At her rebuke that her muddy child hood was due to him, he gave a good natured laugh.
“Well, we were children,” he said with obviously pleasure at their past, not seeming to notice the way his words caused her to colour.
When she seemed to need more support, his grip became more firm, not in a hard way, but in a way that said whilst she was his partner, she wouldn’t need to worry. Reassuring.
“I’m sorry,” he said, though he was still smiling. “I do get a little enthusiastic.”
It was true. Most balls Edward spent in high spirits, for they were something he loved. He loved the social aspect. He must have danced with a different girl every dance.
“You are a wonderful dancer,” he complimented her, just as the song began to draw to a close. “I’m so pleased that you allowed me the pleasure of partnering you.”
He held her whilst other couples clapped, making sure she wasn't going to fall.
“Take it easy,” he said, as he escorted her from the floor. “Sit for a bit. I hope I wasn't too rough with you.”
Behind them, there seemed to be a press of bodies, but he was only looking at her for the moment.
“I’ll get you some water, Ella,” he said, gesturing to a chair for her to take and striding off, the crowd opening and closing as he moved within it.

Avril had retreated to the landing upstairs again, looking over it into the dance. She saw the clear pleasure on her friend’s face as she and her elder brother turned around and round.
She turned her back to where they swirled and stepped out onto the balcony for the second time that night, but Stephen wasn’t there. She’d persuaded him, practically forced him to ask Ella to dance.
“Are you alright, your highness?”
She jumped at the voice, forgetting that Hiro was posted out there, his dark uniform allowing him to blend so well with the shadow of the wall.
“I apologise,” he said, giving a quick bow, though his head was raised again before his body could catch up. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She caught her breath and then gestured around, saying by explanation, “I thought Stephen would be here.”
The guard looked puzzled.
“I’m sorry, your highness, but didn’t he just leave in your company?”
She felt her cheeks flush.
“Never mind,” she said quickly, leaving Hiro to stand there watching her go.
Back inside, she heard the beat of feet as the dance progressed but she had no time to look.
“Your majesty,” came a voice, which belonged to one of the boys who had been talking to her before. He was flanked by 2 others, all of them smiling in a friendly way, and seemed to think this the time to speak with her.
“Will you attend the hunt tomorrow?” the one on the left asked, which was quickly answered, not by Avril, but by his friend.
“Don’t be stupid,” his friend said with obvious annoyance. “She’s a lady. Ladies don’t do anything like that.”
There was no need for her to speak, for the 3rd interjected, saying that ladies could hunt if they liked. It was the problem with groups of boys like these. They heard each other but never noticed that the female had not uttered a word.
“Princess Avril does not hunt,” said a voice from behind her. “She doesn’t enjoy the sport as she thinks it cruel.”
Avril, and the 3 boys, all sons of lords or gentry, turned to see Hiro, who was now stood in the balcony door frame, silhouetted by the moon outside.
“And who are you?” said one of the boys snottily, looking him up and down like he was filth.
Avril realised that in this light, like on the balcony, it was difficult to see the guard uniform.
“He’s exactly who I was supposed to be meeting,” she said bravely, causing the boys to look shamefaced, but none more than the one who had spoken. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
He looked shocked as she took his arm and led him back outside. She waited until they were beyond the ears of the boys and said, "do you know how much trouble you could have been in?"
Hiro gave a silly grin and shrugged. "My lady was in trouble so I had to intercede. It's part of the job."
She turned away so he didn't see her flush. She knew he'd said "my lady" like he would say "your majesty" but it had made butterflies move in her stomach. Also it was rare to find someone who would use a word like intercede.
She looked to him and gave a curtsy, which she had the mild satisfaction to seeing caused him to redden and look panicked.
"Thank you," she said as she straightened. "Please excuse me, but I believe my friend, by now should have finished dancing.
She didn't wait for him to say anything, but headed back to the landing and down the stairs to where Ella was, feeling her own cheeks were heavily flushed. The clapping of the couples as the music had ceased died away again had already finished when she found her friend.
"You've finished now," she said to her friend, sitting beside her. "Where's Edward?"