Ballroom Dancing Christmas Romance (Music, Dance & Romance #3)

CHAPTER ONE

Christmas in Edinburgh felt exciting. Lily put the twinkle lights up in the window of the vintage dress shop, and gazed out from the warmth of the shop at the brisk December morning.

Everything was frosted, sparkling in the winter sunlight, highlighting the historic architecture of the city’s buildings, many housing shops and cafes with the tenement accommodation on the upper levels. Christmas decorations adorned the various businesses, and even in the early morning the windows glowed with colourful lights, shiny baubles and tinsel.

The pretty dress shop nestled on the cobbled street level, and had a small flat above it, accessed via stairs from the storeroom inside the shop, all snug and neatly fitted together into a cosy niche.

Lily’s aunt, Mirren, had owned the shop for years, and had invited her niece to come and work with her during Christmas and New Year, sewing and mending vintage dresses. Customers were eager to pick up a dress for the party season, and these were selling well.

The twinkle lights highlighted the three dresses in the window. The two pre–loved tea dresses had been mended and were ready to be loved again by new wearers. Ideal for dinner dates and parties, the classic designs included a floral print and a polka dot.

The third dress was one of Lily’s own designs. An evening dress that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a ballroom. Sugarplum pink chiffon created a full but soft flowing skirt and the pink bodice sparkled with sequins, adding to the fairytale quality of the vintage–style design.

Mirren was keen to incorporate some of Lily’s classic designs into the shop’s range of vintage dresses. In the past couple of days, they’d sold two of Lily’s designs, and Mirren expected that the beautiful sugarplum pink dress would be snapped up too. It had only been added to the display that morning.

A little Christmas tree sparkled with twinkle lights and was tucked into the window display near the door, creating a warm welcome for customers. Mirren had owned the green tinsel tree for years, along with the old–fashioned baubles. Packed away each New Year and then brought out again to shine, the tree had become part of the traditional display.

Lily adjusted the twinkle lights across the top of the window and gazed out at the vibrant city.

Edinburgh looked beautiful in the spring, summer and autumn. But there was something magical about it in winter.

The city sparkled like one of those traditional Christmas cards depicting a scene from yesteryear. But here she was, now in the heart of it, having left her flat in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland behind, working in her aunt’s shop, and living in the cosy accommodation above the premises.

It was barely a week since she’d arrived in Edinburgh, the first time she’d been back in three years. Too long. But now armed with her experience in fashion design, dressmaking and patternmaking, it was time to forge a new start for herself in this beautiful and historic city. And what better time to do it than at Christmastime. The run–up to Christmas when shops were dazzling with decorations. The excitement was palpable. A fresh start at the beginning of December.

People hurried by, wrapped up in their warm winter coats and jackets, wearing woollen hats and scarves, heading to the shops to buy gifts or on their way to wherever they were going.

No one noticed the attractive thirty–year–old woman with her long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, and wearing retro fashion. Lily’s snug–fitting, burgundy velvet trousers suited her slim but shapely figure. Her jumper was knitted for her by Mirren in a specific shade — heliotrope. A lovely light purple tone. In Lily’s world of dress designing and repairing pre–loved clothes, colours mattered. She appreciated that her aunt had knitted it specially. It felt cosy, comfy, and knitted with love. And that mattered more than anything.

Lily’s parents had moved from Ayrshire the previous year to set up a new life for themselves in Perth where her father’s business was now based. She was happy for them, but she’d remained in the west coast niche, studying patternmaking, working on her own dress designs and repairing clothes from other eras, gradually building up a sales base from her website.

But when her aunt’s invitation offered her a chance to work at the shop in Edinburgh, she felt it was the right time to leave the past behind and make a new life for herself.

Lily had always loved Edinburgh. And having split up with her long–time boyfriend in a messy and heartbreaking way, finding out she couldn’t trust him, helped her make the move. Her ex liked to parade his new model girlfriend around her home area, and she didn’t want to keep bumping into him, feeling awkward, hurt and slightly broken from their break–up.

Instead of renewing the lease on her flat, she let it go, packed her bags and headed to the east coast of Scotland, to the capital city. The best Christmas present she could give herself.

Her aunt and uncle offered her the spare bedroom at their comfortable house on the outskirts of the city. But Lily opted for the cosy accommodation above the shop. A place of her own, sort of, until she’d decided whether she intended staying permanently in the city.

