[Regina Rutledge (Sara)]

(Aida, if you happen to see this, I have Regina and Oscar down for a chat during the third dance, so this thread is set just after that - I hope we can still have ours, though!)

As the third dance came to a close, Regina rejoined her great aunt to accompany her for the interval between the third and the fourth dance. As she sat, Lady Marsdale's head tipped toward her, the lace cap covering her grey hair a-quiver.

"Marvelous ball tonight, is it not? When I was your age, I was a marvelous dancer. Believe you me, I had quite the reputation. Scandalous, I know, but it did lead to something. Yes, that's how I met Lord Marsdale. My husband. He was the first true gentleman that I danced with. You must be on the watch for these things, dear."

Puzzled at this advice, Regina found herself trying to contain a blush at her chaperone's recollections. Lady Marsdale was not insinuating anything, was she? The first gentleman she had danced with here tonight during the Caledonian Laddie was amiable, to be sure... but fifty-six and married. The second was entirely different, falling under the category of a 'true gentleman', Lord Leveson, and though she enjoyed herself greatly there was no sign to indicate an impending marriage. "Dancing is the most convenient way to meet a variety of gentlemen but, surely there are other ways of making a match?"

Lady Marsdale tapped Regina's wrist with her fan. "Tish tosh! Dancing is match making! and I highly suggest you entertain that opinion more often and practice, my dear. The same for your brother, how stiff he looks. It is ideal to meet your husband at a ball. Take Miss Beacham, your friend. She exudes a lightness of foot which can only shepherd her swiftly towards matrimony!"

Was that so? Regina had never made efforts to particularly study Belle's 'lightness of foot', though it was obvious who was the better dancer, even when they were children and were mimicking the dances of the day. Perhaps Belle wouldn't mind passing along a few hints...

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

(It's Belle's 200th post! *pulls out the cake, sets off the fireworks*)

Belle was busy making the acquaintance of half of London - or so it would seem, from all the people she met. Daphne was the perfect chaperone, Belle mused several times - she knew everyone, and was genial enough to show her off to everyone as well.

She had just made the acquaintance of a Mrs. Forrester - someone her mother had known, who marveled over how very much Belle did not look like the late Meridel Beacham-nee-Relmsey - and had just been released from the dull conversation when she spotted Regina just down the way. She waved frantically, hoping to get her friend's attention. She was struck once again by just how pretty Ginny looked, all dressed up, and she couldn't wait to tell her all about her dances and partners and best of all, Mr. Devenish's brilliant idea.

[Regina Rutledge (Sara)]

(Congrats! *eats some of that cake*)

Regina's mind and eyes began to wander as Lady Marsdale continued on. She was so kind as to instruct Regina about such things as dancing and qualities of future husbands, both very important for a girl in Regina's position, but with all the activity in the room it was hard to sit still and be schooled.

A frenetic motion caught her attention -- what luck, it was Belle! Regina grinned and lifted her hand in a wave back, then glanced at her companion.

"Please excuse me, great-aunt. I believe I see Belle -- Miss Beacham -- just over there. Perhaps I --"

"Oh! Just the girl we were speaking of! Indeed, and congratulate her on such fine dancing!"

Regina assured her that she would, and hastened over to her friend with a smile.

"We meet again! How does this hour of the ball find you, Belle?"

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

Belle was elated to see her friend. "Oh Ginny, can there be anything equal to this? I've never had such a merry time! So many agreeable partners, and ladies in beautiful dresses...and so many people to meet! I never could have imagined a room so full of so many people."

She grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her in closer. "And you will never believe what Mr. Devenish has proposed! You remember him - I introduced you at the beginning. He has invited us all on an outing to the Royal Academy this Tuesday! You and John are invited, as well as Lord Latimer and his sister, Lady Cassandra Edgeworth - have you met her? She is so amiable! And then Mr. Devenish, and Lady Olivia Fitzgerald, and myself. Doesn't that sound so merry? Oh, say you can come along, and make Jacky come too!"

Finally recalling her manners, and asked, "And you, Regina? How are you enjoying the evening? What partners have you danced with?"

[Regina Rutledge (Sara)]

Regina gave Belle's hand a squeeze. It was delightful to see her friend so sunny, and the feeling was infectious, too. "Indeed, I cannot even compare this to the little dances we have back in Kent, though those did not lack merit. And even the balls in Bath were not as grand. Have you seen Miss Charity Pritchard's dress?" Her voice took on a tone of amazement, her eyes widening in the scandal of it all. "Certainly nothing like that at home... the society here is quite different."

As Belle began to outline Mr. Devenish's proposal for the outing, Regina found herself nodding in agreement, a smile growing. "I must ask my great-aunt, but I see no reason why she would object. What a wonderful plan! But I have not made the acquaintance of most of those you have spoken of -- perhaps John has, having been in London somewhat longer -- are you sure they wouldn't object? I would relish the chance to visit the Academy again. And John would not mind another visit, I'm sure."

