A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Robin and Maria swept out onto the floor just as a waltz was beginning. Unlike the polka, this dance was smooth and gliding, which allowed for intimate conversation with one's partner.

"Don't look at them," Robin murmured. "I want this to look effortless. Without concern."

"Paradoxical." Maria chuckled.

"Hm?"

"You are deeply concerned about this looking as without concern as possible."

"Oh, just dance with me, Maria."

"Very well." They promenaded in step to form a wide circle with the other couples. Robin bowed, Maria curtsied most elegantly. They rose and assumed waltzing position: holding hands on the inside of the circle while the outside hands rested on the shoulder of the gentleman and the back of the lady. Maria was once again pleased with Robin's dancing. He kept a confident frame, gentle hands, and light feet. She twirled into his arms, then back out again.

It was at this point that the lady was to transfer to the next gentleman. Maria had been so excited to dance that she had forgotten what it entailed: dancing with other partners than her selected one. But she twirled with a gracious smile into the arms of the next gentleman, a young man she'd never seen before. He must be a local from the De Noir village. Not bad looking, she had to admit. But there was no time for such thoughts. She spun, dipped, and swayed with determined poise. The pace was picking up. Longer strides were required. This young man was a surprisingly good dancer.

They changed direction. Maria had an opportunity to look for Robin and his partner, who she found to be a girl of about ten years. From what Maria could see, the child was clumsy but vivacious; not exactly best suited to showcase Robin's dancing skills. Nevertheless, he led on undaunted. Maria returned her attentions to her partner.

"Ambrose." He said. "That's my name. I don't need to ask yours. We all admire you, Maria." She frowned, unsure as to his meaning. He clarified. "Saving our home. I don't think I would have liked getting annihilated, but that's just me." Maria laughed lightly. It was at this unfortunate moment that Robin chose to steal a glance at Maria to see how she was faring with her partner. And to see Maria laughing with some other fellow brought a shadow over Robin's eyes.

Now the men lifted the women, twirling them swiftly. Maria always enjoyed this part; she found the rush of flying for however brief a moment exhilarating. Her smile flashed as she thanked Ambrose. Robin saw it. From their seat at the table, Lillian observed quietly,

"It should not have been a waltz, I think. Well, he will have to learn."

"I'm sorry Lily, I didn't hear you." Coeur De Noir leaned forward.

"That's all right. I was just remarking on the dance."

They changed direction. Now the ladies had a momentary solo of pirouetting. Maria's shimmering gown flared out, catching the light like gossamer. With her cheeks flushed and eyes bright, she was a most becoming picture. Ambrose was very aware he was dancing with the belle of the ball, and he felt supremely blessed.

"Miss Heliotrope is your teacher, is she not?"

"Tutor, yes. She is very accomplished."

"I should say so. You are no doubt her greatest accomplishment."

"You are gallant, sir. I wish only to make her proud of me." Maria grinned as she spun. "She has had to put up with me for so many years I wonder she has not gone insane."

"I should think it a pleasure to teach such a young lady as yourself."

"You forget that I was not always a young lady. Not so long ago I was a little girl who despised classical French needlepoint and favored teasing the staff over doing her arithmetic."

"I find that hard to believe."

"I speak only what is true."

"I do believe that."

"But you just contradicted yourself."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Never mind. What of you? Your history?"

"I've lived in De Noir village all my life. I am a hunter."

"That's it?" She arched her eyebrows.

"I'm not terribly interesting."

"There is often more to people than they believe."

"Who said that?"

"I don't know. Me, I suppose." Their steps now lengthened and they promenaded across the dance floor, finally dancing in line with other couples. Their conversation had to pause for a moment as Maria joined the other ladies in the middle. Ambrose's green eyes followed his partner as she rejoined him.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are lovely?"

"Probably." Her tone was that of a shrug. Ambrose laughed in response. "I try not to pay much attention to compliments. One might get vain, you know." She dipped under his arms.

"I would hardly suspect you of falling prey to vanity."

"That's because you don't know me well."

"Then let me get to know you, and I'll determine that for myself." It was at this point that the ladies turned back to their original partners, curtsied, then fell back to their second gentleman. Maria merrily curtsied to Robin, not quite seeing the storm clouds that were gathering in his eyes. She merely assumed aggravation at a less-than-proficient partner and smiled brightly to cheer him before turning back to Ambrose.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked him.

"Nothing much." The couples formed a cross. "Are you busy tomorrow?" Ambrose circled Maria with nimble steps. Maria frowned slightly.

"As a matter of fact, I am." She did not want to give the wrong impression. "I wonder how Robin is faring," she inclined her head towards the young man in question.

"Struggling with a toddler, from the looks of it. You two are friends, yes?"

"That girl is nearly ten years old! Hardly a toddler." She clicked her tongue in disapproval as they waltzed. "But no, I don't know her." She pirouetted like a top around him. The violinists were picking up, and the dance was nearing its close. When he was able to tear his eyes from Maria, Ambrose noted that his companions were all looking upon him with envy. Why not prolong their agony and heighten their jealousy?

"Might I have the next dance with you? I believe it's a quadrille, which will allow for more talking."

"If we have not been talking, please do explain to me what we've been doing the past ten minutes." She said, hoping to avoid saying no. Ambrose laughed.

"Right you are. Perhaps you would care for punch?"

"I've had some, thank you." They reached the final promenade. Ambrose was not dim-witted; she had not readily agreed to dance with him again, and he would have to leave it at that. They twirled one last time and paused. Ambrose bowed, Maria curtsied.

"Thank you for a lovely dance," Maria said sincerely. She knew that the odds of getting a graceful partner were slim. He smiled.

"The pleasure was mine." She returned the smile before turning to find Robin. She did not have to look very hard. He was already striding toward her.

"Did you enjoy the dance?" Maria chuckled, but her smile quickly slid from her face. Something was amiss. Robin surged past her, grabbing Ambrose roughly by the arm. They exchanged words that Maria could not decipher, but she could hear Robin's low tone…almost menacing. In a moment he turned back to her, jaw clenched.

"Robin, what is the matter?" she demanded, trying to hide her worry.

"Can we talk?"

"I think we'd better." She replied, mystified and slightly angry with him. Leave it to Robin to find something to bicker about at a ball.

And it'd been such a lovely evening, too.

A/N: Beloved readers,

Thank you for reading this chapter! A shame, the dance had been going so well. Thank you for the kind reviews you've been leaving. I really do appreciate them. I love you all. Happy reading!

Your

Ponygirl7