Charity Angelique Pritchard felt acutely uncomfortable. It was the same feeling she had when she burst abruptly into Lady Imogen and her mother's box at the theatre that night. That feeling that she was completely missing something out of her reticule. She was sure she had brought everything, and even if she didn't, it really was of no consequence to her now was it? Looking out the window, she saw Almacks looming up at her and waited for the foot man to open the carriage door. Gabriel went out first, followed by her aunt, and then Elise, Harriet and finally her. Smiling up at her cousin, she nodded as he helped her down, then offered her his arm. " Thanks." She said in a murmur before heading up the portland stone steps up to the hall.

Once inside, she smiled around, finding some familiar faces that had already noticed her. There were also a few new ones that she had yet to see. She saw the duke of Bridgewater, one of Blake's friends, and also his sister, the Marchioness. " Gabriel, do you think Blake will be arriving soon?" She asked, receiving only a grin in reply.

Hearing his name, Gabriel turned. Letting go of his arm, Charity waved him away and stood where she was, silently taking it all in. Only a moment later did she feel someone looking at her, and she turned, coming almost face-to-chest with a man. " My apologies!" She said hurriedly. Looking to see who was, she smiled and dropped into a graceful curtsy. " Good evening, Your Grace." A smile phased into her features as she raised herself again, facing the young duke whose mother her Aunt counted within close friends.

Rafe had entered Almack's ballroom and did a quick scan. He saw many familiar faces but there was only one he was compelled to approach. That was the face of one Charity Angelique Pritchard, who was beside her cousin Gabriel. Now if he could just extract his person from his family without suspicion. His mind was already trying out excuses so he could go to Charity without his mother thinking anything concerning matrimony, after all even if Charity was a a family friend she was still a debutante and to his mother any debutante he showed too much interest in was bound to end in marriage.

A nudge to his ribs brought him out of his musing and he turned his head to see Cynthia giving his a smile that spoke volumes. He raised a question through his eyes and Cynthia whispered to him as he leaned closer, "You want to go to someone, yes?" Rafe stood straight as he regarded his sister suspiciously before nodding. Cynthia nodded in response before beckoning him to lean closer again. Rafe complied and in the same low tones Cynthia said, "I'll will distract Mama and you make your escape." Cynthia drew away and waited just long enough for Rafe to nod before walking to her husband. Then she suggested that she would like some refreshments, when Colin had opened his mouth, presumably to offer to get said refreshments Cynthia nudged him to quiet him. "Mama, why don't we go to the refreshment table? I see some of your friend there." To make it look convincing Cynthia gave a quick scan towards that direction before nodding. The dowager duchess had agreed confessing that she too wanted something to drink and that hopefully the lemonade wouldn't be too warm.

"Rafe, dear..." Cynthia purred when their mother told him to come with them. "I think I see some of your friends calling for you," she turned their mother, "we must let Rafe see to his friends Mama." And without further ado Cynthia had skillfully herded his mother, Tabitha and her husband and Colin to the refreshment table. Without the scrutiny of his mother he wound his way towards Charity skillfully avoiding being detained by anyone except for a few.

When he was finally just a few steps away from his goal she had waved away Gabriel and the older man left her to her own devices. Feeling unusually delighted to have Charity's company to himself he drew near said girl only for her to turn around abruptly almost colliding with him. She had apologized hurriedly and then smiled when she realized it was him. Beautiful, was the thought that crossed Rafe's mind before he returned Charity's smile.

"Good evening to you too, my lady." Rafe took Charity's hand and gave it a polite kiss on the knuckles. He then gave her another smile. "I hope you are having a lovely time?"

Her hand in his, she watched as he raised it to his lips before answering his question. " Almacks is all I expected to be; I am not disappointed." She saw the musicians in the gallery, readying their instruments, the swatches of colors around the room, the glorious displays of London's creme. And all that excited her. Her light pink dress with it's dainty capped sleeves and sequined embroidery glimmered with reflections of the light, her opera length gloves a shimmery pearl white. She had taken great care with her appearance tonight, planing to the last detail, including the ruby gold necklace that was strung around her neck. Not that she had a cause to impress, but one simply does want to make a good first impression.

She had only known the duke in recent years, though her aunt and his mother had been great friends in their time. Seeing him as a familiar face in a sea of unfamiliar ones was a comfort to her. " What brings you to a debutante's ball, your Grace? I was not aware you had an interest in ladies with pale gowns?" She asked with a grin, making a reference to the matrons, beautifully gowned in jewel tones as opposed to the debs in pale colors and whites.

