For all Romain's opacity, Gwenaëlle is likely to get a sense of how Stephen is doing in the ways her grandfather refers to him (or fails to) in his correspondence. Right now, at least, the doctor hasn't gone so wrong as to shake his grace's reserve or to chill him into a more observable frostiness.

The question, certainly, neither seems a presumption nor a surprise. "I could pass along a few names, though I have not focused my attention extensively on that sphere. Unfortunately, the overlap between the few I could mention and tonight's guest list is minimal." Not zero however, and he glances subtly over Stephen's shoulder before slightly dropping his voice. "Beatris Lavaud might not be a waste of your time. Dark green gown, gold mask with dragon adornments. Lavaud is an internationalist by inclination, which is a bit of a mixed bag for her as social capital goes. Thinks Orlais should continue looking outward, both academically and politically, which is something of a controversial stance in some quarters." Romain doesn't comment on his position, predictably. "But it suggests to me she might be receptive to the unique perspective a rifter could offer. Her specialty is zoology, I believe, which obviously is not medicine but is not so far away as it might be."