“I beg you, Afonso, do not ask me that again. I assure you that you should not worry. Believe me. I will help you until you feel comfortable being a strong ruler.”
Noticing Afonso looked like he was about to protest, Pedro deftly changed the subject by turning to the duchess. “Dear Isabella, did you only inquire about the academic progress of my oldest nephew or both?”
Isabella replied: “Of course, I also inquired about infante Fernando’s progress. All his teachers except one assured me that Fernando is just as successful in his studies as Afonso.”
“You said, ‘except one,’” the duke asked with a slight frown.
“That’s right. His dance teacher.”
“What’s wrong?” asked the duke with surprise.
Fernando shrugged. Isabella continued, “His teacher said Fernando does not work very hard, especially when paired with a partner.”
“In pair dances?” asked the duke.
The duchess nodded. She planned to continue speaking when infante James unexpectedly broke into the conversation.
“Mother,” he said, “hard work has nothing to do with it. Fernando is just clumsy. Many of the senhoritas with whom Fernando danced told me. They all complained that the infante had stepped on their toes.”
“Clumsy? It can’t be!” the duke retorted. “I have often watched with delight how well Fernando skillfully wields a wooden sword in combat lessons. There he has no equal among his peers. Isn’t it true, Fernando?” The duke turned to the infante.
“Right,” answered Fernando proudly.
“So what is this report of alleged clumsiness in dancing?” the duke asked.
“I …, I …,” Fernando stumbled over his words.
Eight-year-old Phillipa exclaimed: “I know what it is! Fernando’s dance partners make him feel sick when he dances with them. So he deliberately steps on their feet. That way, he doesn’t have to dance with them.”
“Philippa!” exclaimed the duchess. “Why are you making up such a ridiculous story?”
“I’m not making anything up,” infanta Philippa said. “Fernando told me this in confidence. He also said it didn’t matter if you chose partners for him from the families of barons, counts, marquises, and other nobility. Just because they are noble doesn’t mean they are attractive. Tell them, Fernando. Fernando lowered his head and said: “I know now that I can’t share secrets with you, cousin, and I can’t trust your word.”
Philippa let out a guilty cry and covered her lips with the palm of her hand. “I forgot I gave you my word! Forgive me, please, Fernando,” Philippa sobbed.
Suddenly, the duke burst into laughter, wiped his lips with a napkin, and said: “Well, now, my dear infante. Your secret has been unintentionally revealed, and you can confess without hesitation. I assure you, we will all understand. Is it really that important that your dance partner is attractive? It’s just a class. I’m sure you’re quite a reasonable young man to understand this.”
“I understand it is just a class, Your Highness,” Fernando said. “But it’s also art. Is it not?”
“Yes.”
“So, if you agree with this uncle,” Fernando said, “then you will agree that inspiration is inherent in any art form. For example, let’s look at poetry. It’s impossible to write beautiful poetry without being fully inspired.”
“I fully agree with you, Fernando,” the duke said.
“Well, I must also find inspiration in my dance partner.”
“But my sensitive and spiritual nephew,” the duke said, “you do not have this fiery inspiration. The image you have of a couple is the opposite of inspiration itself. Did I understand what you are saying?”
“Absolutely, uncle,” Fernando said.
“My dear, Isabella, let’s consider each person’s individuality. Fernando, as you know, is an extraordinary person. So, here is my proposal. Let the infante choose his partner. It’s crucial the infante perfectly masters the technique of pair dancing in a short time. In a year and a half, we will hold several events for Prince Afonso’s coming of age and coronation. And after that, we will celebrate Fernando’s coming of age. It would be an embarrassment for our family if the infante danced awkwardly.”
“I am in full agreement with you,” Isabella said. “Right now, I can imagine the gossip the invited ladies will weave behind their backs at the ball.
“I know what we can do,” the duchess added. “We need to have a couple of dance competitions! I will invite the most charming dancers – young professionals – from all over Portugal to our royal school of dance. Those chosen will be invited to work at the school. This will allow Fernando to find the right dance partner.”
“What a wonderful idea, Isabella,” Pedro exclaimed. “What do you think, Fernando?”
“I’m not sure if my insignificant whims are worth such troubles,” the infante replied. “However, I thank you for your understanding, and I am very grateful for your desire to provide such spiritual care to me.”
About 50 young dancers arrived at the royal dance school a few weeks later. Duchess Isabella and infante Fernando were also there. The high bright hall was equipped like a small-style theater. There was a large stage that stood at a medium height. Musicians sat behind a half-closed curtain to the left of the stage. In front of the stage was a small space with chairs where teachers usually sat during training.
Armchairs were set up for the duchess and the infante, and another row was set up with benches and chairs for palace dance teachers, leaders of the competition, and other guests.
Before the competition started, the royal dance master approached the duchess and asked permission to sit behind her.
Isabella agreed and said, “I hope, sir, you have followed my instructions regarding the invited couples.”
“Oh, yes, I assure you, Your Highness! I followed your instructions to the letter. All the dancers are children of the highest nobility and well-known people with exceptional credentials. So, if fortune smiles on one of them and he or she is invited to serve in the palace, you will not be disappointed.”
When it was time to start the contest, the royal dance master ordered the host to begin. The music started to play, and they began to dance.
The royal dance master, apparently desiring to show off his knowledge, moved his chair closer to the duchess. He began to comment and gossip animatedly on this or that couple’s merits or lack thereof. The duchess pretended to listen, but she wasn’t paying attention. She watched the infante from time to time and saw he wasn’t interested in the dancers.
Seeing this, Isabella would repeatedly interrupt the dance master without watching until the end, and other pairs came onto the stage.
After many unsuccessful viewings, Isabella was beginning to think her idea to hold this performance had been a mistake. Then the second to last group of dancers came on stage, and Fernando started to perk up.
The music began to play, and the couples twirled around the stage.
It was evident the infante was observing them intently.
The duchess covered her face with her hand fan and looked through the fan holes at the infante’s eyes. First, they expressed interest, but the longer the dance went on, the brighter his eyes shined.
As the couple approached the edge of the stage, Isabella tried to determine to whom the prince was paying attention. She soon realized it was the female who had