by Jerry Cole
"Yes," Edmond said bluntly with a faint smile.
"Very well, let us seek refreshment." Theodore laughed a little and made his way over to the punch table.
He wasn't sure why he felt so great around this man, but he did. Where others seemed to look at Edmond and overlook him entirely, Theodore was entranced, as though Edmond had been dipped in pure gold and was shining brighter than anyone else in the room. He didn't see how everyone else could not even notice such a handsome young man.
Edmond followed hesitantly behind Theodore, a little awkward, a little nervous, as though he hadn't expected company at the punch table. It was so peculiar, to see such a tall, powerful man following such a small, gentle man so meekly.
"Are you attempting to keep me company?" Edmond asked, picking up a glass of punch. "Or stalking me?"
"No, I have not met someone quite so mysterious as you before," Theodore said, feeling the heat flush to his face. "I suppose I wish to unravel that mystery."
"What mystery? I am just a man who does not know how to socialize," he said, staring into his glass a little mournfully.
"Well, you are socializing beautifully for a man who does not know how," Theodore replied. "I begin to suspect that you are gifted at everything you claim not to be good at."
Edmond stared into his glass a moment longer, took another sip of punch, and bowed lightly. "I must beg your pardon, but I shall be retiring now."
Theodore knew better than to say anything else. "Good evening, Sir... Mr... Good evening, Edmond."
"Good evening, Theodore," he said, turning around and leaving the hall entirely.
Stupefied, Theodore was not sure what to think of what had just happened. He wanted so very badly to pursue Edmond. But he knew it would be ridiculously inappropriate. So, he stood and sipped his punch.
"I thought you wanted to dance," came Mrs. Elridge's voice from his left.
Theodore turned to face her. "Oh, I did. I will dance some more in a minute."
"I suppose it will take a moment to adjust having danced a lady's steps," she replied. "You didn't need to."
"I know, but he was so lonely. I couldn't bear the idea of bringing a lady to him and her rejecting his dance," Theodore replied.
Mrs. Elridge laughed. "Why would a lovely, eligible young lady ever reject a dance with an Earl?"
"An Earl?" Theodore replied, a little shocked. He knew that Earls still existed, of course. Most of his favorite books, written in Regency Era England, still referred to Earls. But he had never met one his entire life.
She seemed surprised. "I thought that was why you went to such great lengths to humor him. He is the Earl of Thanet, from Britain," she explained.
"Oh my," Theodore uttered. It was all he could manage.
Chapter Seven
The next day it was odd, but Theodore felt as though the previous night had been a dream. It was so wonderful.
It felt as though the days of grand balls were beginning to give way to less prestigious, less respectable events. Not that Theodore entirely minded. A few decades ago, Theodore would have been unwelcomed at the ball. He was living in a unique time, where a man of his comparatively lower standing could enjoy such events.
And yet the next morning, as though nothing had happened, he got dressed and walked the children in the garden, discussing some of the things they had learned whilst attending the ball.
His eyes fell on a figure that seemed familiar, and for a moment he could not work out where he knew the man from.
"Good afternoon, Theodore," Edmond said, seeming just as surprised that Theodore was there.
"I... I do not know how to address an Earl," Theodore replied nervously, stepping back. "Lord Thanet? Is that right?"
Edmond chuckled under his breath. "Simply call me Edmond, or Mr. Tufton. It is not as though these things matter so much anymore. And what might I call you?"
"Theodore," Theodore insisted. "I am only a tutor."
Edmond nodded, as though understanding this. But he said nothing in reply. It was like a word was on the tip of his tongue, and yet it escaped him.
"Are you well?" Theodore asked, looking Edmond up and down, wondering what to do or say next.
"Yes, just enjoying my walk," Edmond replied.
And then it struck him. Theodore was not certain, but perhaps this English gentleman had assumed he was befriending and dancing with a fellow noble last night. And now he had discovered that the man he was friends with turned out to be nothing more than a common tutor. Of course, he would be insulted by this.
