He nodded, still keeping his attention averted as though admitting such a thing embarrassed him somehow.

When it was clear he would not say more, Adelaide smiled and reached up to place her hand over his where it still rested on her shoulder.

That brought his attention down to her immediately, seeming almost startled by the contact.

She brushed her thumb over his hand softly. “You’re a good man, Harrison Basset.”

His dark eyes searched hers as his throat worked, and then, suddenly, his mouth curved in a delicious smile that set a fire to the soles of her feet. “Coming from you, Adelaide, that means a very great deal.” He turned his hand to capture hers and brought it to his lips, the lack of gloves causing an enhanced sensitivity that Adelaide was entirely unprepared for.

Her breath caught, then rushed past her lips in an embarrassing sweep of air. “Thank you.”

He raised a brow at her, which pulled a smile from her tingling lips. “I don’t believe our challenge is valid if you sit for the whole of the evening, Lady Basset. Are you conversing with our music teacher for advanced instruction, or are you merely passing the time?”

Julia barked a laugh. “I am only the instructor until Lily returns in the spring after her child is born and young Ross is adapted to it, so there is no advanced instruction to give.”

“I was speaking to my wife, Julia,” Basset said without looking at her, his smile deepening. “Well, my lady?”

Adelaide twisted her lips, fighting the urge to laugh. “I was taking a care for myself during the reel, Basset, because certain conditions do not lend themselves to such things. But I do believe I’ve asked young Master Hobbs to partner me next, so if you would kindly step aside…”

She pointedly put her hand at his stomach and pushed him away as she stood, which made him snort a laugh.

“Fine, then I shall dance with Julia,” he shot back, holding out a hand to his old friend.

“I do not want to be in the middle of this,” Julia replied, laughing merrily but taking his hand.

Adelaide looked at her. “Trod his toes, Julia. Do us all a favor.” Then she winked pointedly at her husband and moved away to find Master Hobbs and start up the next dance.

She could only hope her husband was laughing behind her.

How much longer she danced, she really could not say, but the sky began to lighten, and, to her surprise, a fog began to roll in. It was a beautiful, majestic thing, this cloud plucked from the sky and approaching as the morning dew called to it. Pulled at it, rather like the moon to a tide. The grass seemed an ocean, and the fog a wave upon it.