[Valeri Christiakov (Brandy)]

OOC: Here you go, Rose!

"Ladies," he inclined his head, and felt almost every eye on him as the Lady Olivia took his arm. Ten years ago it would have unnerved him; though ten years ago he was a young ambassador, having to learn about the niceties and subtleties of polite conversation and etiquette. However, the ways of etiquette he learned were those of the Russian court and the Russian nobility. Here, in England, he had to learn everything himself. Valeri was always up to the challenge.

He was in great company, as his partner had a beautiful smile, and an even more beautiful laugh. "Milady, I am gentleman," he said, with as straight a face as he could muster under the joviality threatening to escape. "Gentlemen do not let ladies make mistakes in their stead. If anyone should be making mistakes around here, it is me." Valeri could hold it in no longer, and laughed, a rather loud one that would, most undoubetdly, draw attention to them both. "Forgive me, mademoiselle. Too true, decorum and etiquette are different being put into practice. You would think my expertise would be extraordinary, seeing as I have been in your country for near a decade."

[Olivia Fitzgerald (Rose)]

And he laughed too! She had not remembered that so much from their dance. But to be honest, a good deal of the Emerson Ball and her partners had slid into a blur of handsome, attentive gentlemen.

"And you would think that mine would be as well, having been educated for the sole purpose of being presentable in London this year! But alas, I try to remember, and then I say something inappropriate instead!" She grimaced comically. "I'm afraid that was rather inappropriate too! You see, at least I am not inventing faults!"

Why was she still talking? This was no way to recommend herself to anyone, least of all a gentleman and although Olivia had no reason to recommend herself above common politeness, since she was already spoken for, the necessities of polite behaviour were too drummed into her for this freedom of speech to be considered a good thing, out of the family circle.

[Valeri Christiakov (Brandy)]

The young lady was absolutely delightful in her attitude. Valeri could tell she was from a good family, from the way she carried herself, and he did not fault her babbling or her enthusiasm. "Lady Olivia, how could anything you say be inappropriate? I am not offended." He smiled, and hoped to put her at ease. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening, mademoiselle? I find myself in most excellent spirits and company tonight, if I can beg your forgiveness for being so presumptuous."

[Olivia Fitzgerald (Rose)]

Olivia's high spirits really could not be improved upon.

"My forgiveness is easily granted if the offence is to pay me a compliment!" she cried with a lively wit she had hardly been aware she possessed. "I am enjoying myself mightily, though I confess that until my performance I was not. Now that that is over, I have nothing to fear and I am looking forward very much to the second half. I expect you have been to many of these occasions, but this is my first."

[Valeri Christiakov (Brandy)]

"Oh, Lady Olivia," he scolded gently, "I fear you are too modest. Your performance was lovely." Modest, as a lady was expected to be, but he so wished that they could give themselves leave when it came to a compliment. At any rate, he felt proud to have such a lady on his arm. "I am looking forward to the second half as well. I have been to many of these performances, both here and in Russia. The stories I could tell!" Valeri glanced at her. "But you're not taking a turn about the room with me to listen to my stories. They tend to be rather long, and frightfully dull. A good aid for helping people sleep." He turned the conversation back toward her. "So you say this is your first occasion like this?"