Lord Asterley, the twenty-eighth Baron of Astley in the county Berkshire was currently a member of Parliment and the House of Lords, and was hosting his patronage event at his family estate in Reading...which was about an hour away from the Malfoy estate in Wiltshire. Draco had floo'd home Saturday after breakfast at Hogwarts, subdued and feeling a bit unsure...because Georgiana had barely spoken to him this past week...ever since she'd gone home this past Sunday to speak with her family. She had promised that after this evening, they would sit down and talk, but Draco didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

His mother had welcomed him home and together they'd discussed what to expect for the evening. His mother seemed very well informed and when Draco had asked her where she had gotten her information on many of the guests that they would no doubt be meeting that evening, his mother had just smiled in that infuriating way of hers and told him not to worry about it. That all was well in hand.

That had made Draco even more nervous if possible before trying to take a nap after a late lunch, which hadn't happened at all...he now found himself dressed in a black Muggle set of formal robes staring at Lord Asterley's Manor, which wasn't as opulent nor imposing as Malfoy Manor, but was surprisingly, quite adequate. His mother had made arrangements for a Muggle car service to pick them up at the Dower House on the far northern side of the Malfoy property, which was the only part of the property accessible to Muggles. The sleek black sedan was a new experience and the driver seemed professional and polite, and now standing here, (considering the fact that in a few moments Draco Malfoy would be willingly entering the home of a Muggle), had him shaking his head in wonder. If his Father could only see him now, Draco was positive that old Lucius would have to be sedated with a cauldron of calming draught.

His mother however, looked simply stunning this evening. The emerald green robes that she had chosen were much more revealing than traditional witches robes and had been purchased in Muggle Paris at a clothing salon called Dior, and the matching jewels she'd chosen were impeccable. Draco had to admit, while he wasn't thrilled with the idea of a bunch of Muggles salivating over his mother, he had to admire the quality of the dress she'd chosen and wondered if perhaps he might entice a certain witch into a shopping excursion to Muggle Paris at some point in the future.

When they'd entered the stately home and made their way into the receiving line, Draco kept his mother close to his side, trying his best to ignore the interested looks from many of the other guests, who seemed to be eyeing both he and his mother with interest, as he handed his introduction card to the announcer and was escorted to his proper place in the queue. After a few moments, a few of the guests started whispering to themselves before the formal introductions were announced.

Standing with his mother, Draco breath caught when he heard the first introduction.

"His Royal Highness, Phillip Kensington and his daughter; Her Royal Highness, Georgiana Kensington."

Draco peered down at his mother, but her expression didn't falter, nor convey surprise of any kind. Leaning down, Draco whispered into his mother's ear, "I think you have some explaining to do, Mother."

Narcissa's blue eyes met her son's grey ones and she smiled demurely but didn't engage otherwise, and Draco couldn't help but think that his mother had known all along that Georgiana would be attending this evening, and he had to wonder how in Salazar's name that was possible.

When it came his turn, he handed the card back to the announcer and waited as he and his mother were formally introduced.

"His Grace, Draco Malfoy Duke of Berkshire and his mother, Lady Narcissa Malfoy."

Draco walked through the double doors and down the ornate gilded staircase towards their host and his wife. When they'd reached the bottom, the formal pleasantries were exchanged with their host and hostess and then Draco escorted his mother into the large ballroom where a few of the guests that had been introduced before him had congregated. Draco noticed Georgiana immediately next to her Father and felt his breath hitch at how beautiful she looked in an elegant deep purple dress that shimmered as she moved. She must have felt his gaze, because she turned her head slightly, looking over her right shoulder and their eyes met. Draco couldn't help but smirk as his gaze raked down her form briefly before meeting her sapphire eyes again, watching as Georgiana's eyes widened in appreciation at his attire before her lips moved up into a small smile and her cheeks heated with an enticing blush. She then turned back to whomever it was she and her Father were talking with, so Draco moved with his mother over to another part of the room.

Once all the formal introductions were out of the way, Lord Asterley made his way over to speak with Draco and Narcissa.

"Your Grace, we are so pleased that you and your mother were able to join us this evening."

Draco nodded politely. "It is our great pleasure to be here, Lord Asterley. My mother was quite insistent that we make an effort to properly aquaint ourselves with the local gentry and your invitation came at a most fortuitous time."

Lord Asterley smiled genuinely as he took in the young man before him. "It was Annabeth's and mine understanding that your family has spent many years abroad in France before moving back to England. We truly hope that you and your mother will be happy back home and if there is anything you need, please know that we are here to be of service should you require it."

Draco bowed his head in gratitude of the gesture, secretly impressed with the gracious manners of his host and hostess. "That is most kind of you both."

Narcissa smiled in gratitude before she spoke. "Your home is lovely, the Baroque style of the room is quite impressive and I couldn't help but admire the Caravaggio painting when we entered the ballroom. I've always been a fan of his works."

Lord Asterley smiled in pleasure. "My great-Grandfather was a collector of Caravaggio, Vermeer and Rembrandt and I have a few original paintings that I would be happy to show to you if you'd be interested, Lady Malfoy."