Theodore felt oddly out of place, dressed so poorly, chasing after children in the garden, under the gaze of a man a thousand times more important than himself. He wanted to feel indignant. He wanted to tell himself that he was just as respectable a gentleman as Edmond and that if Edmond wanted to be snobby, that was Edmond's problem.
But truth be told, Theodore was in awe of the other man. Of his handsomeness, his stature, the way he kept his composure under all circumstances. He truly was a relic of bygone days, an example of what men used to be, a perfect creature.
And there was Theodore. Poor and humble, dropped from the heights which Edmond surpassed, chasing after children in the garden.
He tried to retain some amount of dignity as he guided the kids over to a rose bush and began to explain how the life cycle of the rose worked, going into detail for the older kids and asking the younger ones to prune and collect some deadheads as an exercise.
Edmond, rather than move away and do whatever it was he wished to, seemed to be transfixed by his own little world, and continued wandering about the garden. If it were a bigger garden, this would be less frustrating to Theodore. But it was not. It was a very small garden, and it was difficult to navigate. Therefore, Edmond was just continually "there". And he seemed to be watching, which ruined Theodore's concentration for a lesson.
"I like the flowers," Eliza said in a hush whisper, carefully trimming the thorns from a rose and handing it to Lewis.
"Ah, yes, but be careful not to cut off the buds," Theodore said, pointing out one which was attached to the rose Eliza had just cut. "Because that is where more flowers come from."
"But the gardeners cut the buds!" Victor said, looking at Theodore sternly.
"Yes, sometimes when the whole bush is trimmed one must cut a few buds. But not when we are dead heading them, we are just ruining the gardeners' hard work when we-" And just like that his attention was stolen by Edmond again.
The man had taken off his coat, and Theodore was not unduly impressed by the way in which Edmond's shirt sleeves clung to his admirably thick arms. Theodore swallowed hard and tried to turn his attention back to the children and their lesson.
Angelica was throwing petals in the air and watching them gently glide down. Mabel soon joined in. They seemed to be having fun, but that was not exactly what the lesson was about. And then, sweeping up a stem by accident, Mabel pricked her finger, letting out a sharp cry and turning to Theodore with eyes full of tears. "Mr. Smithe," she said, showing the droplets of blood.
"Oh dear," he said.
"I cut myself too," whispered Eliza.
"Me too!" shouted Christine, feeling left out, purposefully grabbing a thorny branch. "Ow!"
"Perhaps we ought to treat those scratches and get changed for lunch," Theodore said, wondering how long Edmond would be there. "I think if our guest the Earl is to stay much longer, we ought to at least ensure we look clean and presentable, don't you think."
"But he is so old," Victoria complained.
"Victoria, seduction and marriage are not the only reasons why one might dress properly for a guest," Theodore replied.
Victoria flushed bright red, grumbled, and made her way indoors, her little sisters following close behind. Victor laughed under his breath, seizing Lewis's hand and walked in. Theodore made sure they had made it in and were with the governess before he considered himself officially discharged from duty.
He rushed back upst
airs to change. He had no idea what a man should wear in front of an Earl in this day and age, but he was pretty certain it was not his simple wool suit, covered in mud and twigs. He had made a minor mistake, sure, but it wasn't his fault that he had not known the Earl was still there, nor that he had been wearing dirty clothes in the garden. No need to dwell on it. Just move forward and find better clothes from now on.
Theodore slipped out of his dirty clothes swiftly, washed his hands and face thoroughly with the remaining cold soapy water left over from that morning's jug, and found a more presentable suit and tie. He felt he looked pretty good. Maybe not as elegant as Edmond, but definitely good.
Just as he finished buttoning up his coat and began putting the dirty clothes out for laundry, the door swung open.
"Mr. Smithe?" Mrs. Elridge asked, pushing the door open tentatively. "Oh good, you are properly dressed. Sorry, I meant to send my husband but his is busy."
