It had only been a week since Sisse had debuted. One whole week in which she had attended picnics and dinner parties, made social calls, and tried to adjust to what was now her new life. But tonight was the first ball since the Coming Out Ball at school. She had found herself beset with nerves her maid had readied her. She'd worn another of her new gowns, a soft pale blue gown she had designed. She had enchanted it to look as if waves were crashing against sand on her skirts, a charm that she hoped would enable her to rewear her gowns later in the season without anyone one noticing.

Yet when she arrived at the ball it was easy to step into her role. To smile and chatter as Mrs. Rose, whom her father had arranged to chaperon Sisse this season, introduced her to gentleman around the room. It was reassuring to have her own governess take her in hand, but as much as that was the case Sisse was grateful to have Aly come up to her. It was a familiar and much needed face in the crowd, a friend she could lean on in these new seas.

"Oh!" She blushed. There had been several gentlemen who had requested her to dance whom she had felt were quite handsome indeed. "Do you mean Mister Hollow?" She nodded discreetly toward the tall blonde man who had just arrived from America. "Mrs. Rose says he's got mines in America." Her eyes glittered with excitement at this tidbit of information.