She rushed through an apology, and seemed inclined to slip off so as to ‘not impose’. Murdock inwardly marvelled at the womans ability to shrink and seem more and more diminuative as the seconds passed. If his aurors had that skill they needn’t have bothered teaching concealment charms. ’Miss Allaway please,’ he insisted, covering her proferred, pleasing apologetic hand with his own. ’there is no imposition, no slight that we should remedy here’ he assured her. The Wizengemot member softened his features, which he knew could be a little strident and severe in their natural aspect.

’On the contrary Miss Allaway’ he said with a rough smile behind his red beard, ’I believe Isoble knows my taste in company and that I might find more pleasure in talk and the night air, than I would in dances with girls I don’t know.’ He grinned, a touch sheepish, but as the end result of Isobels meddling was pleasant company he found that he was not angry about it.

’Despite my sisters methods’ he emphasised the word, ’she was at least right. I should rather have spent time in your company this evening than in idle chatter with a stranger.’ One of the charmed serving trays conveyed champagne arrived at his elbow and Murdock took a glass and offered one to Miss Allaway. ’Although if she ever asks I will never admit that she was correct. Merlin I should never hear the end of that’ he took a drink of the sparkling liquid, he wasn’t a fan, preferring scotch or firewhiskey to the bubbles. ’But that does not change my enjoyment of the company in either respect.’

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