Lord Montagu led her to the dance floor and bowed as she curtseyed. He took one of her hands, and despite their gloves she felt the warmth of his touch. But when his palm touched her waist, Eleanor had to stop herself from moving closer to him. It did not help that she had to place her hand on his waist as well. She was expecting the layers of his clothing to be a barrier to the flames darting through her body, but they were not. Apparently, the mere fact that she was touching him was enough to strengthen the sensations she was experiencing. This was nothing like waltzing with any other gentleman. She tried to quell the urge to shiver.

“Are you all right?” He gazed at her with concern.

“Perfectly.” She smiled at him as if nothing had happened. “I just felt a bit of a breeze.” Although how that was to have happened with the long windows in the room closed, she did not know. The music began, and for a few moments she reveled in the feeling of dancing on air. “You dance very well.”

“Thank you.” Lord Montagu grinned. “I was just about to say the same thing to you. With you the steps are effortless.”

Before she had taken those types of compliments as nothing special, but with him it was different. They did dance well together. It was effortless. “Thank you.”

He looked at her as if he wanted to know something, and she was about to tell him to just say it when he did. “When I stood up with Lady Alice she said that all three of you are involved in a particular charity.”

Oh good. They were not going to talk about the weather or how she was enjoying her Season. “We are. Lady Merton and our sister, Grace, started it, but we, my other sisters, all became involved. We rescue children and provide homes for war widows and their families if needed. My brothers-in-law all make a point to hire former soldiers and train them as grooms and footmen, or whatever profession they decide to learn.” Eleanor could not tell him about her sisters and friends taking more active roles that had put their lives at risk. “Lord and Lady Littleton”—Eleanor frowned to herself—“do you know them?”

“Yes.” Lord Montagu nodded. “I met them a few years ago.”

“Well, it turns out that he, or it might have been his father or mother, started a program to train local youths to be in service.”

He appeared struck by the idea. “That is interesting. I have often thought individuals could make a large difference, but I had no idea where to start.”

This was encouraging. Although he must not have much of an imagination if he could not work out how to begin helping his own tenants. His mother and sister had mentioned schools. “Do you have schools on your estates?”