Plans And Actions

Charles could feel her nerves. Her pulse was jumpy under his thumb and her eyes raced between the instructor and him. He could feel her trying to step away from him, but he would be damned if he let her. He tightened his hold on her waist. She has been far away for long.

If her presence in his life would cause his past demons to return, then they should gallop back in, but he would annihilate them before they could hurt her. He twirled her again and pulled her even closer at the end, placing his hand lower than before. If she noticed, she did not mention.

"His Grace is an excellent dancer as well. Oh, this is beautiful." Mr. Winston praised. "Martha, are you seeing this?"

Charles wanted to tell the man to stop talking. His voice was a distraction, and an annoyance. A third time, he twirled her, but this time she fell on him. He let her, catching her to himself as the music ended.

Everyone clapped.