"That would be delightful. I have a few originals of Nicolas Poussin myself, and have always had a soft spot for the works of Vermeer."

"Well, perhaps you might allow me to escort you later this evening to my art gallery. I think you'll be pleased with some of the works my family has been fortunate enough to amass over the years."

"That would be lovely, Lord Asterley." Narcissa smiled demurely.

The man nodded and then politely excused himself and his wife to continue making the rounds throughout the room.

After a while, and several introductions later, Draco felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand to attention and when he turned, his eyes caught and held sapphire ones that were heading in his direction with her Father. When they were close enough, Draco formally bowed while Narcissa curtsied in respect.

"Ah, Your Grace...my wife mentioned that you'd be joining us this evening. And whom might this lovely lady at your side be?"

"Your Royal Highness, please allow me to formally introduce you to my Mother; Lady Narcissa Malfoy."

"Your Royal Highness." Narcissa stated softly and Phillip couldn't help but be impressed with the regal woman on Lord Malfoy's arm.

"It is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance Lady Malfoy. If I may, I would like to introduce you both to my daughter, Georgiana."

Both Draco and his mother bowed and curtsied respectively to the young Princess before Draco spoke. "Your Royal Highness."

"Your Grace," Georgiana purred in response, "and Lady Malfoy, I do hope you both are enjoying yourselves this evening?"

"We are, thank you, Your Highness." Narcissa responded politely. "Everyone has been most welcoming."

"That is good to hear." Georgiana smiled genuinely. "Although I do believe the American poet Robert Frost made a generalization about poetry that fits quite well with the English Aristocracy when he'd said 'Poetry, is one permissible way of saying one thing and meaning another' and I've always felt that is a valuable lesson to remember when dealing with the gentry."

Narcissa smiled and nodded in agreement while Prince Phillip and Draco chuckled at the veiled slight. "I take it you're not a fan of these events, Your Highness?"

Georgiana whispered conspiratorially as she responded. "Only inasmuch as it provides good gossip fodder."

Narcissa's tinkling laugh rang out through the immediate area and Georgiana smiled widely while Draco looked down at his mother in astonishment. The Prince however, had a pleased smirk plastered upon his face.

"Now dearest, you know if your Mother were here, she would seek to remind you that it's impolite to refer to others in the Aristocracy as fodder."

Georgiana blushed at the gentle rebuke, but lifted an eyebrow at her Father playfully. "Mother would agree with me, and you know she would. She's just far more subtle and devious than I am."

"True enough." Sighed Phillip in agreement. "Unfortunately my wife has taken ill earlier this week and wasn't able to attend this evening as she did so very much wish to welcome you both personally back into our social circle. She will be pleased, however, that you both are enjoying yourselves and have been made to feel welcome."

"I am sorry to hear that, Your Highness. Please convey our best wishes to Her Royal Highness and we do hope that she feels better soon. We look forward to formally making her acquaintance hopefully in the near future." Narcissa replied easily.

"I will be sure to pass on your good wishes. If you both will excuse us, there are a few more people we must see to this evening. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Of course, and it was a pleasure to meet you both." Draco said politely and bowed again, watching as the Crown Prince walked off with Georgiana, who gave him one last look over her shoulder and a quick smile.

Draco couldn't help but return Georgiana's smile with a smirk of his own before he escorted his mother to another part of the room. It was a while later when Lord Asterley returned and spirited his mother away for a few moments to show her his art collection that Draco found himself alone temporarily.

Reaching for another glass of champagne, which was surprisingly quite dry and refreshing, he took a small sip when he heard a soft voice speaking from behind him.

"It's good, isn't it?"

Turning around Draco smirked playfully before he nodded in agreement. "It is."

"Hmmmm..." Georgiana hummed thoughtfully, "you actually seem to be enjoying yourself this evening. Haven't run away screaming, and definitely haven't hexed anyone yet."

"It's touch and go." Draco quipped back impishly.

"Yes, I've felt that way many a time or two."

"I was surprised to see you here tonight."

"And was it an unpleasant surprise?"

"Not at all, it's just difficult, as I haven't spoken to you much this week, outside of class that is. I was worried about you."

Sighing softly, Georgiana grimaced reproachfully. "I know, and I do apologize. I've had a lot on my mind this past week."

"Understandable, and you don't need to apologize, not to me."

Draco then offered his arm, which Georgiana took immediately, not missing the interested sets of eyes following them around the room as they walked together and conversed.

"Thank you for being patient with me this week, and I do know we need to sit down and talk."

Draco nodded. "Do I need to worry?"

"If I told you 'no' would it stop you from worrying needlessly?"

"Probably not."

"Then I won't waste my breath."

Draco chuckled lowly, while setting his now empty glass down on a servette tray. "A noble idea." Draco grinned in reply while Georgiana scoffed softly at the joke.

"Prat." Georgiana whispered so only Draco could hear her.

"Hopefully still your prat, love." Draco responded quietly.

