“Then perhaps we have to be the standard that we set for our children,” she nodded, feeling a sense of warmth inside of her. “We will teach them what love is.”
“I thought that I would have to teach myself too,” he admitted. “But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it comes quite naturally for us.”
She smiled at that. It was these little things that only strengthened their connection even further.
“Now tell me,” he said. “Are you excited for the ball? It is the first one in the season.”
“Oh, I ought to be,” she laughed. “But strangely, I am not nervous either. I am happy that I shall get to see my friends, but mostly I am just happy to be going with you on my side.”
“Oh, you will see that all the other gentlemen there will be jealous beyond repair when they see that you are with me,” he grinned.
“That might just be your love taking,” she smiled.
“It is the truth, either way.”
When it was finally time for the ball, the couple entered together. For a second, Maria felt the old pinch in her stomach.
“You’ll look beautiful, and you’ll do splendidly,” he leaned over to whisper in her ear once.
Perhaps that was the final push she needed. Because she lifted her chin, took Stephen’s arm more firmly, and walked in as if the room belonged to them both.
Her gown was one of the newer ones that Stephen had bought for her. A teal color that complemented the pale of her skin perfectly. Her hair was swept up and set with small pearls. She stood straight, let herself be seen, and remembered to breathe.
Some ladies looked at her sideways.
Perhaps to gossip, she noticed, and then she chose not to care. It helped that Stephen stayed close, greeting hosts.
You are more beautiful than this entire room, and also,we need not stay a minute longer than you wish. He had whispered to her.
“Ready?” he murmured as the first set formed.
“To dance?” she asked.
“To be stared at,” he said.
“I don’t mind,” she answered, and heard how true it was.
“Is that so?” Stephen grinned, seeming pleased at her confession.
“Yes,” she nodded, looking around the room. “I had expected myself to be more nervous, but somehow, it is not so daunting.”
“It is lovely to see you grow more confident in your own self,” Stephen replied, not in a condescending way. Nothing that could come out of his mouth for her could ever be perceived as condescending, for she knew that he only had her best interests at heart always.
“I suppose I feel surer of myself these days,” she smiled. “That must be the reason why I am able to show up in a brighter way to the world.”
“Or perhaps you realized that you were lovely and brilliant all this time,” he countered. “You are acting like the woman whom I always knew you to be.”
“You flatter me greatly,” she smiled.
“I must have caught at least three gentlemen glance in your direction,” he went on. “It is not flattery, if it is the truth.”
“Well, I only have eyes for one,” she said, looking up at him.
They continued to dance together.
“And might I say that you have improved greatly since,” he said. “Since our early days of lessons.”
“That would mean that you are an excellent teacher,” she replied. “Or that we are an excellent team. I could not imagine even dancing with another.”