Even at one's own engagement ball, it's not proper to only dance with one partner the whole time. I danced with Percy (decent), Edmund (fun), the count (horribly awkward), and a couple of random noblemen (also horribly awkward) after my dance with Al ended.
I was afraid of who I might end up with next. I couldn't decide whether the last person I wanted to dance with was Sigmund or Duke Orla. Both options were equally horrendous.
"May I have the honor of dancing with my future sister-in-law?" Franz asked, offering a hand out to me as the next song was starting.
I smiled at him gratefully and accepted. I thought he might want to talk about what had happened earlier in his office but he brought it up in a way I didn't expect.
"Katie…you know that Mariela holds you in very high regard."
"Oh?"
"Whatever she said to you today, she still respects you and values your friendship."
Does she? She was awfully upset when she practically threw me out.
