After picking up her books from the bookshop Mireille was scanning the shop widows as her barouche carried her home. Quite suddenly she called out to the coachman “Stop!” The poor man was certainly startled and had to work very hard to pull the horses in and bring them to a stop with out overturning the carriage.

Mireille turned to Annette her Ladies Maid, who was clutching the seat as the carriage stopped and said “Dear Annette, did you see that beautiful evening primrose shot silk bonnet in the window of that shop?” When Annette shook her head Mireille took her by the hand and said “ Well, then we must go and have a closer look. I could not see from the carriage if the feathers on the bonnet were of a size as to be flattering on me, you must let me know your opinion.”

After the footman had handed the ladies down from the carriage the walked back to the window that held the bonnet in question. Annette gave her approbation that from the window it was quite suitable they went into the shop to inspect it closer.

Once inside Mireille asked the shop assistant to bring the bonnet from the window. When she had stepped away Mireille turned around to see what other possible treasures the shop held. There was not much else that caught her eye until she saw a balloon hat of straw and a blue of the exact perfect shade to make her eyes sparkle at their bluest. Though she had no intention of setting her cap at any gentlemen in the near future she thought that this would be just the hat to do it in. Besides the large brim would protect her skin from the sun. She did not want to get any browner.

The evening primrose shot silk was quite as lovely in hand as it had been from the window and the Viscountess was anxious to try it on. She was not disappointed. The reflection in the glass was beyond satisfactory. The color was divine and the size and shape complimentary. Annette said of it “Madame, you could do much worse.” Coming from her Mireille knew that to be quite a compliment.

Then Mireille put on the balloon hat and she was in near raptures at the sight of her self in the glass. Annette merely smiled which secured the purchase. The hat shopping euphoria was such that Mireille was unaware that there was anyone else in the store besides herself and Annette.

When she removed the hat to give to the girl to pack away she realized that there were quite a few other people in the shop and one more person was walking in at that very moment. Mireille decided that she should take the time to observe what it was that the other ladies were purchasing, so she started to take a turn around the shop while feigning to look at various works of millinery and ribbon and feathers.

Having more people about town was a good thing, of course it was. Elise got to meet more people, show of her cello skills to more people and talk to more people; learn more things. On that hand, she didn't forget old friends either. In fact, she was just about to meet one of her oldest friends, Julianne Grafton on Bond Street for a day of shopping. Having decided the night before that she needed a new bonnet, she had set out for the milliners about an hour before her meeting time with Julianne. Who knew, she might need some extra shoes, boots or gloves along the way.

She was not allowed to leave the house in her riding habit and promptly changed into one of her favorite dresses, a warm dusky chocolately brown. Not quite the murky brown that matrons were fond of wearing, but something that made Elise think of a day in the savannah, or indeed in the Mediterranean islands. Elise wasn't able to travel much, but of she could live through her clothing, she would. She was also ethereally fair, and for such a dreary day as this, the warmth in the brown did wonders to set off her fashionable coloring. The gown was cut elegantly, with small capped sleeves that ended in a gold/cream lace trimming. A thin braid adorned the empire waist of the walking gown; a tri-colored cord of gold, bronze and cream was placed there to her exact specifications. It ended at her back in an understated bow.

Armed with an umbrella under her seat, Elise took with her her maid, who had by then changed into a neatly pressed dress and hopped with a smile into her god mother's soft topped landau. She had opted for the well sprung carriage to be left open so she could enjoy the cool breeze left behind as an aftermath of the morning's storm.

She gave the driver instructions to head directly to the hat boutique so she might finish her selection before she had to meet her friend. Her accompanying footman ( whom the marchioness had instructed to follow the girls when they went out) lent her a hand to leave the carriage and held the door open for her as she entered the establishment.

Once inside, she tugged her tan kid gloves off her hands and handed them to her awaiting maid. She nodded to the owner to the establishment who had shot her an apologetic look at being unable to attend to her and went ahead to browse the shop.

Elise was indeed quite liked one of the satin peach tea hats, and retrieved it from the hatstand on her own, handing to her maid who placed it on one of the glass counters for Elise to try in a while. She also spotted a few straw bonnets that she wanted, one in particular with a crown of ruched forest green velvet and gathered by a cream braid cord and then trimmed with irish eyelet lace. Smiling to the assistant that had approached to help her, Elise explained her requirements for purchase and asked for some enamel hat pins that she would buy along with the hats after trying them on.

She approached the counter where the hats were placed for her browsing and turned, just in time to see a lady finish her purchase. With an expert eye, she glanced at the balloon hat and reluctantly gave the lady her due credit. Elise often felt that balloon hats were for women older then she, but no doubt the tanned lady would look nice in it.