The flat above the shop had been renovated by her uncle, Bert. He’d worked in the building trade all his days, done very well for himself, and he’d installed a little fitted kitchen and bathroom, and refurbished the bedroom and living room. All tiny, but fine for one person wanting to snuggle in for a winter in the city where no one could disturb her, safe from the world.

Lily turned the twinkle lights on in the shop window. ‘Do they look okay?’ she said to Mirren.

Her aunt was in her fifties, fit, with barley blonde hair pinned up in a neat bun, and usually wore pretty, pre–loved separates like the skirt, blouse and cardigan she was wearing.

‘Perfect. I love the colourful glow. I bought them a few years ago and they go well with the outdoor lights,’ said Mirren.

A similar set adorned the front of the shop that had one large window and a glass door. The window display was big enough to show the three dresses on the mannequins. The two tea dresses were real bargains, and any minor wear and tear had been repaired by Lily and Mirren. The ballgown–style dress was fairly priced and a bargain in itself. Lily had been tempted to keep it for herself, but she didn’t have any invitations to Christmas balls or grand parties where she’d need to wear a fairytale dress. So she’d put it for sale in the window, and planned to sew more designs for the festive season.

Lily had brought a selection of dresses she’d already made when she moved to Edinburgh, but with two sold and the third now on sale, she aimed to work on a couple of evening dresses that needed finished. One was light sky blue and the other pale lemon. They were similar to the pink chiffon dress, and she’d used her own patterns to make them. Although they looked amazing with layers of chiffon and sparkling bodices, they were easier to sew than some tailored designs.

Two sewing machines were set up in the shop. One was behind the counter, and one was in the back of the shop near the storeroom. Lily’s machine was set up in the back and her work table was well–lit with overhead lamps. Rolls of fabric were stacked on the shelves. There was a cutting table along one side, and a mini haberdashery for their own use where there was everything from thread to sequins.

A kitchen area was in the back shop where Lily and her aunt had their tea and snacks. Sometimes lunch. Lily liked to head out midday exploring the city and would pick up something to bring back with her.

Mirren unpacked two dresses from a bulk delivery of vintage items and hung them on a repairs rail behind the counter. She relied on various suppliers and would order pre–loved dresses that she’d renew and repair. Now she had Lily to help her mend everything from a torn hem to adding embroidery to cover minor wear and tear.

The shop was well–lit to show the rails of dresses and had a welcoming atmosphere where customers could come in and browse through the designs from various eras. A few accessories adorned the shelves.

Lily adjusted one of the tea dresses in the window display, and glanced out again at the frosted street where a selection of other small shops, cafes and eateries thrived.

And then she blinked. There he was, walking along. The mystery man. Every day this week he’d walked by, looking ahead, never looking at Lily, allowing her to watch him and take in the handsome stranger. The first man to make her heart beat a little faster in a long, long time.

He was over six feet tall, lean and fit, with a handsome face that never smiled. His light brown hair was well–cut but with enough length to style the front, or run her fingers through. Not that she had any intention of doing so.

Well–dressed in expensive casuals. A tailored, dark wool overcoat, a grey scarf draped around his neck, black trousers. His walk had a lithe quality to it, and she wondered if he did some sort of sports. And yet, she didn’t sense that he was the modern athletic type. Something about him suited the historic quality of the city. Classy, stylish. A rhythm to his steps in his polished brogues.

‘I think he looked over this morning,’ Mirren said, sorting through the pile of dresses that had just arrived.

‘No, he didn’t.’ Lily brushed aside this notion. ‘And besides, I’m not interested.’

The look her aunt gave her indicated otherwise. ‘He’s handsome. And he has a sense of style about him, especially the way he walks, strong but graceful.’

Lily finished adjusting the tea dresses on display and stepped out of the window as his tall figure disappeared along the street.

‘I’m looking forward to Christmas. I’m not looking for romance,’ said Lily.

Her aunt didn’t push the issue. Instead, she reached into her handbag and brought out an envelope containing a Christmas card.

‘Your uncle and I didn’t know what to get you for Christmas,’ Mirren began.

‘You don’t need to get me anything. You’ve already made my Christmas perfect by inviting me to join you here.’

Mirren smiled gently. ‘You’re our only niece, so we’re allowed to spoil you. We’ve got you something, an early Christmas present. Now, before you open this, let me clarify that if you don’t want what we’ve bought, it’s fine. You can easily get a refund and buy whatever you want.’

She wondered what it was as Mirren handed her the envelope with the card.

Lily’s first assumption was that it was a gift card, a voucher to be exchanged for clothes, makeup or whatever from one of the shops in the city. Her aunt and uncle were generous to a fault, and they’d always spoiled her, lovingly, ever since she was a wee girl.

