The young maid had told Constance that her dearest friend Victoria had arrived.  She had made her way down to the Gathering Room, it was a small welcoming room were the guests were shown before being taken further into the house.  The fire was always blazing, it was a room people felt happy in, and that was the whole idea.  A room to welcome guests and set them at their ease before they met their hosts.<br/><br/>Lady Constance entered the room and smiled at the Countess.  "My dear Victoria, you look devine as always" she said, kissing the beautiful woman on her cheeks.  "I was hoping you would get here in time to relax and enjoy the evening.  Do you require food or a drink?" she asked her, wondering what was keeping her husband.  But she remembered that the minx Josephine had arrived.  She was probably enjoying his hospitality.