It was a small mercy the steps of the dance weren't overly complex, for Eloise could hardly think of anything but him and the heat of his hand in hers. Linford was but a blip on the horizon, so far out of focus it was as though he didn't exist. Eloise dreamt of this, of being in his arms once more, but she hadn't expected the connection between them to be as strong as it once was.

"Mrs. Devine's ire is the least of my concerns," Eloise continued in her same joking tone. Though, much like his own expression, the laughing grin didn't quite meet her eyes. Then, in a voice so soft only he could hear she said, "I always have room for a dance with you."