Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Peirce in the Protector of the Small series.
Lady Keladry walked out into the garden to get some air half way through the second Midwinter Ball. She had not had time to appreciate the decorations in red and gold to celebrate the season she had heard ladies raving about. Nor had she been able to admire the ladies finery or the many handsome gentlemen still returning from the boarder. She had been caught up by her friends and twirled about the dance floor.
Kel had forgiven her friends that morning with the solemn vow that there would be no more duels over her honour. She hid the fact that she had been secretly proud that she had such wonderful friends behind a mask of anger and worry for their safety (to which she could here several mutters of "yes mother").
It disappointed Keladry that this promise came with an increase in protective jealousy. This made dinner with Neal, who Kel knew to be the ringleader, an oblivious Yuki and Merric a stiff affair. Kel may have been touched by their loyalty but she was irate that even after earning her shield and proving herself in battle her own friends didn't trust her to make the right decision.
Despite this, when Merric asked her to join him for the carolle, the first dance of the night, Kel knew the laws of chivalry clearly stated she must accept. Though Kel's voice was hoarse and restrained in the first chorus, she quickly began to enjoy herself amongst her boisterous friends.
After the dance ended Cleon quickly stepped in, handing Kel a glass of mulled cider and leading her in a country dance. The night whirled passed as Kel demonstrated the skills Master Oakbridge had taught her, dancing the castle walk with Seaver, a basse dance with Neal and a tourdion with Owen.
Kel was really enjoying herself (even knowing the boys were just dancing with her to keep her occupied) and was shocked when, instead of being passed straight on to Dom, Owen growled at him and glared. What was going on here?
"Lady Kel. Would you care to dance?" Kel suppressed the thrill that ran up her spine as Dom winked at her and brushed passed Owen. Kel normally knew that Dom was just flirting with her – like he did with everything else in a skirt – but the drinks her friends had brought at the start of each dance were giving her ideas.
Dom took Kel's hands and the music stuck up, a lively courante. Dom continued flirting, pulling Kel in a little too close, and Kel responded, hitching her skirt strictly higher than necessary to perform the kicks turns and curtsies. She knew she would be embarrassed for objectifying herself in the morning, she may not even be able to look Dom in the eyes again, but right now she was enjoying the way he was grinning at her.
As the music stopped, Dom stepped back and bowed without releasing her hands and called for a waltz. The slow stately music of the Weller waltz began – a waltz Kel knew noble mothers frowned upon for 'encouraging debauchery'. Dom placed Kel's arm around his neck so she could feel the thick muscles of his broad shoulders, his own arm wrapped around Kel's waist and gripped her hip firmly. Del could feel every point of contact as they began she slow, gliding steps: thighs, hips, breasts. Kel couldn't comprehend the words Dom whispered in her ear, but they excited her and her breath came quickly.
Barely four paces into the dance and Owen cut in.
"Kel, won't you give me the pleasure of this dance. I'm sure Domitan won't mind." Owen's voice had lost all traces of jolliness and Kel was not sure she liked the new gruff Owen. Nor did she like it when Dom stepped back and stalked off to talk to her friends.
Owen's hold, unlike Dom's, followed all the rules of convention (though it was closer than they danced as awkward young pages).
"May I ask why you felt the need to cut in?" Kel's tone was measured and even, always a bad sign, "I thought we went through this this morning. I thought we agreed that you would all respect me as a knight. I can protect myself Owen."
"You're like a sister to us Kel, especially to Neal. And when men treat you like that, they're not respecting you." Owen's tone had been defensive but now it turned soft, "Dom's a good guy in the field, he's loyal and funny and someone good to have on your side, but to ladies he's a flirt. Do you have any idea how that makes our blood boil?" Owen peered at her, expecting an answer, but she had none to give. So Kel lay her head on Owen's shoulder as many old married women were doing for the last dance of the evening.
*** Across the dance floor ***
"What give you the right? Why do you get to say who talks with her, who smiles at her, who touches her?" It was clear to all of Kel's friends who had gathered that Dom was furious but that last comment may have just driven Neal over the edge. "Going to slap me with your glove cousin Nealan?"
"We're her brothers Dom, you don't go through page training and squire-hood without becoming that close to a person. That gives us the right to protect her from creeps like you who're only in it for one thing." Neal's reply was hissed, he didn't want to alert everyone in the great hall of their rivalry.
"Page training? Are you still jealous cousin Nealan?" Dom was taunting and baiting his close cousin, knowing all the buttons to push to get the fight he wanted. "Don't try to deny your love for the girl, I was the one receiving your letters all those years." The young knights gathered stared incredulously at Neal, had anything ever been between the two? Neal had certainly flirted, but he flirted with everyone. "And if I recall, Kel was riding with me as a squire, and I certainly don't see her as my sister."
"Don't make things worse for yourself Dom. Kel was fourteen when she began riding with third company – you were twenty-one. And you know as well as I that my feelings for Kel ended a long time ago."
"Then you won't mind my escorting Kel to her rooms." Dom turned on his heel and Neal let him. He would not humiliate his wife by appearing to court his best friend.