Who didn't love a good party? Actually these noble parties were just a tad stuffy and boring, but still, Lysander was not one to say no to all the free food and wine. At least there was promised to be wonderful entertainment. They'd hired musicians and even some singer. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to dance with all the very lovely young women that would be attending either. There would be many, and most were quite eligible.
Not that Lysander was looking.
Noble women could be beautiful and charming, but they were usually sticklers for marriage before giving him much. That didn't stop him from sneaking away on occasion with a particularly bold one. Still, kisses and petting were not always enough and even the boldest noble girls rarely actually put out for him – couldn't go losing their precious virginity to someone other than their husband. He wasn't necessarily bitter about it, they had their reasons and he respected those reasons. No girl had ever been coerced into being with him, and they never would.
Besides, he had no such problems with girls lacking in such high social status and expectation. No wonder he found lowborn girls so much more interesting. Sure, they often couldn't read and didn't engage him mentally with actual, stimulating conversation, but they didn't have the same hard lines to draw about premarital adventures with a charming young bachelor.
Lysander strolled casually and confidently into the main hall, all warm smiles and dignified gentleman as he greeted many of the guests. Most knew him. Those particularly swarming him were young, single girls from wealthy enough families to be considered within his range. The other notable group was businessmen closer to his father's age that he knew had young, single daughters near him in age. It was going to be a long party, what with him being questioned about when he planned on getting engaged a couple hundred times.
Of course he brushed it off with grace, chuckling and making up flowery excuses about waiting to find just the right girl. Lysander didn't think there was any such girl! How could you even say that you would want to be with a person forever? Marriage felt ominously final to him.
The ambient music was nice as everyone mingled, at least. Things hadn't truly started yet, but his gaze managed to find the balcony where the music was coming from. Silver eyes passed over the musicians quickly, holding little interest. It wasn't until they landed upon a woman sitting with them that he was given pause. She was not holding an instrument, simply seemed to be sitting impatiently. The singer he'd heard about? She must be.
Suddenly the party was much more interesting. There was a decided beauty about her features, and her costume was very fine. He liked the violet shade of her hair, and the way it shined beneath the chandelier. Lysander couldn't wait to hear her voice. If it was as lovely as the rest of her she would be a worthy pursuit indeed.
When she even happened to glance his way, he would flash her his most dashing smile, silver eyes sparkling with delight as he attempted to catch her eye. It was always more fun if they knew he was looking.