My Escape

I was racking my brain trying to find a way out of this situation. He technically didn't know my name, and he hasn't seen my face. Unfortunately, I did let him know I was Isabella's lady-in-waiting so it wouldn't be hard for him to figure out who I was.

I drug my feet but we had still made it back to the grand hall. I could see all the eyes watching as he brought me out to the dance floor. Isabella looked as red as a tomato. I was not looking forward to calming her down from the tirade that I knew was inevitable later.

He bypassed the floor and head straight to the musicians. He released my arm and whispered to the man in charge. With the smile on his face as he returned I knew I was in trouble. "Don't look so scared, princess." He emphasized the word princess as he once again led me to the dance floor.

What did he have planned? The waltz that was playing finished and I could hear the tempo of the music pick up. Thank goodness, I would at least have a bit of space between us now.

"Princess, please tell me you know how to dance the Volta?"

My eyes widen in horror. So much for getting a chance to relax. The volta was still widely considered a very taboo dance and was not typically done at a royal ball.

It involved turning and dancing around each other until the female made a little jump and the man held her up in the air turning her as he slowly brought her down. The proximity and being gently set down with eyes locked together made it very intimate.

"Here we go." He positioned himself and began the choreographed steps of the dance. Little leaps and kicks made it seem innocent. However, when we came together no matter how much I attempted to brace myself to feel his hands I noticeably gasped.

I felt his thigh along my bottom, helping to lift me. My hand went to his shoulder as he had one hand on the small of my back and the other dangerously below my navel. We turned as he lifted and then set me back down.

Every lift and turn his hands seem to move lower and lower. It had to look positively salacious to onlookers. One the last turn I felt his hand no longer on my back but gripped firmly on my butt.

It startled me so much that my outside hand meant to look graceful and as if it was floating moved to steady myself so I was turned toward him. He grinned as my entire chest pressed against him as I returned to the ground.

I took advantage of the change of song and made my break away from him. He was too distracted by the smug feelings of publicly groping me had him unprepared for me to flee. I also knew with as many people were there to witness his every move he would not be able to chase me so easily.

Thankfully my knowledge of the castle allowed me to break away quickly as well as hide out of sight. He was not aware of the service tunnels and passageways the servants used regularly. I followed one that would lead out of the backside of the castle. It was the closest exit to my little cabin.

I checked to make sure the coast was clear and made a mad dash. Relief washed over me when I realized I had made it safely and undiscovered. I changed my clothes removing my dress delicately. Folding it and putting it back in the chest. For good measure, I hid the chest under the bed in the room.

I was sneaking back into the castle and headed to Isabella's room when I heard her yelling down the hallway. "What do you mean you don't know who she is? I told you that was your only job. You will not rest until you figure this out."

At that moment I realized I had forgotten to get rid of my makeup. I ducked into Isabella's room just as I saw her come around the corner. I found a towel and as fast as I could and harshly rubbed the makeup away. I had just finished when I heard the door slam open.

"Oh, Isabella. Thank god you are here! It was awful, terrible. I may never recover." She continued ranting as she dramatically flounced backward onto her bed. Bringing her hand to her forehead and exaggerating a sigh.

Knowing full well what she was upset about I had to feign surprise. "Oh, no. Tell me everything that is going on? I am so sorry I couldn't be there. But, if it helps, I was able to finish the embellishments on the hair comb for tomorrow's ball.

Her face lit up, I knew how quickly that would distract her! "Really! Can I see it?" I pulled it out of the small box and brought it over to her. Setting it down delicately so I could fan out the intricate beaded design.

"It is perfect! Just what Imagined. You are amazing Isabella. I know if you were there you would have found out who that awful princess was that was throwing herself at my prince."

"Another princess? That is awful? Did you find out where she came from? Are you sure the prince is even interested? I mean if she was just throwing herself at him maybe he was just too polite to publicly humiliate her."

"No one has any idea who she is or where she came from. Of course, it was one-sided, he was making eyes at me all night and she kept getting in the way. You are so right, he was just being polite." The whiplash of trying to keep up with her mood swings was crazy. "How could I have not thought of that? What a gentleman my future husband is!"

Oh my, I knew she was spoiled but I didn't realize just how delusional she was too. I was certainly not throwing myself at him. I was doing everything in my power to get away from him. I swear sometimes the way she acts makes me wish I could just knock her down a peg.

I know it would bring nothing but frustration, humiliation, and heartbreak but the idea of enticing the prince away from her made me smile. It would be the ultimate revenge for the way she has belittled me all these years. Can you only imagine how she would react if he chose me over her? I am positive her head might literally explode!

"What are you smiling about?" Isabella demanded.

"Oh, I am sorry. I was just daydreaming about dancing away at a ball. Having a handsome man sweep me off my feet. You are so lucky to have found such a perfect prince." She was oblivious to the sarcasm in my statement.

"Maybe, just maybe, he has a steward that would be half the gentleman he is. You being whisked away by the prince and me falling in love with his man. We could stay together and both live a happily ever after together." Blah! I knew I needed to get her thoughts away from the mysterious princess but the idea of serving her being my happily ever after left me feeling nauseated.

She stood up clapping excitedly. "Yes, yes, yes! That is a fantastic plan. You know I would never survive if I had to leave you and be all alone in my new castle! I would like you to pen a letter to the prince. Request that his most suitable gentleman attend the ball this evening as an escort for you!"

Once again my mouth has gotten me in more trouble. This is becoming increasingly complicated how will I get myself out of this one? "Princess, I don't have a gown suitable for a lavish affair such as a royal ball."

"Then you will just have to wear one of my old ones!" She rushed off to her wardrobe and fabric started flying. "Perfect," She held up a frilly pink gown. "It was a little large on me so it should fit you if we loosen the ribbons in the back."

The dress was a monstrosity of lace, frills, and pink. I forced a pained smile on my face, "Lovely. You are too kind to me Princess." I was forced to spend the rest of the day primping for this evening's starlight ball.

Word was sent to Prince Cameron, and he graciously replied that he was more than happy to accommodate her request. He and his steward would meet us at the gate of the garden to escort.