‘And,’ Mirren added, making Lily hesitate from opening the envelope, ‘I’ve had lots of customers in the shop recently and they’ve been talking about this. A few of them have treated themselves and they say it’s great. And my friend, Ivy, the owner of the craft shop a couple of streets away, where I buy my yarn and go to some of the craft events, says her customers are enjoying it too.’

By now, Lily was itching to see what it was.

Mirren had one final thing to say. ‘You were such a graceful dancer when you were a wee girl and loved your dance classes.’

‘I was seven.’

‘But you attended for a few years.’

‘Three years, so yes,’ Lily agreed, opening the envelope and looking at the gift voucher:

Congratulations! You have been gifted ten dance lessons to be taken in the dance studio between Christmas and New Year. Contact the studio to arrange for your free assessment. Wear suitable clothing and shoes you can dance comfortably in .

‘Dance lessons!’

‘Yes. Everyone’s talking about this. It’s a fairly new studio. For adult dance lessons. A wealthy young man started it up earlier in the year. Bert did some of the renovations to the original building.’

‘Where is it?’

‘At the top of the street, right at the far end,’ said Mirren.

Lily studied the details. ‘I can select between ballroom or Latin dance lessons. The lessons are one–on–one. Not a class.’

‘Yes, they’re private lessons. We thought you’d prefer to learn with the instructor himself. An intense course, as I know you prefer not to be the centre of attention or in a class these days.’

This was true. It was okay when she was seven. Now, she preferred to merge into the background, though sometimes her looks made her stand out. She’d done some modelling to supplement her studies, but sewing and dressmaking was what interested her, not walking on the fashion runways or being part of photo–shoots.

‘What do you think?’ Mirren was eager to gauge her niece’s reaction.

Lily started to nod and smile as the gift idea filtered through. ‘Ballroom dancing is something I love to watch. Waltzing elegantly around a dance floor in a beautiful ballgown is...sort of a dream I’ve long had.’

‘A dream come true for Christmas. But, as I say, there’s a full refund if the assessment doesn’t suit you. Buy a handbag, shoes, whatever you want. Or something for your dressmaking. A new sewing machine.’

Lily kept eyeing the dance lessons. Ten one–hour private lessons with a professional dancer to instruct you whatever level your current ability. From complete beginner to refresher and social dancer .

‘Thank you, and thank Bert.’ Lily gave her aunt a hug. ‘This is a wonderful gift.’

Mirren’s face lit up. ‘We thought you’d like it.’ She phoned to tell her husband the good news.

The morning wore on in a haze of mending vintage dresses and sewing chiffon and silk.

Lily sat at her sewing machine in the back of the shop finishing the hems on her new designs. Rolled hems needed to be stitched properly so that the chiffon flowed softly. She concentrated on the hems that never seemed to end.

‘Phew!’ Lily said, finally hanging the two new dresses on a finished rail.

‘Beautiful work,’ her aunt said, admiring the hemlines.

Lily checked the time. ‘Would you like me to pick up something tasty for our morning tea break from the bakery shop? A scone or pancake?’

Mirren grinned. ‘They’ve got slices of Christmas pudding now on their menu. I noticed when I went by earlier. But that would be naughty.’

‘Wouldn’t it,’ Lily said with a smile. Shrugging on her cream wool coat, knitted pink scarf and hat, she stepped out of her comfy pumps and into her boots, and picked up her bag.

‘I’ve got another delivery to sort through, so you should have a wander up to the dance studio for a peek before you go to the bakery,’ Muira suggested.

Lily tucked the card and gift voucher into her bag. ‘I’ll do that. A wee nosey in the window. But I’ll not be too long.’ And she headed out into the wintry day.

The pale sunlight hadn’t melted the heart of the icy city. Cold air drifted by as Lily walked along. Her light grey eyes blinked against the sun glinting off the windows as she gazed up at the tall buildings, historic in structure.

She continued all the way up to the top of the street. And there it was — the new dance studio, looking bright and welcoming.

The front entrance consisted of a glass frontage and she could see a reception desk and three people inside. Two looked like customers. The third was a good–looking man with dark blond hair, probably an instructor she thought.

Lily lingered at the door, peering through, wondering if she should go in and book her free assessment to get the ball rolling. Or maybe sleep on it. Undecided, she hesitated and then jumped as a man’s deep voice spoke up behind her.

‘Excuse me,’ he said.

