[Charity Pritchard (Lin)]

Huff

Charity took a breath as she stood at the refreshment table, helping herself to the weak lemonade as Blake went to fetch Elise for her. She and her sister had agreed to meet at the table after the second dance. Both of them had danced in it, she with Blake and Elise with Freddie Kingsley, though at different ends. They had a habit of discussing the party once it was well underway, just to see if anything interesting happened that they had missed.

This was afterall, Julianne's debut, and they had much to see and learn from it.

Hmph. What could Julianne Grafton teach me? Charity thought to herself in a moment of arrogance. Inwardly kicking herself for such spite she returned her attention to the lemonade bowl, and scooping herself a glass, took a sip while waiting for Elise.

She appeared a moment later on Blake's arm. The prescence of the Marquess had effectively deterred any of the younger dandies from approaching them. However, he was not inclined to continue in this task. " I am going to retreat to some god-forsaken corner, where no one can find me." He stated with a hint of dread, knowing no matter where he was, someone would find him.

Charity and Elise both grinned and waved him off. " Dearest, how has your night been?" Charity asked once Blake was out of hearing range. Elise promptly told her about the men she had spoken with, Lord Danston, and the Earl of Farleigh. Both brooding dark men that.. well, could not compare to Alex Knight, truly, but that was something she did not add. It did not sit well with her that the Earl had left town.

Hugging her friend, Charity nodded sympathetically, and listened before exchanging some news. " Look, her majesty Lady Christiana has just arrived.." She cut off suddenly, bringing both of their attentions to the door, where their Graces and tall, refined, beautiful Lady Christiana had just entered. " She intimidates me." Charity said suddenly.

Seldom even the least bit shy, this was a first for Charity. She looked around for the Viscount, her third dance partner and smiled, remembered Elise's own partner. " Isn't.. Anthony Dunford dancing with you next?"

Elise sighed and nodded. She was going to be funned again.

[Charlie Devenish (Rose)]

As soon as Charlie was able to leave Lady Viola and Lady Christiana's company, he did so. He crossed the room as quickly as possible in the direction of where he had seen the Marquess of Emerson.

Unfortunately when he reached the spot where he had seen him, the Marquess was no longer there and Charlie found himself facing too very finely dressed young ladies feeling particularly foolish. Just what he had been trying to avoid for a while... His mouth went dry; the fair haired girl was really very beautiful indeed.

Of course now that he was standing in front of them staring at them, he would have to do something. Which would be the less rude option? To walk away without saying anything or to introduce himself as a stranger?

Then he recalled that Lord Emerson had said he had two wards debuting this season. Perhaps these young ladies were them. In which he did have a sort of aquaintance to justify his appearance at their side.

He cleared his throat and asked trying to appear debonaire, "Do I have the honour of addressing the wards of the Marquess of Emerson?"

[Charity Pritchard (Lin)]

Elise was just about to open her mouth to speak when a voice sounded at her side. Immediately she turned, saw wide eyes and heard the tone of voice. Charity's brows flew into her fringe, her tinted lips shaping into an 'O' in subtle surprise. Seldom did a man claim an acquaintance from Blake's name.

" Indeed you do, Sir. Lord Emerson is my Cousin; I am Miss Pritchard, and this is Miss Hampton, the Marchioness' god-daughter." Charity said quickly, smoothing over the momentary lapse of conversation when the gentleman had first appeared.

Elise bobbed a measured curtsy and flashed a look of confusion to Charity, no doubt wondering exactly who this man was and indeed what he was doing. Neither of them had seen him in town yet, and as such, found it impoosible to place a name to a face that they had never seen before this moment.

Both of them waited for his reply that would perhaps enlighten them of the connection between himself and the marquess.

[Charlie Devenish (Rose)]

Charlie took them in. Miss Hampton, the goddaughter, was really one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen. Miss Pritchard was handsome as well, but not really in the same league he thought.

He unstuck his tongue from the roof of his mouth and executed a bow. They deserved a proper introduction after behaving so civilly towards him.

"I am very happy to meet you, Miss Pritchard and Miss Hampton," he said, a faint blush appearing on the back of his neck and around his ears as he looked at the fairer girl. "I am Mr. Devenish. I had the pleasure of meeting Lord Emerson this morning in Bond Street and he mentioned you both, how he had two beautiful wards."

He was not certain he should have said the last part of his sentence, but it was too late to take it back now. He hurried on with, "I believe we have a mutual acquaintance in Lady Viola Fitzgerald..."

He was not sure if Viola knew the Marquess's wards but if she knew him then she probably had met them. He hoped it might at least give him some context in their minds in which to place him.

[Charity Pritchard (Lin)]

" A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Devendish." Charity said smoothly. Giving him her gloved hand. Elise gave him a warmer smile and echoed Charity's greeting, blushing in turn as she noticed a tint of pink going around Mr.Devendish's cheeks. She privately thought that it was sweet how he was sincerely young, and his trying to act 'debonair', simply made it funnier.

" Lady Viola?" Charity was asking now. " Yes, I do know her. In fact, I think I would like to address her as a friend!" She said with a grin. "Remember, Elise, she and Mrs. Greystone called before?"

Elise nodded, " I rode with her as well. She is a beautiful rider." Raising a hand, she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled at Mr. Devendish. " How are you aqquainted with my god-brother, Mr. Devendish?" She asked with yet another bright smile. Charity herself grinned as well, happy at yet another connection between Lady Viola and her cousin.