Madame, you could do much worse. She heard the maid say. " She is of course correct." Elise interjected, the satin tea hat in her hand. " Seldom I find balloon hats that I think look nice, but this one nicely fits the bill." She said prettily, recognising a newcomer to the ton when she saw one. No doubt, as following the Marchioness' descriptions, this was the new Viscountess that had arrived a while ago.

" You must be Viscountess Brenchley."

For goodness sakes Mireille thought as she turned to see from which direction the voice came. This is the second time that someone has addressed her without any introduction and she had only been in Town a few hours. Apparently young ladies in London were free to take more liberties than ladies in the West Indies.

When she found the source of the voice she smiled and said "Do you think so? Well, I am glad that you approve." Upon a quick evaluation Mireille was quite sure that the girl's good opinion was not vital. The girl was pretty and very young and though she dressed as though she cared about fashion she was not aware of the difference between it and style. Young girls rarely did and she found it to be more true of English girls than any others. The gown that she was wearing was nice enough, but would have looked best on someone with a more substantial figure and vibrant complexion. She was so extremely fair. The brown she was wearing brought out sparkle in her eyes, but washed out her skin. She added jovially "I'll have you know that Mlle. Bertrand is always correct. Her taste is infallible, but she always likes to be told that she is right. So I thank you for that compliment."

"I am indeed Viscountess Brenchley." This is evidence that the Dowager Viscountess had been speaking of her arrival to her acquaintances. "And you are . . . ?"

Beneath that smiling facade, Elise had learnt to see what others sought to hide. Oh, she had her fair share of needing to watch her steps and needing to actually crave for acceptance. Those days were over. No more, no, she was here to be herself and she had worked hard to get to where she was. The Viscountess eyed her, from the top of her gleaming blonde curls, down her dress to her slippered feet. Elise knew one thing though, the Viscountess did not care for what she saw.

Which annoyed the younger girl to no end. Friendships begets Friendships, courtesy begets courtesy, Elise thought to herself, leaving the smile still on her face. In the same vein, she returned the Viscountess' favor with a glacial glare of her own. She was, however, unwilling to say anything on her own impulse. " Of course, but fashion and it's concerns are subjective, non? My god-mother always said that confidence will bring the height of fashion to another level. How can one be beautiful wearing the choices of others?" Elise questioned sagely, her hands fingering the satin tea hat and then angling it on her head as the assistant pinned it in place with a set of expensive enamel hat pins. She tugged the hat and turned it slightly, moving the large embellished bow so that it flattered her profile.

"Pardon my manners." She answered with a bright smile. " I am Miss Elise Hampton. A ward of the Marquess of Emerson. The dowager Marchioness, Lady Winifred, is my maman."

Suddenly remembering another portion of her errand, she requested for the shop assistant to bring her several berets suitable for evening wear. She had decided to get one, to match the coat she had bought for Almacks. " Will you be attending Almacks tomorrow, Lady Brenchley, if so, you might want to consider the fashion plates again, the style is I think more a quiet elegance, not quite what the west is?" She offered calmly, before turning back to the mirror as the assistant helped her with the forest green bonnet.

For the first time this season, Elise Hampton stood on her own two feet, and she felt perfect.

How Alexander hated his sister's weekly shopping expeditions. If he didn't monitor her expenses carefully she'd end up sending him straight to debtors prison for her want of shiny baubles. Which was exactly why he rarely allowed Lucien to accompany her, for when he had the purse strings, his sister's every wish was provided for. So consequently, in an effort to preserve the considerable fortune he had amassed over the several years he had taken the earldom he accompanied his sister out.

The footman opened up the door to the Millner's shop, seeing as how Eden had begged and pouted untill Alexander had finally reliquinshed and had allowed her to acheive her wish of receiving a new bonnet for the upcoming excursion to Almack's. Eden fluttered in with her typical teenage glee and was immediately flocked to be attended by any remaining attendant in the store. Alexander caught eyes with the owner of the shop, who he had been acquainted with many a times, in outfitting his sister for the season and nodded slightly. As usual it meant, to allow her anything she asked for, cost was no option.

Scanning the room boredly, he idly fingered the ribbon on one of the nearest displays and nodded his approval. Eden was so finicky in her taste that it would probably take the better part of the afternoon for her to make a decision and he would be stuck waiting for her. He hated leaving her in the care of his trusty footman Tom, he was trustworthy enough to be sure. But with no family left but each other, Alexander felt it was his duty to spend time with each of his siblings as much as he could. His eyebrows creased slightly as he looked at the back of a very familiar figure. Sauntering throughout the shop idly he saw from a side profile that it was in fact Miss Elise Hampton. The chit from the park, who had him beguiled since the day they met. Deciding to again take the role of the surpriser he strode up to the young lady, ignoring the matron she was conversing with.