Lily glanced round and her eyes widened when she saw the tall and vaguely familiar figure looking down at her with blue eyes that were the nearest to cobalt she’d seen. Framed by dark lashes that she envied, his eyes stared at her with a mix of curiosity and...she wasn’t sure...

‘Oh, sorry,’ she said, stepping aside, but to the wrong side, still blocking the door.

He tried to step around her, but she side–stepped again. ‘Oops! Sorry,’ she muttered.

His attractiveness threw her senses. And she again stepped in his way while trying to do the opposite.

His elegant hands finally clasped her shoulders firmly but gently, and moved her aside so that neither of them repeated clashing.

And in he went. Leaving a sweep of warm air from inside the studio and an impression that was hard to shake.

She couldn’t go in now, she thought. It would look like she was following him.

Taking the gift voucher out of her bag, she was reading the details, thinking she’d book online when his voice startled her again.

‘You’re the woman from the shop window, aren’t you?’ he said, now standing in the doorway. The pink woolly hat covering her long blonde hair had thrown him at first, then he’d seen her through the studio window, and the recognition clicked. It was her!

Lily hesitated, taken aback that he recognised her. He’d seen her. She felt the urge to make a run for it, back down the street and away from the awkward situation, especially as she was starting to blush on a freezing cold day.

‘I didn’t know that shops needed to change their window display daily,’ he commented.

‘They don’t. But the dresses in the window are being snapped up by customers looking for something to wear to parties during the festive season,’ Lily explained. ‘So I’ve had to put other dresses on display every day this week.’

He noticed the gift voucher. ‘If you want to book a lesson, you’d better come in. There are only a few openings left this week.’

Holding the door open for her, she felt she’d look foolish not to go in, and so she stepped into the warmth of the studio’s small reception. Everything was white and cream, but the decor was a mix of modern and vintage styling. The present had been upgraded, but retained a nod to the past.

Lily liked the atmosphere, the sense of energy and excitement, and although she couldn’t see the actual studio, the dance floor, a sign indicated that the main studio was on the ground floor level and a smaller studio was upstairs. Two dance floors, impressive, she thought.

Large framed photos of three individual dancers hung on the reception walls. The dancers all looked to be in their early thirties.

One matched the blond–haired man behind the desk, checking bookings on the computer. In the poster–size picture he wore black trousers and a red shirt unbuttoned and struck a dramatic tango pose. His name was underneath the picture — Dougal .

Another showed an attractive woman with shoulder–length chestnut hair and ice blue eyes wearing a lovely evening dress in full dance mode. This was Victoria .

The third picture was of a man, wearing a classic black suit, white shirt and bow tie, looking like a ballroom dancer. His name was Frazer .

And he was standing right beside her with those cobalt eyes studying her.

Dougal stepped from behind the desk and took charge of the two people, offering to show them the studio after they’d booked a set of lessons. ‘You’ll love learning the cha–cha–cha,’ he assured them, giving a short demonstration as he led them away.

This left Lily and Frazer standing alone in the well–lit reception where her blushes were in full focus.

‘There’s no need to be embarrassed,’ Frazer said, relieving her of the gift voucher and stepping behind the desk. ‘We cater for complete beginners.’

‘I didn’t realise that you were one of the instructors.’ Her voice sounded edged with disbelief.

He nodded, and those fabulous eyes gazed down at her with confident assurance. ‘I own the studio.’ He read her name on the voucher and frowned. ‘ Lily? The name of the dress shop owner on the website said Mirren .’

‘Mirren is my aunt. It’s her shop. She’s owned it for years,’ Lily explained.

‘So you’re working for her?’

‘She invited me to work with her, mending vintage dresses, over Christmas and New Year.’

His interest increased. ‘I’d like to chat to Mirren about some of the dresses I’ve seen recently in her shop window.’

Lily frowned. She couldn’t imagine why. ‘Chat to her about the vintage dresses?’

‘Yes, she’s changed her stock recently. I noticed a couple of ballgowns in the window this past week. Then they were gone. Snapped up I suppose.’

Lily gulped. ‘Those aren’t vintage dresses. They’re my designs. I made them.’

It was Frazer’s turn to be taken aback. ‘You’re a dress designer? A dressmaker?’

Lily nodded. ‘My aunt plans to update the shop’s website to include my designs.’

‘In that case, I’d like to chat to you too,’ he said. ‘But first...’ He checked the bookings on the computer. ‘Let’s get you booked in for your assessment. Can you come back tonight at seven?’

Lily couldn’t think of an excuse to back out of it. ‘I could, I suppose.’

