oh, the trouble we will cause, caroline!

[Ariana Roskin]

Generally Ariana could deal with her father's little social feats and attempts to send his family along the same path. She didn't follow them herself, but she was not as opposed as her brother Armando always seemed to be. However, today Ariana was feeling the great pains that would be hers. She would have much rather spent her day preparing for the ball which was to be held the evening after tomorrow. But, of course, Captain Roskin had eagerly invited some sort of "old friend" to dinner.

Apparently the man was a marquise, just arrived in Middleton with his wife and only daughter. She was sure to be a snob, and Ariana was not at all looking forward to being forced to spend time with some beautiful, fair-skinned, blonde-haired priss from a society that likely considered themselves higher than Ariana. Despicable.

Thank God she would not be completely alone though. Knowing her brother, Armando and her would end up speaking Spanish for the majority of the time, and only taking the time to spite the rich girl whenever she did something particularly stupid. It wasn't that Ariana hated English girls - or even rich girls - in general, she had just seen way too many of these only daughters. Her father seemed to have an endless amount of particular friends with the most annoying children - of the same age as the Roskins.

They were currently waiting on the guests to arrive, and Ariana sat playing with a loose curl from her hair, expressing her thoughts to Armando, who only laughed and agreed. Their father sat across the room, ignoring their conversation, being thoroughly engrossed in telling his Spanish wife some stories about Lord Sinclair's adventures with himself. Encarna seemed to be enjoying it immensely, for she laughed happily and urged him on. Ariana smiled. For all their family's arguments at times, her parents truly loved one another.

"A carriage!" She exclaimed, returning to English once more. It was often so in the Roskin household, what with everyone speaking both languages fluently. Ariana jumped off her seat in a very unladylike manner and took a peak out the window, watching for the company's exit from their fancy vehicle.

[Caroline Sinclair]

When her mother had informed her that they would be attending a small dinner with one of her fathers friends Caroline sighed greatly. She didn't want to go and had tried to claim a headache but Sebastien Sinclair would have none of it, promising that she'd get along swimmingly with the Captain's two children. It wasn't that Caroline was adverse to spending time with new people, in fact she was rather hoping to meet all sorts of interesting people in Middleton, but she'd learned from experience that meeting her fathers friend's and their children usually did not lead to good friendships for her.

But she had not choice so she promised herself she'd make the best of it. Her father had told her that the family was of two cultures and that sometimes the children would slip into Spanish. Caroline frowned, her familiarity with the language wasn't as good as it should be but she thought that perhaps she might be able to keep up in understanding it...speaking it however that would be the true test. Oh why couldn't the family speak french? Sighing once more she set about dressing for the occasion. Her father wanted her to look her best yet to keep it toned down as it wasn't a formal outing.

Caroline laughed quietly to herself, as if she needed instruction dressing from her father. She'd chosen a soft cornflower blue silk evening gown to match her eyes and allowed her hair to dangle against her cheeks from its pins in golden ringlets. She decided against wearing any jewelry save for a blue velvet choker that matched her gown. The trip to the families home was rather eventful as her father regaled her and her mother with tales of his adventures with the captain causing great peals of laughter.

They were still laughing as Caroline was handed down from the carriage, her soft lips pulling into a captivating smile while her eyes dance with merriment and mischief as she teased her father about pulling some of those antics now at his old age. The Marquise humpfed her and tugged playfully at one of her curls before taking her mothers arm to lead them towards the door.

[Ariana Roskin]

"They look pleasant enough," Ariana commented from her spot at the window, watching the family laughing and smiling. "Oh, Mama," here Ariana immediately slid into Spanish, "They are quite beautiful. And that girl is wearing a positively lovely dress!" Armando rolled his eyes from his spot on the couch, and added his input with the words, "Her clothes don't matter so much to me as her personality. I certainly hope she's not completely dull."

"Oh, they've just been let in!" Ariana exclaimed from the window, where she had been watching as the servant led the family inside the Roskin's home. Making a quick dash, the girl bounded over to her seat on the couch by her brother, a bit breathless from the sudden run, and giggling from the look her father was giving her. "I shall be good, Papa," she teased, her hand reaching up to check her hair one last time.

And then the door open and the servant announced the visitors. All of the Roskins stood in unison and bowed sweetly, as was required of them. Captain Roskin immediately began making the introductions, and exclaiming over his old friend and how delighted he was to see him again. The younger of the group was ushered to the couches near the window, and the parents took the spot near the fire. It was connected, but just far enough apart that one could easily have their own conversation.

"Miss Sinclair, how do you like Middleton?" Ariana began, trying her best to play the part of a good host's daughter. Armando stifled a slight snicker at her, for which she sent him a sisterly look, after which the two shared a singular smile and turned their attentions back to the guest at hand.

[Caroline Sinclair]

Caroline wasn't surprised that the home was beautiful as they were escorted in. From the outside it had looked large and inviting and she was pleased to see that the inside looked just as beautiful and she felt herself actually melting slightly and become more relaxed. Her eyes tried to drink in all the lush textures and colors but soon they were before the family and as they bowed the Sinclair's bowed as well, the silk of the women's skirts filling the room with sound and perfume.

Caroline listened closely to the introductions and smiled prettily at the other family. Then she found herself bustled over to the area with the two other young people which didn't surprise her in the least. As they all sat she found herself wondering what on earth to say but then the beautiful daughter spoke and Caroline smiled then thought about her answer before she replied.

"Its a beautiful town to be sure it reminds me of Newmarket without the sight of horses everywhere." she smiled before continuing. "But I've met very few people and with only my cousin for company i'm rather bored. To be honest I was a little nervous about coming tonight but excited at the same time. My mother tells me there are quite a few young people to meet." she happened to glance over at the older pairs of people and leaned in slightly as she whispered with teasing eyes.

"I wonder if we will be regaled all night with tales of their younger years. I'm personally amazed my father can remember that far back."