Luckily she enjoys learning new dances and took a quick shine to the waltz when shown the way.
Only problem is they're not close in height, but by now she's accustomed to craning her neck when he's around. Forgetting that the host who invited her here ought to be greeted before she goes dancing with a known bachelor, she musters up the night's first laugh.
"Your difficulty shall be in the trouble I give you, then!"
A known bachelor, but also known to not be looking to change the fact. With any luck, maybe any spectators will recall that. At least, it is always his hope when in public with a woman in some fashion.
"Not at all, you are always incredibly graceful!" As the music begins, Jekyll gives her a small nod before starting, to lead in. He may not join in on dancing terribly often, but he isn't sloppy by any means. Really he wouldn't even appear to be out of practice. After all, he tries so hard to be the ideal gentleman. That includes being adept at dance.
But for her part, there is only one man ... creature ... with whom she's waltzed, and only once in public. Not long after he let her out of the house. After she had 'recovered' from poor health brought on by traveling to England.
She loves the whisper of her dress and shoes; the look on his face; the space they've been given; the people she doesn't see anymore except as blurs.
"It is lovely to -- let another lead me," Paloma starts, too high up and giddy to nail English phrasing easily, "in this way. You do not have rough hands."
"It would be impossible to dance well in such a tense manner! It requires a gentleness - fluidity." He smiles. "Besides which, you deserve as much grace at any time."
But this was a mistake, looking down at her, held so close to him, he wants so much to kiss her in the middle of the dance. Only there's no way he could, not even afterwards, and he's certain he must be quite red.
Only just arrived and he already wants to run away home, to give all the desires he can't allow himself to Hyde.
To hear she deserves anything so fine as grace and fluidity. It'd be enough to stop her heart.
What's fascinating is the color he turns. Like someone went and slapped him on both cheeks until he was ruddy from it. Or he'd been drinking (she knows it's not so).
Paloma says nothing until the dance brings them closely private enough for her to sneak in a question unheard by passing dancers, "If you must, please, make an excuse." Clearly he's just so embarrassed by this display ........
"No, no certainly not, there's no need at all." But she's so close now, it really was a mistake, the temptation is too great. Caught up in the moment and too overwhelmed by it, the next time they're brought together, he leans down to kiss her.
It's only after that he realises his mistake, in such a public space. "--Ah."
Initially she expects he's leaning in to be secretive, that he's got something to share unintended for the perked ears around them. As he moves, her eyes slide a little to his left and catch Samantha messing around with her turtle brooch, watching them bemusedly.
He catches her unawares and it's enough to scald a wretch immediately to attention. Paloma gives him a warm welcome to the mouth without thinking terribly much about the guests' opinions, or the dancers who don't miss a step.
Ripples of titters overtake various groups of people. She wets her lips instinctively. "Kiss an old widow and she may beat you with her fan."
"I'm sorry, I-" What can he say? He done messed up. And still he wants to kiss her again. Beet red, Jekyll covers his mouth with a hand as the dance ends and he's left standing there like a fool as others leave the floor.
Trying to smooth things over with onlookers as best he can, he whispers to her, "Slap me if you will, show that I have acted out of line."
As their fellow dancers leave, some alone and others in twos, Paloma stays with her gentleman beet.
She does the opposite of hitting him (never, ever!) and touches his elbow with some dim awareness of trembling. "But you have not, Harry. Worse if they see you so."
"I must deal with my own consequences on my own. Perhaps it is simply some delirium, a fever, or having been too long at work!" He bites the inside of his lip, and offers his hand to her again to lead her away, back to the crowd or to a seat, as a proper gentleman should. Redeem himself at least a little.
"I'm sorry, there is so much trouble I have caused for you in my weakness."
Somehow Paloma doesn't believe it's any of those. And ... show gratifying, knowing she's not by herself in badly timed impulsiveness.
She goes with him to seats set against a wall heavy with paintings. For once they don't distract her from present company. Reluctance to separate keeps the light weight of her fingers on him; she tries to show him her guilty pleasure by tilting her chin up near as allowed.
"Trouble follows me with or without you, and I would happy-- happily remember this dance and your ..." Well. The kiss.
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moritat2015-08-17 04:59 pm
no subject
Only problem is they're not close in height, but by now she's accustomed to craning her neck when he's around. Forgetting that the host who invited her here ought to be greeted before she goes dancing with a known bachelor, she musters up the night's first laugh.
"Your difficulty shall be in the trouble I give you, then!"
no subject
"Not at all, you are always incredibly graceful!" As the music begins, Jekyll gives her a small nod before starting, to lead in. He may not join in on dancing terribly often, but he isn't sloppy by any means. Really he wouldn't even appear to be out of practice. After all, he tries so hard to be the ideal gentleman. That includes being adept at dance.
no subject
She loves the whisper of her dress and shoes; the look on his face; the space they've been given; the people she doesn't see anymore except as blurs.
"It is lovely to -- let another lead me," Paloma starts, too high up and giddy to nail English phrasing easily, "in this way. You do not have rough hands."
Being as they're gloved, she can't mean texture.
no subject
But this was a mistake, looking down at her, held so close to him, he wants so much to kiss her in the middle of the dance. Only there's no way he could, not even afterwards, and he's certain he must be quite red.
Only just arrived and he already wants to run away home, to give all the desires he can't allow himself to Hyde.
no subject
What's fascinating is the color he turns. Like someone went and slapped him on both cheeks until he was ruddy from it. Or he'd been drinking (she knows it's not so).
Paloma says nothing until the dance brings them closely private enough for her to sneak in a question unheard by passing dancers, "If you must, please, make an excuse." Clearly he's just so embarrassed by this display ........
no subject
It's only after that he realises his mistake, in such a public space. "--Ah."
no subject
He catches her unawares and it's enough to scald a wretch immediately to attention. Paloma gives him a warm welcome to the mouth without thinking terribly much about the guests' opinions, or the dancers who don't miss a step.
Ripples of titters overtake various groups of people. She wets her lips instinctively. "Kiss an old widow and she may beat you with her fan."
no subject
Trying to smooth things over with onlookers as best he can, he whispers to her, "Slap me if you will, show that I have acted out of line."
no subject
She does the opposite of hitting him (never, ever!) and touches his elbow with some dim awareness of trembling. "But you have not, Harry. Worse if they see you so."
no subject
"I'm sorry, there is so much trouble I have caused for you in my weakness."
no subject
She goes with him to seats set against a wall heavy with paintings. For once they don't distract her from present company. Reluctance to separate keeps the light weight of her fingers on him; she tries to show him her guilty pleasure by tilting her chin up near as allowed.
"Trouble follows me with or without you, and I would happy-- happily remember this dance and your ..." Well. The kiss.