"Mmm. For a moment, I was sure it was going to when Selene suddenly appeared in all of her tacky unglory." She was so glad it didn't. She wanted this soiree to over without a hitch, and for it to be said that Brooke Aurelia Wyngarde had thrown the absolute best party this season. "But thank you. Your gift truly was lovely. I've no doubt that the couple of the hour appreciated it." Ah, beautiful, civil small talk. Where would polite Hellfire Clubbers be without it?

Sometimes, though, it was also nice to cut to the chase. "So, what's on your mind, Alistaire? Certainly you and I aren't close enough that you wanted a dance simply to be graced by my company."