" Why Miss Hampton is that you?" he asked in a deep rich baritone with a hint of a smile on his lips. " It's been much to long my dear." he continued on. Glancing over at the matron, he saw a unfamiliar face.

Well! Such a look and tone were quite unexpected from the girl. Mireille had clearly offended her in someway. Interesting. Perhaps she had taken note of the evaluation she had received and did not appreciate it. Mireille had to be impressed that she was so observant though she thought it amusing that the girl thought that she had not passed the evaluation. Mireille noticed that Annette's eyes were wide with shock and her face flushed with anger. With a look she told her all was well and to calm herself. It appeared as though the girl has had some French woman in her upbringing whether it was her mother or her god mother she was not sure. It was lovely. This girl was very different from Lady Lydia she was probably younger.

"Of course it is subjective, and your god mother is quite right, confidence makes a world of difference." Mireille's smile grew as the girl turned to adjust the bow on a bonnet. She was giving her a set down. Marvelous, her spirit was admirable.

"Lovely to meet you, Miss Hampton." Mireille truly thought it was so, but because she was getting the feeling that Miss Hampton was indeed upset she turned a cool tone and arched an eyebrow and threw in a tight lipped smile for good measure. "That bonnet just suits you."

Mireille looked a bit more about the shop as Miss Hampton looked at some berets and continued to try look offended and slightly cross. She saw an extemely handsome gentleman come in with a girl she did not know if it was his wife or his sister perhaps. She found it odd to see a man in a milliners shop. She could not imagine a lady wanting a man with her for such an errand no matter how good looking he is or how newly wed they were.

When Miss Hampton referred Mireille to the fashion plates. She widened her heyes let her lips pinch and responded in her most offended but trying to be civil and not offended tone and she made what she hoped looked like a forced smile. "I will indeed be at Almack's tomorrow. You needn't concern yourself over my toilette for the event I am quite confident that I will make an easy transition to my new home." she then added "If I make a misstep I am certain that I may count on you to let me know of it and I shan't make the same twice." Mireille got the feeling that Miss Hampton was quite proud of herself, as well she should be.

Before she could say anything further the gentleman had come over to Miss Hampton making no note of Mireille what so ever. Now this in honesty took Mireille by surprise. The fact that he looked so much like the late Viscount made it rather hurt her that he had not looked at her long enough to allow her to nod to him. He had given her the cut direct! She tried to calm herself and reevaluate the situation. Alright so the man was good looking, many men were. His blonde hair was luminous, but any man with a good valet could achieve such a feat. She did not get a good look at his eyes because he had not even looked at her, but she was sure there was nothing special in them. The Viscounts eyes had shone with the kindness and goodness off his heart. Clearly this man was just rude. His raiment was of the first cut, which only meant he had a good tailor and enough money to afford one. He appeared to be a few years older than she was, close to the age the Viscount would have been. When he then spoke to Miss Hampton she noticed that his voice was handsome and unfamiliar which was a comfort. If he had sounded at all like the Viscount she was not sure she would have been able retain any sort of composure. After taking in his countenance she moved on to more broad matters. First the girl was clearly not his wife for the way he addressed Miss Hampton in front of a stranger would have thrown a wife into a pet. Second He seemed to be attempting to fix his interest with Miss Hampton.

When the gentleman glanced at her she felt herself flush. She had the feeling that she looked as though she had seen a ghost and she almost felt as though she had. Somehow in her state of shock she saw a look of concern on Annette's face and managed to get a hold of herself. She took a deep breath and smiled and she felt the color return to her face. This man's eyes were not blue, thank goodness. He was not identical to the Viscount but he was similar enough that if his eyes had been blue she would have had a much harder time keeping her defenses up against him. Not that he seemed to have any interest in her what so ever. Mireille could not believe how missish she felt. She honestly felt as though she might giggle from nerves. Once she was sure that she could remain composed she nodded to his glance.

Really now. Elise seldom came across such a character in her aqquaintance. She had started of being nice to someone and the person rebuked her with a very impolite way of looking at her appearance. And when the maid spluttered in indignance, Elise thought that given such a situation, Charity, or indeed any other more outspoken lady would have verbally chastise the servant. After all, no matter how strong the bond between mistress and maid, Society's rules does dictate the difference in status and standing. " Thank you. You are too kind. " she reciprocated with a more sincere smile. After all, if the Viscountess was willing to mend bridges, why should she make an ironic effort to burn them?

