Welcome to A&A!

[Etcetera]

OOC Notes:

This is a multi-post thread, meaning that your character can appear here and in another thread, as long as said thread takes place before the Easter Ball in time.

This is a public ball. It is hosted by the Lindeman Theatre and funded by the same institution, with help from the Earl and Countess of Lindeboshire and other patrons. Invitations has been sent out to the city’s inhabitants from the upper middle classes and upwards. If your character is of the lower classes, you’ll have to find another reason for them to be attending – whether they are at work or they managed to get in without an invitation (which would not be too hard as long as they are properly dressed. People would not be too strict on this, and there are several entrances to the building – Most theatre staff would only be happy to help their fellow commoners).

The proprieties in deportment are little different from those which are recognized in every other public assembly, like concerts and plays. Guests arrive in parties – not necessarily couples. Single gentlemen may arrive alone, but a lady should not attend a public ball without an escort, nor should she promenade the ball room alone; in fact, no lady should ever be left unattended.

Other than that… Ready to begin posting! Have fun!

--

The ball-room was not yet crowded and Rebecca was already bored. The air was not yet heavy and still Rebecca was already hot. She fanned her face, wishing for a moment that she was one of those women who didn’t wear a corset. Her back hurt, it was hard to breathe and her ribs felt like they were going to crack like little twigs.

Rupert was conversing idly with the manager of the theatre, a remarkably thin and tall man with round glasses on his nose. Several more people from the theatre’s management were there as well. Boring people, all of them, it seemed to Rebecca. They were all standing not far from the room’s main entrance, nodding politely as guests bowed their way inside. No well-bred person would omit this courtesy in entering although the entrance to a large assembly like this did of course run the risk of being unnoticed.

Rebecca was wearing a deep blue dress and just now realized that she matched the carpets and wallpapers in the room, as well as the upholstery on the furniture. The dance-floor was a reddish wooden color that resembled her hair. She let out a sardonic little laugh, wondering if Mrs. Borden had had this in mind when she created the dress. Had I been the type to wear more gold, I would have looked like a little miniature ball-room, she mused, scanning the golden ornaments on the borders of the walls and roofs, the mantles and the chandeliers. Indeed, had she been a young, impressionable girl still, the room would have thoroughly amazed her.

(OOC: Note for Alice)

[Jack Bristol]

Jack Bristol was not invited to this Ball, nor was he very welcome either. But here he was, all dressed up in his uniform (the nicest one, for obnoxious ceremonies soldiers attended for their commanding officers' promotions) ready to linger near wherever there might be food, or a lovely lady. His brain froze for a moment on that last thought, but only for a moment, seeing as he was trying to be as stealth, and charming as possible. Flashing an elderly, and wealthy woman a very suave little grin, Jack bowed just enough to be proper, then offered her his arm. Almost instantly, the wealthy old thing detatched herself from her escort, and flashed her invitation at the men standing just outside of the main door. Jack was in.

As the older woman leant in to perhaps ask his name, or what fabulous thing he did for a living, or perhaps who his father was, and how he got so wealthy, Jack detatched himself from her with another bow, and smaller smile; He was looking for someone. A hurried glance around the quickly filling room, and he decided that perhaps she hadn't come. But no. Just to his left, and a bit more towards the door was the Countess, and her husband with some other snobbish people chortling about their wealth, or status no doubt; Jack wasn't quite as educated about what wealthy and privelaged people spoke about as he would like to be, but that was Jack for you. An older woman, accompanied by a younger man, and another, even older woman passed by nearly giggling like a small girl. Jack offered her half of a hello, and a lousy bow as he peered over heads to find the blonde one he'd been thinking of.

Was she not living in the Lindebo castle? Nearly cringing at his mental question, Jack excused himself as he passed a man in a suit whom looked nearly as uncomfortable as he did. His lips formed an undeniable kind of frown as he felt rather defeated. Perhaps he would never see her again. Perhaps he would never feel as comfortable again as he had that day. This saddened him immensely.. He didn't want to be alone.

