Page 6 of The Prince Falls First
“No,” she said simply.
His hands tightened their hold on her. “Really? It wasn’t for one of the fools you were dancing with earlier, or the one you were gazing at before our dance?”
Another twirl. “That seems ungenerous. I’m not saying some of them aren’t fools, or worse. I’m merely saying you shouldn’t judge someone unless you know them.”
“You’re not answering me.”
“Nor will I.”
They continued their way across the dance floor as classical music echoed through the ballroom.
“Are you coy on purpose?”
She laughed. “Hardly. If you must know, dancing with you will please my mother. That’s why I’m doing it.”
“But it doesn’t please you?”
“No,” she again responded simply and without further explanation.
Eventually, as he continued to wait for more, she sighed. “A dance with you takes me further from my goal and closer to my mother’s goal.”
A few things started to click. “Your mother wants you to be a princess.”
“Yes.”
“But you don’t?”
“No.”
“Don’t all little girls want to grow up and become princesses?”
She let out a very unladylike snort. “Hardly. Some of us are too busy surviving to imagine fairy tales, Your Highness.”
The music hit a crescendo, and he knew the end of their dance was coming. “I’d be honored if you could share what you meant by that.”
She shook her head. “I spoke hastily, Your Highness. I apologize. It must be the wine.”
“You only drank it a few minutes ago. Surely it didn’t go to your head that quickly.”
She looked away from him…or perhaps towards someone else?
He pulled her slightly closer, forcing her gaze to lock with his once again. He was edging against the line of propriety and scandal, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “Miss Ruffin, I’d like to see you again.”
“I’m sure you will, at some other party or such, though I doubt you’ll notice me. We have met before, as we’ve attended a few of the same functions.”
Had they been introduced and he simply forgot? How had he missed her?
“However, you shouldn’t feel obligated to dance with me again. Once should be sufficient for my mother.”
It wouldn’t be enough for him, he already knew it. “Do you really believe that?”
“No, but I’d like to.” Her voice was quieter, harder to hear as the music swelled once more. They had seconds left together, at best, before the dance ended.
“Miss Ruffin.” Oh, fuck propriety. “Genevieve. I’d like to see you again, and not just for a dance.”
Her eyes widened as the song came to an end. “I-I’m not that sort of woman, Your Highness.”
Before he could make it clear thatthatwasn’t what he meant, she pulled away to curtsy.
