Sub Rosa 13

The ball was gorgeous, and just as she'd imagined it. People in lovely evening wear, dancing as a live band played a classic waltz. Light everywhere, flickering on candles and sparkling from the diamonds all the women seemed to be wearing, warm and inviting. And Niles beside her, his arm linked with hers, his tailored suit hugging his trim form. He looked so proud to have her with him. He was glancing about the room, catching everyone's eye, keeping her close. She felt as if she were being shown off, a shining jewel he wanted everyone to see.

"Oh, Doctor Crane, it's so beautiful," she said.

"Just for tonight," he said, "could you call me Niles?"

A shiver went through her and she suppressed a nervous giggle.

"You're a vision," he said. "Everyone is staring at you."

"Oh," she said, flattered. "Well you look awfully handsome yourself... Niles." It rolled easily off her tongue; she'd thought of him like that for so long that it felt natural to say it.

He pulled out her chair, always the gentleman, and offered her some champagne. She watched as he walked over to the bar, but her smile faded as she saw him accosted by a haughty looking woman in a black dress.

Daphne narrowed her eyes as she listened. The woman was apparently a friend of Mrs. Crane, and rubbing it in quite rudely. She even had the nerve to go on about all the different men Mrs. Crane was parading around town with.

"Well," Daphne said when they'd left. "They weren't very nice."

"Everyone in our set seems to have this idea that while Maris is out living the high life, I'm sitting at home, crushed and lonely," Niles said.

Privately, Daphne thought that was actually pretty accurate, but it didn't have to stay that way.

"Yeah, well, never mind those gossipy twits," she said. "Tonight, you're all mine." She took his hand, leading him toward the dance floor. "Now, take me in your arms, Niles, and let the music carry us away."

And so they danced. There were waltzes and quicksteps, they did the rumba and the samba, the foxtrot and even a bit of the cha cha. Niles was graceful and kind, always making sure she had a sip of champagne and a moment to catch her breath, always pulling out her chair and taking her hand. She felt like a fairy tale princess.

"I can't remember when I've had a better time," she said as they returned to their table. "I'm on cloud nine!"

"I'd have to look down to see cloud nine!" Niles replied, breathless. He was giving her the same look he'd had all night, that dreamy, dazzled expression that said he couldn't take his eyes off her. "Daphne, I must tell you again, that is an exquisite gown."

"Oh, thanks," she replied. "It was way out of me price range, but did you ever see something and think, I just have to have it?"

She looked up at him and met his eyes, willing him to get it. To understand what she was really saying. The way he'd been behaving all evening, she was almost sure there was more to this than just physical attraction. But then again, he was a perfect gentleman. Maybe his devoted attention was simply his good manners showing.

Just then, the striking chords of a tango began. "Oh," Daphne said, "a tango!"

"Oh, you never taught me the tango," Niles replied uncertainly.

"You'll love it," she insisted, taking his hand. "There's only one rule in the tango." She pulled, drawing him out of his chair and close to her, until his chest was flush against hers and their faces were inches apart. "Our bodies must be in constant contact," she murmured, "with not a sliver of daylight between us."

His eyes darkened and his cheeks went pink. "I can do that," he said.

"Come on, don't be afraid," she said. They moved onto the dance floor.

"I don't think," he started.

"Don't think," she cut him off. She leaned close, placing both hands on his face and drawing him near enough to kiss. "Just feel." She walked him across the floor, her palms on his chest, clutched in the lapels of his jacket. His eyes were wide, his lips parted, and when she pulled him close again, he moved with her perfectly.

They strode from one end of the dance floor to the other, moving with the beat of the music. Daphne was distantly aware of the other dancers moving back to give them room, watching the show, but she didn't really care. Niles was coming alive in her arms, finally dropping some of those walls that he always seemed to carry around.

"That's it!" she said. "You're dazzling, you're brilliant! But I feel you holding back." She took his face in her hands again, meeting his eyes.

"I am," he admitted, and her heartbeat quickened.

"This is no time for inhibitions," she urged.

"I know."

"Let it out, Niles, let everything out!" It was now or never.

"Oh Daphne!" he said. "I adore you!"

Her breath caught in her throat as they stood back to back on the dance floor, and she trembled, clutching his hand tightly over their heads. Finally! "I adore you too!" she said before she could lose her nerve.

They spun again and came face to face. "What?" he asked, shocked.

"I adore you too," she said again. She couldn't go back now.

"Oh," he breathed, "how I've longed to hear those words."

"Oh, how I've longed to say them."

"You're beautiful! You're a goddess!" His eyes were shining, his hand shaking where their fingers were laced together.

"I don't ever want this moment to end," she told him.

"Then let's not let it." He spun her across the floor, leaving her dizzy and delighted, and then brought her back against his chest. She kicked one leg up to his shoulder, reveling in the way his eyes widened, in the gasps of everyone watching. As the dance ended, she knelt at his feet, her cheek pressed against his hip, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

The crowd clapped, but she barely heard them. All that mattered was Niles, reaching a hand down to help her up. Their eyes met as she stood before him, pressed close.

"This is the most glorious night of my life," he said, his voice unsteady and thick with feeling.

"Mine too," she whispered, and then she couldn't resist anymore. She kissed him, warm and sweet and over much too quickly. She rested her head on his shoulder, overcome, and he cradled her there.

He helped her to her chair, and sat down beside her. "Oh Daphne," he said. "I'm a new man! Do you have any idea what I'm feeling?"

"I think I do." She saw the way everyone was looking at them, but Niles didn't seem to; he had eyes only for her. He took her hand and kissed it, reverently. "I just have one question," Daphne said.

"What is it?" he asked.

She hesitated, all the old doubts rising again, but the way he was looking at her… she had to take the chance. "Did you mean it?"

He blinked, confused. "I don't understand."

"Did you mean what you said while we were dancing? Or was that for show, for your friends?"

Niles stared at her. "A show? You mean…"

"I have to ask," Daphne said. "Because I meant every word of it."

"Oh," he said, in a joyful, breathless voice. "Oh, Daphne, so did I."

"Well it's about bloody time," she said, and she kissed him.

THE END