She scanned the room while speaking, catching sight of the duke's family by the refreshment table, then the duke of Bridgewater's family by the door, and several other family friends dotted about the room.

" and how does your stay in London fare so far?"

Pink did wonders for Charity, Rafe decided as he took in her appearance. When he was making his way towards her all he could see was her head amidst the crowds but now that he was right in front of Charity it gave him a rather nice view of her.

"Ah, Miss Pritchard I suppose my mother is to thank for that. I was not actually scheduled to come but my mother though I ought to be more interested in ladies with pale gowns." Rafe returned the grin with one of his own as his eye rolled upwards. "She then enlisted the help of my two sisters and their husbands. It was a battle, you see, five against one. And I stood no chance of ever winning. Especially since my brother-in-laws decided that if they were going I should be too." Rafe dramatically clutched his chest in the vicinity of his heart. Then he sighed and chuckled. "Though now that I am here, I don't think it will be much of an ordeal as I previously though it would be." Since you're here, Rafe added silently.

"London is as it always has been whenever I visited. Though this time I am engaged in many balls and gatherings, Cynthia told me that Mother said I ought to start looking for a wife. " Rafe felt quite relaxed, he thought that he'd die of boredom or at least die of being assaulted by marriage minded mamas and their daughters if he attended Almack's but he was revising his earlier opinion now that some of the females he knew that possessed a brain were in attendance.

" I am greatly comforted that you feel deigned to engage in more social commitments this semester your Grace." Charity said in the same vein. " And in good time too, for many engagments only start after this assembly. I believe many take this to be the official start of season Proper." She said, looking first at him, then glacing about the room.

" And if you are in particular search of a wife, I would be glad to aid you in your mission. You must know, that my Aunt has decreed my cousin to marry as well, and my friend, Miss Hampton and I are roped in to search for a suitable lady for him. If you would like, I can introduce you to several more." She said with a smile. " Look there now, sir, there is Horatia Caine, Lady Tessington's niece, turning one and twenty this year. She is quite fair, would you not agree?"

Charity's eyes searched the room, finally resting back on the Duke. " Now, my Lord, should you be so inclined by any of the ladies, I assure you, procuring and introduction is no matter. I am sure your mother would be happy to perform the introductions." Charity finished briskly, very oblivious that the Duke held her in obvious regard. It was difficult for her to picture Raphael Curtis in such a light, considering that she had known of his existence even before she put her hair up.

" Have you a fixed interest already, Sir?"

"Quite." Raphael said as he did a short appraisal of Lady Tessington's niece before his gaze returned to Charity. "I'm sure she would," he drawled, Rafe was already quite sure that he would get any introduction he wished if it involved a debutante, not that he needed to ask for an introduction from his mother. Elaine went about doing things with or without warning(or his consent).

Yes, you. Raphael shook his head at the unbidden thought, if his mother knew what was running through his mind everytime he was in the presence of Charity she would surely have him chained to the chit without either party's permission. He glanced at the refreshment table where he saw his mother chatting with one of her friends, moving along his eyes met with Cynthia's and she winked at him. Rafe turned his attention back to Miss Pritchard immediately, he knew well enough that Cythia had already pieced together his developing 'feelings' for Miss Pritchard. He just hoped that she wouldn't discuss it with their mother. Knowing that the silence that followed Miss Pritchard's last question was growing too long Rafe made a show of thinking deeply for an answer before speaking.

"I suppose so..." Rafe measured his words, "though I'm not particularly sure the lady returns the sentiment. And what about you, Miss Pritchard, has any gentleman caught your interest?"

"Who, who, who?!" Charity asked immediately, following his answer. She bounced on her toes, naturally linking her arm through his. " do tell, sir! And not keep me in suspense! You are perfectly horrid to be teasing me so. Is it Sarah Jane Nielson?" She said, almost running out of breath from talking so fast. Glancing around and standing on her toes, she spotted Lady Sarah Jane with her sisters at the other side of the room. Looking at the duke however, she realized that he wasn't in a hurry to go flying over to Lady Sarah, and thus, the woman in question couldn't quite be her...

Then of course there was Miss Fiona Beats. Who was quite the chatterbox and made quite a wonderful companion at times. No. Not her either, it appeared. The Duke was looking at her. Of course, she snapped out of her thoughts when he directed a question to her instead.

