He rested his hand precisely where it was meant to be, not an inch lower—for the sake of propriety—on her back, using his other hand to take her own. It was as though a current went through them as they completed this circuit, and, for the briefest of moments, Julius could not remember why they were there at all.

"I daresay Mrs. Devine would have something to say about that," came his joked response, but the smile died in his eyes, leaving in its wake something far heavier.