But then, the gentleman smiled, and all worry dropped from Stephen’s shoulders at once.
“But of course,” the gentleman replied with a quick inclination of his head. “You did not mean to do so.”
“Of course,” Stephen replied with a small bow, glad that he did not stumble as he did so and thinking to himself that he might drink his brandy a trifle more slowly now. “Might I enquire as to your name?”
The man nodded, waiting until Stephen had shouted the drinks he required into the ear of a footman, before giving him a tight smile.
“I am Viscount Chesterton,” the man replied, bowing again, and Stephen felt a ripple of surprise run through him when he realized that he had never once met this particular gentleman before. “I am new to London.”
“I see,” Stephen answered, meandering back toward his chair and seeing Lord Chesterton fall into step beside him. “Then allow me to introduce myself.” He gave a small bow. “The Earl of Rutherford.” Eyeing the gentleman, he sat down in his seat and watched him steadily. “Have you only just gained your title?”
Lord Chesterton shrugged. “I could have come to London for the Season many times before now,” he answered as Stephen gestured for him to sit down next to Lord Nottingham, who did not so much as glance up, apparently still in the doldrums over Stephen’s lack of interest. “But I merely preferred to stay at my estate, trying to ensure that it came back to fruitfulness.” He glanced away, his mouth pulled tight and a hardness in his eyes that surprised Stephen. “The last few years have been rather difficult as my crops have not done well and it has been a struggle to restore their abundance, but I am glad to say that they are now doing very well indeed. “
“And thus, you have come to London for your first Season,” Stephen answered with a broad smile as the footman brought over their drinks. “Do you intend to find a wife or are you hoping to merely enjoy a few wonderful social occasions before returning for the little Season?”
To his surprise, Lord Chesterton did not smile, nor did he answer. Instead, he considered the question for a time, giving Stephen enough opportunity to drink a large mouthful of brandy before finally allowing himself to answer.
“I think I am here to explore society,” Lord Chesterton said slowly. “I confess that I have not spent a good deal of time in such excellent company and thus I am looking forward to that aspect of being in London.”
Rousing himself just a little, Lord Nottingham let out a long breath, and then narrowed his eyes at Stephen. “There is not always excellent company, which is what one often seeks,” he said as Stephen rolled his eyes and let out a bark of laughter.
“You must forgive my friend,” he said to Lord Chesterton, who was looking a trifle puzzled. “He is a little out of sorts, given that he came to tell me some gossip and found that I was less than interested.” Quickly, he made the introductions and Lord Nottingham begrudgingly greeted Lord Chesterton before sinking back down into apathy.
Stephen, ignoring him completely, continued his conversation with Lord Chesterton. “Well,” he said, finding himself a good deal more interested now that he had someone to talk to other than Lord Nottingham. “You say you are in London to engage with society. Then, I must ask what it is you wish to see or where you wish to go. There are a good many places here in London that almost require your time, and I am sure there will be many social occasions for you to attend.”
“Indeed,” Lord Chesterton replied, smiling, although it did not warm his eyes. “I am sure there will be. I confess that I have thought only of visiting Vauxhall Gardens and, thereafter, going to Hyde Park during the fashionable hour.” He shrugged. “I do not know a good many of the beau monde as yet so I cannot hope to be given many invitations.”
“Well, we shall make certain that it is not so,” Stephen replied with a grin. “Once you have been introduced to a few of the ton, then the rest are sure to follow quite quickly indeed. In fact, an acquaintance of both myself and Lord Nottingham has a masquerade ball tomorrow evening and I am certain he would be more than glad to invite you. Lord Nottingham can speak to him about it and ensure an invitation is given to you.”
Lord Nottingham roused himself briefly but did not immediately speak. He looked between Stephen and Lord Chesterton and then closed his eyes, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. “Yes, yes,” he muttered, sounding as though he were being terribly inconvenienced by Stephen’s suggestion. “You must attend, Lord Chesterton, of course.”
Lord Chesterton exchanged a glance with Stephen, but Stephen nodded encouragingly, his lips twisting as he took in his friend’s ridiculous manner.
“Then, I should be very glad to attend,” Lord Chesterton replied with a smile. “I thank you, Lord Nottingham, and you also, Lord Rutherford. It shall be my first important social occasion and I am certain it will be extraordinary.”
“And it is a masquerade, so you must make certain to hide your face,” Lord Nottingham muttered, sending a sidelong glance toward Stephen. “And you also, Lord Rutherford, although I know you will be inclined to show everyone that you are present.”
Stephen chuckled, noting Lord Chesterton’s bemused glance. Waving a hand to dismiss Lord Nottingham’s remarks, he continued to enquire as to Lord Chesterton’s plans. After a few more drinks and a good hour of conversation, Stephen decided that it was time for him to retire.
“I must return home, I think,” he said with a wry smile. “I am sure that the sky is already lightening, and I ought to be abed if I am to attend Lady Maidstone’s afternoon tea.” He smirked to himself, knowing full well that Lady Maidstone was a very charming widow who would likely fawn over him and give him some rather warm attentions should he make it apparent that he was more than willing to accept them. “If you would excuse me.”
Lord Chesterton bent his thin form and rose, a little stiffly, from his chair. “I will depart also, I think,” he said as Lord Nottingham nodded and threw back the rest of his whisky, which Lord Chesterton had brought them all earlier that evening.
“As will I,” he said, and thus all three men walked from White’s together, Lord Chesterton swaying a little as they did so. Stephen chuckled to himself at this, glad that he was able to keep his wits about him, even though he had drunk rather a good deal already. Lord Nottingham appeared to be in control of himself also, for he did not stumble even a little as they walked down the steps toward the waiting carriages.
“I sent my carriage home,” Stephen told the other two. “I will hail a hackney.”
“No, no,” Lord Chesterton said at once, waving a hand toward the carriages. “Come, I will have you brought home. It is not any trouble.”
Lord Nottingham did not so much as let out a word of protest, moving directly toward the carriage that Lord Chesterton had indicated, but Stephen shook his head.
“I would not want to cause you the trouble,” he said firmly. “You are taking Lord Nottingham now, it seems, and I am certain that to return both of us to our separate abodes will take far too long and you shall be all the more weary.”
Lord Chesterton let out a chuckle and shook his head. “No, indeed I shall not,” he insisted, coming toward Stephen and grasping him by the arm in a way that Stephen did not much like. “I insist. Please. After all of your kindness to me this evening, allow me to show you a little in return.”