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shall assist me in breaking the ice that seems to have formed. I have been planning this event for a year, and I will not suffer this tension, I tell you.”
    “Of course,” Janette muttered. Mrs. Brimmer frowned at the evident lack of enthusiasm in her tone.
    “Come now. You two are young and full of vigor, much too young to be prejudiced.” She snapped her fan shut against her gloved hand. “At least I was more open-minded when I was your age. I shan’t have my guests glaring at one another. No, indeed, I shall not. Why do your parents insist on trying to act as though they did not court during a time that was so much more fun?” Mrs. Brimmer actually winked. “We had summerlong parties in the country, flowing gowns, and none of these long stays. Those cotton gowns would let the summer breeze right up your legs.” Her eyes twinkled with something that looked a lot like naughtiness. Janette found herself staring at the woman because that sparkle was in such contrast with the prim and formal-looking hostess Mrs. Brimmer presented in her evening matron gown, which was buttoned precisely at her neck. She lifted a hand that sported a white glove, and motioned to Janette and Sophia. “Follow me.”
    Janette hung back. Sophia gave her a jab in the ribs, but Janette still refused. “That’s him. Darius Lawley.”
    “You’ll just have to suffer through it. We can’t be frozen here when Mrs. Brimmer turns around. She’ll be insulted,” Sophia warned. “So come on.”
    Janette stepped forward. Sophia was correct; they didn’t dare insult the woman by refusing her request, but Mrs. Brimmer was heading straight toward the Illuminists. Janette felt the assembled guests turn their attention to her and Sophia. If Mrs. Brimmer noticed, the formidable lady never allowed it to show. She maintained her perfect poise and unhurried pace until she was standing in front of her Illuminist guests.
    But the twinkle in her eyes brightened, betraying just how much she enjoyed playing with her guests’ priorities.
    “Good evening, Miss Decima. I am delighted you could attend. Gentlemen, may I present Miss Sophia Stevenson and Miss Janette Aston, two ladies of keen intelligence. I have complete confidence in their ability to recognize what suitable gentlemen you both are.” Mrs. Brimmer didn’t raise her voice, but she didn’t need to. The conversation in the room had almost stopped as she made her formal introductions. She turned to Sophia and Janette.
    “May I present—”
    “Janette has made Mr. Lawley’s acquaintance already.” Sophia’s eyes widened when she realized she’d spoken her thought aloud.
    “She has? How fortuitous.” Mrs. Brimmer tapped her fan against her gloved hand. “Mr. Lawley, would you do me the honor of starting off the first dance set with Miss Aston?”
    “Quite delighted, Mrs. Brimmer.”
    Darius offered her his hand, but there was a flicker of challenge in his eyes that made Janette hesitate. She recalled too well her lack of ability to maintain her poise when she was near him. Sophia jabbed her in the side with a sharp elbow to jolt her into action. Darius clasped her hand, and the connection sent a tremor across her skin.
    Fans opened as they passed, whispers filling the room. She and Darius stood alone in the middle of the dance floor for a moment that felt endless. At last someone cleared their throat, which prompted other men to offer their hands to the nearest lady before Mrs. Brimmer was offended. Silk petticoats rustled and heels hit the floor too hard as couples rushed to join the dance set.
    The musicians struck up a lively tune. Janette curtsied and moved forward for the first close turn of the dance. A shiver shot down her spine the moment she tipped her head back to maintain eye contact.
    “You might at least wipe the smirk off your face,” she snapped. “I’d have danced with a leper to avoid displeasing Mrs. Brimmer.”
    She swept away, grateful for a chance to catch her