Chapter 45 - Another Ball (2/2)

Al stuck out his hand to shake. ”I've heard a lot about you.”

”And I've heard almost nothing about you but it's nice to meet you anyway,” Edmund said cheerfully as he accepted it. ”I still can't believe you of all people ended up with a pri—”

”Edmund.” Percy's curt voice cut him off. ”I believe you are holding up the line.”

I frowned. I wasn't nearly done talking with one of the only people in this room I actually knew and liked.

It was a bit awkward seeing Percy after all this time. The countess had taken full advantage of visiting with the queen on a regular basis under the pretext of wedding planning but Percy was too busy with the earl trying to learn the ropes for when his day in court came.

I had only seen him once since the day I arrived at the palace. It didn't help that I was basically being held hostage. I hadn't left the palace at all since security was so tight.

”Percy, I only talked to him for a minute,” I complained.

He gave me a wry smile. ”It is nice to see you too, Catherine.”

It almost sounded like he was blaming me for our lack of contact. I pouted.

”Hey, I haven't been able to leave. You could have come to see me if you wanted.”

”That is true,” he conceded. ”But really, you have many more people to talk to. Edmund is staying with us until after the wedding. I can bring him by to see you tomorrow if you have time.”

My lessons were virtually over. I had nothing BUT time. ”Please do.”

”We could all play cards,” Al suggested, finally rejoining the conversation. He was so quiet I had nearly forgotten he was there.

Edmund grinned. ”So she taught you too, huh? I look forward to it. See you Katie! Your Highness!”

Al sighed as we moved on and grumbled under his breath. ”You get to be Katie but I'm stuck being Your Highness.”

I gave him a strange look. ”You realize that less than ten people in this entire country call me Katie. I'm just as sick of being called 'Lady Catherine' as you are of 'Your Highness.'”

”At least you'll be joining the ranks soon enough.”

The reminder of our impending marriage made my expression darken ever so briefly before we were greeted by the next set of guests. It seemed like we were stuck talking to people for a lifetime before the music began.

As the engaged couple, we started off the first dance of the night.

”Can you talk now?” he asked as we began whirling around.

I shook my head. ”Too many people. Somebody might hear us.”

”Can you at least tell me if it's because of something I did? I've been worrying about what I could have done for days.”

There was that wounded expression again. It cut me to the core.

This wasn't really his fault. How could I blame an incredibly bored, lonely person for latching onto the first one to show them fun? My mistake was getting involved with him in the first place.

I gave him a reassuring smile. ”It's nothing you did, promise. Sorry for worrying you.”

He practically wilted with relief before resuming his dance posture. ”Thank goodness. I had to wonder…but why were you avoiding me then?”

”I needed some time alone to figure things out,” I admitted. ”Can we not talk about this here? The last thing I need on my plate is more gossip.”

”Alright, what do you want to talk about then?”

I don't know! I'm barely trying to get through this ordeal, okay?! ”Do we have to talk?”

He squinted at me in concern. ”My Katie, not wanting to talk? That's new.”

”Who's yours,” I muttered.

”Look around us. This whole ball is to celebrate that you're mine,” Al said almost smugly.

I wanted to protest but the song ended and it was time to change partners and he disappeared into the crowd.