[Viola Fitzgerald (Rose)]

((OOC: I've been waiting for this thread!))

Viola had a very pleasant dance with Lord Parry. He had exerted himself to entertain herself and had been as agreeable and funny as she had remembered. They had not spoken of their host and his family but had instead discussed neutral topics such as the new novel by A Lady which they had both read, the imminent birth of Viola's latest niece or nephew and other family business.

At the end of the dance, Henry asked her who her next partner was and on her reply of Lord Foxford, they had set out slowly round the room to find him. Before they could see him, they came upon his sister who was standing on her own a little away from Lady Anthea Winter. They joined Lady Rosalind.

Viola had not seen her since the picnic on Wednesday. She wondered how much of what had happened afterwards Lady Rosalind knew. She liked her and only wished they could have talked more without the irritating presence of debutantes like Lady Amelia and Miss Clarke and Lady Juliet.

Henry, being soon called away from them by a friend, she smiled at Lady Rosalind, finding herself alone with her and asked, "How are you enjoying the ball so far? Does it live up to your expectations, at least in terms of the costuming?" she added with a smile.

[Rosalind Fairmont (Alexandra)]

Rosalind was heartily glad to be rescued from the company of Lady Anthea and her aunt's friends.

Thank Heavens! It was a simple matter to step out of that conversation - Lady Anthea and Mrs. Forsyte were talking a mile a minute - and into one with Lady Viola.

"Oh yes," she agreed with gusto and then felt silly for displaying so much enthusiasm. This was her third Emerson Ball (and third millionth ball!) and she was no giddy debutante. However, tonight was proving to be such fun it was difficult not to be swept up in it all. There were the costumes, the music, the sparkling crystal chandeliers and sparkling crystal glasses, brimming with champagne. There was also a hint of scandal hanging over the whole event. What had happened that morning? Where exactly was Lord Emerson? Was Mr. Hopkins-Lawrence here? As much as she hated to admit it to herself, the air of mystery heightened the excitement of the evening. She was sure she was not the only one to feel that way but despised herself for feeling it, especially with Lady Viola standing right here. Terrible, Rosie, just terrible! She mentally shook herself free of speculation and turned her full attention to the here and now.

"There are some very creative ladies out there," she remarked. One of her favorite costumes of the night was a stark black and white gown, a magpie. Another girl with poppies in her hair and adorning her dress also looked utterly fantastic."And some very brave ones," she could not help but add, grinning wickedly and then quickly hiding the expression by taking a sip of champagne. Honestly? A canary? A backless gown? It had to be said. By contrast she felt very safe in her peachy apricot ballgown, wildflowers and roses woven into her hair and dusted across her dress.

[Viola Fitzgerald (Rose)]

Viola followed Lady Rosalind's gaze and took in several costumes that both came under the headings of "creative" and "brave". Instead she smiled at her companion. "And some of them simply look lovely," she said pointedly. Lady Rosalind looked very pretty and suitable for the ball.

"I was sorry not to catch you at church this morning, so I shall have to say 'Happy Easter' now. Did you enjoy the festivities?"

[Rosalind Fairmont (Alexandra)]

"A lovely service, then fresh buns and wonderful company in the sunshine? I would have to be cold indeed not to have enjoyed them," Rosalind said with a smile, tearing her gaze away from the swirling colors milling about the ballroom and looking directly at Viola. "And the gentlemen all in their Sunday best," she added, smile widening. The dashing Lord Daniel appeared in her mind and it took a conscious effort not to sweep the ballroom for his tall form.

"And yourself? Did you too come enjoy the sunshine in the park?"

[Viola Fitzgerald (Rose)]

"Yes, I did come to the Park but I am afraid I did not take part in any of the games."

In truth, she had been too deep in conversation with Lord Parry to pay any attention to anything else. Lord Parry was Lord Emerson's best friend, strange as it was to believe and for once had taken what she said seriously. Had he grown up in the three years she'd been away? At any rate, they had had a good deal to say to each other.

