He sought out the host of the party
a rotund man, whose laugh lines stood out as he greeted his guests.
 

I approached him drawing his attention.
He was near the door greeting and saying goodbye to his guests.

"Excuse me," I said, "I need to talk with you briefly,"
my voice a little dry while I tried to maintain eye contact with him.
"Hello," I said, do you remember me?"
He said "why yes," automaticallly greeting and alternating with his welcome and goodbyes to parting guests.

But he barely looked at me as he spoke.

"I need to know the name of the woman in white and gold, in a white and gold dress? Do you remember her.?"
He repeated me: "White and gold dress? What was her name?
"Name, I stammered, "her name?"

"I am not sure but she stood out tonight. She was very attractive, black hair, quiet looking.".

In a moment, he stopped, looked at me and quietly said "I don't seem to remember." he said. "I don't remember anyone by that description. White and gold. Don't seem to remember. Are you sure about her?" 
He was distracted by the woman by his side who stroked his sleeves as he spoke.
"Ah, I will have you talk to our social secretary. Perhaps, he can, help. He is over by the refreshment area. But now can you excuse me, as you can see I have guests I have to attend to."
He turned away abruptly while I surveyed the room looking for someone who might be the social secretary.
I was beginning to feel no one knew her.

Behind me I heard him say, "She is the one in the gold lame suit."
I looked where he indicated seeking that person in gold lame and spotted her talking to a woman in a black and white gown who fixed her gaze, flirting wildly. She cooly stared back.

My interruption was not welcome.

"Excuse me I said I need your help, Count Wellington referred me to you with a problem I am having."
She turned, stared at me and was silently irked at my interruption.

But she drew herself away at the mention of the Count and asked dryly "What can I do?"

"I am, I said, "trying to locate a woman who was in attendance tonight who wore white and gold. She had an emergency, and has since disappeared. I am urgently trying to locate her.

"Her name.? She questioned?" 
"I don't have her name but she left rather abruptly with a rather large man and I saw her drive away and she looked distressed. It is urgent that I find her."

"Humm, sorry I I don't recall anyone, gold and white you say? Can't remember, can't help you,"

she said, thinking I was seeking her for some romantic interlude and she decided she could not be my dating service, looking glancing at the woman beside her.

She was not going to be of any help.

To be continued