Most of the women didn't mind that she was new and not strictly born into nobility. And they were all interested in potential alliances, since Lacey was the head of a fairly powerful family.

Lacey soon found herself chatting with several of the women, although the conversation was kept light and cheerful. Now was the time to network, rather than make concrete alliance plans.

That seemed to be the general flavor of the party. Up until the Western Lady dragged her son out of the house to sit at the head table with her for a while.

Lacey could feel the change in the crowd immediately. Everyone's attention sharpened and focused on the Western Lady and her son. Most of the women stood a bit straighter, a few touched their hair or their clothes, and generally the atmosphere went from easy conversation to suddenly sizing up prey. That was definitely a change that made Lacey wary.

Sesshomaru, of course, was aware of that change, and he sighed and gave his mother a long-suffering look. But he sat next to her, leaning back in his chair, golden eyes half-closed as he observed everything.

Lacey took a moment to really look at him. He was ridiculously pretty; it was really kind of unfair that a man was that pretty, but that only added to the distinct allure he had. His features were even and precise, exquisitely sharp, and Lacey found she really kind of liked it.

Sesshomaru made note of which of the women were eyeing him like prey, like a prize, like someone to be conquered... And then there was the newcomer, who just looked surprised and a little out of sorts. She hadn't made up her mind then. Sesshomaru snorted quietly and poured more tea while his mother shamelessly eavesdropped on the conversations.

Lacey could practically see the analysis crossing his face before he dismissed them all and poured some tea. She gradually fell back into conversation, although it was more hushed than before and everyone kept sneaking glances at the high table.

The Western Lady was clearly pleased. "There are several good matches," she said, looking at her son.

"Hnn."

"All of them would give their eyeteeth for even a chance."

"And?" Sesshomaru gave his mother a bit of a Look.

"You need to pick one soon, dear, it's well past time for you to have chosen a mate."

"So you keep saying." Sesshomaru glanced around at the tables, noting the little flurries of activity that followed.

"You won't be able to put it off much longer," the Western Lady pointed out as she delicately sipped some tea.

"None of them are appealing," Sesshomaru said quietly. "Some are worse than others." His gaze lingered briefly on a demoness from a wolf family and he resisted the urge to make a face.

"Some are... less desirable, true," the Western Lady replied. She looked at her son. "Though did I see your gaze lingering on a few faces, I wonder?"

"So far, only marking choices to avoid," Sesshomaru said, his voice bland. "And one or two that I don't know well enough to make a decision."

"Oh?" his mother asked, glancing at him. "I would think there is only one unknown enough to reserve judgement on."

Sesshomaru didn't grace that with a real answer. Instead he just looked around the gathering again.

"So which ones are attracting your attention?"

The Western Lady looked around the gathering, examining the faces.

"There are a couple of rather lovely bitches over there," she commented. A sly smile crossed her face. "And perhaps the newcomer."

"Lovely, perhaps," Sesshomaru allowed. "Tolerable is what I am more concerned with."

"Then perhaps you should interact with a few of them," his mother suggested. "Test your tolerance."

Sesshomaru huffed. "You just want to see them all in a tizzy," he grumbled.

"It would be amusing," she replied with a small smile. "But you do need to find out which ones you can tolerate."

Sesshomaru sighed but nodded, standing fluidly and going to make his way around the tables. He ignored the flutters and twitters around him.

Lacey definitely noticed the flutters and titters, and looked around to see what the commotion was. When she saw Sesshoumaru walking around, she blinked and broke away from the conversation that had pretty much ended anyways.

Sesshomaru kept walking around, ignoring most everyone who tried to get his attention. Because he could.

"Well, you look like you're having fun," Lacey muttered under her breath when he walked by without saying anything. She hadn't intended for anyone to hear, but it was hard to tell how good someone's hearing was.

Sesshomaru paused at that and looked at her, cool gold eyes assessing her. She wasn't so tedious, not yet.