[Madeline Smith]

The door pushed open to reveal a slim, full bosomed woman gliding into the ballroom. Gliding was an appropriate phrasing, becase she walked with perfect charm and elegance. Her curly, ebony locks were pulled into a sophisticated braid, but some of them were let to fall freely down her tiny neck. She was wearing a wide, violet dress with a crinoline under it. On the upper part, the dress swelled against her thin waist and generous bosom. Regardless the cold, she decided to wear a short-sleeved gown, and, followed by Prudence's numerous protests, show her decolletage. The governess almost fainted when the girl showed her the gown of her choice. Nonetheless, Madeline wore it tonight. For God's sake, it was evening. Why would she wear a high collar? That would be so...so...plain...and boring. And the Southern Belle did not wish for tonight to be neither plain nor boring. She wanted to enjoy herself, laugh, dance, have fun...of course, in appropriate male company.

Prudence walked in behind her. The governess was a buxom, tall lady with a square-shaped face and a curt expression covering it. She was seemingly different from the young woman she governed. For example, Prudence's curt, at some points clumsy step could not be compared to the jolly, carefree trot of Miss Madeline. Then there was the way the two women dressed-Prudence was wearing a plain, brown dress with an extremely high collar and long sleeves. It looked even plainer when outshined by Madeline's rather provocative one. The facial features and the figure need not to be mentioned-the opposites were clear. Although the governess was always reproachful with Madeline, greatly disapproved of her 'utterly non-lady like' behaviour and scolded her as often as possible, secretly she envied the girl. She wished to be just like that-pretty, rich and confident. And young.

"Prudence, let's walk to that nice gentleman over there, shall we?"
Madeline's eyes darted around the room from the moment the grand door opened before her. Not many people have arrived yet, she noticed. At least not so many men. There was one she noticed, but he was accompanied by another woman. Madeline recalled seeing him somewhere before, but she decided not to pay much attention to him. He must have been some high ranking politician or somebody of that sort-one of those people you see in newspapers or simply hear about in the streets. Whoever he was, she quickly dimsissed him, for he looked far too old for her. The fact that he was most likely married would not matter much if he was some ten years younger. Her emerald eyes continued to slide over the rest of the room, passing over the old and the young, children and adults, men and women. There was a little girl wearing a yellow dress, a man in a white suit, a woman in a white gown, a soldier in a uniform...

Suddenly she froze. After a second of blank gazing into the chandeliere, her look flew back to the soldier. She eyed his face, his body, his eyes, his hair...This could not be. It was impossible. Her eyes must had been betraying her...or was it simply her mind? Why, this could never be him! No, he had never mentioned anything about Lindeboshire....he did say England, but he never specified...Neither did she ask at all...No, it would be too much of a coincidence. Yet the resemblance was striking. Well, there are tons and tons of simillar men in this world...She was just about to turn around and shift her attention to the other gentlemen in the hall, when the soldier turned around. Now there was nobody between them, and nothing blocked her view at his face. Dear God...it was him. It was Jack...her Jack.The one who made her a woman...Her heartbeat increased and she glared around with jealousy. Thank God, there was no other woman on sight. Even though she last saw Jack a few years ago, she couldn't stand to see another woman next to him. Somehow, she felt very territorial about him. That was exactly why she spoke the said lines to Prudence, the governess.

Prudence's eyes narrowed, and Madeline felt annoyed. Of course, the stuck-up English woman was going to attempt to avert her from her intentions. Well, she could forget about it! When she wants to do something, she does it. Her worries proved to be correct only a second later.
"Miss Madeline, it is utterly unmentionable for a lady to roam around the ballroom freely. Not to mention talking to random men..."

Madeline's foot hit the floor angrily, making Prudence shut her mouth right away.The gleam in the younger woman's eyes intimidated her in a way. She had already seen what this lady was capable of doing...and she doubted she's seen all of it yet. Madeline made a step closer to her, whispering...no, hissing would suit better:
"Prudence, I am going to walk over to that gentleman. He is not a random man, since I've known him for years. I met him back in South Carolina. And even if I hadn't, it would be none of your concern. I talk to whom I want to talk. Clear?" And before even waiting for an answer, she pivoted, marching off to the direction of the soldier. All Prudence could do was sigh. That girl was never going to become a proper lady.

