"You approve?"
"Very much. We have our share of homeless in the United Kingdom too. I find it a very worthy cause, indeed."
"Most years, the charity events have bored me, but now that you are here, I…"
She leaned closer and whispered. "Mawkish."
Austin chuckled. "Do you know I had to look that word up? I'm not normally the mushy type. In fact, I have been called stiff more than once."
"So have I." She turned her attention back to the people inside. "What sort of dances do they do here?"
"They dance the waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba, cha-cha and samba. Do you dance?"
"We were taught all those in school, but I do not fancy the cha-cha or the samba. I am much more comfortable with a waltz."
He was having a hard time taking his eyes off of her, but he did notice her accent becoming more noticeable. "We could dance out here if you prefer."
"No, I prefer to dance inside."
"Would you like to go in now?"
"Not yet." She took her eyes off the guests long enough to smile at him again.
"Are you looking for someone?"
"No one in particular. The dresses are very beautiful."
"And expensive. That reminds me. I bought you a gift."
"I don't take gifts from strangers."
Austin rolled his eyes. "I didn't think I still qualified as a stranger."
She turned to him, thought about it and shrugged. "You are right. I apologize. I am not yet practiced in the art of accepting gifts. Perhaps we might consider it a loan - just for tonight. Then I shall return it."
"Very well, if it makes you more comfortable. When I take you home, we can exchange the necklace for the cellphone."
She tipped her head to the side. "If I let you take me home."
"There is that." He smiled, showed her the necklace, and waited for her to turn around. She lifted her hair out of the way while he clasped the thin gold chain together, waited for her to turn back around, and then approved of the half-carat diamond.
"It's beautiful. Are you quite certain you are not a bank robber?"
Austin laughed. "Bank robbers don't give charity balls, and I happened to be hosting this one."
"Then, aren't you supposed to be doing something important?"
"I am doing something important?"
"What?"
"I am trying to prove I am not an axe-murderer."
"Oh that. Jim would have my head if he knew I was with you. He is convinced you are."
"I suppose I'll have to convince him I'm not, too."
"No second date without it."