Mrs. Katherine Saunders and clan visit The Silver Thimble

[Christine Daye]

Christine starts slightly on being addressed.

"Oh! Oh, forgive me.... I was away with the fairies... as Mama always used to say... sometimes... the music..."

She giggles, high pitched and fae.

"Oh, yes, Mr Swainswick, I think Dr Taylor will look very fine in his new waistcoats... very fine indeed... and such a lovely colour you have suggested, Mr Swainswick... you have an excellent eye..."

She smiles happily at Swainswick, then turns to Valentina.

"... I hope I do not speak out of turn, Miss Audley... but Mr Swainswick is a credit to you and your establishment... but then I would expect nothing less..."

[Valentina Audley]

Away with the fairies or making eyes at her lover? Valentina smiled knowingly in Christine's direction. It's not that she has anything against affairs of the heart, or even affairs merely of the bedroom but surely it is dangerous to show affection for another so publicly when neither of you is secure in position? Oh well, they'd learn soon enough.

"Mr Swainswick is a great help to me Miss Daye. I should be quite lost without him." She speaks solemnly but with a twinkle in her eye and a brief smile in Jacob's direction. Anyone who thinks she couldn't replace a ghoul is a fool but if they wish to believe such nonsense, let them.

"As for time available, indeed, with Mr Black's wedding preparations ongoing I am rushed beyond all measure. Still, no doubt we can squeeze a few more commissions in, which opera do you plan to attend Dr Taylor?" She speaks airily but she's watching them all as closely as she can without appearing to do so, for any sign of a reaction.

[CFlaubert]

When Valentina stops speaking, Constance turns a glance in her direction, and raises one eyebrow a fraction. She opens the black leather case she carries about with her and takes from it a notebook and pen. She opens the notebook and appears to start writing.

The notebook has a title on it's cover which reads "Hypothesis 146: Observations record 2"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina returns Constance's gaze briefly. Her look is calm and innocent, as though she were merely discussing the weather.

[Christine Daye]

"Oh, a wedding? How lovely! I do so enjoy weddings.... such lovely music.... such a joyful occasion... and of course... the excuse for a new dress! ... and such beautiful music... I am lucky.... I am often called on to perform for the ceremony.... though Maestra... well... harp music is just the thing.... its delicacy enhances the solemnity of the occasion... without adding a heavy layer of... of... well... it is light and joyous... organ music is all well and good if one is looking for gravitas... to underscore the... the seriousness... of the event... but a wedding... though an undoubtedly solemn and serious undertaking... should not be... encumbered with the... the weight... of the heavy organ works... there should be a lightness about it... a joy.... should there not? Though I must say that the organ... despite its reputation as a heavy and ponderous instrument... in skilled hands it can be quite, quite lovely... but then I am biased... I know this... and I maintain that a harp is far superior in all respects... but especially for the lightness of heart that it can bring to such blessed occasions as weddings..."

She smiles happily at everyone in the room, a look in her eyes suggesting that she's not entirely there, and starts to hum a merry little dance tune. Then she frowns slightly as the penny drops.

"Forgive me, Miss Audley, did you say Mr Black? Did you mean... our... Mr Black...? And... um... which one...? There are two Mr Blacks in Society in Bath..."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina raises an eyebrow in seeming surprise. "Why, Mr Dorian Black of course. I'm sorry I assumed you knew Miss Daye. What with you being friends with..." She tails off in apparent confusion.

"Of course I don't usually do society weddings, but Mr Black asked so politely and seemed so keen to acquire my services that I didn't have the heart to refuse." The words tumble out in a rush, as though she's trying to distract from what she said just a moment ago.

There. That's hopefully set the cat amongst the pigeons. Without letting it show in either her face or her body Valentina allows herself a moment of smugness.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Oh Miss Audley, I knew that you were busy at present but with a wedding party to dress you must be almost overwhelmed. I hope that my orders do not overburned you too much. I am really quite desperate for some new outfits." She looks at Valentina almost pleadingly."

[Christine Daye]

Christine blinks in confusion for a long moment at Valentina's explanation.

"...oh.... oh.... oh... of course... how lovely for them!"

He gaze goes distant as she ponders musical choices, murmuring to herself:

"...yes... Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring...obviously... and Gounod's Ave Maria ... oh... and Pachelbel's Canon in D... maybe Arrival of the Queen of Sheba...? ...though Handel might not be to their taste... maybe the Air from the Water Music...? ...some Vivaldi....? ...Purcell has some lovely pieces that might be arranged.... and the English touch would be appreciated, I'm sure... hmmm.... I wonder what hymns they have chosen.... if they would prefer something more modern...."

He voice trails away, and she starts humming again softly (Gounod's Ave Maria, for those with a musical interest).

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Oh Miss Daye I hope that they ask you to perform at their ceremony, your voice is so beautiful. Weddings can be such joyous occasions." She looks pointedly at Christine.

[Jacob Swainswick]

"You name a beautiful selection of music, Miss Daye," Swainswick smiled, a forefinger tapping along to the melody of the Ave Maria. "Pray, share with us some of your wisdom. By what criteria would you select a piece? I have heard it said that each melody has something of its own personality: is it then a case of matching that to the happy bride?"