With each step she took, Madeline's heart beat faster. Dear Lord, Jack had changed. He used to be smaller...he had grown for at least an inch, if not more. His hair used to be longer before...and somewhat darker...Or was that just a figment of her imagination? It didn't matter much. Holding her dress of the floor with one hand, she came up behind him, plastering a beam on her face and placing the other hand on her hip.
"Jack Bristol! Who would expect to see you here?"
Oh, how good he looked in this uniform...As if he knew uniformed men attracted her more than ones wearing suits! Her eyes glistened once more-this night was going to be even better than she expected it to.

(Madeline's Gown)

[Jack Bristol]

Jack sighed in frustration. Where could she have gone? Surely, if she was with the Count and Countess, she would here already. He reached up a hand, and scratched his cheek idily for a moment, before deciding he'd go to have a drink somewhere. That was until..

"Jack Bristol! Who would expect to see you here?"

Jack froze. Madeline Smith?! He'd almost forgotten.. Almost. His face consumed with absolute guilty terror - Why wasn't she in South Carolina enjoying her womanly self, rather than here at a most inconvenient time? He swallowed, and turned to face her quickly. "Miss Smith!" He echoed her surprise, although inside he wanted to cry. Well, not necessarily, but to him that's how it felt. "Yes! Well, I .. I always mentioned the army, didn't I?" He asked quickly, "I suppose I failed to tell you exactly where in England I lived." His mind was moving a mile an hour. He thought back to their first meeting, and almost.. almost smiled his little boyish smile. Ah yes.. what a night.

Realizing that he had been slouching a bit, Jack stood back up to his full height, and gave her a little bow, as was customary. "It's excellent to see you." He added awkwardly, swallowing once more. What if she was here to stay? Oh God. Jack returned to scratching his cheek for a moment. Would she want him to court her? Would she want a relationship? Inside Jack was crying like a small child. "I.. never knew you left South Carolina?" Perhaps simple conversation would be best. Maybe..

[Alice Alexander]

Alice sat on a couch in the sitting room on the second floor of the theatre that had been made into a sort of dressing room for her. She bit her lip quite hard while a few servants scampered around, trying to find the last minute ribbons and bows to do Alice's hair with. She'd been told a few days earlier that she would be launched into society at the upcoming ball. This caused a permanant frown to be situated on her face for several days. It wasn't that she wasn't grateful that her aunt and uncle were putting effort into making her debut a magnificent one but the the very phrasing of "launching her into society" made her sound like she was a barge or something. She also realized that it was just for show since Baron Wothersham had already hinted to his intentions.

"Miss Alexander," said a maid, holding up Alice's dress.

She looked at it with little enthusiasm. It had been picked out by her mother before she left and it looked like it weighed more than Alice did. It was far to ornate for her taste and looked horridly uncomfortable. There was a corset in the maids other hand that was quickly thrown over Alice. She held onto the chair in front of her while two maids pulled at the strings. The dress was quite modern but there was a very old-fashioned corset that went with it. She gasped as her waist was reduced to a mere 17 inches, the same number as her age. It had never been that small before and she found that she could scarcely breath. Before she could say anything however, the rest of her undergarments were put on and finally the dress. She glanced at herself in the mirror. She didn't quite look like herself but it wasn't as bad as she'd thought. It was of course, very frilly but it had a certain elagance to it that none of her other gowns did. She stood in front of the mirror while a woman fastened a pearl neclace around her neck and set to work arranging her hair into a relaxed bun with little wisps of hair hanging out in a way that still looked sophisticated.

The finished product truly wasn't that bad. She didn't look much like Alice at all but upon further consideration she decided the dress was somewhat pretty. The last thing to do was slip into her white slippers. Just as she finished slipping them on she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," she said in a flat voice, assuming it was her uncle to escort her downstairs.

[Marie James]

Marie fidgeted childishly with her dress, trying to breathe normally, but to no avail. It took nearly twenty minutes of convincing her governess that she would simply be up stairs for a few moments, and then back in close proximety shortly after, until she was let free from the busty older woman. Marie's father was also in attendance, and was making his way around the room looking for anyone he might know to converse with; Her father was not as socialable as she would have preferred him to be.

