Storm/Juliette - after dinner
"Excuse me," a well-wisher cut in. Gracefully and with all due niceties, Gale disentangled herself from the squires' company. "Your servant," Storm said, bowing, as she left. It was an unnecessary courtesy, but it was also the only response he could think to give the suggestive smile on her face. Briefly, he was left with an inexplicable uneasiness. However, the moment he set eyes upon his friend and comrade, relief overshadowed his nerves.
At last, company in which he could be more himself. Peripherally, he was aware that the instrumentalists had picked up a waltz.
"Are you already partnered for this dance?" In retrospect, he really ought to have seen to a place on her dance card earlier. A dance with a friend meant a few minutes' reprieve from the suffocating conversations.