“Tell me," he said, smiling, "Would you really have danced with the duke?" She relaxed, the danger past. "Yes. But he was my second choice. You, sir, didn't seem to have much interest in me." "Ah. There you are very wrong." His smile faltered, and then he began to lean forward, as if he would kiss her again. But the door opened, and a loud group of young men pushed into the courtyard, filling the garden with glimmering light and sound as they laughed amongst themselves.”