A soft knock originated from her dainty fist upon the door of whom could easily be called her best friend. "Alice?" Marie called quietly, nearly leaning her red head against the door. Perhaps she hadn't heard her call her name, but rather heard the knocking instead.

"Come in," she said in a flat voice, assuming it was her uncle to escort her downstairs.

About to open the door herself, Marie was startled when it opened for her. "Oh!" She squeaked very quietly, before bending her knees just slightly to the maid, then moving quickly passed her. "Goodness, look at you!" She breathed, although this was a hard thing to do. Marie moved towards her friend and bent her knees just slightly aswell, as was customary. "Are you feeling alright? You're pale as a sheet," She commented softly, turning and looking for anything that looked as though it might contain water. "Send for a glass of water," Marie instructed one of the other maids, who nodded her head and swiftly left the room to find what she had asked for.

"I do hope you're feeling okay. This is practically your party! I would feel terrible if you fell ill on such an occasion." Marie wished dearly to sit down, but realized that with the way her dress was currently fitting her, that was not entirely possible.

[Alice Alexander]

Alice heard the door tilt open and turned to greet whoever had entered. It turned out to be her dear friend Marie James. Nothing could have been quite better at that moment apart from leaving the theatre all together.

"Goodness, look at you! Are you feeling alright? You're pale as a sheet, I do hope you're feeling okay. This is practically your party! I would feel terrible if you fell ill on such an occasion.""

Alice took her friend's hands in her own as a greeting. Her smile faltered slightly when she was asked this but she did her best to keep a calm smile on her face, "Marie darling it's so good to see you." she said, ignoring her question at first, "And yes I'm quite alright you musn't worry," (JaneBennet-ness) she opened her mouth as if she was about to say it but decided better of it, "It's just...No one tells you how terrifying it is do they? I mean...The only thing they talk about is the beautiful dress, and the dancing and splendor...I mean the never once talk about it being in the least bit frightening," she said, holding a calm tone, "It's just that...My grandmother met my grandfather at her debut, my mother met my father at her coming out party...I just can't help thinking..." she trailed off. She wouldn't have talked to anyone but Marie like this. It was probably the most truthful thing she'd said all week.

Now that the door was slightly opened she could hear the noise coming from downstairs. She swallowed when she heard that there were already a lot of people downstairs. The ball had started about 10 minutes ago and she knew all the people who liked to arrive fashionably late would be coming soon.

She quickly deviated the conversation away, "Marie, you look lovely!" she said looking at her friend's dress. She always looked very pretty anyway, but in a certain mysterious way that Alice would never quite pull off, "Who are you here with?" she asked, looking around for a governess though she wasn't rather interested in finding one.

[Marie James]

"Marie darling it's so good to see you." she said, ignoring her question at first, "And yes I'm quite alright you musn't worry," (JaneBennet-ness) she opened her mouth as if she was about to say it but decided better of it, "It's just...No one tells you how terrifying it is do they? I mean...The only thing they talk about is the beautiful dress, and the dancing and splendor...I mean the never once talk about it being in the least bit frightening," she said, holding a calm tone, "It's just that...My grandmother met my grandfather at her debut, my mother met my father at her coming out party...I just can't help thinking..."

Marie gave one of Alice's dainty hands a reassuring and friendly squeeze. Secretly, Marie felt just the same as Alice did, however Marie had not come out into society yet. But that aside, she knew how nervous Alice must have been feeling, and so decided that she would be there to console her friend. "Darling, not to worry! I will be close all evening, you'll only have to pull me aside for a word." Marie consoled, tilting her head slightly, a small reassuring smile resting upon her lips in an attempt to make Alice feel that much better.

"I am positive who ever you may meet to-night will be handsome as ever, and wealthy, and sucessful! Just look who you have to introduce you! The Countess and Count themselves! I should only hope to be so lucky."

"Marie, you look lovely!"

Marie turned a light shade of crimson. She released Alice's hands and picked up a bit of her gown's material. "Do you like it? I've been trying to find one that fit accordingly all week! I think it's a bit too mature for me, but.. If it were, I am most certain my Governess would have put a few words in on the matter." A childish giggle was what became of that last bit before..

