“Is there alcohol in them?” I asked.
“Not ours,” Theo said. “Dancing is one thing. Moonshine is quite another. Unless you wanted some?”
“Oh no. I think learning to dance the Charleston is quite enough for one night.” I sipped from my glass. The lemonade was room temperature and sour. My mouth puckered but I took another sip anyway. Dancing made me thirsty. I felt alive, though, in a way I didn’t usually. Just as kisses from Theo had wakened me, dancing and music had the same effect.
The band began to play a ballad. Fiona’s lovely voice made my chest ache. Neil asked Poppy if she’d like to dance. Her eyes glowed as she offered her hand to him.
Cymbeline scowled, her attention aimed toward the entrance. I turned to look at what had changed her mood. A who, not a what. Viktor Olofsson had Emma Hartman on one arm and Nora Cassidy on the other.
Isak grinned and raised his hand to wave them over to our table.
“Why didn’t you pick up Nora yourself?” Theo asked Isak.
“She’s afraid her mother won’t approve,” Isak said. “I’m older than her by a bit, you know.”
“And Viktor seems harmless,” Theo said.
“Because everyone knows he’s in love with Cymbeline,” Isak said.
“He’s not.” Cymbeline tossed her curls. “Now that Emma Hartman’s in town.”
“Are you jealous?” Isak asked, teasing.
“Are you completely sozzled?” Cymbeline asked.
Was Isak drunk? I inspected him closely. No, he seemed his usual unflappable self. Dressed impeccably and not a hair out of place.
“Not enough to not see that you are jealous,” Isak said.
“Be quiet,” Cymbeline said under her breath.
Viktor and the girls were at the table by then. Although my loyalty would always be with Cymbeline, I had to admit that Emma was a beauty. Had Viktor’s head finally been turned by someone besides Cymbeline? Would my sister live to regret her dismissal of Viktor?
Nora’s gaze landed immediately upon Isak. He stood and held out a chair for her. “What can I get you, Miss Cassidy?”
She remained standing instead of taking the offered chair. “I’d like a dance, please.”
He dipped his head before holding out his hand. “It would be my pleasure.”
Nora giggled as they headed out to the dance floor. If her mother gave them her blessing, I had a feeling they’d be married before the year ended. Would Theo and I be married by then? How strange to think that we’d all been children together and now we would be married couples.
Viktor had helped Emma into a chair and sat next to her. “How’s everyone tonight?” Viktor asked.
“Would you care to dance with me?” Theo asked in my ear.
“Yes, please.” I’d been taught how to dance with a partner at school, so this didn’t worry me.
He led me out to the floor and took me in his arms. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Yes, I believe you have.” I smiled up at him. His eyes really were remarkable. Framed by his dark lashes, a girl could fall into the pools of blue and never return to the real world.
He twirled me around the floor, deft with his footwork. “How did you learn to dance?” I asked him.
“My father taught us when we were younger. I had to dance with my sisters then. Which is not as nice as dancing with you.”
I sighed with pleasure as he dipped me backward, then swung me back up to his chest. I was having the most wonderful night. A smidge of guilt caught me then. Father was dead, and I was out at a gin joint having the time of my life. He would not have wanted me here. Not even if it were with a Barnes. Would Mother be waiting up for me? I had no idea what time it was. I spoke sternly to myself. Forget it all. Have fun. For once in your life, let go.
The song ended, and Theo led me back to the table. “Are you all right?” Theo asked me, peering down into my eyes. “You went quiet.”