Orion looked up, “Well lookie here.” He muttered. Juliah and Sarah looked up to see who he was looking at. “Count Higte.” He remarked. “What rock did he crawl out from under?” 

   Juliah concealed a laugh. “I know he is an old friend of dad’s but he scares the hell out of me.”

   The gentleman walked around the edge of the room. They watched him greet the King and Queen, and then retreated to the darkness of the balcony.

   The music changed to slower more formal dancing music. “Would you care to dance brother?” Juliah asked. 

   “I think I have one more dance left in me.” He escorted her to the dance floor.

   Sarah found her way to the balcony. The gentleman was leaning against the railing. “There’s a lovely moon out tonight.”

   His automatic response was, “it pales in comparison to you.”

   She joined him against the railing. 

   “What are you doing here my child?” He wrapped his arm around hers.

   “Dr. Carter is a friend of mine. He needed some advice so here I am.”

   “I’m so proud of you.”

   “Thank you. You’ve dyed your hair. I remember it being sandy brown? Red really doesn’t suit you.” 

   “I never could fool you.” Sarah blushed. “Orion called you a Count and said you are an old family friend.”

   “You have met the royal family I see.”

   “In all their splendor.”

   He turned around facing the ballroom. “That was a great job you did in there.”

   “I had a great teacher.”

   He looked up at the moon she had referred too. “What is wrong with the Prince?” 

   “It could be a host of things.”

   The Count turned around to make sure they were still the only people on the balcony.

   “What’s with the eye patch?” She asked.

   “It’s only for looks.” He paused for a moment, “if you look to your right, just past the wall is a path that leads to the river. Meet me there?”

   “What time?”

   “Noon.”

   The song changed. “I know this song.”

    “You should. I taught you to dance that when you were ten.”

    She turned to him smiling, “dance with me?” He shook his head no. “What, it will destroy your image as a recluse?” 

    “I never could deny you anything.”

    “Even when you should have,” she smiled. Everyone stopped dancing when they walked arm and arm onto the dance floor. James, Rao, Orion, and Juliah were standing together. Rao and James turned to each other and smiled. 

    James spoke, “that makes my heart happy.”

    “Do you think he will come visit more?” Rao asked. 

    “It would do him a world of good.”

    Orion and Juliah just stared at each other.

   Juliah ran over to the band conductor. 

   “I know what that is about.” Sarah sighed. “We really aren’t in the clothing to do this.”

   Juliah returned smiling. 

   “Come.” Orion offered. They followed him out of the room. “We have five minutes before they change the song. According to Sarah, we are not appropriately dressed. What do we need to put on?”

   “Comfortable clothes, something you can move in.”

   Juliah giggled and ran toward her quarters. 

   “Great.” Sarah sighed. “Five minutes.”

   In four minutes, they all reconvened outside of the ballroom. 

   “I can’t believe I am doing this.” Sarah was obviously nervous. 

   “Don’t be nervous. You will do fine.” Orion encouraged.

  “If you two mess up, people will say it’s cute. If I mess up, I will not get the same reaction.” 

   They reentered the ballroom dressed in casual clothing, which got everyone in the rooms attention and even a few gasps. 

   Juliah laughed, “I love messing with them. Can’t you just hear them now?” She created within her an unnaturally deep voice, “James’ children don’t know how to entertain. What will this country become when they take the reins?”

   Orion smiled.

   “Can you handle this? It is very physical.” Sarah asked him.

   He blushed, “I think I know when to stop.”

   “I just don’t want that stop to be a short one.” Sarah remarked. 

   The Selira music started. “Now what you do is let the music guide you. You do what it tells you to do.”

   “They have instructions to play three songs.” Juliah commented. 

   “It shouldn’t take three songs. Selira songs are long by nature.”

   Juliah started swaying. 

   “Good, good.” Sarah watched Orion.

   “I feel so silly.” He remarked.

   “Oh no mister, you encouraged this. You are dancing too.” She playfully scolded. 

   After one minute of the song, Juliah had gotten the hang of it. “Very good.” Sarah encouraged. 

   People had really started to notice what they were doing and were watching with great curiosity. 

   She had to work with Orion for a moment. He was as stiff as a board. “I told you to stick with me; I would change your world.” She giggled.