"I think I enjoyed watching them more than if I was actually taking part. The egg-rolling was extremely diverting to watch, didn't you think? Some of the gentlemen were getting rather carried away!"

[Rosalind Fairmont (Alexandra)]

Rosalind shook her dark head (the wildflowers in her hair staying obediently in place by the twin miracles of hairpins and ladies' maids' skill) and shared a knowing smile with Lady Viola. "Marcus stubbornly refuses leave the children's games to the children!" An hour after the family had returned from the park, Rosalind had padded past her brother's study to see him bent over a letter to his steward, features set in an expression of serious concentration. The contrast between that Marcus and the Marcus who delighted in throwing Easter eggs down slopes caused her to stifle a giggle. A child in a powerful adult's body when he wanted to be, but also very much her elder brother when need be. A thought she expressed to Viola;

"It is hard to believe that those same rowdy creatures claim titles such as marquess and earl. And that they scrub up so very well," she added, nodding appreciatively out at the suited and groomed figures on the dance floor. She was certainly very appreciative of some of the dashing figures filling the ballroom tonight.

[Viola Fitzgerald (Rose)]

Viola pursed her lips in amused agreement as she followed Lady Rosalind's gaze to the well-cut coat of a tall and dark gentleman, a coat that emphasized the strong lines of his back and broad shoulders. Sadly she was unacquainted with him.

She grinned then hesitated before replying archly, "Any particular earl or marquess you are referring to?"

[Rosalind Fairmont (Alexandra)]

"No," Rosalind replied slowly, stealing a sidelong glance at her companion, though her stance still faced out towards the dancefloor. The lady's tone was such that Rosie felt Viola had something to impart. She had strong suspicions... but wanted to tiptoe around the issue. The last thing she wished was to give offence to this new - and somewhat (if she was entirely honet with herself) intimidating - acquaintance but so many ripe questions were dancing around in her head.

"I suppose I had my brother in mind but, now that you mention it, another marquess seems to have failed to live up to that lofty title." Where was Lord Emerson? Did he not even have to good grace to show at his own ball? "Men can be so ....unpredictable," she settled on, coupling it with an arch lift of the brows.

[Viola Fitzgerald (Rose)]

Viola grinned and raised her eyebrows. "You were thinking of your brother? How... refreshing!" But as she continued she felt less amusement and only sighed slightly.

"You are referring to our host, I presume, not that I can see him anywhere, though," she quickly added, "I may have missed him in the crowd. I dare say everyone has heard about what happened after I left your picnic." She finished on a questioning tone. She did not want to betray too much curiosity but she had to admit she wanted to know what people were saying about it.

She chuckled mirthlessly. "I really should have had another sandwich and left five minutes later!"

[Rosalind Fairmont (Alexandra)]

"I am not entirely sure that there were any left after I turned my back on Lady Juliet!" Rosalind laughed, a sweet smile robbing the words of any potential sting. A hearty appetite was nothing to sniff at to Rosalind's mind.

"I must admit I was indeed referring to our host," she revealed, treading carefully. "And also that I did happen to hear of what transpired after you left my picnic. We all did," she added candidly with an apologetic half smile. "Though..." She twirled her fan in her hand. "The story may have passed from lips to ears so many times before reaching mine that one hardly knows how much credit to give it." The pair of them were well apart from other guests and big ears but she still lowered her voice.

"Lady Viola, I was informed that Lord Emerson addressed you in a most familiar manner, made some very impertinent and risque comments and then refused to apologise when was prompted to do so by your companions. And then - why it sounds quite fantastic - but then rumour has it that he had the gall to challenge a certain other gentleman to..." Here her voice dropped again to the merest whisper, "to a duel? It all sounds quite ridiculous and I hope you will forgive me for giving the tale any credence at all but the whole town is abuzz with it..." She trailed off with yet another apologetic look - she really was too curious for her own good! - and a small smile. "One word from you and I shall move our conversation to the topic of the weather!"