The orchestra finished a song, and there was polite applause from the guests. “Come now, they’re about to start another song,” Henry said, taking my hand, so I felt I had no choice. He led me to the dance floor, then bowed to me before taking my right hand in his left and resting his right hand against my back. I placed my hand on his shoulder as the music began.

Elinor was right, he was a good dancer. We made one circuit of the floor before he spoke. “I know how we could move the machines,” he murmured into my ear, nearly throwing me off rhythm.

“How?” I whispered.

“Magic. But I can’t do it alone. I’ll need help. I’ve begun notifying my gang.” His breath was warm on my cheek, and I was glad we both wore gloves because my palms felt clammy.

“I’ll have a difficult enough time getting them to accept you. They really don’t like magisters.”

“I’ll go alone with you at first, and then once we’ve persuaded them, I’ll bring in the others.”

“You’re very optimistic.”

“It’s only logical. They can either accept my help or lose their machines and lose the revolution before it can go anywhere.” He grinned at me, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. “Besides, I have every faith in your persuasive abilities. If they won’t listen to reason, you can hit them in the head with your bag.”

I feared that people would get entirely the wrong impression from us murmuring to each other. He was so much taller than I that it was obvious he was bending to whisper in my ear. “People are giving us odd looks,” I said. “Is it proper for you to dance with your governess?”

“They’re probably wondering who this mysterious beauty is. They may not realize you’re the governess.”

“I wasn’t announced when we entered.”

“No one pays attention to that. We all know each other already.” The song ended, and we applauded the orchestra. Then he took my hand and bowed over it. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Newton.” Still holding my hand, he led me back to Flora.

“Now that you and Miss Newton have had your dance, do you think Grandfather would mind terribly if we left, even if it is barely midnight?” she asked.

“I think he’ll understand.” He released my hand and extended his hand to help Flora rise. The three of us made our way around the room toward the governor, where Henry and Flora thanked him for the evening and I, not sure what I was supposed to do, gave him a slight curtsy.