
“I do, but only from seeing it afar at a country ball and with an imaginary partner in my arms as I copied the steps. As I said, my governesses and chaperones were staunch protectors of my virtue and in London I was whisked away from any ballroom the moment the word ‘waltz’ was whispered. My grandfather had high, high standards of the poor women meant to keep my reputation impeccable.” She chuckled to herself. “If it wasn’t climbing vines, it was my penchant for being drawn to scandal at parties that did them in. I fear I owe all of them apology after apology.”
Vicky grinned. “And I fear I will be much like you, Miss Sloane.”
“Why? Is Miss Gregory not your first governess? How many have you gone through?”
The mischievous smile widened on Vicky’s face. “She’s my third.”
Sloane chuckled. “Your third? My, you do put them through the paces, don’t you? I always had my brothers to blame for the governesses throwing up their hands and leaving. It is unfortunate you don’t have someone else to condemn as I did—it is entirely convenient to do so, whether they deserve the blame or not.”
Sloane studied the girl for a long moment. Her thick dark hair and dark lashes set off the spark of her blue eyes. “You will be something to behold when you join the marriage mart in London in a number of years. So we best get to perfecting those steps. By the time you arrive in London, the waltz will be very proper, I imagine.”
Vicky nodded, stepping in front of her.
“I will try and lead, though I never imagined myself in the role.” Sloane set her right hand around Vicky’s torso, just below her lower shoulder blade. “Your left hand will rest above my arm, just wrapping the outer tip of my shoulder.” Vicky’s hand went in place. “And then we clasp our other hands. I do believe they are held rather high.”
Sloane centered their bodies and looked at Vicky. “It is three steps. You will go backward and I will go forward. One step, one to the side, and close the feet. Then we repeat starting with the other foot.”
Vicky nodded. “It sounds simple.”
Sloane cleared her throat, then a lilting hum bubbled from her throat. With a nod at Vicky, she started forward. Her knee instantly bumped into Vicky’s thigh. Vicky giggled.
“Apologies. We’ll start again.” Sloane reset her feet and started the tune once more. Another nod, and she stepped with her left foot toward Vicky. Her right foot went out to the side and her left foot closed the gap as she dragged Vicky with her. The girl hopped a step to catch up to Sloane just as she started forward with her right foot. Sloane banged into Vicky, tumbling atop her.
