Recklessly Royal(18)
“A little bit,” I said.
“I thought so.” He moved to the rail next to me and stood on his tiptoes to look over the edge. “Me too. I don’t like the music.”
“And why’s that?” My lips twitched. “I heard someone say that this is one of the best bands available.”
“Yuck. They don’t play anything fun. It’s all old people music.” He scrunched up his nose.
“I hated this type of music when I was your age too.”
“Yeah? Don’t you still hate it?” He looked up at me with curiosity.
“Nope.” I shook my head.
“Why not?”
“Dancing.” I set my glass down and turned to look at him directly.
“Dancing?” He made a face. “Like gross dancing?”
I laughed. “What’s gross dancing?”
“Like them.” He jerked his head toward the spot where Sam and Alex swayed in the center of the dance floor.
“Well, that dancing is nice too, but what about . . . the funky chicken?”
His giggle lifted my spirits. “You don’t do the funky chicken!”
“Of course I do!” I put a hand to my chest. “Why wouldn’t I do the funky chicken?”
“You’re too princess-y!” He giggled again.
“Oh yeah? I bet you can’t do it.”
“Can too!” He laughed.
“Nah-uh. Don’t believe it. You’re too little.” I narrowed my eyes. “You’re too small.”
“I really can! See?” Tucking his hands under his arms he flapped his elbows like wings and bucked his head.
It took every drop of willpower not to burst out laughing. “You’re okay.”
“You can’t do any better.”
“Of course I can!” Folding my arms against my body I flapped my fake wings and clucked. I took a few steps, bobbing up and down.
The little boy wrapped his arms around his stomach and laughed loudly. I clucked at him and he laughed harder, his little eyes squeezing shut.
“Those are some impressive moves.” David’s voice froze me in place. “Especially to that fantastic classical music.”
“She’s so funny!” The little boy pointed at me.
I turned to meet his eyes with my hands still tucked into my armpits. I couldn’t have planned a more embarrassing way to see him. Okay, that’s not true. I could ask him to take his clothes off. Again. Or spill coffee all over his suit. Yeah. I guess this was just par for the course.
“We were just trying to liven up the night.” I shrugged.
“Looks like you’re doing a great job.” David knelt down and smiled at the little boy. “Have you tried the hokey-pokey yet?”
“Is that the one where you put your leg in and shake your booty?” He gave a little wiggle to demonstrate.
It was David’s turn to laugh. “That’s the one.”
“Marty!” a woman’s voice called. “Martin!”
“Uh-oh.” The little boy looked past David.
“Marty, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” A redheaded woman ran through the open double doors, her soft pink dress fluttering in the wind. “I told you to stay at the table. The table! Does this look like the table?”
“Sorry, Mama.” He smiled, but didn’t look very worried. “But look! The princess knows the chicken dance!”
“Marty was just helping spice up the night.” I smiled at the woman. “You’re Meredith, right? We haven’t been introduced before.” I held my hand out to her and almost pulled it right back. Hopefully she wouldn’t think about the fact that my fingers had just been shoved in my armpits.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Catherine.” She stood up and shook my hand. Brushing some of her long hair back over her shoulder she smiled at everyone. “When Marty disappeared I almost had a heart attack. I hope he didn’t bother you.”
“He was delightful.” I reached out and ruffled his hair. “Was your grandfather able to make the trip?” Duke Thysmer was in his seventies and not traveling much.
“Yes. I was getting him some water for his medicine when Marty decided to disappear.” She gave the boy a stern look.
“Sorry, Mama.” He looked down at his feet.
“Get in there and tell your grandfather you’re sorry for scaring him.” She raised an eyebrow and I smiled. Meredith must have been very young when she had Marty, but she had the motherly expressions down pat. Once the young boy had disappeared back into the ballroom, she turned and smiled at us. Her eyes ran over David in appreciation. “Hi, I’m Meredith.”