“
Once Alex enters the room, I forget I’m even hungry and nearly drop my plate. A helpful servant scoops it up from my hands.
I see him in profile, his long lean body in stark shades of black and white: knee-high socks, dark, well-fitted pants, a jacket the color of midnight, and a snowy-white cravat as pressed and starched as ever. I’d think he looked entirely too formal, except my own dress is at least as fancy. Today, it’s appropriate.
As much as it would be great to see him in a T-shirt, jeans, and ball cap, the formal attire simply suits him.
He surveys the room as the others take notice of his presence, but before they can bombard him, his eyes sweep across to me and then stop. His lips give way to the slightest of smiles, and then he’s heading straight toward me, leaving a gaggle of disappointed faces in his wake.
“Do I look okay?” I whisper to Emily, unable to take my eyes off of him long enough to check.
She squeezes my hand. “You look…”
“Stunning,” Alex finishes as he arrives in front of me.
“Your Grace,” I say, for the first time, and curtsy.
He looks amused that I’ve addressed him so formally. “My lady.” He bows, a deeper bow than I’ve ever seen him do.
I rise and look him in the eye again. “I thought you said I wasn’t a lady.”
He smirks. “I thought you said you were.”
We smile at one another, and the room fades around me.
“Save the next dance?”
I nod.
“Wonderful. I shall find you then.”
And then he leaves me with Emily, and I finally know what a swoon is as I grab her elbow.
“I thought he might ravish you right here on the floor,” she says with a giggle.
“Emily!”
“What?”
And then I can’t help it; I burst into a fit of giggles with her, until my sides ache and I can hardly breathe. A few guests stare as they pass us--I’m betting such behavior is frowned upon--but I find that I don’t even care. It’s been so long since I’ve had a friend who made me feel like I could be myself. Ironic, since I’m Rebecca here, but it’s still invigorating and exhilarating, and all we’re doing is standing here laughing like total lunatics. It’s definitely against Victoria’s Rules for Proper Young Ladies.
But I don’t care. I am me. Whether that is someone they like or someone they despise, I am who I am, and that’s the truth.
When have I ever been this sure of myself?
“Is everything all right?” Emily stops giggling.
“Yes. I--” I pause, taking a breath. “I’m…better than all right.” I glance around at the beautiful, sparkling ballroom and then back at Emily’s smiling face. “I’m perfect.
”
”