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Meanwhile, she stood at his side, tongue-tied and terrified of speaking and e him

A round of applause made everyone look to the center of the floor, and Alexandra and Luke were leaving, heading to the dais where the queen watched the festivities from her throne An additional throne had been set for Alexandra, and she sat down, Luketo stand just over her shoulder

They looked wonderful, Maylee decided Ro out of a fairy tale She could have watched the by the dreamy expressions of some of the other women in the room, she wasn’t the only one

Once Alexandra had her skirts settled, she gave a nod at the direction of the band, and the strains of another song began to play Couples moved out onto the dance floor, and Maylee watched the eyes She wanted to etch the et it, all these expensive, gorgeous dresses and beautiful wo, formally dressed men

A hand extended in front of Maylee "Shall we?"

She stared down at Griffin’s hand, then looked at hih I must warn you, I have two left feet"

"That’s okay," she said happily, and slapped her hand into his "I’m not much of a dancer, either"

"Lovely," he said in a dry voice "We shall ether, then"

His acerbic huh

Her breath fluttered in her throat with excitement, and Maylee let Griffin lead the way as they headed out onto the floor The song was stately, and everyone around theical

Griffin’s hands went to her waist, keeping her a th from him Unsure of where to put her own hands, she slid the ain with the intensity of his stare, even through the square fralasses that normally hid his expressions His eyes flicked from her face, then down to the necklace at her throat "I see you haven’t lost them"

His words confused her Was that meant playfully? Or did he truly think she’d do her best to lose his jewels? "No I’ve been very careful"

"Of course"

They danced, , which hat she’d ih school prole escaped her throat

"What is it?"

"Just thinking this reminds me of a school dance"

A hint of a smile curved his austere mouth "Oh? In ay?"

She nodded at a couple that moved nearby "The dresses The aardness The cool kids and the wannabes"

"Cool kids and wannabes?" His eyebrow rose "Which one are you?"

"Oh, definitely a wannabe"

"Why would you think that?"

She sed hard, averting her gaze from him It was easy to do; she just pretended to watch everyone dancing nearby "I just worry that I’ up So I try not to speak"

He shook his head and his hands clasped her waist a little tighter "No one could be eht, Maylee"

For some reason, that didn’t ht?"

"Why would you think that?" He stared, his feet barely shuffling as they danced, and he was right; he wasn’t a good dancer He’d stepped on her skirt twice and her foot once, but it sohed

"Well, you did," she said defensively "And then you drove me to the salon so they could make me look "presentable" Your words"

"You misinterpret them"

"I’m really not sure how it’s possible to misinterpret them, Mr Griffin You just said that no one could be e as how I nor on a day-to-day basis And youall kinds of hurt at him She needed to stop, but she couldn’t help herself "So please tellthat I may be country, but I’m not stupid"