People jostled the two of them but Miss Lockhart's hand was warm in his, anchoring them together so they wouldn't get lost. She hadn't pulled away, that alone gave him hope. As they reached the center of the crowd he turned to face her. She was trying to say something over the crowd, but words would ruin it. Words would bring the last months crashing back to them and Rufus wasn't ready for that yet. He shook his head at her words - apologies? - and drew her other hand into his. "Not now. Later." He promised her. Later he'd listen, all he wanted was one dance, one daydream with the woman in his arms. "Just dance with me?" And with that he pulled her along with the rest of the couples, gentle and capable hands guiding her with him, away from the other couples in a merry dance. Just one dance, he promised himself. Just one. Her smell was as intoxicating as her closeness and Rufus found he wanted the dance to never end.