As parties went, Scarlet had attended more scintillating ones. The race had sounded like fun, like a little vacation away from the capital, but if this gathering was an omen of any sort, it would be dreadfully much like work. Ah, perhaps that was why she felt so trapped. Unlike the soirees and benefits a First Lady was expected to grace with her presence, this one was host to a simpler sort than the wives of politicians and the nouveau riche.
How the gaggle that had cornered her droned on, starry-eyed like a bunch of naive debutantes. At first it had been gratifying, however that state of affairs only lasted until the insipid praise began to wear out its welcome. Etiquette required that she accepted each graciously, her expression on the right side of cheerful humility.
But, as etiquette also called for the tiresome women to not follow her like ducklings all in a row as they had for most of the night, she felt free to ignore some of its more stringent constraints.
“Excuse me, ladies.” Scarlet's smile took on an especial beaming quality, radiant enough to blind. Lord forbid these silly hens were to gossip about how horrible she had been to them among themselves. “I see someone I simply must speak to. I promise we will catch up later this evening.”
Her target for more amenable company an easy pick, one that had fascinated her as soon as the First Lady had laid eyes upon her. Mr. Steel's wife had turned out to be far from the plain-faced beldam she had expected. Indeed, perhaps the farthest she could have imagined, Mrs. Steel's young face almost painfully angelic. And currently on full, charming display without either of their husbands in sight. My, my.
Scarlet's dress — a monstrosity of burgundy taffeta and guipure lace she couldn't wait to be out of — swept the ground in her wake as she approached the younger woman. Women were social creatures and as their guest, it would not do to leave Mrs. Steel so unattended. A tiny thing like her, who knew what would befall her were she to encounter a predator?
“Mrs. Steel!” The smile had turned rapacious, Scarlet's dark gaze calculating and delighted in equal measure. From up close those innocent blue eyes were even wider, golden hair shining like it was made of sunbeams. A more blessed sight there could not be. “Are you enjoying yourself? How long have you been all alone like this? You must be so bored, poor thing. What must you think of me for allowing such an oversight to happen?”