Young and free, she thought sadly. Eloise thought knew then what she was saying goodbye to in calling off the elopement. She thought the value of their families came before all, but having spent the past decade with only her sister for company, Eloise was no longer as attached to them as she once was. The perks remained, of course, but what were the perks of an influential family to the life of longing?

The dance had her take a step closer, once more closing the distance between them. Only, when the dance called for her to step away she didn't move as far as she ought to. "Young and happy," she murmured for only his ears.