Emily Rose wished she could have sighed.  Nothing was more inane than idle chatter, especially when she was at a loss as what to say.  She was deeply relieved when the dinner bell sounded and they all seemed to adjourn to the Dining Room like a pack of hyenas.  Hyenas because she could tell that many of the invited guests were there to partake in the good charity of the Winterstones.  She took her seat and glanced at all the guests.<br/><br/>She began assessing each person for their character flaws.  The things she had manged to hear among the hen pecked gossip of the ladies.  Though she did not get out much, she was still required to make an appearance to tea,now and then.  it was a horrible thing she had to do.  Just the week before she was at a tea with Miss Weatherby.  The God awful woman would not shut up.  To be honest, the complaints that poured forth were trappings of jealousy and contempt but the little tidbits were things her brother used in his gambling.  Something about the bluff beginning before the game.<br/><br/>Emily Rose took delicate sips of her soup, every small gesture a compliment to proper etiquette.  She glance up and met Major Tyler's eyes and he nodded and smiled at her.  She turned her eyes down with a blush.  He was a nice looking gentleman and though she was in his presence earlier that night, his bold look set her heart to thumping.  She was coming of an age now when the look of all men made her a tad nervous.  She glanced down at the Lady Rowena.  Now there was a woman of this age.  Bold and beautiful, the haughty rebellion Emily Rose so wish she had.  Why is it the Lady was so pale and trembling.  Ah, a chink in that shiny armor.  She tucked that bit away for later.  She smiled to herself, thinking now of a new game she could play.<br/><br/>This was the strangeness that Nathaniel so wished to hide.  That bit of spontaneous darkness that his dear sister tended towards.  he knew what she did.  It was probably his fault.  The Laramie woman who committed suicide....he knew that Emily had a hand in that.  If women weren't such awful gossips, his sister's experimentation on what could happen if the gossip was pushed a certain way.<br/><br/>The delicious taste of the asparagus soup sat cold in his stomach.  He needed a distraction and right quick.  He loved his sister dearly but if someone began to notice that odd little smile...well, he wasn't about to let it happen.  He had seen the Major eying the ladies in the room, his sister included.  About to say something, the maids began to serve, he was most taken by the one that dished his plate.  So lovely. Lovely enough to give her a solid pinch to her bottom.  He liked to see how the help reacted in such a setting.  If they did nothing, they kept their job and maybe he would pay them a sweet little visit or they lost their job in a display of indignance and he paid them a visit anyway.  At least if the mood struck him.  "Hmmmm, yes, Jessica....I would certainly call on you if I<em>needed</em>something."<br/><br/>He spoke it more to himself than anything, but the gentleman to his left wholeheartedly agreed.  Nathaniel smirked bringing his attention to the matter at hand.  He allowed a minute or two to pass before pressing the Major.  Nathaniel was here for more than one thing, he had best begin to set those plans in motion.  So clearing his throat....<br/><br/>"Major Tyler, I say?  You must have seen some interesting things being a man of the military.  Did I hear that you went to India?  My sister, Emily, she likes to read and paint but she says it isn't the same as going to to a place.  I'm guessing it is fantastically hot.  Please, you must tell us, tell Emily, that India is not just deserts," he began, coaxing the man into speech.  He ignored the fork jabbing into his side as Emily ignored him otherwise and smiled at pleasantly at the Major.<br/><br/>"Yes, Major Tyler, please do tell.  I've thought of trying to paint a landscape but the books seem to lack something," Emily Rose said, vengeance on her brother skipping like dainty slippered feet through her mind.  Well, truth was, she was painting a landscape like that and she stopped jabbing her brother, forgiving him for at least slightly paying attention to what she did.