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Elridge," he said, smiling warmly as he continued folding his suit jacket and placed it in the laundry hamper. "What brings you to my quarters?"
"Oh, no huge matter. But the Earl, he says he saw you in the garden and has requested your presence at lunch. By name. I assume he enjoyed your dancing skills and conversation last night." The way she spoke suggested she was joking about a romantic connection as though it were a preposterous concept.
If only she knew...
Theodore nodded. "Is what I am wearing good enough? I do not know how to dress for these English nobles."
"You look perfect," she said in a motherly tone.
"I did not know you entertained the gentry here," he said, stifling a slight laugh. "How long shall he be here?"
"Oh, he shall be staying with us for as long as it pleases him," she said with a smile. "We have a little space to spare. Sometimes our dear friends stay some time."
"It will be my pleasure to join you for lunch momentarily," he said, pushing the hamper back into the corner with his foot.
"Excellent," she replied, turning about and leaving the room.
Theodore turned and looked at his figure in the mirror. He had been asked for by name. Now he felt even more uncomfortable at the prospect of being seen in this suit. He was no longer sure it was good enough.
Theodore knew it was not his place to complain, but he almost didn't wish to go for lunch, in case he wore the wrong thing. But no, that would be such a waste. Even going to lunch wearing entirely the wrong thing was a better option than not going at all. Besides, he had been asked for. He saw his reflection’s cheeks grow pink and laughed a little under his breath.
He knew he was overreacting a little. But the Earl was still there... It was such an exciting discovery. However nervous he was of making a mistake, he could not deny that he would make the most of this opportunity to get to know such a wonderful young man better.
Chapter Eight
Waiting in the parlor to be called for lunch, Edmond was having mixed feelings about inviting Theodore. On the one hand, he looked forward to the young man's company. He wished to apologize for being so awkward at the ball and in the garden, and to get to know this individual better, man to man.
On the other hand, when Mrs. Elridge had joked about Edmond having a romantic interest in Theodore, something had tugged in Edmond's chest.
It was just a joke.
But it felt all too sincere.
He was not sure if it was possible, but he was beginning to feel more things for Theodore than he had ever felt for any young lady. He was beginning to feel his body warming up, as though the young man were his wife waiting for him in their wedding bed.
He couldn't let this happen. Not again.
Edmond did not understand this, but every single time he had felt anything resembling the romantic attractions described by romance novels and by other young men, the subject had consistently been another man. Edmond was beginning to grow weary of this.
He had wondered, for quite some time, if he was simply incapable of feeling romantic love. If perhaps the strongest emotion he felt was camaraderie for other men. And then he realized how well his body reacted to their touch, their voices, the scent of their skin.
In an effort to curb these peculiar behaviors, Edmond had vowed to stay away from any young man he found too attractive. Hence why he simply had to escape during the ball. Hence why he could not talk to Theodore in the garden.
And yet when Mrs. Elridge asked him what was on his mind, the very first thing that he had said was "I would like Theodore to sit at lunch with us." He felt like a complete and utter fool.
He was doing the complete opposite of what he was supposed to, and then he had the gall to wallow in self-pity when he was the one who got himself in these dilemmas in the first place? No, he had to stay strong, act with dignity, and get on with his day, like everyone else managed to.
The door opened quietly and Edmond turned, not seeing a servant inviting him in for dinner, but rather Theodore himself, nervously looking about. "Hello," he said with a smile. "Are we waiting to be called for lunch? Fancy the Elridges leaving you here. Do they know you are waiting here alone?"
Edmond nodded. "They are. I mean they do. I asked for a few moments alone."
"Oh, I beg your pardon, perhaps I should-"
"No, stay," Edmond said before he could stop himself.
Theodore smiled. The most radiant, beautiful smile Edmond had ever seen in his entire life. "Very well, I shall keep you company."
Edmond did not want to know what these emotions were which stirred in his chest. He didn't mind. He had to simply ignore them as long as possible until they all went away. Moving to one of the comfortable arm chairs, Edmond settled down, waving a hand gently at another chair for Theodore to use.
