"I did a few last time I was an escort." Kaladin shrugged. "I can manage well enough. I won't be the favorite partner of the evening, but I haven't dropped anyone yet." He grinned suddenly. "Not unless you want me to, anyway."

"Don't you dare," Hazel replied, struggling not to giggle aloud. "I can't afford to make any enemies here." Although there were one or two of the other girls she wouldn't mind seeing dropped, but it would be more amusing if their own escorts did so. That way, it wouldn't reflect on her or Kaladin.

Kaladin grinned briefly. "Alright, alright, I won't drop anyone." Although he knew from experience that he would be tempted at least once. There was always at least one girl that just grated on his last nerve.

"Good," Hazel replied. She was actually relieved, a few moments later, when she heard the distinctive sound of the small orchestral band getting ready to play an easy waltz to start the dancing. It meant she didn't have to mingle anymore for the moment. She glanced around, watching the men pick out their partners with passing interest.

Kaladin waited a few beats before he moved in front of her, offering her his hand with the crooked smile again. "My lady."

Hazel blushed a little when he used that smile on her, and she took his hand, letting him lead her to the dance floor. The waltz was a simple one, and she knew the steps by heart. She held her skirts just barely off the floor with one hand, so neither of them would step on the fabric and tear it.

Kaladin danced with her easily enough. It was fairly easy to remember the steps of the dance once he was in motion, for which he was thankful. There were lots of pretty girls around, but he still only had eyes for her.

Hazel's gown sparkled in the light from the chandeliers as they danced. Other girls wore extravagant gowns as well, with ruffles and gemstones and embroidery. Hazel's even looked a bit plain compared to some of the more flamboyant ones. But she didn't care about the others at the moment. She couldn't take her eyes off of Kaladin, and she couldn't help but appreciate the way he was holding her as he led the waltz.

Kaladin managed to keep himself from stumbling or anything, and he was a fairly good leader, for the amount of experience he'd had.

Although part of him was just wanting to get out of there and go somewhere else with Hazel. She looked far too good for his mental health.

The waltz ended all too soon and one of the young lords came over to the couple. He extended a hand to Hazel.

"If the Lady d'Loncré doesn't mind," he said, "may I have the next dance?" He glanced between the two, as if expecting Hazel to automatically take his hand and leave Kaladin.

Kaladin stayed where he was for a moment longer before stepping away. He knew it was expected of her to dance with other men, and besides, he didn't really have any right to be jealous or want her to dance with him all night instead.

That didn't mean he had complete control of his emotions, though.

Hazel was a little reluctant to take the young lord's hand, but she did so anyways. She knew it was expected of her to dance with the eligible men her own age; she was neither married nor engaged, and so she was required to tolerate the flirting and posturing from the young men.

She surprised herself by wanting to stay with Kaladin.

Kaladin moved back, off to the side and out of the way, keeping his eyes on Hazel as she danced. Most of the young women there already had partners, and he was neither a lord nor well known, and so most of the females were ignoring him for the moment. He figured that would change once the rumor mill really got going and they wanted more information on Hazel to gossip about.

Hazel was handed off to a few different partners by the time she was able to slip away and find Kaladin again. Thankfully, he'd taken a spot next to some empty seats, and she sat down in one.

"Ugh, I don't even like Healton," she muttered as she arranged her skirts around herself. "And he knows it, so I have no idea why he insisted on dancing with me." She shook her head. Clearly, she wasn't comfortable with suddenly being the most eligible bachelorette.

"Perhaps he was hoping to revise your opinion of him?" Kaladin shrugged. "Sometimes people do things that don't make sense." He looked at her for a moment before offering her a glass of champagne a passing waiter had handed him. "Here. You look like you could use this."

"Thanks," Hazel replied, accepting the glass gratefully. She took small sips, making the glass last a little while. She managed to sit out two more couple-oriented dances, but then the groups started to assemble and she sighed. She had to participate in at least one of those, and some of the single young lords were glancing at her and then at each other, as if trying to decide who would get to ask her to dance.

"Let's see how this goes," she muttered, glancing around.

Kaladin noticed and decided to cut them all off. He got to his feet and offered her his hand. "Shall we?" He figured they may as well get it over with.

And if he sort of showed up a few of the young lords by asking her first, well, he was only a little devious.

Hazel blinked, a little surprised, and them smiled.

"I think so," she replied, taking his hand. She let him lead her to the dance floor, and took her place in the line of women, across from and facing the line of men.

Kaladin bowed to her, as was appropriate, before they started dancing. It was a lively tune, but he managed to keep up fairly easily.

Hazel curtsied, and started her own steps in the dance. She snapped flirtatiously through some of the turns and spins, her skirts whirling and sparkling as she did. She switched partners five or six times before finally getting back to Kaladin again.

Kaladin grinned briefly at her, more relaxed when he was dancing with her than when he was with the other girls. Okay, this wasn't so horrible yet. He could keep up with this.

The dance lasted a few more minutes, until everyone ended up back with their own partners. Hazel ended up back in Kaladin's arms, a little flushed with her eyes bright.

"That was a little more fun than I thought it would be," she said to him. She blushed a bit when she realized how closely she was being held.

"And not as hard as I remember." Kaladin grinned briefly. "I take it you're enjoying yourself, then?"

"Surprisingly so," Hazel replied. Taking half a step back, she shook out her skirts. "I forgot how much fun some of these dances can be."

Kaladin nodded and looked at her as the next dance started. He wasn't familiar with the tune, though. He blinked at her.