#Chapter 127: A Slippery Slope

Iris The steps come as naturally as breathing now after all those hours of practice, so long as I keep my eyes fixed on Arthur. And how could I not, when he’s smiling down at me, that damn curl across his forehead, those forest green eyes shining in the light of the chandeliers? As we move, the crowd around us falls away. Suddenly, it’s just me and Arthur, moving as one across the gleaming ballroom floor. We execute a perfect turn, and I hear appreciative murmurs from the crowd. My wildflower gown swirls around my legs, and the crowd gasps softly at the sight of the layers of tulle swaying like a field of flowers on a sunny day. I still can’t believe that this is actually happening. I’m dancing at a ball, in a gown worth more than my life savings, with hundreds of the most powerful people in the country watching. Little orphan Iris would be in heaven right now. The dance calls for me to turn away from Arthur at this point, performing a solo twirl before re