She had thought she had caught a glimpse of him among the guests, but had observed from a far to be sure. Yes, there he was over there, she observed from the security of the rim of her champagne glass. With that trollop of an Ennington girl, Catherine. What could she possibly have that Olivia did not? Oh good, he was done with her, making his way - alone - elsewhere.

Olivia hurried after him with as much dignity as her gown allowed.

"Oh Mister Culpepper! There you are! It's so wonderful to see you here tonight, the evening wouldn't be complete without you."

Fuck. She'd spotted him, honed in on him, and made a beeline for him. Shit, shit, shit. "Yes, hello," he said, looking for an out. Dancing with a Carrington chit was social suicide and he needed to extract himself as politely as possible from the woman who now practically plastered herself to his personal bubble. "Miss Carrington, I regretfully must... take refreshment to my mother." He doled a glass of punch out and offered it to her politely.

Lailani had almost so lost in thought over where she would place the hypothetical device if she were to rent a part of the property here that she nearly missed catching sight of Norman, her fiancé. Once she did her brown almond eyes were on him, noticing how the poor man looked uncomfortable. Oh her poor wet cat that was Normy. Perhaps she could distract him with conversation? She thought as she practically ran over to Norman as best she could in her fancy shoes and dress. “Aloha Norman” she said cheerfully as she gently touched his forearm, then gave it a comforting squeeze as she leaned a bit and whispered to the mans ear. “You look adorable tonight” she whispered with her warm smile. “Would you like to dance? Do you want to try the food?” She said trying to distract Norman from getting stuck in his own head as Lailani thought the man was plagued with worry driven mind.

He was still fussing over his station when she rushed up him.  His South Pacific princess looking radiant. A very heated thought flashed through his mind as he remembered what she looked like under that gown. God Bless St. George! Norman must be the luckiest man in England, even if his collar was starched too heavily. 

"I'm not hungry just now." he answered softly. A pause. He stared at his shoes, then looked up into her dark almond eyes. If Norman was hers and she his, he should be more assertive. "Yes. Let's dance."

Lailani smiled happily, squeezing Normans arms as she nodded as she moved out to the dancing center. She thought about asking Norman if he knew any dance steps specifically, however Lailani simply placed her hands where they out to be when doing the waltz. Although Lailani being Lailani never was one to follow everything if she followed convention at all which was debatable. That is why Lailani while doing the waltz, moved her hips based off the rhythm of the music that she saw fit to make her dress move blending a mix of waltz and aspects of dance of home hula. All the smile the young woman smiled at Norman like they were the only two people in the world. Besides… she could already guess that Norman had imagined her naked so why not give the man something to ponder in a uncomfortable soirée? At least she was being thoughtful to her fiancée.

Having Maxim return so quickly did help her feel better but he seemed more threatening than necessary. She immediately held up her hands to him. "It looks like there is some history between you two, but.. Maxim, I think there is a misunderstanding. He couldn't have known we were together. After all, we didn't arrive together and we'd only had one dance before you left to check on your sister. And all he did was ask for a dance, so.."

She took a deep breath and smiled weakly hoping to effect both men. "Let's relax and no hard feelings? It is a dance, so everyone should have a pleasant time?" She was very hopeful they both would.

“I don’t know that man,” Roderick quickly corrected mid-sentence with a frown.

The frown softened, however, when she treated him like a human being instead of a murderer by association.

“You can dance with me after him,” he urged, desperation in his voice.

His gaze flicked warily to Maxim and then back to Nettie again.

“Unless you agree with him.”

He looked to Nettie and he said, "Many pardons, Nettie..." He barely restrained himself from sneering at Roderick, "Mister Carrington." He bit his tongue out of respect for her. He didn't even blink an eye, he did say, however, "Perhaps you can fetch the lady some refreshment?" He was offering an olive branch despite his great disdain for the Carrington name.

Nettie had no clear idea what was going on or how she got into this, but she felt bad for this Carrington man who seemed like he just wanted a dance. She hadn't seen how he spoke to Maxim's sister and hadn't met him or any Carrington so it was all rumors, and she didn't like to judge based on such a thing like her uncle had been.

She took a deep breath and lifted her glass to show she had some. She reached out to very lightly touch Maxim's arm. "I think that's a great idea."

She looked toward Roderick. "Go fetch something for your sister and make sure she is alright. Me and Maxim will dance and then I can dance with you once. So, please, no more fighting?" She said looking back to the Ennington man hoping he wouldn't feel jealous over such a thing. She honestly didn't want anyone to come to a dance taking the time to dress up and be excited to have a little fun and no one would dance just once with them. It could have just as easily been her alone in a corner had it not been for the sweet man she'd already met who stood at her side.

"I want this to be a good night for all. It's a charity event after all." She reminded them hoping to put things in perspective.

Roderick did not even humor Maxim with a glance when he actually spoke. Maxim told him to fetch like a dog, and –

This beautiful woman managed to sand down every edge of Maxim’s and turn it into regard for his sister. He didn’t actually like Olivia all that much, but he loved her as a brother was obligated to.

Then she emphasized it was a charity event, and his brows creased slightly. ‘Charity’ was euphemism for publicity (or pity), but maybe she was too naive to realize that.

“You are right, ma’am,” he said. “I look forward to our dance.”

He started over toward where he had last seen Culpepper, whose name he only knew because he was one of the Queen’s own chosen Olivia … only to see she was already being given a drink by him.

Shit. If he went over, would he disturb the delicate equilibrium that might allow her to marry out of the family? He hovered an awkwardly close distance away.

After dancing with Emilios, other young men had asked Athanasia to dance, and she’d happily twirled around the floor with them. When her stomach started growling, she excused herself from her current partner and went to seek refreshments in the other room. Picking up a plate, she began filling it with savory delicacies. Spotting one shrimp pastry sitting alone on a tray, she reached for it just as somebody else did the same.