A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to all my faithful readers still out there! I know it may not seem like it, but I am determined to finish this story, and all your reviews help me so much. Thanks again, and enjoy!

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"Alanna, darling!" There was knock on the door. "Rebecca and her mother are here."

Alanna lowered her book. "I'll be right down, Mother."

She sighed, uncurling herself from her comfortable position, and stretched her arms and legs. Rising from the window seat, she set down the book she had been engrossed in, one that Tyson had insisted she borrow. It had been several days since she had spent that pleasant afternoon in the McConty's library, but this had been the first chance she'd had to start reading it. Along with her normal studies, Alanna found herself spending all her free time either helping her mother with the wedding or entertaining Prince Daniel. Although, she had to admit, the latter wasn't exactly what she would call unpleasant.

Thinking about the past few days, Alanna felt herself flush with pleasure. Somehow, even with the demanding social duties of royalty, Daniel had managed to spent time with her every day. One day it was a walk in the garden, the next several hours together in the parlor as Alanna attempted to help her mother. And always there was dinner, with sometimes awkward, but always interesting, conversation. Alanna tried not to make much of it; perhaps this is how acted with all of his host's daughters. But whenever he looked at her with those hazel eyes….

She shook her head. Honestly, she was starting to act like those girls she had once criticized, with heads full of silly daydreams. Alanna knew she had more sense than that.

Checking her appearance in her mirror, she brushed a lock of hair into place before leaving her room and heading to the parlor where Rebecca and Mrs. Stows were waiting.

"Good morning," she said as she entered.

Rebecca looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Alanna."

The two older women didn't seem to notice Alanna's entrance; they were too involved in arranging seating for the ceremony. Alanna seated herself beside her soon to be sister-in-law.

"So how was your dress fitting yesterday?" Rebecca asked her.

Alanna made a face. "Awful."

Rebecca frowned, looking concerned. "Is there something wrong with the dress?"

"Oh, no, of course not. It's beautiful," Alanna said, quick to reassure her. "I'm just not one for trying on dresses."

Rebecca laughed. "It's the opposite for me. When I tried on my gown, I could have worn it forever."

Alanna gave a slight shrug. "Maybe I'll feel differently when it's my wedding."

Rebecca gave her a sly smile. "Which might be sooner than we all think."

"Whatever are you talking about?" Alanna huffed, but knowing full well.

"Why, the prince, of course. You two have been spending so much time together that it has certainly gotten people talking."

"Honestly!" Alanna sniffed. "I'm simply doing my duty as a hostess. I don't see how that's anyone's business."

Rebecca smiled and leaned back in her chair. "That may be how you see it, but Daniel is an entirely different matter."

Alanna chose to shake her head. She really didn't have an argument, not when her own feelings were so confused.

The next couple of hours were spent completing the seating arrangement and deciding on music for the ball. There was quite a discussion going about waltzes when they were interrupted by a maid.

"Excuse me," she said. "Madame Lonche is here for Lady Alanna's lesson."

Alanna held back a groan. She had had several dancing lessons in the last week, and just the thought of another one made her back ache.

Bidding farewell to the Stows, Alanna made her way to the ballroom, which, in less than two weeks, would be filled with people for the wedding ball. Already, decorations were being put in place, and maids could be seen cleaning windows and staircases to gleaming perfection.

Walking to the center of the large room, Alanna curtsied to her teacher. "Good day, Madame."

"Good day," said Madame Lonche, her graying hair pulled back into her normal austere bun. "I trust you have been practicing since our last lesson."

"Of course," said Alanna, smiling as she lied.

"Very well, we shall start where we left off. Do you remember the minuet?"

Alanna nodded. Vaguely, anyway.

Madame counted off, and Alanna began the dance. She had hardly taken three steps when she was interrupted.

"You have not practiced," Madame Lonche said with a glare.

Alanna turned to her. "Of course I did," she said with a bright smile.

"Then why did you begin by turning to your right, and not your left, as I instructed, or kept your arms bent and neck straight?"

Alanna sighed. "I'm sorry, Madame. You're right, of course. I've just been very busy."

Her teacher sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "It's difficult enough teaching you without a partner, but when you do not practice as well…." Her voice trailed off.

"Perhaps I could be of some help?" a voice from behind inquired.

Alanna turned to see Prince Daniel standing in the doorway, observing her. He came closer as he continued.

"I was just passing by, and I couldn't help but overhear that you are in need of a partner?"

Alanna was replying that it wouldn't be necessary (she'd rather endure hours of practice than reveal what a klutz she was to the prince) when Madame Lonche interrupted.

"That would be most welcome," she said with a warm smile. She ushered him to the middle of the floor where Alanna was standing, blushing.

"With your permission, of course," he said, leveling his gaze at her. When she nodded, he placed one hand at the small of her back and took hold of her right hand with the other. She laid her left hand on his shoulder and took a deep breath.

