"But sometimes noise isn't so bad." Gwen said nervously messing with the seem of her gown. "Sometimes silence is louder than noise."
Peter squeezed Linnet's hand but paused the doors. He quickly stepped back and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Linnet."
"Of course I wouldn't be happy, but I would at least be safe." Alena said quietly.
"One can barely talk over noise. At least, over that noise," William nodded his head towards the ballroom.
Linnet smiled sadly as Peter left. She waited a minute, pretending to admire a potted plant by the door, before returning inside to all the noise and lights. Richard immediately spotted her and came over, apparently concerned for so long an absence.
"Where have you been?" He asked, sounding slightly ticked off.
Trying to keep her voice calm, Linnet said, "Why should that be of any concern to you?" She smiled thinly. Richard simply nodded and offered her his arm, which she promptly refused, saying she wanted to sit for a while.
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("Babe, you know what they say, love isn't always safe"

#sorrynotsorry )
Katrina knocked loudly on the door and entered, bearing yet another tray of tea. Edwin stood up and backed away so Katrina could set the tray on the side table. After a minute of awkward silence, Edwin interrupted with, "I think I shall retire to my father's library for a while."
Katrina looked up but then quickly returned her attention to the tray. "Are ye not gong to the ball?" She asked timidly.
"Ah, no. Even if I were to leave now, much of the fun would be over. Besides, I'm tired," he replied lamely.