Free Love in Three-Quarter Time by Dina Sleiman

women prepared to retire to the drawing room.
    Constance pushed away from the table.
    Robbie stood as well. “Miss Cavendish, if you please, I’d like to take you for an evening stroll.”
    â€œOh?” His mother’s raised eyebrow indicated she did not approve.
    â€œYes, Mother. Don’t you recall Miss Cavendish and I were acquainted when I stayed with the Rutherfords in Prince George County?”
    â€œWhy, no, I did not remember.” Mrs. Beaumont glanced back and forth between Constance and Robbie, at a loss for words for once.
    â€œJust a few moments to catch up on old times.”
    Mrs. Beaumont frowned. “You may take a
few moments
to catch up on old times, I suppose.”
    Constance glanced out the window. The sun had nearly set and the sky grown dim. “Perhaps a short walk through the gardens, and then we can take some evening refreshment on the verandah,” she suggested out of long-held habit. Immediately, she could have kicked herself. How could her feet be so nimble and her tongue so clumsy? Refreshments would mean yet more time in his company.
    â€œYes, perhaps we’ll all join you and Robert for some tea shortly,” said Mrs. Beaumont.
    Robbie took Constance’s arm before his mother could protest further and propelled her toward the carved double doors at the front of the house.
    Once they passed through the soaring columns and down the stairs, Robbie led her along the lane in the direction of the gated entryway.
    â€œBut the garden—”
    â€œBut the garden is far too close to the house for the conversation I have in mind. We might try to play at society out here in the wilderness, but the rules aren’t so strict as to forbid a stroll at dusk. And if I rightly recall, you had somewhat…shall we call them
flexible…
standards on such issues anyway.” He patted Constance’s hand, which rested in the crook of his arm, in a rather patronizing manner.
    â€œThat was years ago, Mr. Montgomery. I hope you will let me prove to you that I have changed. This endeavor is ever so important to your mother.”
    â€œMr. Montgomery now, is it? And I suppose that, Miss Cavendish, was your attempt to win my silence.”
    Constance fought the urge to look up at him with big, sad eyes as she would have in her previous life. “I simply think it would be in our best interests to put history aside and focus on the needs of your sisters and your mother at this time. I promise I shall not let them down. I was indeed taught by the best.”
    â€œDancing? Ah, if it’s dancing to which you refer, I can’t disagree for a moment. Never was there a dancer such as Gingersnap Cavendish. No, I have no concern about your ability to teach dance—although I do have serious misgivings about your ability to consider anyone but yourself.”
    Constance bit her lip against the pain inflicted to her gut by that last statement, but she would not cry. “Well then, rest assured in this. It is in my own interest to become the best dance instructor Charlottesville has ever seen. So whether for my benefit or theirs, the result shall be the same.”
    He laughed, this time a sincere laugh. “That won’t be difficult. I’m not entirely sure Albemarle County has seen an actual dance instructor before today.”
    Constance smiled as well, but then the solemnity of the situation took over. “I wish you would give me a chance, Mr. Montgomery. I’ve been through much these past years, as well you know. I’m not the same careless girl you—” She had been about to say
fell in love with
, but then thought better. “I’m not the same careless girl you remember.”
    â€œI believe you. More than you might expect. For starters, the girl I knew spoke plain English. Would you care to explain how you suddenly acquired a Yorkshire accent?”
    â€œIt is not sudden.” Constance stopped, turning to look up