“Perhaps that will be the highlight of our evening,” Holly said, fanning herself, “He made quite an impression on Abigail and I’m not certain if she is feeling fight or flight.”

Holly and Freya stood, as Lady Raina had left them to their own devices for the moment. They were still watching the long waltz of the foxes. Freya noted that every fox in attendance was currently on the dance floor. She further noted that that was approximately eight foxes among the many assembled creatures, a number drawing closer and closer to about five hundred in her estimation.

Long ago, the foxes as their part in the coalition gave up on eating meat with the possible exception of the fish that they traded the otters and beavers for. It made their meetings inside the coalition a lot easier when the mice and rabbits knew that the foxes would not devour them, despite their omnivorous tendency. Freya had to admit that of those foxes she had met, they all appreciated the unwavering acceptance of the coalition.

The waltz came to a slow end and the dancing creatures all clapped. The strings began a slow warm-up to a new number, one that Tulip had never played. Gasps from the assembled group went up as some of the aviary began to float up above the dance floor, aligning themselves into neat little rows. The foxes all seemed to go off to a corner together to talk as a group, including Abigail and Lord Richards.

“Freya, look!” Holly gasped at the dance floor, looking up as the birds gracefully flew into positions.

“Oh my!” Freya said, grinning.

“Those birds, are they going to?” Holly said, putting a paw on Freya's shoulder. Both had heard of the dances that the birds did in the air.

“Well Abigail and Richards are going to dance, I hope that Abigail isn’t too upset that she won’t be the only thing the madding crowd is looking at during this next piece,” Holly said.

“Abigail was dancing so well before,” Freya said.

“I swear that she dragged him back onto the dance floor for a better look,” Holly added.

“I wasn’t looking because those blue jays are so wonderful,” Freya said.

Bobbing and weaving in time with the music, the bluejays and warblers began a dance. Freya noted only one robin in the crowd and he was not in the air. Two sparrows sat next to the queen as she watched, marking time with her talon.

“Don’t worry Freya, you’ll have your turn at dancing with some handsome mouse,” Holly said.

“I had hoped that I would not look so forlorn as to attract your attention on the matter,” Freya said.

Below the assembled aviary another grouping of creatures imitated the line dance, giving Freya hope that one day she could be a part of this kind of display.

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“Why perhaps that rabbit on the second floor will catch your eye?” Holly asked, “Otherwise he seems as good a rabbit as any, and he must be well-read.”

Looking up to the second-floor balcony, Freya noted someone sitting against a railing, reading a book. He seemed disinterested in the whole affair. Freya recognized him as some sort of parliamentary figure, but could not place him as one of the cards. His ears extended up and they were grey, so maybe a young earl or lord? He could be a member of parliament!

Abigail had not returned yet and Freya decided to weigh her options. If she were to take Holly to meet this reclusive rabbit, perhaps they would hit it off. Holly hadn’t expressed such a strong preference as Abigail, so perhaps any rabbit suitor would be an improvement? It wasn’t meddling if your friend asked you to meddle, now was it? But if Abigail went to return to the group and they weren’t there, then what would she do?

Lady Raina returned before Freya was able to make a decision.

“Lady Raina,’ Freya said in a low voice, “ Do you know who that rabbit is over there on the second floor? He isn’t too bad looking, I dare say.”

Holly peered in the direction trying to not be too obvious.

“That is the Baron of Yellowrock,” Lady Raina said, “He's a rake if ever there was one. I doubt that he will marry as he has had ample opportunity these past two seasons. I’m sure that he’s been spending time with a few opera singers.”

Lady Raina looked at the two of them disdainfully.

One point for Lady Raina being a spymaster, Freya thought, Or should I be embarrassed for asking? It sounds like I should have known who that was, but I don’t recall anyone like that. Or maybe he’s just not worth my time so she doesn’t want me to talk to him, but I feel like I should have known. Maybe he is just disreputable? Probably that, then. Should I feel embarrassed for asking such a stupid question? No. Lady Raina wants to be my mentor and she would not introduce me to a lord of ill repute.

A voice in the back of her mind told her that even if he was of ill repute that he paled in comparison to how excited she felt thinking about him.

“Well, perhaps he would be a good business partner then?” Holly said.

Both Lady Raina and Freya turned on her.

“I mean, I think he looks like he has money…” Holly trailed off.

“Since when are you interested in business?” Freya asked, “I believe that we both had the impression that you were looking for a suitor only.”

That voice in the back of her mind told her that she should build up other females, that competitors would be good for her.

But Holly is trying to remove me from the competition and snag someone great from out in front of me!

The voice told her that perhaps if someone was stolen that easily it wasn’t worth the effort. Freya conceded the point.

“If you’re going to be a well-to-do business lady,” Holly huffed, “You’re going to need a powerful partner. Someone has to take care of the accounts while you’re out selling whatever it is that we’re going to sell.”

“We can talk about business anytime,” Freya said, “Shouldn’t we be searching for the Knight of Grain? I haven’t seen him anywhere here. Lady Raina, have you seen him?”

“I daresay that I have not, although I sent Tulip to him with a note requesting his attendance at this evening's ball,” Lady Raina’s ears dropped down low as she fanned herself, ”Perhaps he has had other duties to attend to of a more pressing matter?”

“Or perhaps he is talking with the Baron himself,” Holly said, drawing their eyes back up to the second floor, where a rabbit in full dress uniform stood addressing the baron. The two appeared to know each other.

“I know that rabbit!” Freya exclaimed.