"Why did you request my presence at dinner?" Theodore asked. "I am not exactly anyone important."
"You are interesting to me," Edmond admitted, feeling the heat rise to his face. "I enjoy your presence, and I am curious about a lot of things about you." He wasn't sure where the words came from. He always seemed to manage to get them wrong, no matter what they were. He grit his teeth, wondering why he even made the effort.
"I didn't think I was interesting to anyone," Theodore replied with a chuckle. "I might have been somebody once, but never anyone of your stature. And now I am just a tutor."
"It... It is not all about status," Edmond replied. "I am more interested in yourself as a person."
Edmond was surprised to see a faint flush rise up Theodore's cheeks. But no. It was normal for a young man to blush when flattered. "I have not heard that before," Theodore replied with a nervous laugh.
Edmond shrugged. "I suppose it might be my own personal issues-"
Just as he was about to explain, the door swung open, and a maid walked in, bearing a tray with a teapot and two cups and saucers. She placed the tray down on a table and curtsied.
"I beg your pardon, Lord Thanet, but there has been a slight error in the kitchen and lunch shall be half an hour late. To ensure Your Lordship shall not go without, I have been told that I am to bring Your Lordship this teapot. Apparently English gentlemen such as Your Lordship enjoy a drink of hot tea," she said, seeming very flustered.
Edmond felt glad to see he was not the only one who was so horribly uncomfortable in these social situations. He smiled and nodded. "It is fine, thank you for the tea."
She nodded and curtsied deeply before walking out of the room.
Edmond lifted the lid on the teapot. They had put the milk in with the tea leaves. It surprised him to see that the Americans did not enjoy tea as much as the English did, and did not understand the concept of milk in tea. But he didn't dare complain. He replaced the lid.
Before Edmond could say anything, Theodore was already standing and, with shaky hands, pouring Edmond a cup of the tea. It was a vaguely dirty gray color and the tea leaves floated a moment before sinking. Edmond did not complain, he accepted his cup with a smile and a nod.
Theodor
e sat back down with his own cup, looking at the swirling tea leaves with suspicion. "You tell me that you find me interesting as a person? Would you explain that... Your Lordship?"
Edmond flushed. "Do not call me that. Call me Edmond."
"I do not understand why a man would reject a title," Theodore said, raising an eyebrow.
"But I do, nevertheless, and I ask that you respect that," Edmond said. "Perhaps not in public. But then again, even so..."
Theodore nodded. "And why am I so interesting?"
"I have not seen a man act so candidly when at such a social disadvantage," Edmond said, sitting back and sipping some tea, trying to act nonchalant and only succeeding at burning his lips in the process.
"Are you well?" Theodore asked, leaning in and presenting a handkerchief for the droplets of tea which had landed on Edmond's coat.
Edmond reached for the handkerchief, somehow almost dropping his teacup again in the process, swearing at himself under his breath. Before he could reach for the handkerchief again, Theodore was already standing, leaning over Edmond, dabbing the tea from his fine silk shirt and coat lapels.
Edmond froze. He could feel Theodore's hands inches from his own beating heart, smell the sweet and musky scent that came from Theodore's hair and skin, see Theodore's small yet lanky frame, perfectly slender like some sort of a young lady, leaning over him. And yet despite the gentleness, despite the feminine kindness, the beauty of Theodore, Edmond could not pretend that this was not a man.
He all but snatched the handkerchief from Theodore. "Do not," he said, making stern eye contact and dabbing his own shirt.
Confused and a little flustered, Theodore stepped back and smiled meekly. "I beg your pardon."
Edmond sighed. "No, I ought not to have snapped. I simply... I like my personal space. But, then again, that is part of my problem. I have my own difficulties in social situations. I do not communicate well. I lose my composure. I cannot balance my emotions. I am simply fascinated by someone such as yourself, who does not care at all."