"Who are you here with?" she asked, looking around for a governess though she wasn't rather interested in finding one.

"My father, though I rather wish he would secure himself with a few friends so that I might spare a few dances away from his constant vision. My Governess is here aswell to make sure I have absolutely no fun at all." (Elizabeth-Bennet-Speediness there)

[John Doyle]

John Doyle was never one to hurry on account of other people. He therefore was not particularly worried that he was late to the ball. His party was made up of like-minded people, although, unbeknownst to him, their reasons for it were quite different. Whereas John simply did not care very much about the ball except as an excuse to see Miss Alexander again, the others with him wished him to be late enough to miss the first dance altogether. If it had been up to them, he wouldn’t be here at all.

John had received the invitation a few days ago, and had at once determined to go, as it was to be Miss Alexander’s coming-out party as well as the Easter Ball. He had informed Haverhill that he was going, and his steward had, most unusually for him, speculated on the nature of balls and how delightful they must be, until John had said that he was welcome to join John’s party. Then, a couple days before the ball, the other two members of John’s party had arrived, with only a day’s notice, most unusual for them as well. John’s youngest sister, Mary, a single woman of twenty-one years had arrived only a few hours before his middle sister, Helen, who was twenty-eight and who was no longer a Doyle but rather Mrs. James Hardacre.

Both had come recently from London. Mary had come with no one but her maid and coach-driver, and Mrs. Hardacre with the same plus an additional footman—and without her husband. The letters that they were coming arrived only a day before them, and John had expected something had happened—perhaps one of the family had died, or something equally serious to precipitate such hurry. But when they arrived, they seemed only extremely pleased to see him, and he had found out that nothing at all was the matter; they had both just wished to see their older brother. He could get nothing else out of them, and he still thought it was suspicious but had dropped the subject.

Now, both of them, Mrs. Hardacre dressed more demurely with a high-collared lace garment covering her chest where her dress ended, and Mary in a young woman’s fashionable dress, walked into the ball with him. Haverhill followed only slightly behind. John presented his invitation and they were admitted; bowing their way inside they left the entry area so as not to hold up other people. The Baron then looked about but saw that Miss Alexander had not yet appeared by the Countess. He hung back by the edges of the room, and his sisters at once took either of his arms; Haverhill stood off a ways. There was no one near to have to talk to, so his sisters began to converse with him.

”It seems to be a lovely ball,” Mary commented to John.
”You formerly did not frequent them, as I recall. We used to have to drag you to them,” Helen said. All his family was as direct as he was.
“I don’t,” he replied. “This is the first I have been to in Lindebo.”
”Oh, is it? How fantastic! Imagine, the good luck to have some of your family at the first ball you go to in this city.”
“Yes, I am still surprised at it myself.”
”Now, John, you must not be angry that we came with so little notice. We cannot help that the post is so slow.”
“I am not angry, I am merely surprised at two of my sisters visiting at once.”
”I thought we had settled the matter already. In any case, shouldn’t we enjoy the ball?”
“We did. I am enjoying the ball.”
”John, no one but you is going to know it. You have to smile at these things, otherwise you’ll put off people.”
”Yes, and you have to ask women to dance, too. They won’t ask you, you know. And they won’t come to talk with you, either, you’re going to have to go to them.”
“Well, they certainly wouldn’t with you two on my arms already. They’d give up in the face of my already being with two handsome women without ever knowing you were my sisters.”
Helen fluttered her fan. ”Oh, would they? I don’t think so. Certainly not any one determined enough.”
Mary winked at Helen across John’s chest and agreed. ”I certainly wouldn’t let it get in my way.”

John did smiled at the top of his youngest sister’s head and patted her hand on his arm. “Yes, but you are a determined person from a line of determined people, Mary. And I personally do not mind if I don’t have to talk to any of them.”
Mary replied, ”But you must, otherwise we shall stand here all evening without you dancing even once.”
“It would not trouble me.”
Then why come to the ball at all?” Helen asked keenly.
Sensing that there was something under the question although he was not sure what, John answered vaguely, “Well, you know, important people here, contacts to be made, that sort of thing.”
He turned to ostensibly look out over the room, and in doing so missed the frustrated look that passed between his sisters and the questioning glances they then sent to his steward. Haverhill shrugged back, and his sisters looked at each other again and began to talk, giving Haverhill an opening into the conversation.