I am quite confident that I will make an easy transition to my new home

Of course, madam, confident, I'm sure you are but 'easy'? Perhaps not. Elise thought inwardly to herself, having turned away from the Viscountess as the assistant approached her.

'Merci' She murmered to the assistant who brought out six velvet berets of different colors for her selection. Keeping in mind that the hem of her gown was ice blue and her coat was a new sable cream, she tried on one that would give it a nice contrast with a colored feather angled at a jolt and yet another one in cream that matched her coat to the 'T'.

She had just removed both and was in the process of deciding between them when a voice sounded once again at her ear. Honestly, she wondered why she had not heard the tinkling bell heralding another patron, but on further consideration, placed it due to the fact that there were just simply too many people in the shop speaking at the same time. Indeed there was a real buzz of excitement. The season was in full swing and many ladies were looking for new wardrobes.

Elise spun on her toes, her eyes nailing in on one figure that occupied her mind since before the theatre. "My Lord!" She exclaimed in genuine surprise. Surprise that he had materialized as she thought of him, surprised that he was in a milliners of all places. Unable to resist, she lifted her eyes to the ceiling briefly. The Charmer. " If you recall, my Lord, we met yesterday, late afternoon, in the park!!"

Honestly, she was glad of the Earl's intervention. At least now the Viscountess wasn't able to throttle her in all public eye. As Alexander Knight turned his attention to the Viscountess, Elise peeked to see what he was looking at ( considering his lordship practically blocked her from view, thanks to her inborn petite-ness) and followed his line of sight to Lady Brenchley.

" This is the Viscountess Brenchley, my Lord. She is new in town and I have just made myself known to her as well." She said slowly, firstly finding it weird for an unmarried lady to introduce a widow, and secondly debating or not to add the line, She was just implying that I look like a potato sack and was wondering what Alex Knight would reply to that.

The thought brought a bright smile to her face.

Alexander let out a chuckle when she saw it fit to remind him that they had met only yesterday. " Ah my lady, how right you are. I should do well to think of a more charming introduction in the future. Wait, wait, I think I have one. Although we've met only yesterday, I was so enamored by making your acquaintance that the sand in the hour glass seemed to slow down till I was in your prescense again. How was that for a charming remark? Or perhaps that might be laying it on a bit thick. Whatever the case may be I am so very pleased to see you again." he replied kindly flashing her a bright smile.


" I'm afraid though I've caught you on a day when I don't have Aries with me. My sister managed to convince me that she needed new pieces for the season and I've been accompanying her all over town in an effort to make sure she doesn't send me to debtor's prison. " he joked playfully. " That's her over there." he said gesturing behind him to the teenage girl surrounded by shop attendents. Not only did it give Elise a chance to see that he does in fact have a rambunctious teenage sister, but also explains why he's in a Milliner's shop to begin with. He smoothed out his impeccable ensemble and finally turned his attention to the other person.


He looked the Viscountess in the eye and bowed slightly. " Enchanted to meet you Madam. I do beg your indulgence for my rude interruption. I was simply so eager to renew my acquaintance with my lovely young friend here that all thought of propriety and protocal went completely out of my head. I do hope you will overlook that." he said politely to the new woman in town. How true that was, Alexander's mind had been captivated by this young, simple girl who was barely a bit older than his sister. It shouldn't happen like that, after what his mother did to his father he wasn't sure if he could ever trust women.


" I am Lord Alexander Knight, Earl of Cumberland and am so very happy to make your acquaintance." he said politely. " So what do you think of our London my dear Viscoutness? Has she lived up to the grandeur that most people associate with her?" he asked honestly quite curious to find out what an outsider's view of his favorite city was like. " I've traveled all around the continent between my youth and since I've inherited the title and have always found that there is no place like London." he commented idly.


" I trust you ladies are lookng forward to the upcoming festivities at Almack's tommorow evening? My sister speaks of nothing else. It is surely to be the highlight of the social season. And I do hope that you will save a dance for me." he said adding the last part on in an aside to Elise with a rueful smile.

Elise grinned. Clearly, it was either the fact that Lord Cumberland had taken to reading too much og Lord Bryon, or that his sister, the beautiful Lady Eden had taken to reading it in his company. She rather thought it was the latter. Since, having two older brothers at home, she more often then not felt the need to carry a book around with her that she might read aloud from in order to chase Blake and Gabriel from whichever room she had intended to use. It was extremely effective.

