Page 40 of Her Royal Houseguest

So he maintained a silent glower to see which men would insist on their dance with her or slink away. How hardy was the average English spirit?

Not very, if these men were anything to judge by. They approached, they failed in their conversation attempts and then they slunk away. None insisted on their dance with Lady Anna. None challenged him for the right to her presence.

‘You’re enjoying yourself,’ she said after the seventh gentleman withdrew. It had the tone of an accusation.

‘One is expected to enjoy a party.’

‘But you’re not enjoying the party. You’re enjoying torturing those men.’ She shot him a hard look. ‘You could at least try to say something to them.’

‘They have not said anything interesting to me.’

‘But I have?’ she challenged.

‘I have allowed you to remain by my side, have I not?’

‘Yes, you have,’ she said, humour lacing her tone. ‘Why?’

He looked at her. ‘Because you are interesting to me.’

She turned, facing him squarely. ‘There are several gentlemen who would be honoured to explain English customs to you. Gentlemen who are diplomats, better versed in royal protocol than I am. Gentlemen of industry who could discuss goods for import or export between our countries.’

‘I met them this afternoon.’ His tone made it clear that they held no more interest to him this day.

‘Or perhaps any of the dozens of ladies here would love to catch your attention.’

‘My attention is not a fish to be caught.’ He turned towards her. ‘I choose where I swim.’ He frowned, not liking that he had just compared himself to a fish. But she chuckled, apparently amused by the image.

‘And, apparently, who gets to swim with me.’

He heard amusement in her tone, not pique. But there was also a rebuke, which was well deserved. He had no right to determine which men claimed her for a dance. And yet, any man who was so easily intimidated did not deserve her.

‘This dancing such as you do,’ he abruptly said. ‘What is the meaning of it?’

She looked at him, startled. ‘The meaning? Of dancing?’

‘Yes. The tale that is told by walking and turning like that. What is the meaning?’

She frowned. ‘I don’t understand. The meaning is to have fun.’

He looked at her then back at the dancers. ‘Circling and walking? Hopping?’

‘Yes.’

‘But where are the tales of your people? Your Bible has stories, does it not?’

‘Definitely.’

‘How do the common people learn it?’

‘We tell them. Or they read it.’ She tilted her head. ‘Do you mean you dance your tales? How wonderful!’

‘Our stories are told in this way. But you…’ He gestured back to the dance floor. ‘You do that for fun.’

‘Yes,’ she said with a sigh. ‘I love dancing.’

He heard the yearning in her voice and felt a pang of guilt. He had denied her this joy by keeping her at his side. Well, that was something he could rectify.

‘You will teach me a dance,’ he declared.