The red-coated Captain.

Steeling her resolve, Peggy finishes her punch and crosses the edge of the ballroom to where the red-coated Captain is standing. After all, who doesn't like a man in uniform? When he sees her approaching he smiles politely and nods. She curtsies to him.

"Greetings, Captain," she says breathlessly. "My name is Margaret Foxhaven. Are you and your men new to Wiltshire?"

"Miss Foxhaven," he says politely. "{if Simmons-Alice > 0}I believe I met your sisters Alice and Rebecca the other day. {endif}Charmed, I'm sure. I'm Captain Simmons. Yes, we're stationed out on Salisbury Plain for some training exercises. We'll be here for some months."

"I see, I see," Peggy says. Simmons nods and looks back out over the ballroom. Nervously, Peggy tries to take another sip of her punch, only to realize that she already drank it all. Drat. She doesn't know what to say now. "Are you...are you enjoying the ball, Captain?" she asks desperately.

"Yes, well enough," he smiles slightly. "I must admit I'm not much of one for balls. I find I always end up thinking about work while I'm at them."

"Oh, but you mustn't do that! The whole purpose is to have a good time," Peggy says.

"I know, I know. Still; when you've such a large group of soldiers, mostly young men, under your command, they tend to take up a lot of your thoughts. I worry about how to keep them busy and entertained while we're here so they don't get into trouble."

"Oh, of course. Is there anything I could do to help?" Peggy asks earnestly. Simmons snorts.

"Ah, no. No, I don't think there is, Miss Foxhaven. I appreciate the thought, though." He smiles at her.

Peggy smiles back. She feels as though she just made a slight mistake of some kind, but the man seemed to find it charming, so...oh well. She lets her eyes scan the crowd again as Simmons excuses himself and steps away to get more punch.

***

Meanwhile, Alice wanders the party, {if Bellington-Party-Alice-Drunk = True}more than a bit buzzed and enjoying herself, {endif}wondering what to do next. On the one hand, she might not be able to meet anyone if she doesn't go introduce herself. On the other - she leans coquettishly against a column at the edge of the ballroom - shouldn't the men be flocking to her? She'll wait here for them, she decides, and see who approaches.