“He dances well, but more than that I am not willing to say without any acquaintance with his character.”

“But Jane, you know him well. That is Henry Livingston, Lady FitzCameron’s nephew.”

Shocked, Jane returned her attention to the young captain. As he turned, she saw something of the boy he had been when he last visited Lady FitzCameron at Banbree Manor. He retained the same arch of the brow and flashing eyes, but the soft roundness of youth was gone from his cheeks, leaving more rugged features in their place.

Mr. Ellsworth took Jane by the other arm. “Perhaps you would like to dance with him next, Jane.”

“If he asks me to dance, Papa, I shall be happy to oblige, but I am otherwise content to watch.”

“If he asks, you would be a fool girl not to be pleased,” Mrs. Ellsworth said, rapping Jane’s hand with her fan. “Any man that would have you should be encouraged.”

Jane set her jaw and did not respond to her mother’s provocation. Seeing this, Mr. Ellsworth patted her hand and drew her a little away from her mother. “Do not fret, dear. She is ill-tempered because she wishes that Captain Livingston would ask her to dance.”

Laughing, Jane said, “Then you should dance with her, Papa.”

“Ah. I am not so nimble as I was.”

The song ended and the dancers left the floor, milling about to seek new partners while the musicians began the next set. Mr. Dunkirk appeared rather suddenly in front of her. “How did you find the rest of the glamural, Miss Ellsworth?”

“Very well, Mr. Dunkirk. Although the mysterious Mr. Vincent once again put in an appearance and vanished before I could pay my respects. I begin to think that my attention offends him.”

“I am certain you mistake him. It is more likely, is it not, that he did not wish to disrupt your enjoyment of his work?”

“No. For I had met his gaze and clearly started toward him with the intention of speaking. He turned and left quite abruptly.”

“Odd,” said Mr. Dunkirk. “I’ve run across him once or twice out on the grounds, and he has always seemed most amiable. I shall introduce you at the next opportunity. I venture a guess that like many artists he is shy about his work”—he glanced at her—“and, as this piece is yet undone, perhaps he does not wish to hear compliments of it.”

“Ah. I think you have the right of it. I had not thought of how it must be for him to have people tramping through and looking at his half-finished glamural.”

The musicians finished the next dance, and again the guests began shifting about, exchanging partners. Jane noticed that Melody was still partnered with Captain Livingston. Both their faces were bright with merriment.

Beside them, Miss Dunkirk now danced with a young man closer to her age. Jane smiled to see her so happy.

Mr. Dunkirk turned to follow her gaze. “Would you care to join me on the dance floor, Miss Ellsworth?”