Chapter 4:
If the Schue Fits
“LET’S BEGIN. IS EVERYONE READY?”
Despondent and dejected, Hubert began to clap a beat, a simple waltz in triple time. Three pairs stepped to the rhythm: Melody with Lect, Luciana with Schue, and Micah with Rook, as sternly prescribed by Ryan.
Lect and Melody made sense, given they would be each other’s partners on the day of the ball, while Micah and Rook matched well as beginners. That left Luciana and Schue, and though Luciana would have vastly preferred her uncle, Ryan had been very clear in his instructions. An adult had no business bickering with young folk, the butler had said, and so Hubert was relegated to rhythm duty. At least until they rotated partners.
The knight and the maid waltzed in nearly perfect sync. At least four months had passed since their dance at the Spring Ball, but their skill more than made up for the lost time.
I’m still in good form. What about the others? Melody snuck a look at her students.
Micah and Rook, the beginners, caught her eye first. They held steady, matching the rhythm, if clumsily. Not a disaster, though. There was an endearing charm to their stiff movements. Rook created a steady foundation Micah could build on, and together they put on a performance that was not altogether terrible. Given time, they might become quite good.
Seeing as they were only present to fill in the ranks, Melody felt confident giving them a passing grade.
A smile tripped along her lips. They’re doing just fine. Now how about Schue and my…
The smile faltered.
Luciana and Schue were, to put it lightly, completely incompatible. Natural enemies. Schue was a pathological flirt and ceaselessly made passes at Melody, and Luciana berated him for it at every opportunity. She despised the boy far more than he hated her, but that left them constantly at odds. Not a single thwackless day had passed in the Rudleberg estate since its lady’s return.
Melody worried this would reflect in their dancing, but what she saw defied her wildest expectations—they were dancing. Dancing well.
I don’t believe it. My lady, I’ve never seen you display such mastery.
This displeased Luciana greatly. “Cheeky little…!”
“Don’t hold back on my account, my lady. Be as rough as you like!” Schue laughed, unfazed by her threats.
After careful observation, Melody came to a realization. My lady’s leading. Schue’s simply adapting to her. And perfectly, at that.
It was hardly appropriate for a lady to lead a waltz, but Luciana wouldn’t be caught dead dancing to Schue’s rhythm. Her pride would have spelled doom for the entire performance if the valet didn’t skillfully cede control. And if the dance weren’t so bold yet refined, so gallantly beautiful, Melody would have had a few harsh words for her lady.
Instead, she was at a loss. Despite Schue’s claims, she hadn’t anticipated this level of skill. Only Hubert’s steady clapping resounded within the hall, yet Schue and Luciana might as well have been dancing to a full orchestra. One could almost hear the waltz to which they moved.
“He’s good,” Lect commented, taking notice.
“Yes, he is. I’m impressed.”
Even distracted by Schue’s talent, they did not miss a beat or a step.
“What house does he belong to?” Lect murmured. “He must have had extensive training.”
“Lord Hubert tells me they found him collapsed outside. Supposedly he ran away from home, wherever that might be. He always seemed the furthest thing from nobility, given his personality.”
“I see.”
Something to look into when I return to the capital, Lect thought.
The boy could spell trouble for Melody or the Rudlebergs depending on where he really came from. Lect made a mental note to search for persons within the kingdom who matched his description.
When the “song” came to an end, Hubert began his appraisal. “Regrettably, I have no comments for Sir Froude and Melody. You conducted yourselves perfectly, and I expect the ball will pose no issue for either of you.”
“Thank you, Lord—hmm? ‘Regrettably’?” Melody said, cocking her head.
Lect frowned, no doubt recalling the line of questioning he’d been subjected to upon arrival and connecting a few dots.
“Micah and Rook, you two need to refine your fundamentals, so there’s little I can add. Continue to practice, and the rest will come.”
“Okay!” Micah said. “Not that I think we’ll be dancing much anyway.”
“A matter of principle, I suppose,” Rook murmured.
“Not at all,” Melody said. “You never know when you’ll find yourself swept into something at a function and in need of experience. That’s what this is for. Best to prepare for any situation.”
“As if that’ll ever happen to us, Miss Melody,” Micah scoffed.
“I used to think so too, and yet I wound up attending the Spring Ball.”
Because you’re the heroine, dang it!
Melody and Micah shared a grimace born from very different places.
“Now then. New pairs, everyone,” Hubert said.
Lect moved to clapping duty, while Schue took his spot with Melody. Luciana partnered with Rook, and Micah with Hubert. That the bailiff had not kicked up a fuss was a testament to his unwavering composure, excluding his “regrettable” slip of the tongue earlier.
“Let’s have fun, Melody!” Schue said.
“Yes, let’s.”
He smiled in his unhandsome way, and Melody returned the gesture with a far more striking curve of the lips. Gritting his teeth, Lect counted them in.
It was like a gentle wave swept her away. Before Melody knew it, she was dancing, led by Schue’s masterful guidance. Her feet moved on their own. She knew what to do by pure instinct. It was effortless. Without words, Schue told her where to step, and she stepped, and something beautiful came of it. He was simply that good, far better than even Lect. Instantly, Melody understood. Not even Luciana could handicap this man.
The wrinkles in Lect’s brow deepened as he clapped. Just who are you, really?
“You’re very good, Schue.” Melody’s mind was on the dance.
“A compliment? From you? You shouldn’t have!”
The valet’s smile grew wider. As his steps lightened, so did Melody’s. Again, it happened naturally, instinctively, without words. Doubtless such a performance would have left many a noblewoman smitten at a real ball. It was almost intimidating, the way this singular routine could have such an impact.
Who is he? Melody found herself wondering.
She met his eyes. He was smiling in his idiosyncratic way and leading her through the dance. There was nothing more to the man before her.
Melody managed a glance in Luciana’s direction. Her lady struggled against Rook’s lack of initiative and skill.
“The good lady’s having trouble, huh?” Schue chuckled.
“Indeed she is, but it will make for good practice.”
“True enough.”