Whether it was because the living room windows were covered by thick curtains or because of their passionate dancing on the dance floor, Albert could clearly feel the girl before him breathing rapidly, her cheeks flushed, her restless body radiating the charm of youth.
When the soothing piece of music ended, Albert gently wrapped an arm around Louise's waist, lowered his head, and kissed her slightly panting, rosy lips.
The girls around them approached the embracing pair with silver-bell laughter, offering their blessings.
After a long while, the two had barely separated when the girls pushed them off the dance floor.
The ball was not over yet. Many girls were still waiting, and they would not allow the two of them to do anything now and deprive the others of the rare chance to dance with Albert.
"Here." Isobel handed him a glass of juice mixed with alcohol and teased with a smile, "Don't let Louise enchant you. The girls are still waiting to dance with you."
"If Catherine had been more sincere when we went to the United States last time, I might have taken the bait myself. But now, forget it."
Albert mockingly took a sip of the alcoholic juice. It tasted quite good—sweet, with a faint taste of alcohol, yet nothing about it felt out of place.
Unfortunately, before he could savor it properly, he had to hastily finish it and was pulled back onto the dance floor by a new partner.
This time, only Valeria and he stood on the dance floor.
The girls sat on the nearby sofas watching them, though he had no idea what whispered secrets they were sharing.
To Albert's relief, Valeria did not choose an uninhibited tango. Instead, she took Albert's hand, placed it at her waist, and slowly began turning