Would that Mrs. Prewett had come upon her sooner, she would have been rid of her "friends" much sooner. Those very same friends that had twittered amongst themselves about the garishness of one society lady's gown behind her back before approaching her to compliment her on the very same thing. Diana had just been contemplating how instantly death might come were she to hurl herself out the window when the socialite gestured her over. Ultimately it was not worth it as she was squeamish of her own blood besides, so Mrs. Prewett was frankly a welcome if not better alternative.

One must not seem too eager at the prospect though, she knew. An advantage to enduring many seasons (though her mother loved to focus upon the disadvantages) was that the raven-haired debutante knew the proper strings to pull in the tapestry of societal pleasantries. It was with this in mind that she gracefully bowed her head in mild embarrassment, feeling a slight blush in her cheeks as she laughed. "and I should hate to leave them, Mrs. Prewett, but it would be with even greater regret if I were to reject your kind hospitality."