For all that, she was vaguely disturbed. Not long since she had dreamed about plunging into the wilds with Kit. Kit had a strange, elfin charm the other had not. He indulged his rather fantastic imagination and he had fired hers. She wanted to follow him and share his romantic adventures, but she was afraid.
With something of an effort she banished her moody thoughts. She knew Ledward saw the jewel shine on her white skin and she felt his grasp get firm, but she did not get the thrill she got when Kit told her she was beautiful. The beauty Kit saw was not the beauty that moved Ledward, and she knew it was not really hers. Yet she had loved Kit for his generous trust.
When they swung at a turn, Ledward held her tight and the jewel touched his coat.
“You dear!” he said softly, but his voice was calm and somehow confident.
Soon afterwards the music stopped and he steered her to a bench.
“The next dance is mine; but perhaps you are tired?”
“Since you were at Glasgow and drove across the moors, I doubt if you are very fresh,” said Evelyn.
“In the morning I must be at Sheffield. All the same, if you were my partner I’d dance until daybreak.”
“Then you start to-night?”
“In an hour,” said Ledward. “Since you must dance with others, I’m willing to take the road.”