[Elise Hampton (Lin)]

(OOC: Liz, Julianne should come and chit chat as well, maybe later on?)

Her dance with Lord Linley was enjoyable, much like that that she had with Lord Patrick. She had skillfully managed to avoid talking about Harriet or any related issue that was shrouding their... Relationship. Harriet was a good friend and teacher to Elise and saying anything to Lord Linley was most certainly out of character for her, and even more so the show of bad manners. She was, however, thinking of her dance with Captain Sterne once Lord Linley left her in Gabriel's company. She had spotted him with Penny and Charity earlier, but was caught in conversation across the room. "Hah." She said with relief, her feet somewhat tired from the vigourous dancing. "You have not danced all evening, except the first with Lady Gwendolyn, and the next with Miss Fforde. Although, I suppose I shall forgive you since you have been graciously attending to Penny." She said with a smile as she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and let him lead her a little away from the crowd.

"Just so. I am glad you are enjoying yourself?" He asked as they took a turn. He too had observed her smiles and her laughter throughout the evening.

"Very much. My partners have been nothing but agreeable.."Bar the first! "And I hope I have pleased them." From the corner of her eye she saw Charity flitting about, changed and refreshed. She knew it was Blake's doing and marvelled, not for the first time, how Chartity was more amendable when faced with him. What did you think of Lady Penny then?" She asked with an inquisitive smile.

Gabriel raised his brows at her before answering. Really, did word travel that quickly in the ton? "I cannot put my finger on it. She seems so unlike Charity, but like at the same time. It is hard not to like her... She is open, vivacious... Why?"

"Nothing." Came the reply as Elise smiled a secret smile to herself. The terrace doors were thrown open, and she felt drawn to the cool breeze outside. "Shall we? It is getting warm in here.." She said, fanning herself with a gloved hand.

Gabriel gestured his consent and the pair moved out onto the small terrace that lead into the back gardens.

[Nicholas Gosling (Alexandra)]

After a stiff lecture from William Gosling, Nicholas Gosling had escaped to the night to spend a few minutes pacing the short terrace, like a caged panther in a cage too small. The strong and violently clashing thoughts in his mind were too big for the ballroom; Fool! Arrogant! Miss Hampton is an attractive young woman and of coure others must notice that! She cannot be blamed for spending time with others, only through that could she realise that his was the superior character, his interest the keenest. Far better a woman decide the man she truly wishes as her own before marriage than after! And if the Ton delights in highlighting Miss Hampton's similarities to Cassie then let them! Such women are few and far between and if they look alike then, dash it all, they look alike. Not a hanging offense to be attracted to petite blondes yet, was it?!

He blew out a long and exasperated breath.

Why, what it came down to was that he had all the self confidence of a pock-marked, teenaged errand boy, not that of a duke! (Not his original thought, borrowed from Will.) He had something to offer a young woman such as Miss Hampton and so did others, but, for God's sake, he should know not to be afraid of a little halthy competition.

Especially if, as Will had not so subtly suggested, the lady already had a favourite contender. That reassurance helped a great deal.

Footstep sounds stopped him in his tracks. The panther startled by aliens in its cage...

[Elise Hampton (Lin)]

"Did you notice Miss Wriothesley?" Gabriel said as the pair went through the french doors and onto the terrace. "Her bright yellow feathered head dress?" Elise was arched her head back into the room to try to spot the offending head dress, and she laughed when she did. The yellow was so loud, and so attractive, that she wasn't quite sure how she had missed it in the first place!!

"And did you notice.." She started to say, with laughter in her voice, when she looked up, finding herself looking Nicholas Gosling in the eye. "Oh!" was her timely exclamation. "Your Grace.." She said hurriedly, bobbing a curtsy. She had not expected to see him again so soon, let alone, ever again, since their horridly awkward first dance.

Gabriel looked at Elise, then at Leighton, and then he smirked. "I rather fancy a drink. Didn't you say you were thirsty, E? Leighton, would you mind accompanying her for a little, I'll just dart in to grab a glass of.." Without even finishing his sentence, Gabriel left, leaving the pair together- on the terrace in full view of the ballroom, of course.

Elise cleared her throat, not quite sure what to say.

[Nicholas Gosling (Alexandra)]

Nicholas would have requested a moment's private interlude with the young lady anyway and was glad of Pritchard making himself scarce... Though, he realised, the man had made himself very scarce. Nicholas was now utterly alone on the terrace with Miss Hampton. Terrifying.

Thrilling.

The duke found himself clearing his throat at the exact same moment as the lady and a small, sheepish smile flashed over his features.

"Good evening, Miss Hampton. May we...?" he suggested quietly, gesturing towards the railings at the edge of terrace, a few feet further away from the door.

