Scarlet’s laughter rang out again. She spared Matteo a quick apologetic glance and then said, “Our new prince is in great need of your merrymaking, Prince George. He is so serious all the time.” She pouted. “Perhaps we can find him a partner for our first dance?”

Prince George clapped his hands and whispered something to the summoned courtier. Then he waved his hand in the direction of the orchestra. Instruments began the first notes of the opening set.

The courtier brought back an exquisite woman, dressed in emerald green, diamonds rising up her neckline in a great glittering cascade and filling her headpiece.

Prince George said, “Your Highness, may I introduce Her Highness, Princess Elizabeth of Hungary. And this handsome gentleman, Princess Elizabeth, is our own newly claimed Prince Legitime of France.”

Matteo bowed low and took her offered hand in his own, kissing it. “Would you do me the honor of dancing this first set?”

She nodded regally to him, and they turned to wait for Prince George and Scarlet to lead out. The crowd backed farther away, pairing off. The music became louder, and Prince George and Scarlet began dancing.

The prince had declared every set to be a waltz, a new dance just gaining attention in Europe, mostly in Germany. No one had yet attempted it in England, even among the braver, more daring members of the ton. But the prince had made mention of it in his invitation, and those who wished to impress him had learned it before the ball. Although scandalous, few new debutantes attended the prince’s balls, and those married members of the ton showed a great desire to indulge the prince.

Scarlet had little to worry her as far as scandalous dances were concerned; as a widow, society’s strictures held little relevance. Most thought her quite an eccentric. It would surprise no one that she was already proficient at dancing the waltz. In truth, she had learned it herself in France, from a German instructor six months past. Scarlet shook her head as she often did at the prince’s shocking attempts to gain attention. As she had witnessed often enough, he appeared to seek out scandal whenever possible.

Everyone waited, watching their graceful rise and fall and turns for several measures before Matteo and Princess Elizabeth joined them. They were soon followed by the other couples, until the room filled with brightly colored women swirling around men with jackets in equally colorful hues.

Prince George pulled Scarlet closer to him. “As much as I enjoy your company, dear lady, I find I am equally missing our dear Rupert, may he rest in peace.”

Familiar sadness lowered the corners of her mouth. “He was a dear man. I miss him too.”

Prince George eyed her for a moment. “Yes, but there is a new distraction. One Matteo Durand? Staying on your estate?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.