WISH YOU NEVER MET HER AT ALL.

" sword swallowing... " edmund repeated, suddenly realizing that the baroness was the most interesting person in the room ! easily ! " ah but you're mistaken. that would be entertaining. who doesn't enjoy a bit of hostility ? parties need entertainment, yes, but the rarest kind is a scene of pure and uncontrolled loathing. "

"it was quite a fascinating thing . how they ever place those sharp swords down delicate throats - and yes - they are sharp ! i made sure of that ." she chuckled softly , eyes looking down at her glass of lemonade until a slight frown graced soft features. "as long as it is not directed towards me - it is entertaining to watch. and the aftermath of it." a dark chuckle left her , a hand coming to cover her mouth. "how many ladies look to the offended lord with such sadness as if she did not offend him in the first place and are upset about their person being ignored !"

Assad Zaman as Armand INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE | 2.01

a hand took hers gently and he lead her out onto the dance floor when the new song arose. he could already hear the whispers of the ladies of the ton behind their fans - it almost wanted him to roll his eyes but he kept his composure for the moment. he enjoyed hazel's company , he couldn't deny that. "i wouldn't say you are untouchable , my lady. your unapproachable demeanor is indeed a breath of fresh air compared to the other ladies of the ton. they seem to throw themselves at every eligible lords feet from either pressure of their dear mamas or the pressure of becoming a spinster..."

               Something about the way his fingers wiggled in the air had delicate brown hues rolling. It had fingers twisting to pull the dance card from tied around her twist, holding it out to the other, held between two fingers. ❝To be declared the Diamond is a most dreadful prospect. The incessant scrutiny, the obligation to satisfy Her Majesty, and the relentless anxiety of never quite meeting the expectations of both her and the Ton, I most certainly decline. Moreover, I am certain my beloved brother perceives me as the most exquisite gem – or, he ought to.❞ Her last words came with a quick striking tease to her tone. ❝I would prefer to avoid the throng of suitors at our doorstep. Most seek naught but a generous dowry and a vessel for progeny, rather than engaging in delightful conversation and hobbies.❞

"do not tell me you are hiding away from the eager prospects." he took the dance cared - seeing blank lines and it earned him quite the look of disapproval. "you a gem ? more like a scratched ruby." he teased before gently tying the dance card back around her wrist. "i am kidding... the queen would be out of her mind to not name you the diamond. you are the one that shines the most through." a hand came to fix a curl behind her ear before straightening back. "oh you have a most generous dowry ... trust me. i have seen father's estates. now to figure out which lord is just after such a generous thing - is the hard part." he won't left her marriage only become a thing of money and politics. "now please at least show some interest. a dance or two.." yeah ... asif was one to talk.

"ah alice ! " he hummed softly. to say asif was cruel to his employees would be a lie. he was quiet fond of them - kind to them. why would he be mean ? "how are you enjoying your night off ? are you having a good time - if you say no than i am more than obligated to remedy that." a small laugh.

"not really. my fault - i should have been present especially when it falls onto myself this year." his father wouldn't be able to , he had to pick up so many duties recently that he felt like his head was spinning just like the couples on the dance floor. "i dare say that i will be most -- diligent for those calling on my sister." they should be afraid. but he should have been more worried about calling on one of the eligible ladies of the ton himself. his father drove that into his mind non stop with the upcoming season. his first debut. and he had to make sure it was his last... according to his father.

               Isabel herself was not much for idle gossip. When ladies would gather together over a Whistledown and whisper beneath their breaths as if their harmful words would not bring pain to strangers, the blonde herself pushed far from the actions. It did not keep her ears entirely clean of rumors, however, especially when you found yourself in such a large household as she did. Mei Honeyfield was a name she had heard before and it was rarely laced with kindness for a woman who had lost someone — no matter how old he was. She had approached the other when it appeared she was standing off in a dark corner, no others attempting to approach. The response she received had the young Dowager Viscountess herself releasing the smallest of chuckles. ❝Is this the designated sanctuary for widows? I dare say they neglected to inform me of my rightful alcove.❞

