"How kind of you to ask," Elissa said with a warm smile that completely masked her irritation at the interruption as she turned to face the officer. She pressed her hand to her waist once again as she had inside and laughed with apparent embarrassment. "The air has done me good. You know how it can be at the best parties - a little too much champagne, a few too many rich treats, and then too much dancing. I fear I got a bit too warm."

She took a half step toward the interloper. "This is very forward of me, but... Do you dance, sir?"