The music room was quiet except for the soft strains of a piano in the corner, where the house musician had been instructed to play lightly while you taught Daphne. Candles flickered along the walls, casting golden light over polished wooden floors.

Daphne stood before you, a mixture of excitement and nervousness in her eyes. “I must admit,” she said, smoothing her gown, “I’ve never been terribly graceful. I fear I’ll step on your feet.”

You smiled. “Nonsense. Dancing is about rhythm, not perfection. And I promise to be gentle… at least for the first lesson.”

She laughed, a soft, musical sound that made your chest tighten. “First lesson, you say? That implies there will be more.”

“Only if you survive this one,” you teased, holding out your hand.

She placed hers in yours, and for a moment, the world outside the music room disappeared. Your hands met naturally, comfortably, the warmth between you palpable.

“Now, follow my lead,” you instructed, guiding her through the steps slowly. Daphne moved carefully at first, but soon her confidence grew, her laughter spilling into the room each time she executed a turn perfectly.

“You have a natural talent,” you murmured, watching the way her body flowed with the music.

Daphne blushed, glancing at you. “And you’re enjoying this far too much.”

“Perhaps,” you admitted. “But only because it’s not every day I get to see someone as radiant as you learning to dance under my instruction.”

Her eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and amusement flickering across her face. She stepped closer during a spin, and for a heartbeat, your faces were just inches apart.

“Careful,” she said softly, voice barely above the music. “I might start thinking you’re flirting with me.”

“Perhaps I am,” you replied, your voice low and teasing. “And I would say the same for you.”

Daphne’s cheeks deepened in color, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she let you guide her through the final steps, your hands lingering ever so slightly on her waist and back, the proximity electrifying.

As the music ended, she laughed breathlessly, stepping back with a playful bow. “Well, I suppose I should thank you for the lesson… though I suspect you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

“I did,” you said, smiling. “And I suspect this will be the first of many lessons… if you’ll have me again.”

Her smile turned soft, almost shy, and her eyes held a spark of something deeper. “I believe I will,” she whispered.