" And I you, my Lord. " She said with a bobbed curtsy, returning his expressed sentiment. " Though I wouldn't have put it in quite so many words I believe. In future a 'Miss Hampton, you're looking more ravishing then before would suffice," She said jokingly, her blue eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

Turning to look where his Lordship had indicated (once again, leaning to the side to catch a glimpse), Elise raised a hand in greeting as the aforementioned young lady turned when she no doubt heard her brother's tone. Both caught up in their purchases, Elise made a mental note to meet her later, and returned to the Earl and the Viscountess but not before catching a gleam in Eden's eyes. A lady that her brother was singling out; something new perhaps? Lady Eden was definitely one lady of Character. One that Elise decided would be her loss if she did not meet.

Naturally, Elise blushed the moment he turned from her to greet the Viscountess. While she was very much aware that the dandies of the ton showered their female companions with compliments, Alex Knight was definitely not a dandy, and in relation to that, any compliment of any sort that came from him was definitely meant to be taken at a more serious level.

As his Lordship steered the conversation with the Viscountess, Elise took the oppurtunity to complete her purchases, buying one set of enamel hat pins, the satin tea hat, the forest green bonnet as well as the cream beret for tomorrow evening's ball. Then she set herself to politely listen. Indeed, London was the heart of the entertainment, but she hoped that the Earl did intend to retire to the country at least for a few weeks a year!

Caught day-dreaming and glassy-eyed about the rambling estates in Kent, and her long afternoon walks which she missed sorely, Elise was only jolted back into reality when Alexander turned back to her. " Most definitely, my Lord. And to make up for my lack of riding abilities and prove that I am not as hopeless as you most assuredly think I am, I will save two dances for you, if you will have me." She said with another smile, resting in the assurance that her dancing was indeed far, far, far for accomplished then her riding.

Well, fortunately it seemed that Mireille’s temporary loss of decorum had not been noted by either party due in thanks to their exclusive attentions to one another. She felt the need to excuse herself from the conversation but she ought not to do so before she was introduced to the gentleman even though he had cut her she would not return the slight. She tried not to listen to what they were saying to each other, but she could not help over hearing him talking about his horse and his sister. He was quite what a man ought to be. But, such a public flirtation was something Mireille had not seen before. She could not but think it was not quite the thing.

When he at last turned to address Mireille he looked her in the eye and she wished that he wouldn’t. She met his eye and had to force herself to lower her own in a demure way. Then he spoke to her in his charming voice and made his excuses for his earlier rudeness. She again wished him to do otherwise. It was much better for her to think him rude, though she managed to smile sincerely and return the bow. “Think nothing of it, my Lord” Mireille had heard Miss Hampton call him such so she assumed that he was “I am sure that if I were a gentleman I would be quite as eager to converse with Miss Hampton.”

Miss Hampton had given an interesting variation of an introduction completely neglecting to introduce the gentleman and leaving him to introduce himself. His introduction was everything that is should be and Mireille was sadly unable to find fault with him.

“Lord Cumberland,” She said with an appropriate curtsy “it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” It was too true for Mireille’s liking. “I have only arrived in London this morning and have not met many people in Town. You, My Lord, are the third. So though I don’t know much about it yet, I can say that I find the shops to be much superior to any I have seen in the West Indies. I am also impressed with how pretty the ladies are here.” She nodded in the direction of Miss Hampton who had made her purchase and appeared to be staring at something off in the distance. “The Town itself is very exciting and full of vivacity. I could not have asked for more, and indeed it does live up to all that I have heard.” She did not think it necessary to mention that the comments in the West Indies are varied and that there are some who love London and England and those who are glad to be gone from the place. She did add “Though I believe the weather will take an adjustment.”

“I am indeed looking forward to attending Almack’s. I have heard nothing but good things about the event.” she replied to his inquiry. She ignored the dance invitation that Lord Cumberland extended to Miss Hampton and she accepted and offered herself for another. She is quite a forward and outspoken girl. Mireille hoped that the manners she had witnessed from Miss Hampton and Lady Lydia would not be expected from her. She was going to assume it was just their youth that made them so bold and outspoken.

Since no courtesy dance invitation was offered, Mireille sensed that her company was not needed and she felt that now would be the moment to excuse her self and take leave of this man that had discomposed her so embarrassingly. After checking to see where Miss Hampton’s Maid was standing as not to leave the couple un chaperoned she turned to her companions and said “Miss Hampton, Lord Cumberland, I am afraid that I must take my leave of you to complete my errands. I shall look forward to seeing you both at Almack’s tomorrow night.” She curtseyed and gave each a nod and then turned and glided over to Annette and they walked together out of the shop. As they left Mireille took a final glance at Lord Cumberland out of the corner of her eye.

((OOC: If neither of you has anything else to say to her Mireille out))