The quick pace of the dance had them whirling around, spinning round and round. A grin spread through across her face and Rufus didn't want to stop, didn't want to see that smile falter, it seemed as if it had been such a long time since he had seen that smile, the one that looked as if she'd left nothing contained and all he could do was grin back at her. To revel in the warmth of her against his arms and spin her through the couples. One song melted into another and soon they were required to switch couples, the moments when she was in someone else's arms felt as if he were being tugged back to her. He laughed as she was spun back into her arms and smiled at her, one that reached his eyes. If only they could live in this world together. With reality forgotten and the merriment around them. He promised himself each song would be the last, but they so easily twined together and so he convinced himself to keep dancing with her until they were both winded from the fast pace of the dance. Couples changed out of the circle of dancing and Rufus led Miss Lockhart through them.

Nearby a stand sold lemonade and he bought them both a glass. However much he dreaded words coming down to their reality Miss Lockhart likely needed to catch her breathe and he couldn't be called rude on top of it all. Perhaps she'd even relish her lemonade and lead him back to dance. But that was wishful thinking. He smiled at the woman by his side, caught in the moment still hoping it didn't crash upon the waves of their own previous tension.