His elegant fingers rattled across the keyboard. ‘There we go. Seven o’clock. It should take about half an hour. Less if you’re...well, not terribly adept. Though you have an elegance to you, so I think you’ll be teachable.’

Lily wasn’t sure if she was mildly insulted or vaguely flattered.

Frazer stepped back round from the desk and towered over her as he peered down at her boots. ‘But wear shoes you can dance in. Not totally flat. A court style or whatever. Something with a slight heel that’s comfy.’ He gestured to a small shop area adjacent the desk. ‘We’re now selling dance shoes, ballroom and Latin style, but we don’t encourage anyone to buy these prior to their assessment, or if they have suitable shoes of their own.’

‘I have shoes I can wear,’ Lily assured him.

‘Great.’ Then he gestured again to the shop. ‘I had the premises upgraded by a local builder to include a small shop and two dance floors.’

‘He’s my uncle, Bert, Mirren’s husband,’ she revealed.

Frazer looked astonished. ‘You’re Bert’s niece?’

‘Yes,’ said Lily. ‘But it was my aunt that heard about the dance lessons and thought I’d like them as a Christmas present.’

‘You’ll enjoy your assessment tonight. Do you have any dance experience?’

‘I went to dance classes when I was seven. I attended for three years.’

‘And since then? Any adult dance experience? Other than social jigging.’

‘No.’

Frazer smiled. ‘No experience is fine. That’s what the lessons are for. What type of dancing are you interested in?’

‘Ballroom dancing.’

‘Well, I’ll see you at seven, and I’d be obliged if you could tell Mirren I’d like to chat soon, but when it’s convenient for both of you.’

‘What exactly do you want to talk about?’ said Lily.

Before he could explain, three people came bustling in, eager to book lessons, and Frazer smiled, welcoming them in.

‘I’ll explain later, Lily,’ said Frazer, and attended to the customers.

Lily left the studio and headed to the bakery.

Her mind whirred with the conversation she’d had with Frazer, wishing she’d found out what he wanted to talk about. Obviously, it was something to do with the dresses they’d sold.

Leaving the bakery with two thick slices of Christmas pudding, rich with raisins, figs and other fruits, candied peel, nutmeg and other mixed spices, like a slice of fruit cake, Lily walked back to the dress shop.

While Mirren put the kettle on for tea, Lily explained what had happened...

‘Frazer, eh? Well, now we know his name.’

‘Didn’t you know he was the owner of the dance studio?’ said Lily.

‘No. Bert said the owner was nice to work with, but that was all. I’d never seen him. We bought the gift voucher online.’

Lily felt unsettled. ‘I’ve agreed to have my assessment from Frazer at seven tonight at the dance studio.’

‘Was there something else you were planning to do?’

‘No, but...he took charge of the voucher and booked my assessment and...’ Lily sighed.

‘You’ll dance well,’ her aunt assured her.

As the kettle boiled, they chatted, and Mirren unpacked a third delivery of dresses that included accessories such as glittery headbands, some like tiaras.

‘Oh, look, these could be nice additions for the party season.’ Mirren put one of the sequin headbands on. ‘What do you think?’

Lily smiled. ‘It suits you.’ She rummaged through the accessories, found a sparkling tiara and put it on. ‘I’m ready to go to the ball.’

Having changed out of her boots into her pumps, Lily playfully did a couple of pirouettes in the shop just as a customer walked in.

Lily and Mirren blinked when they saw the man standing looking at them with a bemused expression.

‘This is Frazer,’ Lily said, feeling awkward, caught mid–pirouette.

She barely had time to make this introduction before Frazer took charge of her.

Clasping Lily’s hand he instructed her to repeat her pirouettes. ‘Keep your head up, strong core posture, then spin.’

He helped to spin her under his arm.

Lily spun once.

‘Excellent. Again, two more, Lily. Focus, shoulders down.’

As she spun, she caught a glimpse of Mirren pressing her lips together to stifle her laughter.

Maybe she should’ve stayed in the quiet west coast of Scotland, Lily thought, as she spun to a halt, her heart thundering, finding herself gazing up at Frazer’s handsome face.

His strong arms steadied her. And then he stepped back and ran a hand through his hair to clear his wayward thoughts. Lily was quite beautiful. He sensed a spark of attraction between them. But the last thing he needed was the complication of romance in his world.

He aimed to concentrate on building his new business and keep romance on ice. And wanted to promote the fairytale ball he was planning at the dance studio for Christmas Eve.