The gala was otherwise boring, but he had to be there. His fellow Prefects were also in attendance in the glittering room, though Violet had escaped to some unseen corner to sketch seconds after walking in the door.

Herman was never one to back down from a challenge. However, he truly wasn't having the best time tonight. He'd much rather be back on Weston grounds, fencing or playing cricket. Even studying would be better than this.

It was a Wednesday night, with a full moon, a room full of young débutants, nobles, and up-and-comers, all dressed in their most elegant finery. He sipped a glass of Champagne, a direct import from France, as the host boasted about in an unflattering way.

Perhaps a way to end his boredom was to dance with someone. A nice young lady who didn't seem like she'd rather be walking down the aisle tomorrow. He was too young, with too uncertain a future, to be thinking about marriage.