When the Hoskins sisters finally arrived, they gave Maria a hug.
“Is everything in hand?” Anna asked, “Do you need us to help in any way?”
“Everything is just fine. I only want you to enjoy yourselves this evening,” Maria replied.
Anna turned to Harry and he offered his hand. “Harry, nice to see you this evening. It is delightful to have a dance again. It has been so long.”
Harry took Anna’s hand and held onto in for a moment. The look in his eyes puzzled Anna. Perhaps he wanted to say something important, but all he said was, “We are happy to have you and Dorothy, and we hope you will enjoy yourselves. And I hope you will grant me the honor of a dance or two with you sometime during the evening.”
“I would be delighted,” she answered.
They turned and went into the salon.
They entered and were greeted by Christopher, who seemed to be waiting for their arrival.
“Good evening, fair ladies. Welcome. And how lovely you both look.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Has the dancing started yet?” Anna asked.
“Not yet. But remember, you promised me your first.”
“I have not forgotten,” she said, blushing. “Now, if you will excuse us, we must claim a table and make it our own.”
“And I will come to claim my dance when the first is announced.”
“Mr. Stewart,” Anna said She nodded and escorted her sister toward a table. At that moment, Percy entered the salon and stood to look around the room. Anna hesitated. In an instant she saw him but continued to the table she had selected; her heart beating a little faster.
At that moment, the orchestra gave a fanfare and the conductor announced the first dance. Anna and Dorothy no sooner reached their table, deposited their shawls and handbags, when Christopher came over and claimed his dance.
“Miss Anna. I believe the dance is about to begin.”
Anna turned to her sister, nodded, then accompanied Christopher to the dance floor.
The first dance was calledAbout She Goes. It was a lively circle dance and there was no opportunity for Anna and Christopher to talk during the course of the dance. When it was over, another local gentleman came over and asked Anna for the next dance. So Anna had to bid Christopher farewell and entered into the second dance with no break.
But, when the second dance ended, she excused herself and her partner escorted her to her table.
Anna sat and asked Dorothy, “Have you danced yet?”
Dorothy pouted and said, “Not yet.” But then Percy came over.
“Fair ladies, good evening. And Miss Dorothy, I see you have no partner for this next dance. Might I accompany you to the dance floor?”
Dorothy smiled. “If you like, Mr. Percy. Do you know the dance?”
“I believe it is to be aLa Coulotte.I trust you know it?”
“I do, Mr. Percy.” And he escorted Dorothy to the floor.
Anna watched as the dance began and she felt the slightest twinge of jealously as Percy had not asked her to dance. But she knew better than to expect anything from him and soon resigned herself to relaxing before she might be asked to dance again.
Maria had just finished dancing and came over to Anna. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. We will be serving the champagne at the end of this dance.” She sat at Dorothy’s place at the table. “Thank you so much for your help organizing this. I could not have done it without the two of you.”
“We were delighted to help.”
“You will never guess who appeared today at tea time,” Maria said, leaning in and whispering.
“No idea.”
