Chapter 52: The Courting

ETAN

Eventually the music began, and all the young Lords and Ladies began to shift towards the center of the hall, while the Rulers and older generations, spread out on benches or at their tables, chatting and watching the younger ones circle each other.

Etan stood to the side of the dancefloor, his arms folded, Borsche a few feet behind him.

He watched carefully, from the corner of his eye, as Ayleth was led from her table to the dancefloor by her cousin Dugg.

He was walking straight now, at least, Etan thought with a wicked grin.

"Oh, you look like trouble, and that's exactly what I'm in the mood for," a pleasant voice said to his other side.

Surprised, Etan turned to find a lovely brunette, her hair curled around her shoulders, in a very low-cut ballgown so pink it was almost, scandalously, red.

She caught his surprised gaze and waited until he remembered his manners and bowed, taking her hand and introducing himself.