Page 23 of Choices of the Heart

Katie smiled. “They are something of a specialty of mine.”

“And the cinnamon bread?” Sophie held up the slice Eliza had insisted she try.

“Mrs. Johnson. She brought it to the firstcéilíshe attended and it has been a favorite ever since.”

They all knew each other so well. This must have been a wonderfully friendly place to live.

She’d not been seated for more than a few minutes when a man in a green bowler hat stepped out into the open dancing area and addressed them all in a booming Irish voice. “Neighbors, welcome. We’ve the usual gathering this week, but for the first time in some time, we’ve new arrivals among us. And you all know what that means.”

The crowd laughed and lightly applauded and nudged each other.

Sophie hadn’t the first idea what he was hinting at.

Katie reached over and patted her hand reassuringly. “This tradition catches new arrivals unaware every time. I, personally, think Seamus”—she motioned to the man in a bowler hat— “enjoys surprising them, which is why he offers no warning. It’s nothing nefarious, I swear to you. They simply play a song of welcome, and the new arrivals lead the dancing.”

“Oh, is that all? That sounds lovely.”

“It is for most people. But once in a while someone arrives who is bashful or doesn’t enjoy dancing. The other rule the town likes to enforce is that the new arrival has to dance with someone who isn’t also a new arrival. I suspect it was originally decided upon to help people meet each other, but sometimes it makes things uncomfortable. No one’s been able to talk Seamus out of it.”

“If someone truly objected…?”

“The town would never allow anyone to be tortured, at least not anymore.”

Sophie laughed lightly. How she was coming to love this little place that she’d only been in for a few days.

“Mrs. Archer, Miss Kingston.” Seamus motioned them to join him. “It’s for you to begin the dancing. Best choose a companion.”

Mrs. Archer didn’t hesitate but turned to face Joseph, who stood not far off. The bow he offered her was so perfectly executed that Sophie couldn’t help picturing him in many of the fine ballrooms in Baltimore that she had found so uncomfortable. Joseph was one of those chameleons who could adapt to most any situation. Sophie, on the other hand, was trying to findanyplace that fit.

Mrs. Archer was situated, but Sophie still needed a partner. She knew Patrick would have danced with her, but he was sitting amongst the musicians. She thought for a moment she might choose Katie and Joseph’s little boy, Sean. He wouldn’t have the first idea how to dance, but there would have been absolutely no pressure that way. Then her eyes settled on Burke, and she knew in an instant he was the one she was going to ask.

She made her way to where he stood, fully expecting him to smile or nod in acknowledgment. He watched her warily. Perhaps he didn’t wish to dance. Perhaps he didn’t wish to dancewith her.

“I’m supposed to choose someone to dance with,” she said.

“And you want to dance with me?” He seemed surprised.

“Certainly. Unless, of course, you’re a terrible dancer.”

That brought a teeny bit of a smile. “I don’t promise to be graceful or good, but I will try.”

“Won’t we make quite the pair? I have been told more than once that I’m not terribly graceful.”

“The people of Baltimore sound lovely,” he said in a voice as dry as stale bread.

With that one comment, he earned a place high on her list of people she adored.

The musicians struck up a tune, one she didn’t recognize. It was lively and bouncy. Mrs. Archer clearly hadn’t the first idea how to dance to such a thing. Joseph, as was characteristic, was patient and reassuring. In the end, he snagged the assistance of his little son to lighten the situation, and the three of them simply bounced about.

Burke, despite his protestations, proved himself a good dancer. He talked her through the steps, and she improvised as necessary.

The rest of the town joined in after a moment. They were surrounded by happy voices and joyful dancing. How much better she liked this than the extremely proper version of it she’d known in the past.

Burke hooked an arm around her waist and spun her about, her dress flaring and bits of hair flying loose. She looked at him, meaning to laugh at the odd sight she no doubt presented. But seeing the enjoyment in his eyes, a lightness she’d not seen before, caught her up short.

He was handsome; she’d realized that as soon as she’d met him. But he’d been handsome in an almost daunting way. The laugh on his features and the abandon with which he danced made him more human, more relatable, more intriguing.

His eyes met hers, and he smiled—not flashy or grand, but friendly—and her heart flipped a bit. It had been a long time since that had happened.

---