couplings? James took Miss House’s hand, and they began promenading across the floor with the other couples. They made an elegant couple, their gracefulness and evident enjoyment of the dance making them a pleasure to watch. A motherly-looking woman sitting beside Victoria made a complimentary remark, and Victoria chatted with her until the set was over. Margaret and James threaded back to Victoria, who smiled and said, “Very pretty, indeed.”
Colonel MacMillan appeared to claim Margaret for the second dance, while James extended his hand to Victoria. “Come, madam, it is our turn now.” Victoria rose eagerly. She felt a little like a wallflower sitting with the older wives and mothers.
As they stood side-by-side waiting for their turn upon the floor, Victoria got straight to the point. “Well, what do you think of Miss House, James?”
James glanced down the line of dancers to where the colonel and Miss House were dancing. “She is very light on her feet and a skillful dancer. It is a pleasure to partner her.” Then it was James and Victoria’s turn to dance, and they spent a few minutes apart weaving in and out amongst the other dancers.
“Her manner is sophisticated, yet she is easy to converse with, too, don’t you think?” Victoria asked before turning away again.
“She is all that, from my short acquaintance with her,” James replied when Victoria was in range.
“Yet she is so natural and level-headed. Equally at home in both city and country. It is a rare woman who can shine in any setting.” Victoria took the hand of another gentleman and left again.
“That is a very high recommendation indeed,” James responded, promenading down the floor beside her moments later.
“Plus, David says that her family is very secure financially,” Victoria whispered as the set came to an end.
James’ face was blank as he replied, “A rare blossom indeed.” He followed behind Victoria as she threaded her way back to Colonel MacMillan, her partner for the next set. James bowed, and the colonel led Victoria away. He watched as Miss House followed a new partner out onto the floor. “And damned attractive, too, unfortunately,” he muttered. He went to find some punch before looking for the wife of a client to whom he was engaged for the fourth.
Miss House passed a very agreeable evening dancing with a variety of partners. She sat with Victoria and James to take some supper during a break, but was back on her feet again as soon as the dancing recommenced. Yet somehow Margaret looked as fresh as if the evening were just beginning when James came to claim her for the final set. Some of the other dancers were in a pleasant stupor by then, fatigued by the late hour and the exercise, but they were roused when the musicians began the first strains of a waltz.
“How daring,” Miss House said, eying James. “Are you familiar with the waltz, Mr. Wovington?” It was evident from the glances exchanged between some of the other couples that not everyone was.
“Yes, Miss House, I have waltzed a time or two,” the gentleman responded, meeting her gaze. He took a step forward to claim one of her hands and encircled her waist to press a hand against the small of her back. Miss House rested her free hand lightly upon his shoulder, and they smiled at each other. Swaying together in time to the music for a moment, James launched them out onto the floor.
Victoria looked up from her conversation with a dowager as the dancing commenced. The less adventurous couples had vacated the floor, leaving more room for the remainder. A few couples were experimenting at the edge of the dancing, while those more familiar with the waltz circled together in the centre. All of Victoria’s attention, however, was riveted to James and Margaret.
She thought they made a splendid couple as they swirled effortlessly in and out amongst the other dancers. Miss House
Colonel MacMillan appeared to claim Margaret for the second dance, while James extended his hand to Victoria. “Come, madam, it is our turn now.” Victoria rose eagerly. She felt a little like a wallflower sitting with the older wives and mothers.
As they stood side-by-side waiting for their turn upon the floor, Victoria got straight to the point. “Well, what do you think of Miss House, James?”
James glanced down the line of dancers to where the colonel and Miss House were dancing. “She is very light on her feet and a skillful dancer. It is a pleasure to partner her.” Then it was James and Victoria’s turn to dance, and they spent a few minutes apart weaving in and out amongst the other dancers.
“Her manner is sophisticated, yet she is easy to converse with, too, don’t you think?” Victoria asked before turning away again.
“She is all that, from my short acquaintance with her,” James replied when Victoria was in range.
“Yet she is so natural and level-headed. Equally at home in both city and country. It is a rare woman who can shine in any setting.” Victoria took the hand of another gentleman and left again.
“That is a very high recommendation indeed,” James responded, promenading down the floor beside her moments later.
“Plus, David says that her family is very secure financially,” Victoria whispered as the set came to an end.
James’ face was blank as he replied, “A rare blossom indeed.” He followed behind Victoria as she threaded her way back to Colonel MacMillan, her partner for the next set. James bowed, and the colonel led Victoria away. He watched as Miss House followed a new partner out onto the floor. “And damned attractive, too, unfortunately,” he muttered. He went to find some punch before looking for the wife of a client to whom he was engaged for the fourth.
Miss House passed a very agreeable evening dancing with a variety of partners. She sat with Victoria and James to take some supper during a break, but was back on her feet again as soon as the dancing recommenced. Yet somehow Margaret looked as fresh as if the evening were just beginning when James came to claim her for the final set. Some of the other dancers were in a pleasant stupor by then, fatigued by the late hour and the exercise, but they were roused when the musicians began the first strains of a waltz.
“How daring,” Miss House said, eying James. “Are you familiar with the waltz, Mr. Wovington?” It was evident from the glances exchanged between some of the other couples that not everyone was.
“Yes, Miss House, I have waltzed a time or two,” the gentleman responded, meeting her gaze. He took a step forward to claim one of her hands and encircled her waist to press a hand against the small of her back. Miss House rested her free hand lightly upon his shoulder, and they smiled at each other. Swaying together in time to the music for a moment, James launched them out onto the floor.
Victoria looked up from her conversation with a dowager as the dancing commenced. The less adventurous couples had vacated the floor, leaving more room for the remainder. A few couples were experimenting at the edge of the dancing, while those more familiar with the waltz circled together in the centre. All of Victoria’s attention, however, was riveted to James and Margaret.
She thought they made a splendid couple as they swirled effortlessly in and out amongst the other dancers. Miss House
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