"Remember to smile, my lady. You must at least pretend that you are enjoying yourself. And remember your manners."
Sebastian was talking to Lily as Mey-Rin was helping Lily get dressed for Viscount Druitt's ball. The dress was a light blue color. Mey-Rin accidentally tore a seam in the back. "I'm so sorry, my lady! I'll fix it up right away."
Lily smiled a bit. "It's quite alright. I cannot possibly go to such an important ball with a torn dress."
"It is a simple fix," Sebastian said, and he sewed the seam back up. Lily glared at him, but he only smirked at her.
When she was completely dressed, Lily turned toward the maid and butler. "Oh, Lady Lillith, you look amazing, yes you do!"
"Thank you," Lily replied, unhappily. "Let's get this over with."
Walter arrived, and he and Lily rode in a carriage to Viscount Druitt's mansion. Walter said, seriously, "Lillith, I hope you don't embarrass us tonight. I would hate our family names being dragged through the mud because of one mistake."
"Walter, you have no faith in me."
"I know you. You have a tendency to act improper. You should try harder to act like a lady."
Lily stared at him. "You do not know me at all," she said in a low, soft voice.
Walter looked at her with an uneasy expression, and neither of them spoke the rest of the way.
Finally, the carriage arrived in front of Viscount Druitt's mansion. Walter helped Lily get out. Lily accepted the help, though she wanted to tell him she could do it herself. They locked arms and went inside.
The ballroom was filled with many people of high society. Walter effortlessly socialized with many people, while constantly making Lily follow him. Unfortunately, Lily was not good at talking to people she did not know, but she tried not to make that obvious. Mostly, she smiled and nodded and spoke a word here and there.
They eventually met with Viscount Druitt himself. Walter said, "I am Lord Walter Dellmore, and this is my fiancée, Lady Lillith Athelward."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Viscount Druitt," Lily said, curtsying.
"Yes, Lord Walter. You have a beautiful little robin with you," the Viscount smiled, and he kissed Lily's hand. Lily smiled politely.
Music started playing, and everyone went to the dance floor. As all the guests started dancing, Lily spied someone familiar out of the corner of her eye.
It couldn't possibly be him. What would he be doing here?
Walter seemed annoyed that Lily wasn't paying attention. He whispered, "Lillith, you just stepped on my foot."
Lily glanced at him and made herself look like she was focused on the dance, but in reality, she was looking at a corner of the room. Her eyes did not deceive her: Grell Sutcliffe was by the punch bowl.
After the first dance was over, Lily said, "I am thirsty. I will get us some punch."
"Allow me, my dear," Walter said. She saw in his eyes that he was displeased.
"Then I shall go with you."
"Very well."
The two walked to the punch bowl. "Mr. Sutcliffe, I did not expect to see you here," said Lily, casually.
Grell jumped, and Walter asked, "You know this man?"
"I know many people. May I inquire what you are doing here?"
Grell stuttered, nervously, "The Viscount asked me to help with the hor d'ves. I have done his books before, as well."
Walter firmly grabbed her arm. "Come, Lillith; we should not speak to commoners."
Lily glared at Walter, but he paid her no mind. The music started for the next dance, but Lily was more distracted than ever. Did the Viscount hold any pieces to the puzzle, or was he merely a spectator? She had to know. However, she knew that she would have no chance to truly find out.
Lily had the opportunity to chat with the Viscount while Walter got another drink.
"Are you enjoying the party, my lady?"
Lily nodded at the host. "Very much. My parents would have loved to be here."
"I am so sorry about their disappearance. It's a shame they left a beautiful young girl to run a business and estate all by herself."
"Thank you for your sympathy. Did you know them?"
"Not personally, though I heard they were very generous."
That is all they were able to say before another dance started. Then, a bit of a play was put on for the amusement of the guests. Although it was all entertaining, Lily couldn't tear her mind away from her mission.
The night dragged along, but at last, the party was over. On the way back to the manor, Walter criticized a few things she did wrong but expressed that she did better than he expected. He said those things right as they stopped at the Athelward manor. Lily got out of the carriage, looked Walter straight in the eye, and said, "I am simply one hell of a noblewoman." Then she shut the door as he gaped at her.