The purpose of the soirée.

The music quiet down and clearing of throat sounded which once more drew their attention.

An older man with slicked back hair and a curling mustache started in a loud voice. "Introducing Lady Lucinda of this household, the hostess of today's event.." lord Silas made a sound in his throat like he found something amusing. "...this ball has been hosted to-" the man suddenly paused in his track to look down beside him. Low chatter sounded before another voice spoke. This one was lighter and more child like which was confirmed the moment one of the maids brought a stool and the person climbed it only for lord and Fredrick to see it was a child, a young boy perhaps not more than six.

The child cleared his throat like the man earlier did, his gaze twinkling as he regarded the hall "I want to say welcome, and thank you for accepting our invite.." his words were proper though still sounded childlike.

"...this occasion is called to entertain my mama" he said turning to the woman at the top of the stairs. His words might have sounded innocent but it felt more like they were all here for the Lady amusement.

"My mama is the very best and she deserves the best man here tonight.." pride entered the tiny voice.

"So you should know I'm watching you all" his tiny chin tip high " Good luck, you'll need it".

And he jumped off the stool. Low music started playing and with the people attention still locked on the woman she slowly descended the stairs. Her chin was tip high like the child previously, hers with pristine class and elegance. Like she knew everyone in this hall and did not care for what they thought of her.

Once the woman who Lord Silas has come to know of as Lady Lucinda reached the last steps. He carefully dropped his wine glass on the table and with a nod to Fredrick he walked towards the grand stairs, his long legs eating up the space quickly to reach her, but another young man got there first and without much hesitation than he suspected she took his offered hand. At that moment as if in que the music raise in octave and it was clear it was time for the first dance only that he couldn't get to her first.

The guest in the hall started to scatter to find themselves a dance partner.

"Well good evening kind sir" his gaze fell on the woman who slipped in front of him taking her chances since no other woman has gathered the confidence to approach the fine gentleman with a tall build. "Would you perhaps be interested for a dance" her voice came out in a slight slur and lord Silas wondered if she had too much to drink then quickly realized it was her attempt of being flirtatious.

He looked like he was about to refuse till his gaze dart to the hostess of the ball being led by the young gentleman and back to woman in his way.

The side of his lips tip up to what the lady assumed was a smile and he turned his attention to her.

"Well yes kind miss, i would be interested for a dance" he offered his hands to her and she covered a gasp that slip through her lips with her fan. She was already finding it hard to handle the tall masterpiece before her but the man voice sounded like heaven, so dark and velvety it felt too much like sin and her face turned scarlet as she almost melt into a puddle before him.

Her fingers landed lightly on his large ones though incase in gloves it felt like flames. He clasped hers and led her to the dance floor along with many others that had found their partner.

The music was slow and everyone glided through the hall with ease. He could feel the lady in his arms beaming up at him even if from a thousand miles away.

He muttered something under his breath which the woman hummed in question but he dismissed as nothing with another curve of his lips that almost made her steps falter.

"Look at her.." after a while of dancing the woman who he had come to know as Miss Charlotte murmured under her breath.

He looked down at her in question and she caught his gaze and quickly muttered an apologize.

"No worries. Permit me i ask what troubles you?" Seeing the attention he showed her she relented.

"Her," she tipped her head at a direction. Seeing his questioning expression she explained.

"Lady Lucinda" she bit off with a scoff which was met with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"What about her?" His deep voice asked questioningly.

The woman peered up at him. " it seems i was right about you being a foreigner. You really know nothing about her?" She cast her gaze down, her brows slightly furrowed.

"I'm afraid so" his chuckle sounded nervous but he was anything but, he was instead curious, intrigue even.

"I will be glad to tell you all about it then.." she leaned in closer as they dance, happy to find someone new to tattle the tale to.

"Lady Lucinda". She whispered her name like a dangerous tale. Her tone filled with spite "she's known as a verminous witch. Cold as ice, a two faced spiteful woman who lacks a filter. Her deeds are outrageous. She looks down on everyone as if they are below her" her voice chirped up getting more excited.

"I heard several years ago, her engagement was called off on the eve of her wedding day, it was said that her fiancé found out about the scandals she caused for her step sister which caused her to be left with no suitor. How sad the young lady was a nice one, didn't deserve the hatred cause by that sly witch. After seeing her true colors he called off the marriage and declared he would be marrying her step sister instead. Surprisingly of all she wasn't fazed by it. And despite being in a disgraceful state her words were still sharp and audacious. She was with child for him then but the man wanted nothing to do with the child".

She sighed casting her gaze to the side "At last, here she is with the child all grown up. An abandoned single mother, a disgrace" her face twisted in distaste at that moment. Lord was listening carefully to her every word.

"Her child didn't come off any better. The arrogant bunch.." Lord Silas couldn't see what they hated about the harmless child. From what he could see the child simply adored his mother.

"They deserve all the nasty things said about them" This made Silas cock his head at her.

"..like can you imagine the audacity the little brat had to dare set up a ball to pitch his wicked mother to someone else. Knowing everyone here some will just try to establish a work relationship with the witch. Some might try to actually ask for an engagement but we all know it a rouse to take her property away. Besides she's a helpless single mother hated by everyone far and beyond, and it seems her pitiful son is desperate for a father. How laughable". She chuckled but Lord Silas thought it sounded like a cackle. Who was the witch again?