Afonso picked up one and read it aloud: “Oh, Isabel, you are perfect!”
“Stop making fun of me, Afonso,” Fernando finally said. “I do not hide that she inspires me. That event, the organization of the contest, was to find her. But it’s not just because of her beauty and dancing ability.”
“What else then?” Afonso asked.
“It’s not something I can explain. You must see it,” Fernando said. “I am sure you have never seen such charm and perfection as Isabel possesses. I can see by your mocking smile that you don’t believe me. You will have the chance to see for yourself. I have a dance class today. Come to the dance hall, and you’ll see what I mean.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” Afonso said, “but I have a busy schedule today. I still have three lessons: Cosmography, geography, and Latin.”
Afonso paused for a moment and asked, “What time does your dance lesson end?”
“Shortly before the ringing of the bells for Vespers,” Fernando said.
“Oh, great!” Afonso said as he walked toward the door, “I will try to come toward the end of your classes to see what cannot be described in words.”
Although he was tired after his lessons, Afonso headed to the dance hall as promised. As he approached the door, he heard the sounds of a flute and a harp and felt his fatigue begin to disappear. He carefully opened the door and peered inside to see Fernando and Isabel were the only ones in the hall. The musicians were sitting behind the curtain. Isabel stood with her back to the door so Afonso could not see her face. “Of course, her figure was impeccable,” Afonso admitted, looking at her from head to toe. Isabel motioned toward the curtains, and the music stopped.
Afonso liked the smooth, graceful movement of Isabel’s hand. He opened the door wider and heard her melodious voice; that was all it took to make his fatigue disappear.
“Your Highness,” Isabel turned to Fernando. “The sarabande30 is not a street dance. Although it was created for commoners, it was adapted into a court dance. And many elements of the dance have changed.
“For example,” she explained, “instead of lively jumps, you should make a light low jump and, at the same time, watch your hands. Your hands should always move smoothly and resemble the movements of a conductor conducting to the beat of the music. You and your partner must simultaneously start and end the dance, dancing in circles.