Rejected

Chapter 9

Delilah fidgeted with her lace sleeve tying to remain calm. It would do her no favours to start fluttering the way the butterfly embedded in her chest wanted to do.

Isabella and Mary were furiously immersed in conversation looking equally anxious.

"Ladies may I introduce Signors Adriano and Agapito Rossi. Their father was my esteemed dance master and I know for a fact his sons take after him in the talent," Said the Prince as he returned.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Delilah initiated the conversation after realizing her friends were staring doe eyed at the new arrivals. In front of her were two sharply dressed gentlemen. They were dark haired with deep olive eyes. It was their friendly smiles that caught her attention the most.

"Thank you, for your hospitality," One of the two brothers spoke, bowing lowly and grasping Delilah's gloved hand, "I am sorry to have doubted you, Damian; I believe I have lost our bet. Women of our kingdom do not hold a candle to the lovely beauties that reside in yours."

Delilah smiled at the flattery. The charming men in front of her neither worried nor impressed her. Men like them smiled and made promises because it was a part of their nature to woo anything that breathed. Her own brother was considered a great charmer in their town. He rarely failed to gain attention from any female, but Delilah knew he spent hours in front of the mirror practicing so she could never take anyone like that seriously.

"You are kind with your words," She uttered humbly.

"It would be a kindness if it were a lie."

"Well, I would be grateful if you could extend your kindness to my good friends," Delilah said and continued to introduce her friends to the two brothers.

"While I loathe interrupting you two from spreading the joy of kindness to all and sundry I still think it imperative to move on to what I prepared for our small party today," The Prince interrupted the giggling from the other two girls in his usual abrupt fashion.

"Always the attention grabber, eh, Damian?" The brother on Delilah's right spoke, lightly taunting.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Damian said, smirking. Their camaraderie was palpable to the three ladies who eyed their companions eagerly.

"Cotillions have grown steadily out of fashion in the last few years," One dark haired brother said to the small group almost as if he was giving a lecture.

"The nobility find it a little too... rambunctious for their tastes," The other brother added.

"So we decided to re-ignite the spirit of what our country folk call a real dance," The red cloaked one concluded.

"So which of you ladies want to present a practice run with us," One brother smiled broadly with his hand outstretched. Isabella latched onto it without hesitation. Mary looked put off by her own timidity but she soon found herself coaxed into partnering the other brother.

"Would you care to join them," A voice interrupted her silent observation. Delilah's grin fell a few notches when she realized who her remaining companion was.

"I would much prefer to watch the performance," Delilah stated calmly. He was standing much to close for her comfort and she fought the urge to slide away. It would be too obvious and very rude.

"I don't bite if that is your worry," The Prince stated blandly. He looked towards the couples in all seriousness. Delilah hoped the roll of her eyes was not too obvious. She wondered if Cecilia and the prince were a match made in heaven since they both seemed to have a penchant for being completely silly.