"I'm sorry," Avril said. "We didn't mean to interrupt."
Stephen wasn't looking at her. His eyes had been on Ella, but he seemed to stiffen at the sight of her and then bowed quite low.
"Lady Beauchamp," he said, causing Avril to give him a shake of the head.
"You two are as bad as each other," she said teasingly. "You've known each other too long to bother with titles."
When Stephen straightened, his cheeks looked a little flushed, but he quickly turned his head.
"We came to find you," she said, purposely not looking at he guard behind her. "You shouldn't be hiding up here."
She gave a little grin and guestured to Ella, "you should be asking her to dance."
Stephen looked slightly alarmed but managed, "I beg your pardon, Lady... Ella. Forgive my rudeness. Please allow me to escort you to the ballroom floor."
He offered her his arm. Avril, who now was out of his line of sight, nodded furiously at her friend, gesturing for her to take the hint.