Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

her palms slipped on the brass. Chiding herself, she wiped her hands on her skirt.

It’s a dance lesson, not a trial by jury. Come on, Nyssa. Remember, this is for Ellis.

The door creaked when she pushed it open. Nyssa’s own reflection stared at her from across a wide-open room. Her boots clicked on the gleaming wooden floor. One wall consisted of giant mirrors. With the exception of a piano, the space was empty.

“Welcome,” said a voice with a purring accent.

Nyssa whirled about.

A slender young man with golden hair and generous sideburns leaned in the corner. He crossed to her in long, elegant strides.

“If Amara had told me how charming you are, she wouldn’t have needed to plead for this private lesson.” He leaned over and took her hand. Nyssa blinked at him. With a sly smile, he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. It took all of Nyssa’s willpower not to jerk away and run.

He chuckled. “So frigid. You’ll have to relax if you want to learn to dance. Nyssa Glass, is it?”

Nyssa cringed inwardly, but nodded.Amara never remembers to use my alias.“Did Amara tell you about my special circumstances?”

“No particulars. Only that you had some concerns and no experience. Don’t worry.” He winked. “I’ve turned beginners into belles in no time.”

“I don’t want to be a belle. I just want to surprise my boyfriend.” She cleared her suddenly dry throat. “I only have a few days.”

“Then let’s start. Do you know which dance you wish to learn?”

“Something simple … not too fast.”

“A waltz, then. I have just the music.” Henri approached the piano. He flipped a switch on the top and turned a dial. With a click and a whir, the keys moved up and down as if pressed by invisible fingers. A lilting tune rose from the instrument.

Nyssa stiffened as Henri returned and placed his hand on her waist. A heady scent of musk and coriander rose from him.

She tried to relax, but every joint in her body froze like a rusty hinge. He slipped his other hand around hers and guided her arm upward.

“Easy. I don’t bite.” He winked again, a gesture she found not at all comforting.

Remember, this is for Ellis. Pretend Henri is Ellis. You’ve let Ellis touch you without turning into a malfunctioning robot.

Avoiding Henri’s unnervingly blue eyes, she entwined her fingers with his.

“Nuh-uh-uh.” He clicked his tongue. “Don’t braid our hands, rest them lightly against each other. Otherwise if I need to spin you—” With a swift movement, he propelled Nyssa’s arm over her head and her body away from his. Her feet crossed, her back hitting his chest. She bit down on her lip, hard. “It doesn’t work as well,” he whispered in her ear.

Nyssa yanked her face away from his warm breath. “Don’t do that again.”

“Most girls like that.”

“I’m not most girls. I don’t want spins and … fancy things. I just want to learn a basic dance—”

“I know, I know, for your boyfriend.” He rolled his eyes. “Must be a real catch, this man of yours.”

He is, but I’m not going to waste my time trying to convince you of that. Nyssa drew a steadying breath.

“Well, let’s start with a simple step. Do you know music?”

“Not really.” She shrugged, trying not to feel like an idiot.

“Of course you don’t.” He sighed. “You are fortunate I am such a patient teacher. You might try and make it easier on me, yes?”

“I’m sorry. I … I’m not used to … I’ll try to relax.” Sparks and shocks, Amara practically begged to get me this appointment. I can’t mess this up.

“Good. Now your job is very simple. I lead, you follow, I make you look good.” He flashed a white-toothed grin. “When I step forward, you step back. When I step right, you step left. When I step back, you step forward …”

When you step perpendicular, I step reciprocal. Let’s get going. Nyssa forced herself to nod.

“So for this basic step, you will go back with your right foot, back with your left, then move your feet together, all the while following my mirror image. Got it?”

“I think so.” Nyssa closed her eyes and went over the directions. It’s like entering the code in a padlock or listening to the tumblers in a safe. You just have to remember the code. I can do that! Right foot back, left foot back, together. Easy. She opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m ready.”

“On three.” He tapped his foot in time to the music. “One, two, three.”

Nyssa stepped back. Henri stepped forward … onto her toes. Pain shot through Nyssa’s foot, and she yelped. “Hey!”

“You didn’t step back far enough.”

“How was I supposed to know how far back to step?” she snapped.

“You need to let my steps decide how far you go. The man always leads, my dear.”

Nyssa straightened her peacoat. “Let’s try again. I’ll watch your feet this time.”

“No, no, no!” He laid his hand over his eyes. “Staring at my feet while we dance? Good God, woman! How is that romantic? You must look me in the eye and feel my guidance in every muscle of your body. You must be one with the whole of me, not my feet.” He huffed and placed his hand back on her waist. “Again!”

Nyssa’s fingers clenched. She placed her hand in Henri’s. For Ellis.

By the time the lesson was over, Nyssa’s neck was stiff, her toes hurt, and her jaw ached from clenching it so hard. Also, her head throbbed from breathing in his ridiculous cologne.

“Same time tomorrow?” Henri asked as he switched off the player piano.

“Are you sure you want to bother?” She dabbed at her forehead with a handkerchief. “It seems pretty hopeless.”

“Oh not at all.” He leaned against the piano and crossed his arms. “You have potential. Just crossing the room you move with an adequate amount of grace. You picked up the timing, and I can see that you’ve memorized the steps. All in all, you’re a brilliant