Page 3 of The Searching Songbird

Chapter Three

Lily sighed as she watched her eldest sister, Dahlia, spin around the room in the arms of her new husband. Dahlia and David, the consummate couple. Drawn to each other through their shared passion for music, they complemented each other perfectly. She was kind and considerate, but oh so responsible... the result of being the eldest of four sisters. Well, three blood sisters, and Lily, the last minute add on. Dahlia had always treated her the same as Rosemary and Violet, however, and Lily loved her for it.

Now, David, on the other hand, wasn't nearly such a stick in the mud. He was funny and adventurous, always on the hunt for new sounds and styles to add to his music. And what's more, he didn't treat Lily like a child, as so many others did. Having grown only a mere inch past five feet, her slight figure and baby face often led people to believe she was younger than she actually was. Even now, a grown woman of twenty years, they still spoke to her as if she were barely out of the nursery.

Not David, though. He was insightful. And handsome, with his unruly, light brown hair that was always falling carelessly over one eye and that ever present smile that instantly set you at ease. He was perfection.

And he was married to Dahlia, her beautiful, raven-haired sister whom she loved. The same woman he was even now gazing at as though she were the only person in the room. Yes, David was perfection. And David and Dahlia were perfect for each other.

Lily turned away from the dance floor. What is wrong with you? Drooling over your brother-in-law like some kind of love-struck ninny, not even an hour after your sister's wedding? Pathetic.

She skirted her way around the edge of the floor, nodding at familiar faces as she passed. Her sister Rosemary's laughter rose over the music, loud as ever, as she was twirled around in a circle by one of the royal knights in attendance. Lily smirked, catching Violet's eye as she made her way to her side.

“I see Rose is having a good time.”

“Oh, yes. As is her partner, a Sir William Cornish if I'm not mistaken.”

“As much as I love her, I cannot understand why so many men flock to her at these things. She's a bit over the top.”

Violet snorted. “There's an understatement, if I've ever heard one. I believe what you meant to say was ridiculous. She's absolutely ridiculous. But that's not what keeps the men lining up like idiots, vying for her attention.”

“What is it, then?”

“Cleavage, my dear, sweet, naive Lily. Cleavage and lots of flattery. She may seem ridiculous, but Rose is far shrewder than most give her credit. She understands the weaknesses of the inferior sex and exploits them to her advantage.” Violet sighed, shaking her head in dismay. “If only she'd use her talents for something a bit more productive than gaining admirers.”

Lily laughed, glancing back at Rosemary's smiling face, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling as she twirled around the room. “Well, she's having fun, anyway.” She poked Violet in the side. “What about you? Aren't you going to dance at all? Or were you hoping to sneak off with that book you tried to smuggle in? I'm assuming you found a way to get it back from Papa.”

“I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about,” Violet responded airily, fanning her face with her hand. “But now that you mention dancing, it does make me realize just how hot it's getting in here. Perhaps I'll step out for a bit, get some air.” She winked as she pulled a slim book out of the back waistband of her skirt. “Oh, and before I forget, I ran into Josselyn earlier. Her Majesty was hoping for a chance to speak with you tonight. She seemed... agitated. I told her I'd pass along the message.”

Wrinkling her forehead, Lily craned her neck as she searched the room for the queen. “Did she say what it was about?”

Violet shrugged. “Something about a weird dream? I don't know, she didn't go into detail, and I didn't press. Let me know what she says later, will you? I'm going to step out for now.”

“Yeah, okay,” Lily murmured, only half listening as she scanned the ballroom. Why had they invited so many people to this thing? It made finding anyone almost impossible. Or maybe it only felt that way when you were shorter than almost everyone in attendance. She stood on her tiptoes, one hand holding onto the back of a chair for balance. She contemplated climbing up on the chair itself for a better view, but knew she would never actually do it.

“Looking for someone, Miss Lily?”

She smothered a startled scream at the sudden voice behind her head. Pressing a hand to her chest, she turned and looked up at the handsome, young knight who wasn't even attempting to hide his amusement at having surprised her. Narrowing her eyes, she gave him her frostiest glare.

“Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people, Sir Edmund, or am I a special case? Either way, it wasn't very chivalrous of you.”

He held his hands up. “It wasn't my intention to startle you, I swear.” He grinned. “It was simply a humorous bonus.”

“I'm so glad I can amuse you. Now, if that's all...” She turned her back to him as she resumed scanning the room. Chuckling, he touched her lightly on the elbow.

“Sorry, I've gotten so used to teasing Joss over the years, that I'm afraid it's become a rather bad habit of mine. Forgive me?”

She pursed her lips, glancing over her shoulder at him. He met her gaze with big, puppy dog eyes, and she laughed in spite of herself. “I suppose I must, seeing as you're one of Josselyn's oldest friends. Speaking of which, have you seen Her Majesty? I need to have a word with her, but it's so crowded in here, I can't see a thing.”

“Last I saw, she was dancing with that overprotective guard dog of hers.”

“I'm not sure you should be referring to our king as a canine.”

“Old habits. You know how it is.” He flashed his teeth at her in a dazzling smile that brought out the boyish dimples in his cheeks. “Dance with me?”

She tapped her chin. “Well, I suppose it would give me a better view of the floor...”

He laughed, taking her hand in his as he pulled her into the mass of people, a lively Kalo wedding song already making her feet lighter as she followed him. He spun her out, making her skirts swirl, before pulling her back in until her back was resting against his chest. Sliding his hands down to her waist, he lifted her up, making her laugh as the thrill of the music and movement whirled around her. Was there anything more pleasing than music? It was hard to imagine.