It was a while before anyone else started to dance again, but once couples were joining in, one by one, the music struck up more enthusiastically and the remaining crowd's conversation surged more loudly than ever. All the excitement of the beautiful and mysterious new guest coursed through the crowds until the merriment and din was nearly too much for Edith to handle.

From her position above, she searched the dance floor for Mr. Darling, wondering if he had left with a similar need for a quieter place. She first caught sight of Margarite, her bright red dress so easily drawing the eye--just as Margarite herself had hoped. From there Edith found Mr. Darling, who was Margarite's dance partner. She smiled. "Even if he were to want rescue," she remarked under her breath to no one but herself. "He would not be able to obtain it now. He, unlucky fellow, is now ensnared in the dance!"

Edith didn't delay much longer. She found the nearest side room and made her escape. Once inside, she expected to find a more peaceful atmosphere, and it would have been so had it not been for a finely-dressed, middle-aged woman who stood speaking with great animation to anyone and everyone who would listen.

"I do believe that Alouette is a witch," she was boldly declaring as Edith came through the door. "How else could she snatch up the Prince so efficiently? She must be from the inferior side of town...No, the country. She's absolutely from the country. That's where all the witchery comes from, you know. Can't trust the country."

There was a young lady seated at her side, looking up at the woman with a quiet expression. She was timid-looking and sickly--pale as the lace on her dress and remarkably skinny. By the way she watched the talkative woman, Edith supposed they were acquainted somehow. She felt sorry for the smaller creature.

"I do declare," the woman continued, moving so enthusiastically that her jewelry rattled. "Her dancing technique did not match her finery! You there!" Her eyes latched onto Edith, despite all her attempts at evasion as she searched for an inconspicuous corner.

"You look like an intelligent sort of girl." Her mouth moved quickly. "You noticed it, didn't you?"

Edith felt her skin burning with embarrassment. The few occupants of the room stared at her like scared sheep or looked at the floor, equally embarrassed.

At last, drawing up to her full height, Edith responded resolutely. "I did. Thank you."

The lady held out a hand, and Edith knew she had no choice but to come closer.

"I think we are of like minds," the lady said, stating more than supposing. "Tell me your name. We shall be friends, I know."

"Only if I may have the pleasure of knowing yours," Edith replied, her voice level.

The lady laughed loudly. "Wonderful! How delightful you are! I am Lady Prudence Hall, of course! But call me Prudence, dear. No need for formalities among friends!"

"A pleasure to meet you," Edith said, curtseying slightly. "My name is Edith Curtis."

She happened to glance at the pale girl at Lady Prudence's side. The girl had been looking at her with curiosity, but she quickly averted her eyes when attention was on her.

Lady Prudence didn't miss it. "How forgetful of me! Of course you should want to know about my dear companion here. Miss Lidia Smith, a charming girl, I assure you. A little troubled with health, I'm afraid, but it doesn't prevent her from being perfectly engaging and convivial. Say hello, my dear." She finished her words with a remark to Lidia.

Lidia looked back at Edith almost fearfully. But, when prompted with an encouraging smile from Edith, she smiled warmly back and said in a weak but not unpleasant voice, "Good evening. It's nice to meet you."

"Miss Lidia is my ward, and I could not be happier with any other companion. Well, now that we are properly introduced, we shall all be the best of friends! Now, what say you on the subject, Edith? Is the mysterious Mademoiselle Alouette a witch? Lidia insists that she merely has natural charms, but I know there must be more to it. To be so singled out by the Prince! Do you not agree?"

Edith opened her mouth partway, but she was at a loss. She looked to Lidia, whose eyes were apologetic, but who was clearly not bold enough to rescue her new acquaintance from Lady Prudence's importunity. She was in the middle of wondering how to best break off the conversation when someone came up behind her.

"There you are." It was a man's voice, unfamiliar to her. For a moment she was frightened. But when she turned to see who had spoken, she saw him smiling pleasantly. She also recognized him as the man in the blue coat whom she had seen earlier.

"I was looking for you." Edith could instantly tell that he was pretending.

"Oh, is this an acquaintance of yours?" Lady Prudence asked, raising her eyebrows. "You must introduce us!"

