"One of my father's friends is Hannah's roommate's uncle, when she was in school in Vermont." His tone very carefully civil, though he does allow a faint smile to cross his lips. "We met when they were in Montpelier, and I was immediately taken in by Hannah's beauty, charm and brilliance."

Wellard pauses and raises an eyebrow, looking down over Amber's dress, then back up to her.
Comparison made, Amber loses.
"Then, when I was to be out this way to look at colleges, she was gracious enough to invite me to the dance here."