Chapter 4: Susan

Susan felt every muscle in her body relax as she looked across the ballroom and saw Caterina finally leaving the sidelines on the arm of a man. Moments later, the younger girl swept past her, and if she didn't look exactly delighted, she at least was managing to appear fully engaged in the dance. It was a relief. Susan had to admit that holding a ball to celebrate her birthday was a risky business; Caterina wasn't known for her enjoyment of either dancing or large crowds. However, it seemed all the worry and anxiety had been for nothing and Susan was pleased. The pink dress she'd helped the younger girl to choose looked perfect against her lightly tanned skin, and if her blonde hair was making an attempt to escape from the elaborate braids and jewels, at least it was freshly washed and shining.

Susan's own evening had so far consisted of being asked for numerous dances. As the primary host, each and every young man had felt it only polite to ask the Queen for a turn around the dancefloor. Susan had obliged with as many as she could, although she had directed a few in other directions, mainly towards Caterina, who had been typically difficult. Lucy, luckily, had been far keener to fulfil her royal duties and was now making a tour of the ballroom on the arm of a duke from one of the Lone Islands. Her own blonde waves were spinning out around her, making Susan wince a little, to her own distaste. She knew she was behaving more like a maiden aunt than her older sister, but she did wish that Lucy would begin to act her sixteen years and make some effort to pin her hair up on occasions such as this. Susan's own mahogany hair was tucked up neatly and decorated with dozens of pearls.

The music stopped and Susan gave a low curtsey to the man who had partnered her for the dance. 'Thank you very much, Lord Dresden.'

'Thank you, your Majesty.' The young blond haired noblemen bowed. 'If I may say so, you dance divinely. Any dance with you is a treat indeed.'

Susan smiled graciously, resisting the urge to giggle. She'd have to save that comment for later; Lucy would be sure to enjoy such a statement and the sisters usually spent a little time with each other before retiring for the night. 'Thank you very much,' she said now, inclining her head in response to the compliment. 'One is only ever as good as one's partner, after all.'

Lord Dresden blushed furiously, his pale complexion turning beetroot red, reminding Susan that he was only seventeen, having inherited the title when his father died prematurely last year. He would do much better to dance with Lucy or Caterina. Still, it had been a perfectly pleasant dance and dancing was one of the things Susan loved to do best.

Now though, as Lord Dresden led her back to her throne, she very much wished to have a rest. There were still two hours to go until the bonfire was to be lit, and her feet were just beginning to throb inside her silk shoes. A glance across the room showed her that several other women at the ball were having the same problems and one had even removed her shoe and was massaging her foot with one hand. Susan wished she could do something similar and yet knew that such an action would never befit a Queen of Narnia. The most she could do was curl her toes slightly to try and relieve the pressure on the balls of her feet. With a slightly sinking heart, she saw yet another young duke or lord or baron approach the throne. She glanced around the room, wondering if there was anybody she could direct him towards. Caterina was still on the arm of the man she'd been dancing with, an older man altogether, Susan realised now. Her grasp on names had always been a little shaky and she wasn't entirely sure who the raven-haired, white-toothed man was. He looked very distinguished though, and Susan was partially impressed at the younger girl's choice of dance partner. She was just surprised that it hadn't been Edmund. It didn't look as though she'd be able to help Susan now, anyway, and Lucy was similarly engaged. It looked as though Susan would have to fulfil her duties once again.

She rose to her feet and smiled as the nobleman reached her. He was a little taller than she was, she realised as he took her hand, and had sandy blond hair. In contrast with Lord Dresden, however, his skin was golden and his shoulders were broad and solid. He brought his lips to her hand and planted a brief kiss on it.

'Your Majesty.' He lifted his head and revealed piercingly blue eyes. Susan couldn't remember when she had ever seen such a rich and deep blue before. Coupled with his glowing skin, it made her think of summer days on a beach, the sea lapping at her toes.

She inclined her head in acknowledgement of his greeting. Glossing over the fact she couldn't remember his name, she replied, 'I trust you are having a good evening?'

'Very much so, thank you.'

She suddenly realised he hadn't let go of her hand. His grasp was warm yet Susan couldn't say it was uncomfortable. In fact, she was rather enjoying it. Despite her aching feet, she was suddenly very much looking forward to dancing with this stranger. She suspected he would make a far better partner than Lord Dresden had.

'Lovely to meet you, your Majesty.' The man informed her now, and to her inner dismay, released her hand. He stepped backwards and gave her another bow. 'I shall leave you to enjoy the rest of the evening.'

The words were like a bucket of cold water down Susan's back and for a moment she was unable to respond at all. When she found her tongue, she responded in a way she rarely did these days: impulsively and with the first thing that popped into her head. 'Don't you want to dance?'

The stranger turned back to her, surprise registering on his face even as a small smile spread across it. 'I believe convention usually dictates that the man should request the dance,' he replied now, in a much lower voice than he'd spoken before, and in a tone which implied much greater familiarity than having exchanged only several words with a Queen.

Susan felt a blush to rival Lord Dresden's spread across her face. She was famed for her composure and dignity in all situations, not to mention her porcelain skin and features. She felt certain that the peach coloured gown she was wearing was clashing horribly with her now burning face.

He finally took pity on her. 'Who listens to convention, though?' Another smile came over his face. 'Unfortunately, I've already promised a dance to your sister, Queen Lucy.'

Susan's skin cooled instantly. 'Oh. Oh of course,' she said, winning the battle to regain control of her voice. 'Well... I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.' She gave him a brief bob of her head. 'If you will excuse me.' With a grand sweeping of skirts, she swept away from the stranger, hoping she would find somewhere to hide away whilst her heart fell back into the semblance of a normal rhythm.