It shouldn't be long till the wedding bells!"

[Charlie Devenish (Rose)]

Charlie noted Miss Hampton's blush with great pleasure. It made her look as pretty as any country rose.

He was even more pleased to note that the two girls considered themselves friends with Viola. He grinned broadly and felt himself relax slightly. "Oh, I am glad you are friends with Lady Viola. I hope we shall a great deal of each other in that case. And yes, she is a formidable rider!" Not quite the same description that Miss Hampton gave her, but Charlie had ridden with Viola too often to consider her beautiful in the execution of her favourite sport.

"I daresay you know then that her sister will join us soon, Lady Olivia Fitzgerald, you know. She will be debuting and arrives Saturday. I am sure she would welcome your friendship too!" He smiled hopefully.

He was really looking forward to Olivia's arrival. He wasn't scared of her for one thing and he was closer in age to her than to Viola. She understood him a great deal better and was always ready for some form of entertainment. So was her sister, of course, but she often liked to pretend she was above such frivolities. Charlie had no idea why.

[Charity Pritchard (Lin)]

" Of course Mr. Devendish, any friend of Lady Viola's, much less any sister, would be sure of our friendship, Miss Hampton and I." Charity said reassuringly. Could it be that young Mr.Devendish could have a tendre for Lady Olivia? Charity gave pause to the thought and vowed to clear up her understandings. Smiling, she asked, " Are you accompanying Lady Viola to town the, Sir? How.. honorable and gentlemanly of you to escort her!" Charity beamed at him, trying to make the poor man feel at least the slightest bit comfortable in a conversation.

Elise, catching on, bestowed yet another smile on him, how refreshing this was, a man who did not fawn and swoon, or indeed stammer. Perhaps his being friends with Blake was a real thing! " Oh, Mr. Devendish, this Sunday, it is the annual Emerson Ball, and Miss Pritchard and I will be officially 'out' then. Lady Viola has promised to come; would you be attending as well? And Lady Olivia, I know she has only arrived the day before, but we would so loved it if she came.."

[Arthur Dalrymple (Vikki)]

Two pleasant dances down, both with ladies Arthur was perfectly familar and at ease with. After his mis-step with Lady Viola, he had managed to avoid inadvertantly offending either of them (at least he hoped, and certainly Lady Louth had not appeared at all put out with him throughout 'Selina').

Now, however, he was due to dance with Miss Pritchard - assuming she was not still cross with him. This could be where the tide turned on him. He spotted the girl a little down the room after he had escorted Lady Louth to some old friends, deep in conversation with her foster-cousin. By the time he threaded his way through the other attendees, however, they had been joined by a young man who Arthur did not know. He was forced to wait on the edges of their little group until an appropriate moment in the conversation.

[Charlie Devenish (Rose)]

Charlie could not help puffing himself up a bit not just at Miss Pritchard's kind words and at the way Miss Hampton was blushing, but because of the compliment it implied to his respectability of character. "Yes, her father wished for me to escort her for the season as neither he nor either of Lady Viola's brothers could be in Town this year. You may be sure I feel suitably privileged!"

That was when Miss Hampton spoke in a soft and delightful tone of voice. He felt himself go red again and stammered, "Oh, I say, that would be delightful! Are you quite sure? And I know that Livia- Lady Olivia I mean- would be so happy to attend a party as soon as she has arrived. That's really awfully decent of you, Miss Hampton!"

His faux pas over Olivia's name made him blush even more. It was so odd to think of the girl he had chased round the grounds of Rotherham and Applebrook as a boy in terms like "Lady Olivia". And yet he needed to start.

As his blush subsided, he noticed that another gentleman was standing on the edge of their group. He remembered him as the man who had been dancing with Viola at first. Lord... oh dash it... what was his name?

Failing to remember his name and not having been introduced anyway, Charlie was forced to give him an awkward smile and wait to see what the others would do.

[Charity Pritchard (Lin)]

" Indeed, Mr. Devendish, I am sure Lady Viola is equally, and most properly assured of your presence in town." Elise replied, her smile widening and her hands animatedly landing on Charity's elbow to touch her. " Char," she said, using her friend's pet name. " Do you not think that Lady Olivia is so very lucky to have aquaintances in town already? I believe we would feel so alone without anyone but ourselves."

Charity nodded in agreement, not really noticing Elise's mingling with her practiced air, when she saw Viscount Linley hovering on the outside of their little group. Elise had not met the Viscount as yet, though she had heard of him from Charity the evening after the house was bought.

" Mr. Devendish, tell me now, you must have studied a great deal; what are you studying in fact? At university?" Elise was always interested in the intellectual, and found it easy to talk to men about their work. She noticed Charity smiling from the corner of her eye and fought not to look. But before she could say anything, or indeed continue her conversation with Mr. Devendish (the affable, lovely gentleman, she thought), Charity had tapped her lightly on the arm.

" I am sorry Mr. Devendish, but allow me to introduce Viscount Linley, whom, I believe, is here for the third set?" She said with a beaming smile, the previous argument all forgotten, even though it was very much her fault, " Lord Linley, this is Miss Hampton, my very good friend, and Mr. Devendish, a friend of my cousin's."