[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

Any surprise caused by Lady Tessington's further using her given names (and Daphne's as well!) was erased by the explanation of her plan. Belle's eyes lit up and she took in a deep breath. "Oh! Lady Tessington! Do you really mean it? A puppy of my very own? Oh, how perfectly delightful!" She clasped her hands and giggled, looking to Lady Juliet. "What do you think of that, Lady Juliet?"

"But...oh dear, I am afraid Beaumont won't have any of it. I can't see how he'll let me have a puppy if he won't even let the children have one!" Her face fell, but was immediately brightened by the passing of a bright red uniform. "Oh! Major Fotherington! Perhaps you can help us." She looked to Lady Juliet again, and Lady Tessington as well. "Major Fotherington is very clever, I am sure he can assist us!"

[Hugo Fotherington (Vikki)]

Hugo had been minding his own business, on his way to the supper table with Mark discussing nothing very important and trying to find a suitably witty rejoinder concerning the Miss Staunton debate, when he heard his name called and his presence requested by the group they were passing.

Looking up, he noted the three ladies, and paused, smiling cheerfully. "Not so very clever, Miss Beacham. Ladies," he added with a bow to include the other two. "For that you need my brother." Before Mark could escape, he stuck out a hand and hauled his twin closer. If he was going to have to deal with Miss Beacham's titters, the least Mark could do was to give him moral support. And besides, Ally's husband was around somewhere. "What dastardly scheme do you need assistance with?"

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

Belle grinned at Major Fotherington. He certainly looked dashing in his regimentals, and she felt her cheeks warming. "Lady Tessington's dog has a litter of puppies, and she wants to give one to me, and one to the Duchess's daughter. But..." and here she frowned "I am afraid that Beaumont won't like it at all, and I cannot think of any way to make either His Grace or Her Grace agree to the plan." She looked between both Fotherington brothers imploringly.

[Juliet Landon (Izzie)]

The longer Juliet spoke to Lady Tessington, the more she liked her. She could only imagine the trouble she would get in from her mother, though really, Lady Tessington couldn't be quite all that bad if the Duchess was friends with her? Her mother would never dare go toe to toe with the Duchess of Beaumont.

Returning the impish grin, Juliet couldn't help but be slightly excited by the prospect of a puppy - though it wouldn't be for her. "That sounds wonderful," Juliet said with a little less enthusiasm than Miss Beacham, but was still smiling brilliantly. She knew that Charlotte was looking for a puppy, and this might be the perfect opportunity. "I would be happy to take one from you, Lady Tessington," she affirmed. "I know that my cousin is currently wanting for a puppy, so this would be the perfect present!"

With the arrival of the Major, who Juliet knew only by name, she smiled and returned his bow with a curtsey, curious to see how the twins would respond to Miss Beacham's plan.

[Mark Fotherington (Shar)]

Mark, having been hooked into the conversation when he'd have gone for a plate of the excellent-looking roast beef, and moreover introduced as clever, felt a need to prove it swiftlyand return to the initial plan. Listening to music made a person hungry.
"Nothing simpler," he said pleasantly, after a simple bow. "All you must do is request a pair of hippopotami to reside in your fountain--I hope you have a fountain? Otherwise you may be reduced to begging for a family of frogs in a washbasin."

(OOC: Hmm, has be met /any/ of these people before? Perhaps he had an unplayed dance or two with someone? *doesn't remember*)

[Alethea Tessington (Lin)]

"Ah! An ingenious idea." Ally said with a smile to both men, her eyes lingering a moment longer on Hugo. Theirs was a complicated relationship. "I am quite sure Beaumont would very much prefer the puppy to the frogs... He's quite so predictable that way." She said with a grin.

"And you must come and pick up the puppy at your earliest convenience." She told Lady Juliet, pulling out a calling card from the reticule dangling from her wrist and handing it to her.

[Juliet Landon (Izzie)]

"Indeed! A puppy is certainly more fun than frogs," she said with a bright laugh. Glancing over Major Fotherington's shoulder, she caught a glimpse of her mother, who was looking mutinous. Time to escape!

"I most certainly will," Juliet replied with a smile, taking the card from Lady Tessington. Once I convince my aunt that it is a good idea! Her uncle didn't seem amiable to animals...in fact, he didn't seem amiable to anything, really. She shrugged her dilemma off. Aunt Katherine certainly couldn't turn down a puppy...

"You must excuse me, but it seems my mother is looking for me," Juliet said with a smile. "It was so lovely to finally make all of your acquaintances." Even though I never introduced myself to either of the Fotheringtons. "Good luck with your performance, Miss Beacham, and I hope to call on you soon Lady Tessington," she said with another bright smile, before curtseying and leaving their little group.

OOC: Thanks guys! Had a lot of fun

[Hugo Fotherington (Vikki)]

"Or lizards," Hugo suggested helpfully as Mark came up trumps with a perfect plan. "There are any number in Spain. You can tell his Grace that I'll happily request a couple the next time any of my fellow officers come home. That should sway him in favour of a puppy." Although he really couldn't understand why the Duke of Beaumont, or the Duchess either, would have anything against the animals. Why, they must keep hunting dogs, surely? And it wasn't exactly unfashionable to keep pets.

The other young lady in the group excused herself before any introductions could be made, and after a bow at her departure, Hugo was left wondering who she was. "Miss Beacham, I do not recall if you and my brother have been introduced. If not, allow me to remedy that."

[Annabelle Beacham (Betsy)]

Belle curtseyed to Lady Juliet as she left, murmuring the appropriate farewells. She seemed a nice girl, if perhaps a bit intense, and Belle wouldn't disagree to knowing her better. She then turned to Mr. Fotherington with another curtsey as they were introduced.

"I am very glad to make your acquaintance, especially since you prove to be just as clever as your brother said! Frogs - how droll! I shall suggest it on the ride back to Beaumont house tonight. If I beg for frogs, I'm sure they won't turn down a puppy! And if all else fails, I have a secret weapon with the lizards." She giggled - of course Major Fotherington would prove useful!

[Mark Fotherington (Shar)]

"I am honoured," Mark said as the other woman disappeared. It seemed a bit odd for a young lady to quit a conversation just as two eligible gentlemen joined it. Ah, well, perhaps she sought a title. Or perhaps she was already entangled with someone. In any case, she didn't seem an especially good prospect.
Miss Beacham, however... the torrent of words rushed by, and he clung to good breeding until the giggle at the end signified her completion of the thought.
He briefly imagined living with the giggle. Not a good prospect either.
No, he was being uncharitable. The girl could well just be anxious. Heaven knew what he did when he was anxious. Well, Hugh probably did also, and would likely be willing to tell him. If he really wanted to know.
"Ive read that they are excellent at controlling the insect population, if that helps. I am very much looking forward to your performance tonight, Miss Beacham." After dinner. He hoped he would be able to have some dinner. He hoped that his stomach would not choose to complain, or at least that if it did the ambient noise would disguise it.