It is a truth universally acknowledged... (closed)

[Skittery]

"Very observant," she quipped, smirking as she applauded politely.

Michael frowned, then turned to bow to Bea. Then he skulked off.

[Birdie]

Nick laughed, then offered his arm to her again. "Punch? I have to do my proper duty as a dancing partner, after all."

Bea blinked, bewildered, and watched as he slipped through the crowd of dancers. "Michael?" she called after him.

[Skittery]

"Oh, yes, please. I am absolutely parched," she said, taking his arm and following him to the refreshment table.

Michael found the card room, where about five card games were going on. But instead of joining one, he poured himself a drink and sat down in a dark corner, sulking.

[Birdie]

As they reached the table and Nick released her to take a couple of cups of punch, it finally occurred to him to make sure Michael had seen their dance. It was, after all, the only reason they'd waltzed together. Absolutely the only reason.

"Rough night, Bennett?" one of the gentlemen at a nearby table asked Michael, twisting in his seat with his cards in hand.

[Skittery]

Lillian was thinking the same thing. She stood on her toes to try and find Michael, though she hardly had to do so since he was so tall. "I don't see him," she said, frowning. "Do you think he saw?"

Michael grunted, taking a swig of his drink. "Women."

[Pie]

Nick frowned as he leaned this way and that, peering over the tops of the crowd. "I can't see him either. Maybe he went into one of the card rooms?" If that was the case, he may have missed the entire dance. Which, of course, meant that Nick would simply have to dance with Lillian until Michael saw them.

"You? Having woman troubles?" the man laughed aloud, and the other players joined in just as Bea made her way through the door of the card room, looking as thunderous as someone of her diminutive stature could look.

[Tag Along]

Lillian frowned, staring down into her cup before taking a sip. Then, the Earl of Winchester took a hold of her elbow, smiling a very dazzling smile. "Lady Bennett," he greeted with a nod of his head. "My lord," Lillian replied, looking in a bit of a daze. He was even more handsome up close.

Michael just rolled his eyes, but then saw Bea in the doorway. Looking murderous. He quickly looked around for somewhere to hide.

[Pie]

Nick's expression darkened as he turned to see the Earl with Lillian's arm in his hand. "My Lord Winchester," he grumbled faintly, lifting an eyebrow and giving a little dip of his head. He turned to look at Lillian, feeling a bit ill and even more irritated when he noticed how besotted she looked.

Undeterred, Bea stomped through the room, seeing him over in the corner and frowning deeply. He'd abandoned her in the middle of the dance floor, where she'd been immediately accosted by a rather intoxicated Mr. Jones. It was most embarrassing.

[Skittery]

"I believe the next dance has my name on it," he said, smiling down at Lillian. Lillian's brow furrowed in confusion. "Are you sure, my lord?" Winchester then proceeded to take Lillian's dance card and scribble his name next to the upcoming quadrille. "Yes, I'm quite sure."

Michael's expression instantly transformed from one of fright to his usual grumpy looks. He stared down at his drink, swirling it around in the glass.

[Pie]

"Actually, my lord," Nick cut in, hoping against hope that Lillian would not murder him for contradicting an Earl. "Miss Lillian and I were supposed to dance the next set." He flicked a gaze at Lillian and furrowed his brow. "Unless, of course, I was mistaken," he added with a frown. Please, let her dismiss this oily Earl. He made Nick want to kick him in the back of his terribly fashionable breeches.

Bea cornered him at last, folding her arms over her chest and ignoring the looks of the card players -- girls were certainly allowed in the rooms, but it was rather uncommon. "Michael," she said a little grumpily. "Why are you in here sulking?"

[Skittery]

"Yes, my lord, Nicholas had just inquired after the quadrille, but hadn't had time to write his name down before you showed up. I offer my sincerest apologies, but I'm afraid I'm already engaged for this dance..." Lillian had a hard time looking up at the Earl, but she managed to do so.

"I realized how much I despise balls," he replied, not even bothering to look up at her. "Run along and leave me in peace."

[Pie]

The corner of Nick's mouth twitched up, betraying his delight. "I am sorry, my lord," he apologized, his smile broadening. He held his arm out for Lillian, fully intending on dragging her away from this smarmy Earl as quickly as possible.

"Run along?" Bea repeated loudly. She was gearing up to unleash her fury, but when she looked down at him, the expression on his face made her worried instead. "Michael, what's happened?" She took a seat in the chair beside him, frowning.

[Tag Along]

Lillian hastily set her hand upon his sleeve, biting her lip as she felt the eyes of the Earl on her back. Then she realized what had just happened. "Why did you do that?"

"Nothing's happened!" Michael cried, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Now just go away, will you?"

[Birdie]

Nick lifted his eyebrows, not entirely certain of his reason, other than that the idea of Lillian dancing with Winchester made his skin crawl. "I... didn't like him. Why did you let me?" he countered, looking over at her.

Bea leaned back in her chair with a surprised and rather hurt expression."Right," she said, trying to sound calm. With a deep breath, she tilted her chin up and got up out of the chair. "Sulk in your corner, if that's what you want."

[Skittery]

Lillian cleared her throat, trying hastily to think of a reasonable explanation. "Well...I, er...I've known you much longer than I've known the Earl. It would be very rude of me to, er, favor him over you. ...Wouldn't it?" The last bit was said in a squeaky voice, betraying that Lillian had no idea what on earth she was talking about.

"Yes, it is, thank you," Michael grunted, going back to staring at his drink.