[Elise Hampton (Lin)]

She nodded her head in consent, approaching the railings and resting her hands on them, lifting her head up to the gentle breeze. It struck her how familiar this setting was- him and her, on the terrace. All that was missing was simply Charity making a timely appearance and taking care of all the talking. In complete contrast with his behavior towards her at the start of the evening, Elise found the duke being more friendly, and nice. Truth be told, while she was happy that he was some what back to his old self, she was rather taken aback- perhaps he noticed her attention to every other man in the room, and noted that she had no marked interest in Daniel Rossington? As yet?

The breeze was a welcome change to the heat of the ballroom, the rush of activity, and while she was having a fantastic time, this was also a great break, a breath of fresh air. As he joined her at the railing, she couldn't help but look at him, her open, honest eyes studying his profile. She was attracted to his sombre features, features she knew would break into a smile like when he called on her. It hardly seemed like four days since he called. It felt like a year, two years...

She waited for him to speak. After all, it did seem like he had something to say to her.

[Nicholas Gosling (Alexandra)]

"I do not intend to claim much of your time, Miss Hampton," he begun before he lost the words he wished to use. " I know must have a great deal to atttend to this evening. Everyone must be demanding your attention," he added, looking down at her with the slighest, sympathetic smile. After all, if anyone could sympathise with the headache of being 'in demand' it was a recently eligible peer.

For a moment Nicholas watched her pale hands dance lightly upon the railings and then, in the interest of fulfilling his promise and not stealing her away for too long, spoke again, eyes still on the railings;

"I merely wish to offer my sincerest apologies for my inexecusable behaviour ... earlier this evening." It took a great deal for Nicholas to voice this and he quickly ran his hands through his hair whilst he waited for her response, if she would deign to offer one. After all, she need not. He had been a complete brute to her and had offered no explanation as to why. Nor would he. "And in the park, earlier in the week," he added hastily. He had been a brute there too, he supposed.

[Elise Hampton (Lin)]

Elise's brows arched into her hair in surprise. Whatever she had been expecting, a compliment, a veiled insult, anything, but an apology. And here he was, giving one to her, so directly and without any hesitation. She had to think for a moment before giving him her reply. "For a Duke I should think that no apology would be considered mere. I have heard of you, your grace, from various members of our circle- arrogant and proud, they call you." She said with a small smile, still looking out into the night.

"I would never consider an apology from anyone mere, much less you, my Lord. And it would be unseemly for me to refuse it, so I find I must tell you, I most certainly accept it, and appreciate your actions." Here she turned to face him, lacing her gloved fingers together.

She paused for a moment before speaking again. "What made you so angry in the park?"

[Nicholas Gosling (Alexandra)]

Nicholas found that his right foot was restless; it was steadily kicking the base of the stone pillar of the railings. Restlesness. Rare for him and a sign, he had come to realise over the last decade, of nerves.

"I would rather not discuss the park," he replied curtly. "With you. Right now," he added to soften the hard blow of his words. He had not meant them in such a hard manner, only that he did not wish to dwell on unpleasantness in the few minutes they had somehow snatched alone together - especially when the moon was so bright and quiet and peaceful. Like Elise, he gazed out into the night.

"As to the other... " His brow wrinkled as he sought to find the words to convey his thoughts without conveying arrogance. "I believe we all should be proud of who we are, or have become. Arrogance is a label used by those with insufficient pride themselves to be proud of others."

[Elise Hampton (Lin)]

"I don't think you're arrogant." Elise said, turning to face him, now leaning her hip on the railing. The steady thumping of his foot against the stone was like a beating medley of his thoughts- impatience. She wondered what he would rather be doing than actually discussing the park. She wanted to discuss the park, and more to the point, she wanted to know what made him want to apologize. There had to be something, someone, some how, where he decided to take an about turn and talk to her again. "Insufferably rude, maybe, but surely not arrogant!" She said now with a grin, teasingly. She had forgiven him.

"I rather think this is ironic. It would be fine time for someone to interrupt us now." she said in reference to their previous meetings, both on the terrace with Charity and then later when he called on her, with Charlie.

[Nicholas Gosling (Alexandra)]

Nicholas did not take easily to teasing and his expression was a confused one and then his features uncrunpled and he smiled too. Relaxed, somewhat. "If - as you alleged - a duke's apology can never be mere, then I submit that a duke's apparent ill grace can never be rudeness," he countered.

"I am afraid I must interrupt us," Nicholas said with a rueful look down at his companion. He sincerely wished to linger out here in the cool night air with the ethereal, playful blonde teasing him (teasing him! teasing him!) but he could nto allow it. It was most improper and, for the world, he would not tarnish this girl's reputation.

"May I call on you tomorrow, Miss Hampton?"