Sir Thomas Jameson, watched the whole affair unfold before him from behind the polite, expressionless mask of professional civil and military courtesy that he had spent a lifetime learning as a naval and merchantile marine officer and medical doctor. While, Sir Thomas did not altogether approve of snubbing people in public, in Roderick Crossley's case, he was prepared to make an exception.
He did not hate, Roderick, as much as Ursula did in the personal sense, he had however met enough people - whether they were passengers, peers or superiors both inside and outside the Royal Navy or the Locke and Key Line - like Roderick to at least thoroughly dislike him on general principal. The fact that Roderick had repeatedly pursued Ursula, dispite her complete lack of interest or approval of his suit, transformed that dislike into something approaching deep personal loathing.
That said of course, Sir Thomas was just as quietly relieved that the situation had not developed into a full blown donnybrook in front of the great hall's assembled guests. Though he could not get the idea out of his head, that Ursula would have welcomed it, especially if it had allowed her the opportunity of physically slapping Roderick across the face if he chose to contest her announcement of their engagement. The dangerous, sparking light in her eyes had warned him that might actually be the case, though once Roderick had retreated from her immediate presence, she had readily and calmly turned her attentions back to other matters.
Regis Crossley, always a study in contrast to his spoilt younger brother, further helped to defuse the still tense social situation by detaching himself from their presence, saying he ought to be circulating amoung the rest of the assembled friends and well wishers of the Wraithdale family and not deflecting his hostess from her duties in greeting her remaining guests. Sir Thomas noticed that Lady Penelope Wraithdale, did not really let herself breath until the last of the arriving guests were dealt with and then quietly let out a breath of ill ease and relief, while fanning herself vigourously with her fan to hide her discomfort. Ursula comfortably slipped her arm around his, and guided him towards the nearest knot of assembled guests, so they could begin their circulation of the great hall, chatting and engaging with various guests and assorted honourees.
Sir Leo considered the matter for a moment, his monocle turning into a pool of light as it caught the reflected glow of the various nearby chandeliers and candelabra. He watched wordlessly as Ursula and Sir Thomas departed to make their rounds of the assembly, then dismissed it from his mind. He offered his arm to Lady Penelope.
"We should be circulating as well." He remarked to the other Wraithdale trustees, just the hint of a wry smile touched his lips.
-- WORK IN PROGRESS.
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