James' own answering smile is cut short, ended far before it's time as the foot hits his own. It's not the heaviest of steps, nor is it done in the heaviest of boots. It's plainly accidental, and it might well be James' own fault.

Too forward. Dancing is quite bad enough, but speaking so obviously about avoiding an engagement to spend time with another man, another officer, behind closed doors? Utterly unthinkable.

Although it proves a point. "I think... more practice is certainly required."