Before Georgiana could reply, the young couple was accosted by a partygoer and Georgiana groaned inwardly in recognition.

"Georgiana, it is lovely to see you this evening and unexpected." Stated the young woman, who was eyeing Draco with frank admiration.

"Hello Colleen, it is good to see you as well. My mother took ill unexpectedly and my Father asked me to come in her stead."

"How fortunate for us all then." The woman named Colleen replied in a faux genuine manner. "Please introduce me to this handsome gentleman."

"Of course. Your Grace, this is Lady Colleen Marchand, Countess of Rochford...her Father was the twenty-third Earl of Rochford. Colleen, this is His Grace, Draco Malfoy Duke of Berkshire."

Colleen curtsied and Draco couldn't help but instantly dislike the woman, who seemed to be quite supercilious and dismissive of Georgiana for some reason, and she looked shockingly similar to Pansy, which made Draco instinctively leery.

"Your Grace, it is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance." Colleen simpered in what Draco assumed the woman thought was a seductive manner, but was just plain creepy.

"Lady Marchand, it is a pleasure to meet you formally." Draco replied coolly, and Georgiana smirked inwardly at the almost patented Malfoy sneer upon Draco's face.

"When my godmother Lady Asterley told me that you and your mother were attending this evening, I was intrigued to meet you both. It's my understanding that your family was entitled by Queen Elizabeth the First."

"Yes." Draco replied evenly. "The first Lucius Malfoy, whom my Father was named for, was a suitor for Her Majesty's hand, at one time."

Colleen's eyes widened with interest, clearly impressed with that bit of information and gossip.

"That's remarkable." Colleen stated flirtatiously. "And here you are, spending time with our resident Princess. I've heard rumors that Parliment is considering changing the rules of succession Georgiana, but I'd never guessed you'd be interested in succeeding your Father. It's not as if you've spent much time with the gentry, as it were."

Georgiana placed a placid smile upon her face...she had almost forgotten what a viper Colleen was...and it would seem that much hadn't changed over the years where the woman was concerned.

"Rumors are interesting things Colleen, as I'm sure you're aware." Georgiana purred out in warning, and the other woman's eyes narrowed at the slight. "But I'm hardly worried about such things as it will be many years before my Grandmother and Father will have fulfilled their duty. As far as my attendance at events such as this...now that my education is almost finished, I'd imagine you'll be seeing quite a bit more of me in the future, so not to worry."

"Well, isn't that just wonderful." Colleen bit back, clearly unhappy with that news before turning her attention to Draco. "And what of you, Your Grace? Will we be seeing more of you in the future, as well?"

Draco smirked and nodded once. "I find myself suddenly motivated to make my presence known as it were, so yes, I'd imagine you will be seeing me at these events as my schedule dictates."

"And what do you do, Your Grace?"

Draco stiffened a bit, and Georgiana had to bite back the groan of disgust at Colleen's impertinence. "Currently, I'm in the same study program as Georgiana, as that is how we are acquainted. It was due to making her acquaintance that my Mother and I decided to return to England and reinstate our titles, as it were. The Malfoy family holds titles in France as well, and we have an estate there, but it was time to return home."

Colleen's face fell at the implication of what the young Duke was referring to and by the pleased look on the Princess' face, it was clear these two had a history together.

"How interesting." Colleen smiled stiffly. "Well, enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Thank you." Draco replied politely while Georgiana nodded once at the woman before she scurried off, probably to share the gossip with whomever would listen.

"You do realize what you just did?" Georgiana inquired softly and Draco nodded.

"I do, and it's the story my Mother and I felt would be appropriate under the circumstances. Actually, it was my Mother's suggestion."

"Really?" Georgiana queried curiously.

"Mmmhmmm," Draco confirmed, "she also wasn't surprised to see you here tonight."

Georgiana gave Draco a sharp look before her eyes narrowed in understanding. "I see."

"You do?"

Georgiana nodded. "My Mother is such a sneak...she's been plotting with your mother."

Draco's eyes widened in shock before he burst out in surprised laughter. "That makes complete sense actually. Your Mother is more Slytherin than anyone I've ever met."

"She would take that as the highest compliment, you do realize that, right?"

"I do, and something tells me I'm going to have my work cut out for me if I want to stay one step ahead of your mum."

"Yeah, good luck with that pretty boy...my mother is a right menace when she wants to be. All the women in the Aristocracy are terrified of her."

"With good reason, I'm sure."

"You have no idea what you've signed yourself up for."

"Actually, I do." Draco grinned in response. "And I'm quite looking forward to the challenge, Your Highness."

"Stuff it ferret." Georgiana quipped back playfully while Draco chuckled happily, before replying in kind. "Vicious witch. Have I told you this evening that you are simply exquisite."

Georgiana blushed at the compliment and shook her head. "No, I don't believe you've mentioned it, Your Grace."

"How remiss of me, Your Highness. Perhaps when we return to school, you might allow me to show you how exquisite I think you are."

"I think we could arrange something."

"Excellent." Draco purred out in anticipation.