waltz
“I hope Lord Stepping asks me to waltz tonight.”
“He is a marvelous dancer. And he keeps his hands in the proper position, with his left hand at the upper back. He maintains an appropriate distance, with none of that pulling his partner too close that the rakes seem to attempt at every opportunity.”
“Though, truth is I wouldn’t mind if his hand traveled to my waist. Twirling about the floor with Lord Stepping is any lady’s dream. He never steps on his partner’s foot and he leads with grace and agility. I don’t believe we’ve ever bumped into another couple while whirling around on the floor.”
“Yes, waltzing can be quite the hazard. Especially with Mr. Footrot.”
“Oh, yes. I couldn’t dance for a week after dancing with him. And he counted the steps under his breath. A man of good ton should know how to dance.”
Merriam-Webster
A ballroom dance in 3/4 time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close.
Wikipedia
The waltz is a dance in 3/4 time, done primarily in closed position, the commonest basic figure of which is a full turn in two measures using three steps per measure. It first became fashionable in Vienna in about the 1780s, then spread to many other countries within the next few years.