”This is such a lovely occasion. I must say I prefer the décor to what I have lately seen in London.”
”I do not recognise any one here, though.”
”Neither do I. But that is not surprising.”
Haverhill came closer to them and began to talk with them, as John continued scanning the room and apprehensively watching for Miss Alexander’s arrival. ”No indeed, you’ve only been here a short time. But I can help you with that. Over there is Mrs. Phelps, the wife of our most pre-eminent lumber merchant. I do not see her husband. And that is the Honourable David Lennox over there; he is to be the next Earl of Middleton after his father.”
“The man’s a braying donkey and runs about on his intended,” John put into the conversation.
”Really? Such atrocious behavior. Her father must not have valued her highly, to give her to a man like that,” Helen commented.
”Or he was desperate,”Mary added.

John sniffed disdainfully. “Lord Dunhallow doesn’t know about his future son-in-law. Hugh Folshire is not a bright man, and Lennox can keep him blind to it with little effort.” He returned to his scan of the room, ignoring the small talk that continued on either side of him.
”Indeed, so blind as that? Someone should tell him,”Helen said.
”Or the intended herself,” Mary agreed.
”I would not want to be the one. She is very partial to him,” Haverhill said. ”At any rate, the lady with the very large feathers in her hair is Mrs. Fairfax, and the tall young woman beside her is Miss Fairfax. They are two that likely will not be put off by you; I expect that within three dances she will have hunted your brother down and be attempting to engage him to her daughter.”
”What an unbecoming woman her daughter is. I can see why she would be trying to marry her off. No man in his right mind would choose her.”
”Now, Helen, she can’t help it if she wasn’t blessed by nature.”
”Of course not. I was referring to the undignified way she presents herself. Look at how she exposes herself, thrusting her body forward upon men. It is simply disgusting.”
Mary colored slightly. ”Oh, of course. And who else can you identify, Haverhill?”
”That is the Countess by the door, of course, although I don’t see the Earl yet; he must be here of course, since she would not come without him. And the delicate young lady in the purple gown is Miss Eleanora—“

John, who had been giving the conversation only half an ear, now interrupted Haverhill as his full attention was abruptly yanked back to it. “What, Miss Nora? Here?”
His two sisters glanced at each other, and then zeroed in on him. Helen said, ”He said Miss Eleanora, actually. But were you expecting a Miss Nora to be here?”
”Oh, how delightful! You must tell us about her,” Mary exclaimed.
Faltering under the dual onslaught, John protested, “No! I wasn’t expecting her; I simply misheard Haverhill. Now that I think of it, Miss Nora would have no reason to be here.”
”You do know a Miss Nora, then? John! How could you not have told us this when we first came?” Helen admonished him.
”You’ve never shown any interest in the women we’ve introduced you to. You should know we’d want to meet the one who finally got it!”
“I have no interest in her! If there was anyone I did not want to meet, it would be her!” John said, irritated.
”Methinks the man doth protest too much,” Helen remarked across his chest to Mary, here eyebrows raised in skepticism.
”Indeed he does. He never bothered much past ‘She has no head’ for any of the ones we introduced to him.” Mary agreed, then looked expectantly at her older brother.

John looked to his steward for help, but Haverhill had chosen that moment to vanish and was nowhere in sight. He was left all alone with his sisters on either arm. He began to wish now that they didn’t cling so limpet-like to him; then maybe others would come to talk to him and this unwelcome interrogation would cease. But there was no one with earshot of him, so not only were his sisters unlikely to be interrupted, they could say whatever they wanted to, as well. He began to walk them over towards the Countess, changing the subject abruptly. “Well, none of them did. They were all brainless ninnies. Now, I think it is time I introduced you to the Countess.”
Helen went along, but refused to be diverted for long. ”The Countess, how lovely; I should like to meet her. This one does, then?”
Mary piped up, ”How special she must be!”
John answered as briefly as he could, then tried to change the subject again. “I suppose she does. I don’t see the Earl, but I can introduce you to him whenever he comes back. You must meet all the important people here, of course.”
”Of course we must! And the most important to meet will be this woman who meets your exacting standards.”
”I quite agree. You must introduce us. Where is she?”

