Richard had half a mind just go ahead and tell her the news right then and there, to get that damn smile off her face. He hated that she knew that she had gotten under his skin, but there was time to debate that later. Shaking his head, he shed his jacket before moving closer to her. "It would have truly been rude of me to turn down such an invitation."
"Lovely ball though, plenty of fresh faces." Richard kneeled next to her, leaning in to sniff her arm before looking up at her, "Your father seemed pleased with your little gift to me."