   “Yes, and I believed you.”

   James and Rao approached the top of the crowd that had gathered. They were amazed that Orion was doing this. Yes, he could dance. He was a great dancer as a matter of fact but this was not his style. This was out of character for him. And he was enjoying himself. 

   James pulled Rao close to him. “I am loving this.” He whispered in her ear.

   “I know.” She giggled. 

  Orion had to stop before the five minutes of Selira music was up. He went and stood with his parents watching the ladies. When the song stopped Juliah and Sarah stopped dancing. 

  “I can’t endure another song.” Juliah panted.

  The crowd applauded. The ladies curtsied. 

   “I am amazed,” Orion said out of breath. “That was great fun.” They sat on a bench just breathing. The two other songs Juliah requested played. 

   “So,” Orion asked tired and sore, “What other dances do you know?”

   “I know the steps to the Pangotoe.” She noticed the confused look on Juliah’s face. “The dance that you and your son just danced. My uncle taught it to me.”

   Orion and Juliah just stared at each other.

That night Juliah and Michael only danced one dance together. During which she asked, “What brought on that little spark?”

   “I was going to ask for your permission but it didn’t seem appropriate. I knew if you objected to my touch you would have told, shown me.”

   “I enjoyed it. I thought you were new at this game?”

   “I am.” 

   The music changed to the Prince Waltz. Orion and Paul started dancing with each other.

   “I love this dance,” Juliah sighed. “It took dad forever to teach it to Orion. I am so thrilled he’s teaching Paul.” She glanced over at Michael, his feet were moving to the music. 

     He started to speak softly, “left foot back, turn to the right, dip, right foot back, turn to the left, two steps forward.”

   She looked on the dance floor to see Orion and Paul moving to the steps Michael was calling. “Where did you learn to do this dance?” She hissed.

   “I don’t remember. The name is wrong. Is it known as anything else?”

   “Not that I’m aware of.”

   The dance ended as each dancer bowed to the other. The guests applauded with delight. Juliah disappeared as the next song started. 

   “Hi,” Juliah smiled.

   “Aunt Juliah,” she knelt to hug Paul.

   “Bed time young man,” Orion spoke.

   “Yes sir.” Paul walked to a door where a lady escorted him out of sight.

   “Orion, is the Prince Waltz known as anything else?” Juliah asked.

   “Not that I’m aware of. Why?” He was looking around Juliah.

   She turned to see a new lady chatting happily with Dr. Carter. “Whose she?” She continued looking. 

   “That’s Dr. Zabane?” 

   She was flabbergasted. “You are kidding?”

   Sarah had on a black floor length flowing gown. Her shoulders were wrapped in a silver shawl. Her hair dripped with curls.

   “What about the dance?” Orion refocused Juliah’s attention.

   “Michael knows the steps.”

   “Interesting.” Orion commented. 

   “I love formal parties.” Sarah sighed joining them. “Everyone looks so fabulous.”

   “As do you,” Orion kissed the top of her hand.

   “Thank you.” They looked out over the crowd.

   “Who’s Floria dancing with?” Juliah asked. 

   “I don’t know.” Orion answered. 

   “Do you care?” Juliah asked. 

   “No.” Orion closed his eyes before taking a deep breath. He spoke without turning his head or opening his eyes. “Sarah, you having fun?” 

   “Surprisingly yes.”

   “Surprisingly?” Juliah questioned. 

   “Yes, I don’t get to play dress-up much. Plus, I know someone here.” 

   “Dr. Carter?” Orion finally physically joined the conversation.

   “Yes,” She smiled at Juliah. “I heard it’s your birthday?”

   She giggled, “yes.”

   “Happy Birthday.”

   “Thank you,” Juliah blushed.

   “Orion?” Sarah asked. 

   “Yes.”

   “Add graceful to my list of adjectives.”

    He blushed. “Would you like to dance?” 

   “Me?” Sarah questioned. “No, I don’t dance.”

   “I have watched you.”

   “Yeah,” Juliah remembered.

   “That spasm in the street. No, I know very few formal dances.”

   “No, you promised to teach me.” Juliah squealed. 

   “And it’s your birthday.” Sarah smiled nervously.