Jane looked again at Melody, laughing with Captain Livingston. “Yes, thank you. I would be delighted.”

Though it was not her custom to dance, as it made her limbs appear more gangly and awkward than graceful, Jane enjoyed the dance with Mr. Dunkirk. He was attentive and graceful as a partner. She felt her own steps gradually flowing with more ease as the dance progressed. When it ended and he excused himself to dance with his sister, Jane was prepared to retreat to her father’s side, only to find her hand requested by Mr. McIntosh. The old gentleman was so jolly that she could find no excuse for putting him off, and so joined in the dance with a will to enjoy it. The only burr in her enjoyment was that Melody was still dancing with Captain Livingston. Jane was certain that her mother was pleased at his solitary attention to Melody, but for propriety’s sake, it would be best if he asked another young woman to dance. It was true that Melody far outshone every other woman at the ball—with that perfect composition of form, grace, and youthful spirits—but a true gentleman would not be so presumptuous as to hold a partner through so many sets.

Once the dance began, Jane had little time for reflection before Mr. McIntosh whirled her about as if she were a bundle of hay. She was quite as breathless at the end of the dance as if she had tried to unfurl a house-sized fold. As soon as she could, she thanked Mr. McIntosh and then escaped to her father’s side, carefully keeping him between her and Mrs. Ellsworth.

“You looked well on the dance floor,” Mr. Ellsworth said.

She thanked him and then said, “I wonder if you might ask Melody to dance.”

“What?” her mother demanded. “Why?”

“For propriety’s sake, would it not be better if Captain Livingston danced with some of the other ladies? I am certain that Lady FitzCameron cannot be pleased that her favourite nephew is ignoring the rest of her guests.”

At this, Mrs. Ellsworth started and looked around, craning her neck for Lady FitzCameron. “Do you think? I had not thought of it, but of course you are right, dear. It would not do at all to offend Lady FitzCameron. Charles, go and dance with her. Go and dance with Melody at once.”

Mr. Ellsworth pushed through the dance floor until he arrived at Melody’s side. Though she was clearly not happy, she had no choice but to acquiesce to her father’s wishes. Captain Livingston, thus relieved of his favoured dance partner, turned to find the nearest substitute, and lighted upon Miss Dunkirk. She was standing next to her brother and had a becoming flush of exertion upon her cheeks. When Captain Livingston bowed and requested the dance, she looked to her brother for permission before accepting gravely.

Jane hoped that Mr. Dunkirk would come back to ask her to dance again, but he turned to the young woman closest to him and engaged her for the next set. Jane passed the whole of that set trying to steer her mother to a conversational topic other than Melody and how well she looked.