The man turned a charming smile at her. "As wonderful as that would be, I'm afraid we must catch up later." He looked back to Edith. "Miss Turner wanted me to call you to her. She told me it's rather urgent." He never missed a beat, even when mentioning the obviously invented person.

"Oh dear," Edith said, with only a hint of hesitation. "I need to go."

Lady Prudence looked reluctant, but she nodded graciously. "Yes. We don't mind at all. Go speak with...uh..."

"Miss Tanner," Edith supplied helpfully. It wasn't until she said it that she realized she had messed up the fake name. Lady Prudence didn't notice, though. Lidia had caught the mistake, judging by her expression. But she looked more amused than offended.

Edith gave a slight nod before turning away with her rescuer. As they walked out of the room they were silent, wary of Lady Prudence overhearing. During this walk many thoughts ran through Edith's mind. Who was this man? What motive could he have for helping her? She might have been scared had her level personality allowed it.

As soon as they were out of the room, the man spoke. "I'm sure that must have been strange," he said. "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."

Edith was satisfied with the sincerity in his voice. "Maybe a little," she said lightly. "But it was nothing worse than being interrogated by that lady."

He let out a short laugh. "Lady Prudence is notorious. I'm amazed that you dared to set foot near her."

"If I had known her, I would not have. Speaking of which," she raised her eyes at him, "I'm afraid I don't know you either."

Realization struck his face, and he swept into a graceful bow. "Pardon my negligence. I am Oliver Raymond, Duke of Elwood. And you?"

Edith was a little surprised, but she answered calmly. "I am Edith Curtis. And to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting a Duke?"

He smiled, brown eyes shining. "I happened to be walking by. I saw you being accosted by that old gossip. What more can I say? I had to help. Though I admit you were bearing it remarkably well."

Edith raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Happened to be walking by?"

"That's what I said. Have you a reason to doubt it?"

She smiled knowingly. "Don't think I didn't see you watching me earlier. You were following me, and I know it. Why?"

Raymond laughed nervously and lowered his eyes. "You truly are brilliant. I thought I recognized you. You perfectly fit all the descriptions of the ingenious lady writer whom I've heard so much about. And sure enough, you are she. Edith Curtis. My cousin raves about your mystery stories. I was curious to meet you. And I admit that I did follow you."

Edith's brow had risen gradually with every word, her smile growing. "I am raved about? I was not aware of that."

"Yes. My cousin is convinced that you are the most brilliant writer of our time."

Edith laughed. "I'm glad to receive such adamant admiration. I was quite unaware that I am so liked, especially when judging by the pay I receive for my work."

"For my cousin's sake, I'm sure you are underpaid. But tell me then. I have not read any of your work. Does writing mystery come natural to you?"

"Observation of detail definitely does," Edith admitted. "But not reading human nature well, I'm afraid. A great weakness in my writing is knowing the characters' hearts and motives. For that I usually consult with my more people-learned friends."

By this time she noticed that they had wandered near the crown display room. The doors were closed. "That's funny," she muttered.

"What?" Raymond said.

Edith looked in the direction of the room distractedly. "The doors are closed. Are they not letting guests view the crown anymore?"

Raymond glanced the same way, curious. "That is strange. I wonder why."

"Maybe I could ask a servant about it," Edith said, immediately looking around for a member of the palace staff. "I do want to see the crown some more if I am able."

"You have already seen it?" Raymond asked.

"Yes." She reddened. "In great detail. Though I would like to study it more."

"Why not wait? The doors may open again. They could just be closing it off temporarily."

"I have nothing against waiting," Edith said, though she still glanced back at the closed room longingly. "But what am I to do until then?"

Raymond swept out a hand and bowed slightly. "I was hoping you would do me the honor of joining me in the dance."

Edith was a little caught off guard. After all her explanations and excuses, here she was being asked again. She didn't want to have to explain her uncommon opinion again.

But then her whirring thoughts stopped when she realized it would not be that bad. She had become dissatisfied with dancing and its society because of its boring familiarity. But Lord Raymond was someone she had never met before or danced with. His company would be interesting.

She smiled. "I would love to."