Albert would have usually avoided mention of the discovered Miss Charlotte Potter at Black's — that was, if August Echelon-Arnost hadn't been in his company that afternoon. While he'd tried to mind his own business and refrain from asking any personal questions while in his company, it was the other gentleman's mannerisms — staring mindlessly with an unreadable expression — which finally prompted him to ask: "Weren't you engaged to her?"

The answer was yes, of course, because Albert had a stellar memory and was never wrong. The exception was things that he didn't care about, but at much as he hated to admit it, gossip pertaining to people he was likely to interact with was something he did care about. He didn't want to go around socializing with "unseemly" sorts.

"I presume you haven't had the chance to speak with her, yet?" As much as the idea of being in the company of a vampire repulsed him, he imagined any gentleman would like to speak to a fiancee he'd long thought was dead.