Being confronted with fine manners certainly had a way of snuffing a man's temper. Not everyone was a player in the drama being enacted in Sidney's personal life, he recollected; there were, he assumed, normal and sane members of society still to be encountered. The agreeableness of the woman he had approached so abruptly quite gentled him in an instant, or at least as much as a man like Sidney could be gentled. There was something about her that seemed to exude serenity and reject pretense.
That was not all that was agreeable, of course. He was not beyond noticing several other gentlemen, upon observing him, awkwardly alter their intended course.
"I beg your pardon. It is I who behave unforgivably. Sidney Parker." He offered her a small bow, more an inclination of his head. "Seeing as my brother is responsible for these revels, and making himself a friend to everyone tonight regardless of proper introductions, I don't see why we shouldn't meet."
He surfaced from his consideration of her to assess where they were, and where she had been headed. Not in answer to any gentleman's invitation, and not to reunite with her party, certainly, for Sidney knew this trajectory all too well having used it himself on every possible occasion. She had intended to make her escape before he accidentally barred the way.
He returned his attention to the assembly, bringing his powerful shoulders conversant with her own as they both stood witness. "The dancing isn't to your liking?" he presumed.