John sighed. His sisters had got off on this tangent and wouldn’t let it go until they had the information they wanted. He was now trapped. “I don’t see her here. Can we discuss this later, perhaps?”
Mary exclaimed, ”Oh, absolutely! I should love to talk about it at length.
”Indeed. I am quite looking forward to it.” Helen said.
“Capital. And now, you must meet the Countess.” Hopefully, he could divert them and then they would forget to ask about Nora later.
Helen smashed his hopes at once. ”Of course. I know what you’re thinking, John. We won’t forget.”
”Yes, it is foolish to try and hide anything from us.” Mary agreed.

John sighed again and they made their way towards the Countess.

[Etcetera]

(Rebecca's Dress: )


“Does the Lady have any preferences?”
Rebecca jerked as she realized the maestro was not at his place on the gallery, but at her side, asking her a question. Who was conducting the orchestra? She looked up to find a proud young musician waving the conductor’s stick with such an energetic force that the orchestra seemed to hop in their places while playing. Probably just as well. The man now before her was really too small to be a conductor, she mused, lowering her glance to address him with an answer. He was barely level with her chest in height. She looked down on him with a touch of pity, which he must have noticed, because he practically cringed under her gaze. “Does the debutant have any favourites perhaps?”
“Oh. Hm… I wouldn’t know. Play a waltz,” she suggested. Rupert nodded.
“A waltz. Anything else?”
“No? A German?” Rebecca looked to her husband for assistance.
“Waltzes are always good,” he amiably put in. Much help he was. “And especially this early in the evening.”
The maestro nodded and retreated. Rebecca looked about the room that was gradually filling with guests.
“We can’t wait too long now, Rupert, I don’t think.” Her husband agreed, scanning the room the same way she did, to see which of the distinguished guests had arrived yet. Rebecca touched his arm and nodded in direction of the Fairfaxes and he nodded and then whispered that Lennox had arrived as well. A thin wisp of a footman stole inside the door at that point. ”Milady, you asked me to-“
“Yes, yes, have they come?”
”The Wothersham party is on their way in, milady.” he confirmed with a minute bow. Rebecca turned to Rupert.
“Go then!”
He knuckled his forehead playfully before excusing himself to the theatre board-members in his vicinity. As the manager of the theatre saw him leave, he angled his way over to the Countess.
”Is he off to fetch your niece, then, milady?”
“He is.”
”Good. Good. I will be informed when they are ready, I presume.”
Presume all you want, Rebecca wanted to say, but she smiled at him and disgorged a “So, Mr. Nettleby; are you well?” despite her complete lack of interest concerning that subject.

Oh, yes he was. Him and his entire family and he hoped she and hers was as well, and wasn’t it a lovely ball?
“Yes.”
”May I offer the Lady anything from the table of refreshments? A drink – brandy, perhaps?”
“Oh no, thank you,” Rebecca said, not because it wouldn’t have been nice with a brandy, but simply because that was what she was expected to say.
”I shall bring you one none the less,” he winked, and disappeared, simply because that was what he was expected to do. Rebecca stifled a yawn.

At this point Lord Wothersham approached her, with a debonair lady on each arm. She raised her eyebrows at this; she never knew the baron to be a charmer of women. Granted, he was eligible for his status and he wasn’t unpleasant to look at, but… well… that was really it. She truly hoped he wasn’t in a party with too many handsome young females like that. Not now that Alice would finally be officially available for courting.

But as the trio came closer, Rebecca recognized a rather characteristic feature in the left lady’s face, and then – when she searched for it – also in the other one’s: They, all three of them, had noses that reminded Rebecca of an eagle’s beak. And although the women’s were nowhere near as distinct as their… brother’s? – They must be his relatives anyway, and probably his sisters – they were also tall, which made her quite certain that her judgement was correct.
“Lord Wothersham. I trust you are enjoying the festivities.” She was lying. She didn’t trust that at all. "- And your company? Who might these lovely ladies be that you have the pleasure of accompanying them?”