She couldn't help her grin from becoming slightly playful. "Speaking of Mr. Devenish, Lady Marsdale sends her regards and commends you for your dancing. She says," here Regina began to imitate her great-aunt's warble, "your 'lightness of foot can only shepherd you swiftly towards matrimony'."

Laughing gently, she continued: "I have danced twice this evening and am afraid I am not as graceful as you, as usual. My first was Mr. Hoyle -- that man eating sandwiches over there -- then I danced with a Lord Leveson. Do you know him?"

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

"Of course they wouldn't object, you goose! Why should they object? You are both my friends, and anyway it was Mr. Devenish's suggestion, so why on earth shouldn't you come? In fact, I will be so bold as to say that if you do not come, I will be extremely put out and refuse to enjoy the afternoon. So now you cannot refuse!" She grinned at her friend, slipping her arm through Ginny's companionably.

She blushed at Lady Marsdale's compliment, but was obviously pleased to hear such praise. "Oh goodness! I did not realize I was being watched so closely. I am glad my dancing gives your aunt so much pleasure." She snickered a bit. "As for her predictions, I cannot say whether they will come true, but I am quite satisfied with my dance card!"

Belle snickered at Mr. Hoyle (he of the sandwiches) and shook her head at Regina's question. "No, I do not believe I have made his acquaintance. His name is familiar, however."

[Regina Rutledge (Sara)]

"Then you must count on us coming. It will be delightful to go in such a large group." She paused, and added thoughtfully, "Lord Latimer?" The name struck her as familiar .... though she was certain she had never made his acquaintance. Regina checked her dance card, and her eyebrows raised as she spotted the name scrawled next to her fifth dance. "Oh! He and I will be dancing the Flower Garden together. Perhaps I will ask him about the Academy, then."

Regina laughed at Belle's comment about her dance card. "Any names of particular import on your card? Or ones that you are anticipating?"

Now would be a good time to ask Belle about any tips for dancing -- how to look more elegant than a clumsy cow. "Do you remember those dance lessons we took with John when we were younger?" she asked. "Do you think they have ... helped you at all, here and now?" Perhaps Belle had perhaps absorbed them better than she did and would remember something...

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

"Oh, I think gracefulness comes from lots of practice. Lord knows I'm clumsy sometimes! Of course, my governess, Miss Fine, always made me practice walking properly - walking with books on my head and such." She smiled. "I suppose that I enjoy dancing, which makes me want to dance more, and you know that practice makes perfect!"

She held out her dance card for Regina to see, grinning. "The next with the Duke of Claitonborough - two dukes, right in a row, for I danced the last with Lord Leighton. Later I dance with his brother, Lord William Gosling - you remember him from the park." She tried to brush him aside - really, she could hardly bear to dance with him now, after he had cut her so rudely at the beginning of the ball!

"And then Viscount Hawksley - very handsome, and everyone says he's out to find a wife!" She grinned. "Have you any thrilling partners coming up? Besides Lord Latimer, I mean." She giggled - Lord Latimer was certainly amiable, but hardly thrilling!

[Regina Rutledge (Sara)]

"Of course," Regina nodded along with her simple reply. Belle must have practiced quite a bit! No wonder Lady Marsdale has been chastising me to set down my paintbrushes once in a while and practice dancing. It wasn't that Regina didn't like dancing, but it didn't come as naturally as, say, painting did for her. Her feet always managed to tangle up and her long arms stretch awkwardly as tree limbs. "Perhaps if I tried dancing with a book on my head, I could learn faster?" she asked, chuckling.

"Oh, two dukes! Belle, how exciting indeed!" She patted her friend's arm. "I am not surprised, though, they ought to dance with such a lady as you. And my dance card -- well --" she revealed it to Belle. "Lord Selwyn is my last dance partner. Are you acquainted with him? Forgive me for quizzing you on every gentleman on my dance card, but I cannot even recall if I have been introduced to him and I infinitely trust your judgment."

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

"Perhaps the only solution is for you to attend more balls!" Belle laughed. "You're not so horrible, Ginny. Maybe you can make John practice with you? Watching him pout would almost be worth it. Or perhaps Lady Marsdale would hire a dance master for private lessons. These London dances are so different from the assemblies in Kent!" She thought privately that if Ginny worried less, and enjoyed the dance more, she wouldn't feel so clumsy.

She peered at the name on Ginny's dance card. "Lord Selwyn? No, I cannot recall him - though I have met so many people in the past few days that it is impossible to remember them all." She thought about it for a while, then shook her head. "Perhaps if I saw him...be sure to point him out to me!"