‘You may think nothing of wagging tongues, Mr. Stanton, but you might give my position a little more consideration. I thank you for your kind invitation, but I do not mean to dance any more this evening.’
An expression of concern mingled with confusion crossed his face, and he nodded awkwardly. She waited for a moment, allowing him time to make his apologies if he would. He seemed tongue-tied, however, and so she curtseyed and withdrew.
She found a seat in a relatively quiet corner of the ballroom and claimed it with relief. She was overheated; perhaps that had contributed to her uncharacteristic irritation a moment ago. It was a pleasure to sit quietly and grow cooler, and watch the goings-on from a safe distance. She saw Miss Adair and her brother, both dancing, along with their primar