the viscountess' face was familiar to her - she liked to keep the knowledge of the young widows in the circle of the ton. perhaps looking for a familiarity ? she did not know why she did it. "i suppose - or at least the cursed widow one." her words were bitter before a soft sigh left her. "they act like i have three heads on my shoulders ." she stared off into the circle of women that kept glancing her way hiding behind their lace fans. "they keep leading the men away from me.... do i not desire a dance ?" after all - she missed the seasons , her family never letting her debut. perhaps it was because they could not pay for a dowry.... or she was thought to be given away as soon as she was of age. the thought disgusted her. "i do not even know how to... proceed in these things... i have never been debuted..."

a small curtsy was given to the princess as the widow came to know that she was one of the queen's children. "your highness." a small hum left her as fingers danced against the side of the glass in her hand. was she in mourning ? she pretended to be - she could care less if that old man was rotting in the ground or not. "i appreciate the kind words but i would hate to ' wash my bad luck on you '. " her tone gave a snide of sarcasm at her own words.

" these sorts of parties are always missing something... i cannot say what that something is but i just know it should have been taken into consideration during planning. " his index finger tapped the foot of his glass: it was an absent-minded movement of boredom. " a few months ago i attended a party with people who swallowed fire. have you ever seen someone do that ? it was rather marvellous. the sort of grand spectacle you'd expect her majesty to show us. " but the sea of white and silver gowns meant that nothing unbecoming or distasteful could be shown during the evening. this was an evening for the pretty little fragile birds to get a taste of the real world. a fire show, no matter how exciting, might have been too much — or just too distracting !

"fire eating ? no." the widow spoke softly as the other spoke out. "sword swallowing - yes." a soft him came from her as she placed red colored lips against the rim of her lemonade glass. "these balls are much to -- simple for me. the only excitement they seem to bare is a fight or two. what lady has been offended by what lord. or what lords challenge each other for a duel out of honor." a small chuckle left her.

"felix is that overly eager young lord hovering around the mayfairs. i hear he has been hoping to see the youngest mayfair - hoping to court her. let us see if he fumbles it. he's awkward - newly of age for the season. i give it -- ten minutes before she wanders away." he smirked , keeping a dark gaze on him before looking at her. "do you have any predictions of any newly weds this season ?"

"her majesty certainly spared no expense on this ball." he observed , glancing at the expensive trinkets perfectly placed about the ballroom. "as we all expected I'm sure. but for her not to name a diamond yet... it's beyond me..." asif shook his head slightly as he watched about the room - watching the fluttering of feet about the dance floor , the eager expressions of prospect in the younger ones of the ton. He wondered if he would have ever been one if not for the long term arrangement he was previously in. Now he was just tired. "any of us would be so lucky to have our sibling named... rishima would be the most striking and glowing diamond." he smiled slightly , looking off into the distant at her. "but to examine each and every caller... would be exhausting..."

Alexander Vlahos and Evan Williams as Philippe I, Duc D'Orléans and Chevalier de Lorraine VERSAILLES 2.06: THE SANDS OF TIME.

when the mention of him stepping out into the fold was spoken a simple groan came from him. "well... seeing as i was already surrounded so gracefully when i stepped inside - it seems some eyes are on me." he rose his glass to his lips , taking a small sip. "i'm not much of a dancer ..." that was a lie - he was an exquisite dancer. "i am afraid that if i so much step towards the dance floor - lady marina's mother is going to swoop in and drag me towards her daughter.

the duke had been standing there for a moment - sipping on the lemonade. god... he hated lemonade but it was better than water. but it was a nice refreshment after dancing a dance or two with his own wife. he was here to chaperone his younger siblings - even if they were reluctant about him doing so. he had noticed the small sway in the corner of his eye and it couldn't help but leave a small chuckle from him. "i have never seen someone so eager for the season in quite some time , my lady." he spoke to her softly. "and yet - i have not seen you on the dance floor. the lads to shy to address you ?"