Dora smiled at Albert, bemused. “I am quite close with Vanessa,” she said. “Surely, you must know that I am likely to be biased.”
Albert considered this. “You are right, of course,” he acknowledged. “But somehow, in spite of that, I suspect your opinion to be more reliable than most. I do not think that I have ever seen you mince your words, Miss Ettings.”
The dance ended. Dora kept her arm on Albert’s, however, thinking to herself. “May we take a turn about the room while I think?” she asked. “I would rather not go back to my aunt just yet.”
Albert obliged, and they walked off the dance floor. Dora spent another few moments putting her thoughts together. “I will tell you the truth, Mr Lowe,” she said finally. “But only if you offer me the same privilege regarding your brother. I trust that is acceptable?”
“That is fair, of course,” Albert agreed. “For my part, I have little to disparage. Edward has always done his best to be honourable and to see to both his duty and his family.”
Dora frowned. “But is he a good man?” she asked. “I do not imply otherwise, of course, but I know similarly little of him.”
Albert nodded, taking this in stride. “I think that Edward is a good man,” he said. “But I have thought more than once that his goodness is untested. It is easy to be kind and generous and honourable when there is little to lose by it. Given his inheritance, however, I question whether he will ever be in a position to be tested at all. Perhaps it is a moot point.”
Dora smiled ruefully at that. “I shall say something very similar to you in return, I think,” she told Albert. “I love Vanessa dearly, and she has always been the kindest person in my life. I fear she can be callous with those things she does not see or understand directly. But to show her such things is a simple enough remedy, and the lack does not negate her other lovely qualities.” Dora paused. “As to what sort of wife she would make... I could not know what a man looks for in a wife. But I take much comfort in her company, and I cannot imagine that her future husband would do otherwise.”
Albert gave Dora a warm smile in return. “I am glad to know that,” he said. “If I may say so, Miss Ettings... you have no lack of lovely qualities yourself. I am sure that I am not the only one to notice.”
Dora blinked at the unexpected change in subject. “Mr Lowe,” she said carefully. “I do not mean to get above myself. But if you have suddenly decided to court me in earnest, I am not certain I can recommend the idea.”
Albert chuckled. “I would not dare,” he told her softly. “Speaking of which... I believe I must relinquish you shortly. I hope you do not mind.”
Dora had only the briefest moment to wonder at his statement before she heard someone behind her clear their throat. “Miss Ettings,” Elias said. “I am here to call your bluff. I believe that I am owed two dances—any two that I like, in fact.”
Dora turned to regard the magician. He was not dressed terribly well for the party—in fact, he stuck out like a sore thumb among those who had shown up in their very best attire. His face was obviously worn with weariness, but Dora thought there was an uncommon gentleness to his demeanour tonight, and he had a rare, tired smile on his features.
“You were invited then?” Dora asked, before she could think better of the words. “I am surprised that Lady Cushing sent you an invitation.”
Elias raised an eyebrow at her. “Most people simply assume that I will not come when they invite me to their parties,” he said. “I am sure the lady will reconsider her approach after this terrible mistake.” He held his hand out to her patiently. “I really will not take no for an answer, Miss Ettings. You would not wish to be known as a woman who ignores her gambling debts.”
“I would not like to be known as a gambling woman in the first place,” Dora said dryly. “But since I seem to have lost the same bet that Lady Cushing did, I suppose that it is supportable in this instance.” She found herself smiling back at him though, and as she took his hand, the heaviness that had been in her chest all day lightened noticeably.
As Elias led her back onto the floor, his hand dropped to her waist, and a strange shiver went through her where he touched. At first blush, it should not have been a proper way to touch a lady in public—but as Dora glanced around at the other dancers, she realised that they were all engaged in similar positions. “Oh,” she murmured. “We are waltzing, then?”
“Apparently so,” said Elias. He turned fully towards her and lifted her hand to his arm. There was no looking away from him in such a position; his warmth was very close, even where they did not touch. The sweet scent of myrrh tickled at Dora’s senses, and she found herself staring up at Elias in jumbled confusion.
“I do not have the translation with me, I’m afraid,” Dora told him. “I gave it to Albert earlier. I should be able to finish the last quarter of it tonight, if I can borrow a candle.”
Elias smiled at Dora again. “Albert gave me your work earlier today,” he told her. “I am not here to bully more of it from you.”
Dora considered this for a long moment. She could not help but be aware of his arm sliding around her back, as they continued to prepare for the dance. “Is there some other help that I might offer, in that case?” she asked.
