Lacey blushed slightly when she realized he'd heard her. Oops. She hadn't intended for that to happen.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her before he continued walking around the rest of the group. Only a few were even passing his initial test.

That seemed to be the longest exchange any of the women managed to have with him, and Lacey could feel the weight of several of them glaring at her. Up at the head table, the Western Lady watched with interest.

Sesshomaru returned to the head table to watch again for a bit. He knew the others were paying more attention to Lacey now, but that wasn't his fault. Besides, she should be able to defend herself.

Lacey glanced around, making note of the glares and indulging herself if a brief internal moment of panic. Then she forced herself to relax and stay calm, and raised her head a bit more. The other women weren't going to intimidate her, not here.

Sesshomaru had to admit he was a little surprised at how well she handled herself when faced with the ire of the others. That was good. Then he snorted at himself. His mother really was getting to him.

The Western Lady was watching everything, and it was obvious to her that her son had finally taken more than a passing interest in someone. That was good, even if his choice was a bit unorthodox. Clearly, he was just like his father. But the lady could work with that.

After a little while longer, Sesshomaru got to head back inside, at least briefly, with the excuse of checking on things and making sure Hisoka was still handling the servants fine.

His mother knew that was just an excuse; Hisoka was ruthlessly efficient and everyone knew it. But she let Sesshoumaru escape anyways.

Lacey watched him go (along with all the other women) and then slowly settled back in with a cup of tea. It wasn't quite time for her to be able to leave yet.

Sesshomaru did go check on Hisoka, though, if only for the entertainment factor. Because Hisoka could corral people like no one else when he wanted to.

Hisoka heard when Sesshoumaru walked in.

"Taking refuge, milord?" he asked, already making a space for Sesshoumaru to sit down.

"Momentarily," Sesshomaru agreed, taking a seat.

"Well, sit and relax, milord," Hisoka said. "Would you like me to have some tea brought for you?"

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I've had plenty already." He was quiet for a few moments, watching the others. "Any problems?"

"Nothing that could not be handled quickly," Hisoka replied as his underlings scurried around.

Sesshomaru nodded. "Your kit has been behaving himself?" Because no matter what anyone else said, Shippo was Hisoka's kit.

Hisoka smiled just a bit, knowing it was futile to protest.

"Well enough," he replied. "As well as can be expected of a kit his age."

Sesshomaru nodded and then blinked when he spotted the familiar red-head bounding through the servants of the ladies, most of whom were still hanging around inside.

"That is not behaving."

"He is behaving as well as can be expected," Hisoka reiterated. "The gathering outside has him excited enough that I find myself grateful he has yet to set anything on fire."

Sesshomaru sighed but didn't get up to do anything or discipline the kit. Hisoka usually had the kit well in hand, and Sesshomaru didn't feel the need to pull rank on him.

Hisoka did grab Shippou as the kit bounced past them.

"Calm down," he chastised gently. "The staff have enough to worry about without you underfoot."

Shippou grinned cheekily at Hisoka.

"They're all used to me by now," he said, though he didn't shake himself free yet. "Besides, I'm staying out of their way. Mostly."

"Let them do their work in peace," Hisoka said. "You can bother them again once the ladies have all left."

Shippou heaved a sigh but wriggled free and went to go do something a little more calm that Hisoka tended to approve of: chat.

Hisoka let him go, watching him for a moment before turning away again. It would be at least a few minutes before Shippou got bored enough to start running around again.