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"I’m fine," she whispered

He took her arm anyway "That’s a crackin’ dress, Jane I ht I have the pleasure of obtaining your hand for the next two dances?"

Ah, his sain, static on the TV, a can of root beer so cold it eating, his hands touching her face She wanted hihts Her sleeves pinched her shoulders, her dress felt heavy in the skirts

"I can’t, Martin," she said "I already pro at her elbow He bowed civilly "The first dance is beginning, if you care to accompany me"

Was there a look that passed between the two men? Some heated past? Or would they (wahoo!) have a jealous tussle over Jane’s attentions?

Nope Mr Nobley led her away Martin stayed put, watching her go, so in his eyes She tried to say with her own, "I’ht of the theatrical and I understand why you judgedthe kind of woman to fall in love with this fantasy and I’ll be back and h she didn’t kno much of that she actually coed reat hall, the ceiling dazzling with thousands of real candles that put fire into the white dresses and cravats Five musicians were seated on a dais--a cello and two violins (or maybe a viola?), a harpsichord, and sos, they coaxed a grand prelude to theat the amusement park novelty of it all She looked at Mr Nobley He was bea," he said, and every inch of him seemed to swear that it was true

"Oh," she said

He kissed her gloved fingers He was still sht, and she couldn’t place what it was Soer to roll around in all the plot she could on her last night, though once or twice her eyes strayed to spot Martin

Mr Nobley stood opposite her in a line of ten ures They held each other’s gazes, they s

Poor Aht about it, all these actors who made women fall in love with the and her heaving brsts so delighted with this world Jane caught sight of a very striking Colonel Andreho, now that she watched hi of foreboding All the ladies were so happy and openhearted and eager to love What would happen to theers performed Jane watched them Mr Nobley watched her Then it was her turn

She curtsied to the audience, to Mr Nobley, and faced him in the center of the floor All eyes watched them Jane looked for Martin in the crowd

Maybe I really don’t want this, she thought This is su real Root beer and disposable umbrellas and bare feet real

"I believe we " It was Mr Nobley who spoke

"Sorry," she said

"Are you unwell tonight?"

"Do I look unwell?"

He sht, Miss Erstwhile I aht even say, I as Part of her very h, to be Miss Erstwhile and fall in love with Mr Nobley (fall back in love?), but she felt herself on that razor’s edge, walking toe to heel like a gymnast, and when she fell this time, she wanted to be on the real world side, away froible