Amber watched the King with enchanted eyes.
How handsome he is, she thought, and how he walks and stands! Oh, I wonder if I dare ask him to dance! She knew that court etiquette required that ladies ask his Majesty to dance with them. I wonder if he still remembers me—no, of course he doesn’t. How could he? That was three years and a half ago—God knows how many women there’ve been since then. But, oh, I want to dance—I don’t want to stand here all evening by myself!
In her excitement she had altogether forgotten Radclyffe just beside her, silent and unmoving.
When the coranto ended Charles called for an allemande—in which several couples might participate—and as the floor began to fill Amber waited breathlessly, praying that she would be asked. She felt like a little girl at her first party, lost and forlorn, and she was beginning to wish herself safe at home again when—to her immense joy and relief—Lord Buckhurst made her a bow.
“M-m-may I have the pleasure of her Ladyship’s company f-for this dance, my lord?” When sober, Buckhurst had a slight tendency to stutter, which caused him much annoyance.
Amber, with a start of surprise, remembered her husband then and turned to him with a look of apprehension. Suppose he should refuse! But he bowed as graciously as she could have hoped.
“Certainly, my lord.”
Amber gave Buckhurst a dazzling happy smile and laid her hand on his arm. They walked out to join the other dancers, who stood in a double line halfway down the room. Charles and Castlemaine were the first couple and everyone followed their lead—a few steps forward and a few steps back, and then a pause. The figure of the dance offered them all opportunity for flirtation or talk.
Buckhurst smiled down at Amber. “H-how the devil did you get here?”
“Why, how d’ye think, sir? I’m a countess!”
“You told me, m-madame, that you weren’t g-going to marry again.”
She gave him a mischievous sparkling glance. “But I changed my mind. I hope your Lordship won’t be inclined to hold a grudge.”
“Good Lord, no! Y-you can’t believe what a pleasure it is to s-s-see a new face here at Court. We’re all s-so damned bored with one another.”
“Bored!” cried Amber, shocked. “How
But he was not able to answer, for by now they had reached the opposite end of the room where they parted, the gentlemen walking down one side and the ladies down the other. Each couple met again, executed a few steps which formed a square, and the dance ended. Buckhurst led her back to Radclyffe, thanked the Earl, and there left her. Amber knew at once that his Lordship was displeased, that he did not like to see her enjoying herself and attracting attention, completely forgetful of him.
“You’re having a pleasant evening, madame?” he asked her coldly.
“Oh, yes, your Lordship!” She hesitated for an instant and then, doubtfully, “Are you?”
But he did not reply, for all at once the King was beside them, smiling. “It was most considerate of you, my lord,” he said, “to marry a beautiful woman. There isn’t a man here tonight who isn’t grateful to you.” Radclyffe bowed. “We’re all of us tired of looking at the same faces and gossiping about the same people.”
Charles smiled down at Amber who was looking at him, fascinated, powerfully aware of his charm, which was so strong it seemed to be an almost physical force. As his black eyes met hers her head began to spin dizzily. But she was even more aware that here before her, with the whole world looking on, stood the Monarch of Great Britain, smiling and complimenting her.
“You’re very kind, Sire,” said Radclyffe.
Amber made a curtsy, but her tongue was maddeningly tied. Her eyes, however, had almost too much eloquence—and Charles’s face would always betray him in the presence of a pretty woman. Radclyffe watched them, his own face noncommittal as a mummy’s.
But it was only for an instant, and then Charles turned back to address Radclyffe. “I understand, my lord, that you’ve recently acquired a very rare Correggio.”
Radclyffe’s cold blue eyes lighted, as always at any mention of his paintings. “I have, your Majesty, but it’s not yet arrived. I’m expecting it very soon, however, and when it comes if you are interested I should be most happy to show it to you.”
“Thank you, sir. I’d very much like to see it. And now, will you permit me, my lord?” Already he was extending his arm to Amber, and as Radclyffe gave his assent, bowing again, they walked out onto the floor.
Amber’s whole being filled with fierce buoyant pride. It was as though she stood in a blazing light and all the rest of the world in darkness, its eyes focused upon her. The
