Ending his song just in time for Lady Trufflebottom's appearance, his ears perked up at the sound of her voice. He did not conceal his merriment, for the lady had a taste for gossip as he did. As she approached in her obscene yards of garments, he made a sweeping bow, grinning ear to perky ear and chirping his cordial greeting.

"Oh Lady Trufflebottom! So good to see you, and must I say, you are looking quite big today~" he chortled, complimenting her large wig that competed with his own, and her girth via the layers of petticoats. His long, orange tail twitched behind him, magnificently shimmering in the light, contrasting greatly with the rich, black velvet jacket around his chest. He watched her curiously as she maneuvered about in the miles of fabric. Taking note of the cake in her hand, he arched a brow, "I dare say, you are quite bold to try the cake. I, myself, of course, have a very particular palate. I cannot bear the thought of eating food given so freely by such a mysterious man. Lord knows what manner of cooks he keeps on staff!" The Duke scoffed in a clipped, British accent, his tone petulant and bratty.

His volume dropped as he peered sharply at the woman before him, "Do tell me, have you heard any word about this Lord Chesternutshire?"

Oh how the Duke loved a good bit of gossip!

"The biggest, my dear Duke!" She added with a rather smug, and pleasant smile. She chittered about, looking him over rather quickly, "I must say, the season is doing wonders for your tail, Duke, simply bushy as ever. Clearly one of the most superior in presence." As to emphasis her point, she offered up a small curtsy, knowing just well how much the Duke appreciated the compliment. "Oh the cake? I dare say, I considered such possibilities, but dear Uncle would simply be furious should he be watching and hear word that I did not try the delicacies." After that point she munched on the other bit of tart that she held in her delicately gloved paw.

A long pause as she finished and enjoyed the snack, grinning as he leaned in to ask. Oh how she loved gossip, and was grateful for someone who was nearly as chatty as she was! "Uncle Chesternutshire? Oh indeed I have, good Duke. It seems that he has met a young lady, so they say. But it's a shame, for she comes from..." She paused and fanned herself, the very thought enough to make her light-headed. "... From the, middle-class!" She exclaimed in a hushed tone, fanning herself a bit more, as she certainly did feel nauseous. If anyone knew Lady Trufflebottom, this was a most horrid of situations, as if her Uncle were to get married, and an heir should be born, the fortune that is hers could very well be gone. While she still had the Trufflebottom fortune behind her, it was not nearly the power that she felt she so rightfully deserved.

After flirting her way through the crowd, Phillis was quite parched, and so swished her way over to the refreshments. Nearby Lady Trufflebottom was packing away the sweets while talking in hushed tones to the Duke Cherrytail, his brightly dyed tail swishing about behind him. Smiling, she noted their gossip about the Lord Chesternut. Perhaps it was well time that she swayed his Lordship's fancy away from this girl of low birth and to her own illustrious pedigree.
Laughing softly to herself, Phillis walked away as quietly as her swishing satin and silk would allow towards where the Lady Diamanda was hiding herself away, the only movements from her nook being the occasional twitch of her fan. Phillis sat down in a 'whoosh' beside her friend and offered her a berry tart.

Diamanda twitched her tail when Lady Phillis walked up, "Hello" she said, looking out at the party, it definitely promised to be a long one, she wouldn't be surprised if it didn't last until the morning. She supressed a groan but put on her best smile for Lady Phillis, "How are you tonight?" she asked, "Don't you ever get hot in all that fabric?" Diamanda herself was stifling with just her extremely modest dress.

Gasping at the most shocking remarks he had heard thus far, the Duke's face turned waxen with shock.

"A...commoner? Surely you jest!" he spoke in a hush, aware that they were exchanging some quiet delicious gossip. "I do not wish to offend, my dear lady, but is your uncle a bit...touched in the mind?" His bright, black eyes blinked a few times as he tried to process the matter. Marriage in itself seemed to be a nasty affair to begin with, but then again, the Duke never had much interest in the fairer sex, not romantically speaking anyway. Marriage was a business matter, cut and dry, and he shuddered at the though of his own nuptials, though he had no current attachments. He always assumed he'd have to, eventually, but to marry a commoner?! A commoner with no connections or money, who in their right mind would marry such a creature?

"I jest you not, Duke!" The Lady exclaimed in a hushed tone, her beady little eyes wide, tail twitching at how delicious the gossip was. "It's word that her father is a tailor! Of all things, indeed. Fixing clothes?" She fanned herself with the gaudy fan, the jewels that dripped from it clanked obnoxiously. "It's simply atrocious that he would even find himself in the presence of a tailor's daughter, but to dare even consider... something intimate! And to even call it... love." The last word was hardly above a whisper, as if it was about the most forbidden thing. Well, in a sense it was. She never did expect to love someone, marriage was about wealth, and a name.

"I shall never let my wealth fall into the hands of an urchin born to a commoner." She added in, straighting her back, puffing out her fur as much as the tightly tied corset would allow.