Snippet #1504408

Following his path devoutly, Damien's eyes scanned the room. The night's activities were already beginning to wear on him. One could only extract so much pleasure from watching others engaged in a vigorous physical activity such as dancing. He pushed a hand through his hair tiredly, sighing once again. To be sure, balls were his least favorite of all social engagements. The society which he immersed himself in was less than intriguing, and the conversation downright repetitive. Oh my, did you hear about Miss Faucet's new riding habit? It is simply exquisite, and Oh, dear, Mr. Hawking, you are quite an atrocious flirt. Really, how often could one speak of clothes and beaus before they grew tiresome?

"There you are, Roskin!" A voice caught Damien's attention, and he glanced up to see his friend, Gerard Le Feuvre, beckoning to him from a group of young ladies a little ways away. A few other gentleman hovered about the group covetously, though the young women paid them no mind. Mr. Le Feuvre was about Damien's own age, and he was quite popular with the young ladies, as he had a handsome face and handsome income to match.

"Le Feuvre," he replied in kind as he adjusted his course to bring him closer to the gentleman. "I did not know you planned to attend this ball."

"Indeed, I did not know it myself, but evening rolled around and I found myself mounting the steps," Mr. Le Feuvre declared, grinning.

"Mr. Le Feuvre, you are being quite rude!" exclaimed one of the fine women at his elbow. "Introduce us to your handsome friend."

Gerard chuckled and did as the woman had bid him. Damien bowed as he was named. "It is a pleasure," he replied, kissing each lady's hand in turn. They tittered at his attentions like a flock of birds. Damien remained with the group for a time, making and responding to polite inquiries from the women. It said a lot for Gerard's charm that only a few of the women had transferred their attentions to him.

"Lord Rowley has snagged quite a beauty," remarked Gerard. "Poor thing." Damien followed his friend's gaze to the dance floor, where Lord Rowley's generous bulk made him easy to find. His partner looked no more than 20, and possibly younger. She had long, alluring, wavy black hair and a petit figure, made to look even smaller next to Lord Rowley's hulking mass. Needless to say, Damien did not think she looked very pleased to find herself in the company of such a man.

The women of their group, who had obviously been waiting for an offer to dance which was not coming from either of the gentleman anytime soon, had been drawn off one at a time by other gentleman, and Damien and Gerard now found themselves alone on the side of the dance floor. The young man looked at Damien, a mischevious glint in his eye. "What do you say, would you like to steal her away?"

Damien turned the idea over in his head for a moment, continuing to observe the mismatched pair. It pleased him, and a small smile spread across his features. "Indeed."