Chapter 43 - Viennese waltz

He purposely glanced bored at the girl Lily introduced as her childhood friend.

"And you are?" She had the audacity to ask. He could read in her eyes that of course she knew who he was. But she did not seem to care, no, she even wanted to provoke him with this insolence. She seemed quite intentionally to renounce manners and demeanor of aristocrats.

Then Lily hastened to speak. "My husband, Alexandre de Valois." A brief sense of triumph rose in him. He held her tightly.

Alexandre was disturbed by Lady de Carvoisin's obvious hostility against him, but he greeted her with appropriate grandeur. Before he turned back to Lily. He exchanged a few trivial words with Lionelle de Carvoisin and led the young ladies back into the ballroom.

Alexandre only smiled satisfied once the first notes of Bedrich Smetana's Moldau sounded.

"May I have this dance?" Alexandre bowed to Lily and handed her his hand, which Lily grabbed in the first reflex. When she realized that she was out of practice, she tried to withdraw her hand, but he did not let her go. Lily swallowed hard. "Alexandre ..."

Nervousness made her heart flutter. Heaven, how much she despised her moment of carelessness. She would make a fool of herself if she stumbled over her legs!

Alexandre was looking straight at the center of the hall and led her to the dance floor, where other couples had already positioned themselves. He noticed her stiffen in his arms and looked down at Lily. "What's wrong?"

"I think I can't do that. I haven't danced in a long time." She admitted in distress. She has widened her eyes in panic and hoped he would escort her back from the dance floor. But his grip became firmer. "I lead." He explained barley and whispered in amusement. "You just have to look pretty." What earned him an indignant snort. She pulled on her hand. But he did not let her go.

He knew she always looked pretty. But today she was incredibly beautiful. The mint-colored ball gown gave her a graceful elegance. The countless 3D blossoms of lace spread on the fine organza fabric. She appeared to him like an elf at Elf king's nocturnal festivals. The strapless dress revealed her slender shoulders. Her graceful gooseneck was surrounded by a pair of dark curls that had broken loose from her romantic updo. A rosy complexion lay on her face, giving her that certain freshness that reminded him of her lips. Her kisses that tasted so refreshing every time.

Alexandre laughed at himself. Elf? Refreshing kisses? Really! He raved like a schoolboy.

"Are you crazy! I will make myself to the laughingstock of society. If that happens, you can't hide that with your lies. Because everyone will see it." She snorted in horror.

"When dancing, you have to rely on your partner to show you the way. The step sequence of the waltz is slow-fast-fast, slow-fast-fast. Very easily."

With gentle pressure he put her in position. Lily tried to protest. But with a fluid movement he ran over her arm and grabbed her fingers. A lightning shot through her body as he touched her fingertips and heated up her whole body. He put his right hand palm against hers and wrapped his fingers around hers. With routine grace he raised her left hand to his broad shoulder and then wrapped his strong arm around her slender waist to pull her close. Her whole body tingled under his touch. It seemed as if a fire was awakening on her skin. His hand lay on her back.

"Trust me, Lily. Follow me to where I lead you." Alexandre moved slowly to the right then back to the left. Always to the beat of the magnificent orchestral music. Her heart was beating earsplitting. Her head was numb with excitement. She felt how countless gazes following their dance. But her body seemed to remember the thousands of dance lessons with Johannes. Her private dance teacher with a backbone, stiff as a broom. Surprised, Lily lowered her eyes to her feet.

Alexandre laughed. "Look me in the eyes!" He pulled her tighter and held her securely in his arms. She moved with him as if they were one.

Lily took a shaky breath, trying to relax a little. She felt his hot breath on her skin as her feet moved magically - first right. Left. Right. Turn, then left. She completely surrendered to his leadership. Lily embarked on this wondrous experience and forgot all her worries for a moment. Who would have thought that swinging through the room was such an enchanting experience? Lily suddenly felt so light. Despite her nervousness.

Again and again they turned around the hall. Beside her she heard the rustle of fabrics. She recognized some colorful ball gowns from the corner of her eye but could not take her eyes off his face. Alexandre had a relaxed expression, almost happy. This time, no layer of ice covered his beautiful features.

Her arm rested on his protruding shoulder muscle, while she held out the other and her hand was in his. Never before had she been held with such force. Such an overwhelming strength. That was not a normal dance. She felt as if she were floating above clouds. She closed her eyes as the music fell silent, and they came to a halt.

His hand moved lightly over her back, leaving a trail of fire on her skin, up to her shoulders. She opened her eyes abruptly. His fingers raised her chin. Lily shuddered under his touch. His piercing eyes captivated her, robbing her of air for a moment.

A tension was in the air, like a spell. Everything around her seemed forgotten. He leaned down to her. His lips touched her as light as a feather. Only for a split-second. But long enough that her legs gave way under her.

Alexandre held her until she found support on her shaky legs again. A triumphant smile appeared on his lips. It confused him.