Well, no, but then women who want to go traipsing in the 'shadow of the spinx' like a famed author is known to quote, can't really be choosers. Charity said inwardly. She was not looking for a man this season, and even if she was, he would need to be an extremely indulgent husband. " Not particularly." She said with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

" I do intend to do very much with my life, including traveling, and such a life, requires a mightily indulgent husband. One that I am sure does not exist." She said with a rueful smile. She wanted a life of adventure, of fun, and staying securely married just did not seem to be the best way to do things. " This season's gentlemen are not a particularly indulgent...."

Raphael suppressed a chuckle at the over eager look Charity had, like an expectant child waiting for her Christmas gifts. "Lady Sarah?" Rafe asked with a soft incredulous voice. Not that anything was wrong with the chit it was just that she wasn't Charity and well he didn't really know Lady Sarah that well. When Charity's gaze shifted Rafe followed and when it landed on another lady Rafe did his best not to wince, Miss Fiona Beats was a lovely companion...if one wishes to have their ears ring from the insistent talking. "It is 'no' to both ladies that are running through your mind, Miss Pritchard."

"I gather you'd want an adventure?" Rafe gave her a grin. How unusual, most females would kill to have a rich and well titled husband. But Charity, Rafe reminded himself, was not like most women. And that was what caught his attention. She was different and she stood out(in a good way). And Rafe could be indulgent, he could be very indulgent (one just had to ask his niece and nephews to be sure) and he liked to travel to other places too. "Have you given thought to where you would like travel to if, let's say, you were able to marry a very indulgent husband, Miss Pritchard? "

" That is too bad then, I do suppose. I would rather Lady Sarah to Miss Beats either way." She said with a nonchalant shrug. But of course, her attentions were turned more to his next jab at conversation, and one of her favorites. She had often told Elise of her plans after marriage, or after she turned twenty one, whichever came sooner. Her fortune which, thanks to the investments that her guardians had made over the years had increased much from the 40 000 pounds trust that her parents had left her; She was only to inherit James Pritchard's fortune when she was thirty-five. This said fortune would allow her to live her life in luxury, whether or not she decided to marry, and would allow her to travel to all corners of the world, for the rest of her living years, if she so desired.

If she married, then she would have that fortune to her as well, at an even earlier time then her twenty first birthday. And as she had told Elise many times when they snuggled down in the same bed, under the covers, what of her plans. She had wanted to head first to Paris, or if by then the war was not over she would adjourn to the middle east first. In India, and then to Egypt, and then to the coast lines of africa. This much, she told the Duke.

" You see, sir, I do require something more of a... senile and indulgent old uncle, rather then a husband. My friend, Miss Hampton, who is more usually known as the sensible one between us two, has rather told me, on no uncertain terms that there will be no, absolutely no gentleman who would allow such a lady to enter his household. And I am so determined to follow on my plans." Charity said with a most determined air. She had planned this travel of hers since she had begun geography lessons at Elise's side. She had notebooks and notebooks of words detailing her intended journeys.

" And that is her right over there!" Charity said, a glimpse of white flashing past the corner of her eyes. She turned accordingly, and showed the duke where Elise stood, with the Marquess of Danston. " The young lady in the dusky rose gown and the white blonde hair. So fair, is she not?" She asked, a hint of pride in her voice.

(ooc - FOR THE SECOND TIME)


Arthur had arrived several minutes ago at Almacks, rather earlier than he had originally intended, and apparently earlier than those who had been most vociferous in encouraging him to attend. He made his way through the groups of other attendees, civilly greeting acquaintances, exchanging a few words with particular friends, and keeping a wary eye out for disapproval. No matter what Trevethyn claimed, he was no fool and was quite aware that there would still be some lingering negativity. Most of all, he was keeping a careful eye out for Harriet, with the intention of avoiding her presence all evening.


He could see Katharine Carrington's hair standing out against the sea of browns and blondes, but since she appeared to be holding court to no fewer than four gentlemen, he decided his additional company would not be welcome. Before long, however, his wanderings took him into the vicinity of Emerson's cousin. Again. For the third time in as many days. This was coming to be a little silly - but perhaps it was all to the good. Let the gossip mongers make of it what they would; they would be wrong, and perhaps it would distract them from debating the rest of his life and character.


"Well-met by moonlight, Miss Pritchard," he semi-quoted with a smile, not caring that he was twisting the Bard's words. "And Edencourt as well. How pleasant. I trust you are well."