"I can't do this George" Amanda whispered fiercely to the man hidden beneath the brown robe. She nervously smoothed her skirts and fussed with her hair as girl after girl disappeared down the staircase.

"Relax lass," he responded, glancing over his shoulder. "Ye well practiced, ye know yer manners and can dance. All ye got to do is not trip down the stairs."

Amanda's head snapped up and glared at him. His eyes twinkled with mirth at her discomfort. "Now ye remember what I asked?" She nodded.

"Don't mention anything about the future. First chance I get tell Gary to tell Alan that you're in the library."

"Good, now don't miss yer cue and I'll meet ye afterwards outside the city gates." He pushed her towards the double doors, to stand behind the line of ladies patiently waiting.

Amanda took stock. Her dress easily stood up to their standards, albeit being plainer in colour. She had opted to maintain her favoured colour scheme of blue and white. Her hair was curled and pinned in the fashion popular with the ladies of the court. It was uncomfortable and she refrained from fidgeting with it any further as she took another step towards the doors. Only two ladies remained ahead of her. She glanced to the slip of paper in her gloved hand. George had scrawled her name across it, with the added Tusaine embellishment. Another step forward. She took a deep breath. Gary would be waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. George had seen to that. He would bow and she would curtsey, then she would place her hand on his arm. He would lead her for the first dance, and then he would introduce her officially to Jon and his circle. She would finally meet Alanna! She could barely contain her excitement as the lady before her disappeared through the doors.

She passed the slip of paper to the herald, smoothed her skirts one last time and took a breath.

"Presenting Lady Amanda of Danne, of Tusaine"

Amanda stepped forward, attempting to glide effortlessly to the top of the staircase. The room was full of nobles of all ages, and their loud chatter filled the spaces between the music. She grabbed the bannister, praying that it looked like her hand was barely touching it, and proceeded down the stairs. Glancing down she saw Gary waiting for her with a smile. She returned it and kept her eyes on him, ignoring the curious onlookers.

Just as they had practiced, he bowed and she curtsied. Then he led her to the dance floor.

"Well I must say Lady Amanda you look beautiful tonight." Gary smiled as they began the well-rehearsed dance.

"Gareth please just call me Amanda," she blushed. "Lady Amanda is too…informal."

"Then please, call me Gary."

"I thought that was just for –"

"Gary is what my friends call me." He interrupted. "My friends in high places and low."

Amanda nodded, glancing around the room. "There are so many people here tonight. I don't think I've ever seen this many people this dressed up in a single room."

"Surely you've attended Tusaine's court before?" Gary asked perplexed. "I'm not all together familiar with it myself but even a small border fief like Danne must attend Midwinter festivities in the capital?"

Amanda cursed herself silently as she tried to find a sensible excuse for her slip up. "Of course, but that would require my parents to bring me to court with them." She picked her words carefully. "After all I am only just of presentation age. My father did not see fit for me to.." she struggled to finish her story perfectly. "My father was not ready for me to enter society I guess." She finished lamely.

"Well then it appears we must make up for lost time. Tell me, what else have you missed out on?" Gary's eyes danced dangerously as he examined her. She was peculiar. Different. Not quite Jon's 'Angel' but interesting to him nonetheless.

The song ended and the two ceased dancing. Amanda looked to Gary expectantly. He shook away his thoughts with a smile.

"I believe Cousin George wanted me to do formal introductions for you didn't he?" He smirked. Amanda's eyes lit up – this was it. This was the moment she was meeting her childhood dream.

"Oh yes!" She exclaimed. "Oh but before I forget – he mentioned that I need to tell you to tell…Alan?" She feigned pretense at knowing his name – all part of the act George helped her concoct. "To tell this Alan that he wished to speak with him in the library when appropriate."

"What? Cousin George is here?" Gary exclaimed. "Oh he's lucky the Lord Provost is already drunk as a dog. Come let me introduce you to the inner circle."

Amanda followed blindly as Gary led her through the crowd of nobles. He would pause every now and then to briefly speak with and introduce himself to passing individuals. Finally he stopped at the edge of the room to a circle of men. Amanda glanced around the circle drawing her own conclusions. There stood Raoul – what an exciting future lay ahead of him! She mused. To the side stood who she assumed to be the squires – Geoffrey and Douglass. A few others who she didn't immediately recognize and she assumed Jonathon was somewhere within the circle of ladies in the centre. She looked around again and failed to see Alan – she must have to wait even longer!

Finally Raoul noticed their presence. "Gareth! Gary my man! Who is this exquisite beauty you have draped on your arm?" He boomed, bowing deeply but never taking his eyes off Amanda.

"Raoul you sly fox! This is Lady Amanda of Danne. Amanda this is Raoul of Goldenlake." Gary began the introductions. Amanda curtsied and smiled and accepted the compliments despite how feeling out of place they made her. "Jonathon! Your highness!" He crowed, "Come out wherever you are I've someone for you to meet!" Gary winked at Amanda as he said this.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry, yes of course – please excuse me, thank you, later" Jon's voice emerged from the centre of the ladies as he pushed his way gently past them much to their chagrin. "Gary you cal-" He stopped as he saw Amanda standing behind Gary. He quickly closed his mouth and bowed, a cheeky smile breaking out across his face. "Milady, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss –" He grabbed her hand and planted a soft kiss on it, winking at her as he waited for her to reply.

After a small nudge from Gary she did so, curtsying deeply in return. "Miss Amanda if it pleases you your royal highness." Just as practiced. Despite having met previously at the Dancing Dove she knew they could not explain such a meeting here. George had explained that while they could explain Gary having previously met her, there was no such excuse for the royal consort.

"Please, my friends call me Jon – and it most certainly does please me." He replied flirtatiously.

Amanda blushed, she couldn't help herself. Those blue eyes and his boyish charm. He was the most handsome man she'd ever laid her eyes on and he was turning on the works for her.

Unbeknownst to them, Alan stood to the side, quietly behind the group watching the exchange sourly. Her heart was tearing as she watched this new lady captivate her prince. She scowled into her cup as she noticed Gary making his way to her.

"Alan you've got to reign your merriment in you're boring me with your positivity!" He cried slapping her across the shoulders.

"You know I hate these affairs Gary. Why he makes me come I've no idea." She downed the remnants of her cup.

"Well I've a scapegoat if it pleases you." Gary shrugged. Alan looked at him waiting for him to continue.

"By all means Gary finish the sentence!" He cried in impatience.

"One Cousin George is waiting for you in the library. He figures you'd be bored and prefer his company to the likes here." Gary shrugged then made his way back to the circle, hopeful that he'd get another dance out of Amanda before the Prince monopolized all his attention.

Alan handed her cup to a passing maid and with a last glance back to the Prince, who was too busy engaged in conversation with the new lady to notice her absence, slipped out of the Great Hall heading to the library.