Continued and quoted from this thread

I regret having to miss it...I will have to think up a way to make it up to you

"You really will. It was the social event of the season. You know that is something helpful about being a late in the year baby, my parties are generally the last thing remembered before New Years," her tone was joking as they drifted away from Liadán. So far everything was going off without a hitch, it was a relief really. She had worried that despite their best efforts everything would feel terribly stuffy and old fashioned. Dolly wanted to breathe life back into the social scene and they seemed to be doing just that. Of course the true test would be seeing how much money they raised from the auction and other donations. She couldn't let herself get too far head in the night or she'd start panicking.

How is it that I have been given the honor of the first dance?

Dolly looked up at him with a sly grin, offering a silken one shoulder shrug, "You've always been one of my favorites Darling," it was much easier to play coy than try to explain what was happening with Cameron and Dominik; or maybe more to the point what wasn't happening with either of them anymore. Dolly's birthday had been a bit of a wake up call for her. She had known all along she was just sort of killing time with Cam but it hadn't dawned on her until that night she didn't know what she was killing time for. Life was too short to keep at it the way she had been. Fun was all well and good but she was technically an adult now. She had to start acting like it sometime.

"Besides, I can't fish for information in front of other people. It would seem so very intrusive of me," her tone was playful as they moved around the dance floor, her blue eyes sliding around the room for a moment before centering back on his face. He really was devastatingly handsome; it was almost distracting! "I want to snoop a little and see which lots you have your eye on. I refuse to give anything away but it would be rather helpful for me if this auction brought in a tidy profit. The old biddies think it's terribly gauche, because they would like us all to be bored to tears listening to speeches and other traditional things. I would like to prove them all wrong if I can manage it. Besides, if I know who you're interested in, I know who my competition is. See how clever I am"?

Jasper led her around the dance floor, noting how quickly she had changed the subject from her personal life.  That meant she likely wasn't with anyone at the moment, and for once there seemed to be an opening to perhaps pursue her for once.  She was perhaps one of the few his parents would consider 'suitable' for him to be linked to.   He liked Dolly a great deal, it was just that the timing had never seemed to work in his favor before.

"I want to snoop a little and see which lots you have your eye on. I refuse to give anything away but it would be rather helpful for me if this auction brought in a tidy profit. The old biddies think it's terribly gauche, because they would like us all to be bored to tears listening to speeches and other traditional things. I would like to prove them all wrong if I can manage it. Besides, if I know who you're interested in, I know who my competition is. See how clever I am"?

"The old society biddies could benefit from a bit of loosening up," he said with a smirk, "and I do believe you are one of the few who can succeed in showing them life is much more enjoyable when one is having a bit of fun."

He had suffered through enough 'events' with his parents to know how these things usually went.  He was relieved when he heard who was planning this evenings event, it meant there was hope that perhaps being a part of proper society didn't mean one had to act like their broom had been shoved up their arse all the time.

"And you certainly are a clever minx," he added, winking at her.  "I will be offering a generous donation to the hospital in the auction, but I feel I should keep a few things, like which lots I intend to bid on, a mystery for now."  He led her through a spin with a slight chuckle and then in a more serious tone he added, "Regardless of the outcome tonight though, I would like to remedy missing your birthday.  Perhaps you might be interest in accompanying me to a gallery opening next weekend and have dinner after?"

It was an invitation that could have been taken as a friend trying to make up for forgetting an important day, or as an offer for a date.  Her answer would hopefully shed a little more light on her current romantic situation.

Jasper was a terrible flirt, on par with the Author herself really. He knew how to play coy and it was a rather adorable endeavor. He was snooping too, which was very flattering. For a time she said nothing, simply resting her head against his and letting his questions hang between the two of them. It had been awhile since she'd danced with someone so light on their feet. Tappy thought too much and wasn't sure enough of himself to take a strong lead, he took coaxing. Jasper, on the other hand, effortlessly lead her around the floor in a way that left the Socialite feeling weightless.

"A Gallery hmm? Is someone showing and neglecting to keep me in the loop? Terrible form Darling," Dolly teasingly chided pulling back to look up at Jasper with a mock scowl that quickly turned up at the corners into a playful smile. She really did enjoy his work; and even if he wasn't showing his own pieces going to galleries with an artist was always more fun than wandering an exhibit alone (or with a stuffy date who cared very little about art and all about being seen). She was about the agree to let him make it up to her with a little one on one time when she felt a tap on her shoulder that was too demanding to be someone simply trying to cut in.

It took her a moment to focus, though when she saw the slightly worried face of a newly hired assistant she couldn't help but feel mildly annoyed and then concerned. The redhead leaned close to her ear and whispered lowly something that caused Miss. St. James to groan and mutter, "Fine, fine. I'll take care of it Lydia. Go get a drink, and calm down". She then turned her attention back to Jasper shaking her head, smile shifting from playful to moderately exasperated, "I do apologize Darling, but my work is never done. Do save me another dance," she placed a fleeting kiss on his cheek before slipping out of his arms and in the next moment was swallowed up by the growing sea of dancing couples.