Mrs. Katherine Saunders and clan visit The Silver Thimble

[Christine Daye]

Christine favours Swainswick with a bright smile.

"Oh, Mr Swainswick! I did not know that you were so fond of music! Oh, how delightful! And yes, of course, you are quite right... when one is choosing music for such a joyous occasion as a wedding... well, one must almost play matchmaker sometimes..."

She giggles.

"Some brides... and bridegrooms, to be fair... know exactly what music they desire... one would think that they would be the easy ones... but sometimes..." she shudders "...sometimes their choices are simply terrible! I know that Gounod's Romeo et Juliette is so very popular at the moment.... but I cannot help but feel that... even though it is a terribly romantic piece... the tragedy of the story... well... I feel that it tempts Fate... especially at a wedding... but then I am naught but a superstitious artist after all!"

She giggles again, self-deprecating. As she talks she gets more animated, her eyes bright and her hands waving to illustrate her words.

"But yes...for those who are undecided... it is my duty to... introduce them... to pieces they might find... appealing.... it is a fascinating process... and one I do confess to enjoying... it is so nice to be able to share such beautiful things with others, don't you think?"

[Samuel Taylor]

"A Guilbert and Sullivan was what was reccomended to me by Ms Days, My Lady."

Briefly he inclines his head to Christine.

"As for timings..."

He blinks once, slowly.

"After the next gathering I do believe, provided my letters got through of course."

At the news of Dorian planning a wedding, Taylor stills. For a long moment he looks confused, then his face returns to its regular expression. The corner of his mouth twitches upwards as Christine talks about music, his eyes going to her and staying in her eyes as she speaks.

[CFlaubert]

Constance closes the notebook and replaces it into her bag. Her gaze locks with Valentina's directly and she speaks.

"Ah Dorian's wedding Ms Audley. Yes I remember him mentioning to me recently. Taking place in Oxford I believe?"

She turns to Christine

"Ms Daye, you should most definitely attend and play if you are asked. I do not know the bride, but any wedding which has your music at it, would certainly be bettered as a result."

"Whilst I understand the joy of weddings, I must confess to hoping it does not keep Dorian from our mutual research for too long. After all, the progress of the mind, is at least as important as the progress of the heart, wouldn't you agree Dr Taylor?"

[Jacob Swainswick]

Swainswick smiled, sharing a look with Miss Audley. "You excellently identify a sympathy between our vocations, Miss Daye.

"As for Romeo and Juliet..." his eyebrows raised expressively; he shook his head slightly, letting a note of light humour crept into his voice.

He looked again at the assembled clients. Suddenly it struck him that all of them - save for the clearly enamoured Doctor Taylor, whose behaviour flirted with the outrageous - were watching him with unblinking eyes. The effect was more than a little unnerving; his voice stumbled slightly.

He knew, at that moment, how it must be for the fatted calf, invited into the wolves' den.

"One must pay attention careful to metaphor, naturally," he concluded.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina notes Taylor's confusion and Constance's very neutral acknowledgement of the wedding. Curious indeed.

She notes Katherine's change of demeanour approvingly and smiles reassuringly at her. "Well darling, busy as I am I do try to keep a little time free for those who have last minute requests and therefore do not worry yourself. The dresses will be done in time for the next Elysium. As for Dr Taylor's waistcoats, Two can be made before the Elysium, and two to be delivered no later than a week after I think is the best timing we can currently offer."

To Constance she agrees 'yes, in Oxford. Though there is some little time yet before the wedding so with luck your research can continue unhindered for a little while at least."

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Thank you so much Miss Audley. May I say how attentive your staff are." She smiles at Miss Audley.

Turning to Mr Swainswick and smiling, "Mr Swainswick I am impressed by your musical knowledge, I certainly need more education in that area. Hopefully I will get a chance to attend many Operas and concerts in the near future."

"Miss Flaubert, do you need some more time with Miss Audleh regarding dress designs or are your discussions concluded?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine giggles.

"Oh! Thank you all for your kind words. I would of course be honoured to play at Mr Black's wedding, but alas, I have not been asked, so all remains speculation! And I fear a terrible distraction from the purpose of our visit!"

She smiles at Katherine.

"My dear Mrs Saunders, we have yet to hear your verdict on this new design....?"

[CFlaubert]

Constance replies to Valentina. "Yes a cousin of his I think, or some such. He has been making the arrangements whilst we conducted our research. If you're correct about the timescales Ms Audley, then that is welcome news indeed. He is pivotal to the research I am carrying out, and it would be...disappointing to be required to continue on my own. When one is involved in research, it is always best to have someone around to challenge one's views. It makes the end results more....robust."

She then turns to Katherine. "Thank you Katherine, I have made my purchases from Ms Audley, so once you and Ms Daye are finished, I believe we should leave her to the mountain of work she no doubt has."

Lastly, she turns to Christine. "If you would like to play at the wedding Christine, I'm sure I could ask Mr Black about his plans. I'd think he would be auditioning people."

[Christine Daye]

Christine looks completely horrified for a moment.

"...audition?!?"

She bites any further words, submerging them into a quiet hum, meandering, soothing, her gaze going distant as her fingers clasp each other tightly and squeeze.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Oh Miss Daye I am quite sure that once Mr Black is aware that you may be open to singing at his wedding, no audition would required." says Katherine gently.

She picks up the Valentina's sketchbook and looks critically over all the elements of the design.

"Yes, I think that will do very nicely. Your eye is exceptional Miss Audley. I very much look forward to seeing the finished article. Please can you alert me as soon as possible when either of the dresses have been completed. I hope that can I take the other items, such as the gloves, hat, and my friend's scarves now?"

She looks to Mr Swainswick, "I believe that you very kindly set aside the scarf that Miss Daye chose earlier?"

Looking around the whole group, "Has anyone else any business to complete?"