She looked ravishing.

There was no other word for the woman poised at the top of the sweeping staircase.

No, that is not true. Ravishing and scared.

As she looked at the swirling assembly of guests in the grand foyer, she nearly lost her nerve. The chaos of the dancers drove her back into the shadows.

Guessing at her indecision, he strode up the stairs, capturing her astonished eyes in his purposeful gaze.

“Madame,” he said as if they had not known one another since they were weaned. “Good evening. May I say, that you look exquisite.”

“Good evening, sir,” she replied. “I am sure it is most inappropriate for you to say so, but I am grateful. Trading blue for black is more difficult than I supposed.”

“The blue only accents the depths of your eyes.

“Now, shall we?” he said exending his arm.

She accepted and smiled. “Merci.”