As a matter of fact, Erskine had specifically chosen the Viennese waltz because the traditional version was quick and fun and didn't require a lot of fancy footwork. A few basic steps and they were all but floating across the floor, even if the music playing didn't quite fit the tone of a waltz performed at the great parties in Europe. The beat fit the pace of the dance and that was what mattered.

Erskine grinned in spite of himself, in spite of that little pang of heartache a moment ago. Getting Shudder to dance with anyone but Larrikin had been like pulling teeth, and now he was all but dragging Erskine onto the dance floor. Ravel could guess at the reason, of course, but that didn't make the reversal any less amusing.

"Rover would be insanely jealous, you know."