What's in a Name?

[Orpheus Parkinson]

If it hadn’t been for cousin Fairy being a Rose, and his electing to spend Christmas with the Carmichaels, Orpheus most definitely wouldn’t have been attending the ball. As it was, Aunt Isolda had made it clear in no uncertain terms that he was to attend and he was far too acquainted with formidable nature of the Orpington women to argue otherwise.

He’d even bitten the bullet and asked a couple of young ladies to dance, though he was quickly coming unstuck. He knew the next dance was a waltz and was sure he’d promised it to a particular young lady, though be damned if he could remember her name. With only a few minutes before he was irrevocably tardy, Orpheus had no choice but to cross over to the young lady. “Are you ready, miss…” He trailed off rather awkwardly, offering out his gloved hand all the same. Why couldn’t men have dance cards too?

[Hildegarde Knox]

The young Miss Knox had spent her evening keeping track of each individual man she'd danced wish, just to assure her mother that she was making appropriate selections. Her mother seemed more encouraged by a valuable name and a pureblood status than a handsome face and a healthy fortune. She wanted her daughter's fortune to go to a worthy man who'd be able to support her as well.

Hilda accepted the offer of his hand and gently placed her own there, making sure not to give a too tight or masculine grip. "Miss Knox, kind sir. Hildegarde Knox," she said, offering him a gentle smile. The former Ravenclaw had always been a little timid around men, though she pondered that it might come off as a soft and feminine attitude most of the time. Mister Parkinson seemed like a timid man in nature, though he seemed to be making an effort! And he did have lovely hair...

  

[Orpheus Parkinson]

Ah, Miss Knox. Not one of the prestigious names (which was probably why he hadn’t immediately been able to recall her name) but an heiress and pretty. However, by all accounts her mother wanted her to secure an heir, which Orpheus most certainly wasn’t. His mother had been left all the fortune by his father, and when she eventually passed (though part of his suspected she’d outlive even Flamel) he’d be no better off than Drommy or even Mordred, the youngest of the three brothers. Not to mention his mother probably wanted him to marry some fire-breathing businesswoman.

“My apologies.” He replied courteously. The ‘kind sir’ seemed a little peculiar given he’d just managed to forget her name, but it was better than her getting offended. At least they wouldn’t be late for the dance, as the music just started as he led Miss Knox onto the floor.