“Yes,” was all Amala could say, unable to deny the truth in Viola’s statement. But Amala felt unnerved by the subtle fluttering in her stomach at the thought of Henry. She’d made up her mind a long time ago about the course her life would have to take. She’d accepted that the good life she’d been given came with sacrifices that simply had to be, given the society in which they lived. Feeling attracted to any man did not fit into her plans. She quickly convinced herself that Henry’s appeal was based entirely in their common interest in her native country.

Fearing that Viola might speculate over the identity of the mysterious dance partner, Amala was relieved when one of Viola’s friends sat down on the other side of her and they began to chat. Amala couldn’t help noticing that the woman offered her neither greeting nor acknowledgment; she wasn’t at all surprised, since it happened all the time. She only wished she could somehow become immune to the sting she felt every time she was left feeling invisible. She suddenly felt very tired and wondered how much longer they would be staying. Thankfully, her parents often left such events at a reasonable hour, in contrast to many who would stay on into the early hours of the morning. Still, since she couldn’t see a clock from where she was seated, Amala had no idea what time it was, and she just wanted to go. She couldn’t deny that her fear of encountering Henry Beckenridge again added incentive to her desire to leave.

Scarcely a few minutes later, Oliver approached and announced that he was ready to leave. He went to find Kat, who would surely be disappointed at having to give up on her continual opportunity to dance with one partner after another. By the time he returned with Kat, Viola had finished her conversation with her friend, and within minutes they were in the carriage on their way home.

As always, Oliver and Viola wanted to know if the girls had had a good time, and Amala was always glad to allow Kat to dominate the conversation with her talk about all the latest fashions the ladies had been wearing and all the men she’d danced with. She revealed which of those men she would prefer to never socialize with and which of them she would enjoy getting to know better.

“And what about you, my dear?” Oliver asked Amala. “Any young prospective beaus that sparked your interest?”