Page 46 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

I barely notice that we're moving, I'm caught up in the way it feels to be so close to him.

"You're good at this," I say.

"Five extra years of practice," he says. "Though I think this is only the third time I've actually danced at a ball."

A flame of jealousy builds within me.

Something must show on my face, because Linc laughs. "I danced with my sister the previous two."

"Oh." I look down. "You must think I'm an idiot."

"For being jealous?" He takes my hand to let me know that he's going to spin me.

My dress moves with me, until I end up with my back to Linc for the next part of the dance. He's even closer than before, and with one of his hands on my waist, while the other is entwined with mine, it feels more intimate than it should considering we're on the dance floor and surrounded by hundreds of people.

"I don't think you're an idiot for being jealous," he murmurs, spinning me back around to face him. "I kind of like it."

"I'm not jealous jealous," I respond. "It doesn't bother me if you've danced with people in the past."

"So long as I'm dancing with you now?" An impish smile comes to his lips.

"I..." What am I supposed to say to that? I like spending time with Linc, and every time he touches me, I feel a thrill. It's even more intense now that we're in such close proximity for a prolonged amount of time.

"For what it's worth, I'll be jealous when you dance with someone after me," Linc admits.

"How can I do that when we'll be in the library?" I ask.

He laughs. "Fair enough. But are you suggesting that so I don't have to watch you dance with someone else, or so that you don't have to watch me with someone else?"

"Maybe I'm suggesting it so I don't have to wonder which of my dance partners my father is going to try and make me marry."

He grimaces. "Fair enough. My sister felt the same."

"Is she at court?"

"No. She lives in the country with her husband," Linc responds, moving us around the dance floor with the ease of someone who has natural grace.

"Did he force her to do that?"

"Definitely not. My sister is somewhat of a rebel."

Understanding dawns on me. "She's the person you knew who ran off with a lover."

"When did I tell you that?"

"The night we first met."

"Ah, sadly I don't remember much of that conversation," he says.

"That's a common side-effect of drinking too much wine," I point out.

"Mmm. You'll be glad to know I'm not guilty of that tonight. I haven't had a drop."

I raise an eyebrow. "Why the sudden change?"

His chance to answer is cut off by the music ending. Linc lets go of my hand and bows deeply.

I curtsy in response, trying to come up with a reason to get him to stay, or to dance with me again if that's allowed. I'm not sure if there are any strict rules about that kind of thing.