Madame Lonche counted off, and Daniel began to lead her through the minuet. She kept her gaze focused on her feet, too embarrassed to even look at him.

"You're not a bad dancer, you know," Daniel said.

She looked up and gave a sheepish smile. "Then why do I need lessons?"

"You don't," he said. "Just someone to lead you through."

And he was right. After a minute or two, Alanna began to relax and soon fell into a rhythm. Daniel was an excellent dancer, and didn't hide it as he led her through some of the more intricate steps of the dance. She found him easy to follow, and gradually became more and more confident. When the dance ended, she found she had actually enjoyed dancing for the first time.

They stood smiling at each other, oblivious until Madame Lonche hurried over.

"Very good," she said approvingly. "Having a partner makes an enormous difference, does it not?"

Alanna smiled at Daniel. "Indeed."

They practiced several more dances together, and Alanna grew accustomed to Daniel's dancing: steady and confident. She found herself able to laugh with him when she made mistakes, and eventually she felt as though she could possibly survive the ball.

Madame Lonche was positively beaming when she ended the lesson. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful. Lady Annette will be very pleased with the progress you've made, Alanna."

As her teacher left the ballroom, Alanna turned to Daniel. "Thank you so much for doing this. I know how busy you are."

He smiled charmingly. "How could I ignore a lady in distress? Especially a lovely one such as yourself."

Again, Alanna felt her face flushing. Why was it she was always so flustered around Daniel? "Well, I appreciate it nonetheless."

"It was my pleasure," he said. He smiled and extended his arm. "But if you still feel as if you are in my debt, I wouldn't refuse a turn about the garden."

"I would be delighted," Alanna said, slipping her arm through his and smiling up at him as they left the ballroom.

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"Tyson?" Lady Evelyn inquired. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Mother, I'm fine. Just thinking."

She nodded, not fully convinced, and turned back to the letter she was writing. Tyson sighed, and resumed staring out the window he was standing beside.

His mind drifted again to Alanna. He hadn't seen her in days, and was frustrated beyond belief. Thoughts of her silky chestnut hair and flashing green eyes filled his head. The way she had looked the other day in the library, with the sun shining behind her….

And then, of course, there was the small matter of the prince. How could Tyson focus on anything when he knew his rival was staying in her very own house?

There was a cough from behind him in the sitting room. Tyson turned to see his mother watching him.

"What?" he asked.

She smiled gently. "I can tell when something is bothering you." She patted the empty spot beside her on the couch. "Besides, your pacing is going to wear down the rug."

Tyson gave up and went to sit beside her. He took a few moments before starting. "Its about Alanna."

Her eyes twinkled. "Go on."

"When she visited here the other day, I thought…." he paused. "Well, that is to say I might….have feelings for her, I suppose."

Lady Evelyn couldn't hold back her smile. "Oh Tyson, you've fallen in love."

He looked slightly taken aback. "Well, I wouldn't put it in those words. I care for her, to be sure…."

She patted him on the hand. "Never be ashamed of what you feel, darling."

Tyson nodded, but still looked worried. "Its just that we're friends. I can never tell what she's thinking, and I simply don't know what to do next."

He sighed. "There's just so many complications."

"Such as?"

"Well, Prince Daniel staying at her home is definitely a main one," he said, trying to hide the bitterness he felt.

Lady Evelyn looked concerned. "You don't think he's trying to…." Her voice drifted off.

He shrugged. "I hope not, anyway."

She regarded him sternly. "Well, if worst comes to worst, you must warn Alanna. I would hate to see her mixed up in any of this."

"I agree," Tyson said. "I just hope it never comes to that."

She gave a small smile. "I'm sure whatever you do, it'll be the right choice."

He sat still for a moment. "That still brings me back to my original problem. How can I tell if she feels the same way?"

"Well, you're not going to like my answer," she said.

"Which is?" he said eagerly.

"To tell her," she said simply. "Tell her how you feel, and then you'll have your answer."

Tyson gulped. "You're right, I don't like it."

She patted his hand. "I didn't think so, but it's a tried and tested method."

She smiled wistfully, and looked away. Tyson sensed her sudden sadness. "Are you thinking of Father?"

She nodded and turned back to him, unshed tears filling her eyes. "I miss him so much sometimes. I know it's been months, but it often feels as if no time has passed at all."

He took her hand. "I know, Mother. I feel the same way."

They sat for a minute, swept up in their memories. Then Lady Evelyn wiped her tears and put on a brave face. "Well, all I can say is, you'd better not lose Alanna over a silly thing like telling the truth. Besides, I can't think of a single reason why she wouldn't be in love with you too."

Tyson smiled and shook his head. "Thank you, Mother. For everything."

"That's what I'm here for," she said, rising from her seat. Kissing him on the cheek, she left him to his thoughts.