Page 63 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Nathaniel laughed. “You lost the count,” he said.

Eleanor realized she had.

They completed another turn.

Nathaniel’s hand was warm at her waist.

“You stepped on me,” he said.

“I did not.”

“My boot says otherwise.”

“Your boot is mistaken.”

“It is beneath yours.”

Eleanor looked down.

Her foot was, indeed, on his.

She moved it.

“I was testing your balance.”

“Excellent recovery.”

“I learned from you.”

“That worries me.”

Around them, the camp continued laughing, clapping, and dancing.

Lydia passed with her partner.

“Eleanor!”

“What?”

“You are smiling!”

“Watch where you’re going!”

Lydia promptly collided with Rebecca.

Rebecca caught her.

“I was watching Eleanor.”

“That explains nothing.”

Nathaniel leaned closer. “Your family may be the death of me.”

“You knew there were seven.”

“I understood the number. I did not understand the force.”

Eleanor laughed.