Lord Benson gave Freya a bow.
“Thank you for that most interesting dance, Miss Uki. It’s not often that I mix business and, well, business ”
“It’s an unusual way to work things,” Freya said, “But possibly a good way to run a business.”
He smiled and the Cobbler brothers were upon her.
“Miss Uki!” the one with a purple bow tie said. Freya didn’t remember if he was the elder or not.
“Ah Miss Uki, we must have a dance!” the one with the yellow bow tie said.
“You must dance with me first,” the other said, edging in.
“Pardon me, gentle rabbits,” Francis Seafoam said, “but I believe that Madame Leng has something to say to her first, and I’ve already asked her for a dance. Give Miss Uki some space.”
Madame Leng detached herself from Francis as she did a full inspection of Freya's garb, poking here and there.
“Marcel will be so proud,” Madame Leng sighed as Freya showed off the billowing cape. “He poured his heart and soul into this piece.”
“Madame Leng, I loved it before tonight's dance, but now? I’m considering marrying it.”
The Cobbler brothers frowned as Madame Leng guffawed.
Francis Seafoam held out a paw, in the first position for the waltz.
Then she saw Holly, the only female in a group of male rabbits. Standing at her side was Captain Bell himself, leading the group in a heated discussion. A well-decorated bird stood on his right, and Lieutenant Chin-Hwa stood to his left, taking it all in. He flashed a smile across the way to her.
Freya could feel a full-body blush come on and cursed that she wasn’t born with all black fur to obscure such feelings. She was happy to see a similar if smaller blush on Muk.
“Miss Uki,” Francis Seafoam said, leading her to the floor, “I believe that we can make some inroads on your current situation. That is if my understanding of Lady Bluefooteds society papers is correct.”
Muk and Freya’s eyes met again as Francis placed a paw on her waist, the other leading her around the dance circle. Francis had positioned them perfectly so that Muk would have a view of the two of them dancing.
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Freya caught herself staring as Muk laughed at some unheard joke.
“I believe that we’ve caught the Officer’s attention,” Francis said.
“Indeed.”
Freya could see more than one head turning to watch as they danced a conservative step. Freya could feel that Francis was a practiced paw at dancing.
“You’re very good at this,” Freya said.
“It’s almost as if, shall we say, one can practice ahead of time?”
The waltz was usually a conversation between two. Lady Raina had taught Freya how to make it a battle that she could win handily. This particular tactic, according to Tulip, was some form of psychological operation, to disarm the target through jealousy.
“A lady must be aloof, but attentive,” Francis said, turning her.
“Now you sound like Lady Raina,” Freya said, looking across the way, her eyes pinned on Muk.
They stepped in unison, close enough together that Muk frowned.
Francis tipped his whiskers as they continued on around the dance floor.
“A lady must be reserved, but keep her reservations to herself.”
“Ah, did you take her finishing school as well?” Freya said.
“Alas no,” Francis said.“I do however know someone who did, a long time ago.”
Their paws together, he led her from the ballroom floor, away from Holly, Muk, and Captain Bell.
“Madame Leng?” Freya said.
“It’s true. A while back, when the finishing course was in its infancy, Madame Leng, she was one of the first graduates ever.”
“I’m happy to see that she was able to take what she learned there and turn it into something.” Freya flourished her cape as they reached Madame Leng and the Cobbler brothers.
Madame Leng clapped as they arrived.
“Marvelous! My dear, that was excellent!” Madame Leng said.
Francis bowed to Freya. Freya curtseyed back.
“Madame Leng, it appears that we are both alumni of a prestigious institution. One which I had not thought of as such until just now,” Freya said.
Madame Leng fanned herself. Both Cobbler brothers just looked baffled as they tried to work something out between themselves with hand signals.
“Yes, when Lady Raina hand picks each class every year, well. I’ve kept a list of each graduate, and many of them have gone on to do incredible things. Did you know that the druid, Spring, was a graduate of the course before she was called to become a druid?”
“I was unaware of that. I’ve met her only once…” Freya trailed off.
Freya flexed her whiskers as she thought about what she was trying to ask.
“Madame Leng, you know all of the graduates?”
“Why, yes of course. Lady Raina keeps me apprised. Each year I take the graduates somewhere special after the season ends.”
Freya watched as the Cobbler brothers appeared to come to an agreement. One of them would dance with Freya first, and Freya decided the opportune time to make her exit before they figured out that they would have to ask.
“Madame Leng, it’s been a pleasure, but I think that I must withdraw as I see someone who I wish to speak to.” Freya nodded, slipping away before either Cobbler could get his bearings.