Rowena smiled at the kissing of her begloved velvet hand glancing down at her hand and up to Lord Winterstone with a smile,  the greeting warmed her heart to the man as fewer gentlemen bothered with such pleasantries  it seamed these days.   Rowena raised slowly from her curtsy and glanced to her aunt and back to Lord Winterstone<em> “I am sorry to hear such Lord Winterstone, I do hope she is well soon.  If there is anything that I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask my dear father would want such.”</em>She turned back to her aunt who stood indignant of her niece beside her<em>“I believe you have had the” Rowena paused for the briefest moment “pleasure of meeting my aunt before of course, she is most glad to be here with I this evening.” </em><br/><br/>Maude Bleakmore's lips curled into a slightly forced smile pleasant expressions seamed rare and ill fitting with the aging woman's facade.<em> “Lord Winterstone, thank you for your hospitality and the evening a fine affair.” </em>The look that Maude has expressed at the kiss of her nieces hand where a stark warning of any who might try the same with her, Maude as much as she liked to play matchmaker despised any public displays of affection thinking them utterly improper and indecent.<br/><br/>Rowena bowed slightly to Lord Winterstone “If you will excuse me and my aunt Lord Winterstone,  I find id like to become acquainted with some of the fine guests you have assembled.”  Rowena bowed lower and backed of slowly before softly turning to stalk the gathering with her aunt glancing about the room wondering who to try converse with first.<br/><br/>There where many colourful characters assembled and Rowena felt spoiled for choice but she could not help but notice the dark man's occasional glances towards her.  As much as she thought it would horrify her aunt to speak with him next Rowena decided to avoid him for now and pretended not to notice his gaze upon her.  It was perhaps then the most unlikely of people that she approached next a fellow woman who stood alone without chaperone, she tilted her head slightly to speak to her aunt.  “Why don't you enjoy some tea  auntie.”  She looked in Lacey's direction and her aunt moved of in search of proper conversation.  Rowena smiled and moved in Lacey's direction she offered a slight smile and glanced her over wondering who she was.<em>“Lady Rowena Bleakmore Ashwin, who might I have the pleasure of addressing,  and what keeps you alone and without company in such an affair as this might I wonder ?”</em>