I Suspect Conspiracy

[Upton Nott]

Upton had not thought anything of it when his sister Matilda's friend, Lady Etherium, had struck up a conversation with him at the ball. He had recently moved into a house down the street from hers after his promotion to assistant head of his department, and the combination of being a friend's brother (of whom the countess was an acquaintance) and a new neighbor was enough reason to speak to him. He had not even thought anything of it when she had suggested that they walk as they talk.

It was only when the countess slowed as they neared a pretty brunette around the same age as Lady Etherium and Matilda that Upton grew suspicious. Matilda had said something about one of her friends having a potential courtship cut short before anything could properly begin; if this was her ... not that he was opposed to meeting any young lady, but he wanted to find a bride at his own speed and not have his sister and her friends conspiring to find one for him!

Still, he was hardly going to be rude, and so as the countess introduced him he gave a winning smile and took Miss Zane's hand to bow over it cordially -- but not to kiss it, for that would be far too forward when he was only attempting to be charming! "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Zane."

@Utopia Browne
@Zephyra Zane
and @Atalanta Pendergast for the mention

  

[Zephyra Zane]

It had taking a bit of coaxing but Zephyra had finally agreed to attend the Halloween Ball with her friend the Countess Etherium. She’d been a lot more hurt by the dissolving of the near courtship she’d had with Mr. Beaumont than she’d ever thought she would be. She’d decided on a pink and gold satin gown with a modest train and cap sleeves. It was a lovely gown to be sure and it complimented her complexion and her coloring quite well. She was doing her best not to be morose or unpleasant but it was a bit difficult. Mr. Beaumont was in attendance and she had rather been hoping that he wouldn’t be. But she could not avoid society forever because of one man or she would never be married. That was not an acceptable outcome.

She was watching the dancers from the side of the room, a pleasantly neutral expression on her face when Eleora approached with a man in tow. It wasn’t unusual for her to make introductions but she had a feeling that her friend wasn’t about to let her stand on the sidelines. Zephyra Zane wasn’t made for playing the part of a wallflower. As introductions were made and the man captured her hand, she tried not to tense. But as it was she was quite ready to snatch her hand away if he was too forward or familiar with her.

With only the barest of hesitations, she dipped into a respectable curtsy and flashed him one of her charming smiles. “And you, Mr. Nott.” She glanced briefly at Eleora, trying to gauge her intentions before turning her attention back to the gentleman. “A festive ball, is it not?” She would be polite. She would be charming. She would be attentive. But above all she would be wary.

  

[Upton Nott]

She was pretty, this friend of Matilda's, although the way she tensed up when he took her hand was confusing. It was almost as though she expected him to try to take liberties, which was confusing. Upton might not have been as pure as a young lady was expected to be -- not by far -- but he had never attempted to take any sort of liberties with a young lady of his own station.

He was quite certain that the countess had gotten it into her head that he would be a good match, because there was a smug little smile on her doll like face.

"It is, Miss Zane," he said with a smile. "Are you enjoying it so far? I do hope that your dance card has been filled to your satisfaction."

  

[Zephyra Zane]

Yes, Eleora was up to something but Zephyra supposed that she was grateful for her friend’s interference. For all that she had a few gentlemen approach her already to put their name on her dance card, none had shown enough interest to claim her last dance and her first dance had been with a decidedly awkward and rather short gentleman with the habit of sucking on his teeth and making irritating sounds.

“Well it certainly has me feeling festive.” She lifted the wrist that held her dance card and smiled with a faint shrug of one shoulder. “There are still a couple openings but I think that I will be content with my partners.” Except for that tooth sucking mouth breather. If he tried to come and claim another dance with her...she would just have to make a bit more of an effort to get her card filled so she had a reason to turn him down without being too rude. She could only claim she needed a rest for so long before he would see it for what it was. “And are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Nott?”

  

[Upton Nott]

"I am," he confirmed with a slight smile. Miss Zane was quite attractive, and it was not as though he was betrothing himself to her or anything ... "Perhaps you would allow me to fill one of those slots?"

A dance would certainly be a nice diversion, and it would take him away from Lady Etherium, who was -- well, watching him a bit like a puppeteer who had a show coming together perfectly. It was odd that such a tiny woman could be so intimidating!

  

[Zephyra Zane]

“Certainly, I could not deny a dear friend’s brother a dance.” With a twist of her wrist, she had the dance card in her palm; it was attached to her wrist by a delicate chain and the cover was embossed with a rather fancy Z. Inside was a pencil. Holding out her hand to Mr. Nott, Zephyra smiled and glancing over at Eleora was more than certain her friend had ideas.

It was while she was looking at her friend that she saw the rather persistent Mr. Gravel who seemed to be waiting for introductions and such to be finished in an attempt to claim another dance with her. Something she had no intention of allowing if she could help it. “I do believe that my next might be free, Mr. Nott.” She said, turning her attention and her smile back on him. Of course she also had her last dance open and one in between the two. If she were lucky, she could fill them all before Mr. Gravel cornered her again.