'Thank you,' she answered him in a low voice, only for him to hear and while it would have been coquettish, or indeed expected to have given him a flirty smile, but instead her smile was broad and unabashed in her pleasure. She was nervous, more than she cared to admit to meet the broader Daphnel clan, and at a loss with what to do with her hands, her kid gloved finger's fidgeted with her fan.

She was disappointed that Jasper wasn't there, their long term acquaintance made him something of a safety net, a face she knew to be mostly sympathetic and kindly. If all else failed, she hoped she would have at least 2 allies in the room - Jasper and Victor. It was the Daphnel ladies that she was most concerned with. As he introduced them, she curtsied to both ladies elegantly, inclining her head to both. She knew of Mrs Daphnel of course, but she had never had the pleasure of an introduction, her mother was more likely to have some acquaintance with the Daphnel Matriarch. Beatrice too she had never properly met, but they had moved on the periphery of each others social circles for years. 'It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Daphnel, Miss Daphnel' she greeted both.

Victors comment about the leucrotta gave her pause in the midst of the introductions and she couldn't help but look at him, 'You have one here?' she asked incredulously, 'Inside the house?', she glanced from Victor, to his family to ensure she was understanding correctly and that he wasn't teasing her.

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