Page 22 of Beaux and Dragons

Ana sipped the sweet concoction of tea and juices, satisfied that Julian had not followed her but decided to annoy Maria instead. Perhaps she was in the clear for the first two dances and could sneak out sooner than expected. With the masses of party guests entering the ballroom, Padre wouldn’t notice her escape.

That’s when Federico entered the ballroom, accompanied by two guests. With hair slicked back, he wore a simple but elegant brown vest and a cravat curling up to his Adam’s apple. His carefree stance shifted as he met her stare across the large room.

Her nerves thrummed to life, and heat climbed up her neck. Why did he have this effect on her?

Federico’s casual smile shifted into a boyish grin that somehow conveyed a vulnerability Ana hadn’t expected after their travels together and at such a decadent event. Herlungs forgot to breathe as he strode in her direction, only paused by an occasional wave and greeting to other guests vying for his attention. When had he become a desired socialite at a ball?

Ana’s posture grew more rigid. She curled her fingers on her lap, aware of how awkwardly she perched in the chair in a corner. Even with all her trepidation, she couldn’t wish for Federico to turn another way while her heart was swollen with longing for a kind word from the man she still loved. His kindness, rogue appearance, and joyful nature filled her mind with the reasons she wished for him to ask her once more to be his wife. She wasn’t a child any longer, believing herself too young to commit to such a request.

“Ana”—he reached for her hand—“Would you do me the honor of the first dance?”

She had committed the first two to Julian, but her wayward arm still reached out for Federico.

“Excuse me.” Julian pushed in between Federico and Ana. “I believe it is my turn.” Julian’s eyebrows furrowed and his mouth grew tight.

But Federico caught Ana’s wrist and twirled her away from Julian’s interruption. With propriety on the line, Julian did not push the issue, but stood with a firm jaw and flared nostrils in the same spot they had left him.

Federico leaned close to Ana’s ear. “I’m sorry for the other day.”

Ana flashed her glistening eyes up at him in question. Which day had he meant?

He positioned himself in the correct position for the next dance and slowly blinked his eyes in a meaningful gesture. The ensemble started their melody, cutting off their ability to flesh out all that Federico meant by his apology. They twirled on cue, dipped and curtsied. Each move Ana gracefully fulfilled while desperately hoping the gleam of firelight from above correctly communicated his admiration for her.

She had to be imagining it after what she’d done to him in the past. Of course he harbored tender sentiments, but it couldn’t be the same love he’d had when he’d requested a betrothal.

The last move required him to lift his arm while she held both of his and paced around him in close proximity. He twirled her for the crescendo until they remained face to face, gazing at one another for several beats. Something in his eye bespoke a hidden message she couldn’t decipher, but she dared not ask. He’d apologized, but she hadn’t a clue how to mend the chasm between them.

The music faded until they were forced to part or commit to another dance. Ana would agree to one hundred more if he asked her in that instant, but instead he pulled out his pocket watch.

“I’m sorry I stole your first dance.” Federico tipped his head forward in the expected bow to depart and fled to the main door.

Ana stepped forward to catch him, but Julian blocked her path. “Excuse me. I believe you promised me a dance. It would be most beneficial with your financial situation—”

Without thinking she quickened her pace until she found herself outside the Acosta Estate, staring into the cobblestone roads where a single coach fled the sight.

The stout coachman she’d hired marched to her side. “I’m prepared to leave if you’re ready.”

Yes, the preliminary race. She’d forgotten about it but had mistakenly led herself out in a timely manner. She had a choice in that instant to chase Federico down and admit everything that stirred in her heart or follow through with her original plan to win herself the ability to marry any suitor.

She climbed into the carriage, knowing full well what she must do.

Chapter fifteen

Celestia

Sweating and panting even before the race began, Ana sprinted to the gate of the Racing House, ticket in hand. Her riding dress swished, and the scarf over her face threatened to come undone. Flecks of rain splashed her eyes, promising a difficult ride.

“My ticket.” Ana slammed the piece on the ticket master’s counter.

“You’re missing the stub,” the ticket master said.

To Ana’s horror, the small piece at the end had ripped off in her rush, and now she was stuck with an incomplete piece of paper. “Please,” she begged. Quick tears sprang to her eyes.

“Rules are rules. Next.” The ticket master looked beyond her as if someone else had also arrived late.

She reached for the button on the side of her riding hood so that the ticket master might see her sorrow and give her pity.

“Here are two tickets,” a man behind her said. “One for me and the young lady.”