Free Seduced by Grace by Jennifer Blake Page B

conversation between him and any other. He kept forgetting to eat slowly so none would go hungry because they must stop stuffing their guts the instant he pushed back his plate, and he must walk without haste because otherwise the bows and curtsies rendered to him looked like the jerky movements of badly constructed marionettes.
    It was maddening.
    Nonetheless, the instruction in kingly manners and protocol continued by day and by night. It was conducted by one or two courtiers close to the king, for the most part, and in secret. That was, until it came to thedancing. Every prince was apparently supposed to be able to caper with ease.
    If he was to suffer through the indignity of such tutelage, it would not be under the guidance of some aging musician with spindly shanks and no teeth, no matter how discreet he might be. He demanded Lady Marguerite as his instructress.
    “Where have you been?” he demanded, his fists on his hips as he watched her come down the long gallery toward him, a sylphlike figure in pale green silk embroidered in a tracery of green vines that made her look as provocative yet illusive as a wood nymph. “I’ve scarcely seen you except at table since we got here.”
    “As the castle has been taken over by the king’s hunting party, our host’s good lady and chatelaine, Lady Joan, considers it prudent to keep to her solar. Her daughters and I attend to her, given she is blunt-spoken and with a clout like the captain of your men-at-arms.” Her brown eyes held a bright sparkle of humor. “You would not believe the prodigious amount we have embroidered on a wall hanging drawn to the lady’s design, one destined for the great hall. It’s to be a record of the king’s visit, though the deer look as if they have tree roots growing out of their heads and the rabbits resemble mice.”
    He smiled, he couldn’t help it. Her drollery had always amused him, even when it was a trifle sharp-tongued. More than that, she gladdened his heart. He did not remember her being quite so shapely before, or moving with such grace and unconscious allure, but could appreciate it now. And if his wayward body responded with a painful form of enthusiasm, at least his doublet was notof the ridiculously short mode that would make the results obvious.
    “Poor Lady Marguerite, stitching was never a favorite pastime. I seem to recall helping pick out half the stitches you put in.”
    “And kind it was of you to lend me your aid,” she answered as she came to a halt before him. “I’m somewhat more accomplished with a needle these days, but dare hope it’s not a skill you require just now.”
    He told her what was needful, and waited to hear what she would say to it.
    “Teach you to dance?” she asked, the slashes of her brows drawing together in puzzlement. “This is at Henry’s order?”
    “None other.”
    “I can see that you might have to take an empty floor to lead some merriment, but surely—”
    “You can do it?” he interrupted, in no mood to hear objections. “You know the steps and turns in the latest style?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Excellent. We will begin at once.”
    She gave him a darkling look from under her lashes that made him wonder if he hadn’t become more autocratic than he realized. She did not demur, however. Not a little relieved, he turned and gestured to a manservant standing beside a screen set at the far end of the otherwise empty gallery. Moments later, music began to issue from behind it, a spritely tune played with a will upon viele and lute, pipe and horn.
    “Very convenient,” she said as she took the hand heoffered and walked with him to the center of the floor. “But are these music-makers hidden for a reason?”
    “I am to remain incognito during this time of preparation.”
    Skepticism appeared in the rich brown of her eyes. “Surely they will be curious?”
    “They have been paid not to be, I believe.”
    “Ah.”
    For long moments, he stepped and turned and pointed