“Miri...” he began, but she was gone, walking toward the group assembled in a loose circle at the center of the floor.

“Come on, sir!” Villy tugged his hand. “They’re waiting for you!”

It was on the edge of his tongue to snap that they might wait for him until the snow melted. However, good manners overcame bad grace, and he allowed himself to be led out onto the floor. Hoots and whistles came from some of the spectators on the rug, and Lady Kareen’s face grew blander still.

At the edge of the circle, Villy relinquished his hand, bowed his liquid, meaningless bow, and skipped back toward the refreshment table.

Pat Rin gave a sigh—and another as Natesa came forward to put her hand on his arm.

“A round dance, my love,” she murmured, as she eased him into the circle. “Audrey has asked us most especially to honor her.”

If one’s host desired it, there was nothing more to be said. And certainly he was able for one more dance. Still... He looked into Natesa’s eyes.

“Do I know this dance, I wonder?” he murmured.

She smiled. “I believe you will find that you do,” she answered, and guided him to a gap in the circle between Nova and Priscilla. Having seen him situated, she moved away, slipping into place between Luken and Daav, and smiling at him across the circle.

The drummer beat out a rapid tattoo, sticks flashing, and struck the cymbal a ringing blow, the sound quickly muffled by a cunning hand on the rim.

The room stilled admirably as Ms. Audrey walked out onto the floor, head high, back straight, as proud and as easy as any delm might be within the jewel of her own entertainment.