San Joaquin Valley, California
My perception of Kinsey after the brief time we spent together in Melbourne was one of a very spoiled young lady accustomed to a pampered life. It certainly appeared I was correct when I watched her that first day at the Government House luncheon. Also, I assumed she had mastered the comings and goings of the required social settings. Discovering the reason for her reluctance to attend the town hall dance took me completely by surprise. Yes, it was a pampered life but how much did she embrace it?
~ S.
Kinsey appeared, minus garden dirt, as Scott moved aside the last piece of furniture to create a dance floor.
“Did you apologize to Teresa?”
“Yes, I did. It was accepted and she offered one of her own for being ‘pushy’. We are good now.”
Scott nodded and smiled, “So are you ready for your first lesson?”
“Will we be starting with a waltz by counting one-two-three--one-two-three?”
Scott placed his hands on his hips. “Exactly how many lessons have you had?”
“I attended three of Madame Edgar’s dance classes.”
“And Madame Edgar, after just three lessons, determined you had two left feet?”
“Well, that’s not exactly how it happened.”
Scott knew better than to take these conversational journeys with Kinsey but sometimes he simply couldn’t resist curiosity and the cat.
“So, why don’t you tell me what did happen, exactly.”
“It was my mother who confirmed to her friends that my expulsion from Madame Edgar’s was due to my awkwardness.”
“Expulsion. I see. And the reason for this expulsion?”
“I refused to dance with my designated partner.”
“And the reason you refused?”
“He smelled.”
Scott stared down at the floor unable to make eye contact with his cousin for fear of laughing. “What did you say, exactly, to Madame Edgar?”
“Well, I said I’m not touching the buggar let alone dance with him. He bloody stinks.”
“Kinsey, I’m going to venture a guess here and say your dance partner was Madame Edgar’s son.”
“Scott, your insightfulness saves us so much time on explanations.”
Sighing, Scott made a mental note to inform Teresa it would be wise for Sarah’s brother, William, to take a long hot bath if he wished a place on Kinsey’s dance card.
“Alright, let’s get started.” Taking Kinsey’s hand in his, Scott then guided her other hand to his shoulder before placing his hand on her upper back.
“Now, space should remain between you and your dance partner.”
“Scott, at this distance I will need your spy glass to identify who he is.”
“All right, we‘ll negotiate this point later. I want you to forget the one-two-three nonsense and close your eyes. A gentleman will guide you using his hand on your back and with his other hand holding yours. All you need to do is follow his movements. Do you feel it?”
“Like driving a buggy!”
“You’re cuter than a buggy, Freckles, but yes, something like that.”
Scott took a few steps and as he suspected, Kinsey did not have two left feet. All she needed was encouragement and a better dance partner than what Madame Edgar could offer.
“Time to add music!”
Going to a side table near his father’s desk, Scott opened the lid to a LeCoultre music box.
Kinsey ran her hand over the inlayed wood. “It’s beautiful.”
“My father’s wedding gift to my mother.”
“They were so in love.”
“Yes. They were.”
“I want to be in love like that someday.”
“You will be little girl. I’m sure of it.” Flipping a small lever the room filled with the magical sound that only a music box such as this could produce.
Bowing low, Scott offered his hand. “May I have this dance? I believe I don’t stink.”
Kinsey curtsied in her garden overalls. “The pleasure would be mine, sir.”
The two cousins waltzed, laughed and congratulated each other for being excellent dance partners. The lesson was interrupted with a voice from across the room.
“What are you doing?”
With arms crossed, Johnny leaned against the doorway, scowling.
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