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“We’ll have the hot dishes here,” Danny said, pointing at one of the long tables that had been set up in the drawing room. “Salads and side dishes over here, and cheese and desserts towards the end there. Will that suit you, Madam?” She received no reply. “Madam?”
Turning, Danny saw that Rebecca’s attention had been drawn by the sounds coming from the hall. A group of footmen had gathered to roll up the large Persian rug and carry it away, leaving the floor bare for dancing. When they had left, Rebecca turned to her, eyes glinting.
“Rebecca.” The word was half warning, half repimand.
“Oh come on, Danny.” Rebecca grabbed her hand and dragged Danny along with her into the hall. Once there, Rebecca kicked off her shoes, gesturing for Danny to do the same. Hesitantly, Danny bent down and took off her shoes.
“Are you ready?” Rebecca was bouncing on the balls of her feet. Holding up her skirts with one hand and clutching Danny’s hand with the other, Rebecca ran across the hall, gathering momentum. At about the halfway point, Rebecca leaned into the movement, dragging Danny along with her, and slid across the polished floor.
Rebecca was breathless with laughter by the time they caught themselves on a large sideboard, and even Danny could not suppress a smile.
“Let’s go again,” Rebecca said immediately.
“I… fine, one more time.”
Her fingers wrapped tightly around Rebecca’s, Danny joined Rebecca in her sprint and slid back across the hall, holding out her other arm for balance. Rebecca was still giggling when they returned to their shoes. Danny stood very still, feeling Rebecca’s hand on her shoulder as she put her shoes back on.
“There is a run in your stocking, Madam,” Danny said, pointing at Rebecca’s calf.
“Worth it.” Rebecca shrugged. She put on her other shoe, then waited for Danny to put on hers. Danny had meant to go back to work as soon as this impulse of Rebecca’s had been satisfied, but seeing Rebecca’s face, she hesitated. Rebecca’s cheeks were flushed from the run, but she was not laughing anymore.
“My mother used to do this before every ball,” Rebecca said quietly.
“I know.”
Before she knew it, Rebecca’s arms were around her waist; Rebecca’s face buried in the crook of her neck.
“Thank you for skating with me, Danny.”