"He wants me to be his partner?"
Even though the young miss looked composed it sounded like she had a lump stuck in her throat when she spoke. Gordon wanted to take her hand and offer words of comfort but restrained himself as it was not his place to do so.
"Yes." He answered her question curtly as to not step over the line. "Of course matters regarding your dress and appearance will be taken care of so you do not have to concern yourself with that. But I have to ask you, do you know how to dance?"
The young miss nodded. "I used to be quite good at the quadrille and the waltz but it has been a few years since I last had the opportunity to practise."
Gordon was relieved by her answer. Since she already had the basics of the most common dances down the king's request would actually be possible to fullfill without wrecking the young duke's reputation.
"I see. Then your skills should improve quite a bit with some practise. I'll arrange for you to have someone to rehearse with."
The miss nodded again, wearing a polite smile that obviously did not reach her eyes.
Gordon began to feel a bit guilty for having to tell her that she needed etiquette lessons because he imagined that it would not be an easy thing for a noble girl her age to hear. Etiquette was a lady's biggest asset and most would probably be offended or even hurt by being told that they were lacking in that area.
"...If it's something that you have to tell me you do not need to hesitate." To Gordons relief the young miss who had probably noticed his apprehension tactfully offered him an opening to bring the topic up.
"Ah, so you noticed." Gordon scratched himself on the head, a bit embarrassed. To think that he was so obvious with what he was thinking.
"Well, it is a bit difficult to say as I do not want to offend or hurt you."
He paused and the young miss waited for him to continue.
"I will just cut to the chase. I believe that it would be best if you take some lessons in etiquette before the banquet."
The atmosphere suddenly became chilly. He looked at the young miss who, while still seeming calm, had something in her eyes that Gordon could not quite discern. There was a coldness about her that he had not noticed before.
"If you think that it is best then I will do so"
She said so with a smile but the lump in her throat sounded like it had grown bigger.