Author's Note: For this chapter I must provide my gentle readers with a few notes about history and the liberties that I am taking with it.
In early 19th century England there was little if any notion of people having sexual orientations. Any reasonably sophisticated person was aware of the existence of homosexual behavior, but such behavior was considered both unnatural and illegal. A man convicted of sodomy could be executed. Even propositioning another man for sex was a crime that could be punished with imprisonment. Society was to some extent willing to overlook youthful indiscretions, but a grown man's reputation could be ruined by rumors that he engaged in "unnatural acts". Rumors of this nature played a large role in poet Lord Byron's decision to leave England in 1816.
On a lighter note, during the Regency Era it was not proper for men and women to write personal letters to each other unless they were related, married, or engaged. So while Finley could write to his fiancée Quinn, Kurt could not correspond with his female friends.
Thinking of Kurt's friends, I have broken with history in order to allow him to remain friends with the same diverse group of characters that appear on Glee. Please imagine that my story is set in an alternate version of the early 19th century where people of different races and religions interacted freely and without fear of legal discrimination. However, in my fictional setting it is still common and more or less socially acceptable to believe that whites are superior to other races and Christianity superior to other religions.
Kurt returned to Milsom Street the following day. He saw grande dames and dandies, tradesmen and flower sellers, but alas, no Mr. Anderson. He even visited the hat shop Mr. Anderson had recommended, in vain.
Mr. Hummel was somewhat surprised to see his son return home from the shopping district without a single parcel, but did not question him. Kurt did not offer the true reason for his outing. He did not think he could explain why he was so eager to meet Mr. Anderson again. He could have said scarcely anything about Mr. Anderson that would be of interest to his father. Kurt knew nothing of Mr. Anderson's opinions on the prime minister. Whether or not Mr. Anderson followed cricket was a complete mystery to him. He could not even vouch for Mr. Anderson's skill at whist.
What Kurt did know about Mr. Anderson was that he was a man of graceful, easy manners. He cared for music and poetry. He was moved by beauty. Though they had spent less than half an hour in each other's company, Kurt had no doubt that if they met again their second conversation would be as enjoyable as their first.
He only hoped that they would meet again. Were he still in Lima, Kurt could be sure of meeting any new acquaintance half a dozen times before the week was through. Of course, new acquaintances were rare in Lima; Kurt had known most of the village's inhabitants since his earliest childhood. Here in Bath there were endless opportunities to meet new people, yet he realized now that the size of the city and number of visitors meant he could scarcely expect to repeat a chance encounter.
A hundred times Kurt wished he had thought to ask Mr. Anderson where he was staying. As exciting as it was to be in Bath, it would be infinitely better with a friend. Kurt did not care to attend public balls alone. Shopping was less pleasurable without companions to talk to. Kurt invited his stepmother to go with him to Milsom Street and offered to assist her in selecting a new bonnet, but Mrs. Hummel had discovered that an old school friend was also in Bath for the autumn and was eager to call upon her. Mr. Hummel was content to visit the thermal baths and go for walks in Sydney Gardens. After only a few days in Bath, Kurt was feeling lonely.
He was not to be without youthful companionship for long. Lady Susan sent her card around to let the Hummels know that she and Miss Fabray had arrived in Bath. Kurt accompanied his stepmother to call upon them at Lady Susan's lodgings in the King's Circus.
A servant ushered them into the drawing room, where they were received by Lady Susan and Miss Fabray. Kurt noted that even in Bath Lady Susan wore a riding habit. This was her daily practice in Lima, regardless of the season or occasion. She owned several sets of riding jackets and skirts in different colors, all cut in the same severe style.
"Mrs. Hummel, Mr. Porcelain," Lady Susan said in acknowledgement. "Miss Fabray will entertain you; I am on my way to take the waters. I find sulfur water to be most effective at stimulating the production of bile. It is only when my innards are quite full of bile that I feel my best." With that she swept out of the room.
Miss Fabray seemed happy to play hostess. She called for tea and poured cups for Mrs. Hummel and Kurt. "How is dear Mr. Hummel?" she asked. "I hope he finds Bath a tonic for his health. Have you heard from Finley? I have not received a letter from him."
"I fear you will not find my son to be much of a correspondent," said Mrs. Hummel. "He does not care to sit when he could be active, so his pen and stationary are much neglected."
"It seems ages already since I last saw him, and ages more until we meet again." Miss Fabray sighed. "How I wish we could be married tomorrow!"
Kurt allowed his mind to wander as the two women discussed the upcoming wedding. He wondered if his friend Miss Jones had finished adding new trim to her pink walking dress. He had recommended ribbons of primrose yellow, but she had been considering blue instead. He hoped she would not consult Miss Cohen-Chang, who would surely suggest black. Miss Cohen-Chang was a dear girl but rather inclined to dress as though she were in mourning.
He could picture her now in her black lace gown, playing the piano while Miss Jones sang. Herr Schuster would praise their performance and offer advice for improvement. Mrs. Schuster would creep into the room and set down a tea tray. The singing master's wife was meek as a church mouse, her gentle nature at odds with her flaming red hair. Miss Berry would sing next. She truly had a great talent. When she sang "Queen Mary's Lament" it brought a tear to Kurt's eye. He could almost forget what an insufferable personality she had.
The sound of his name brought Kurt's attention back to Bath and the present conversation. "I am sure Kurt would love to, wouldn't you dear?" his stepmother was asking.
Kurt blinked and set down his teacup. "I apologize, my mind was elsewhere. Miss Fabray?"
"I was just saying that I hoped you would advise me on my wedding clothes. I mean to have my gown made in Bath, and I know no one with better taste than you."
Kurt agreed, both flattered at the compliment and excited at the prospect of a major shopping expedition. He still had mixed feelings about Finley's upcoming nuptials, but if Finley had to marry he could at least have the best-dressed bride since Princess Charlotte. Mr. Fabray was a wealthy man; Miss Fabray would be able to purchase the finest Bath had to offer.
"Will you call on me tomorrow morning, then?" Miss Fabray asked. "We can take luncheon at the Upper Rooms, and then proceed to Milsom Street."
"That sounds an excellent plan, Miss Fabray," said Kurt. They agreed upon a time to meet, and Kurt returned with his stepmother to their lodgings in much higher spirits than before.
"Can that be Miss Berry?" asked Miss Fabray. "What is she doing in Bath?"
It was indeed Rachel Berry standing in the entryway of the Tea Room. No other woman could be so far behind the fashion. She wore a dark blue spencer jacket over a plain white dress in the Grecian style that had been popular some ten years before. Kurt thought it made her look like either an overgrown toddler or an elderly matron who had lost track of the changing times.
Miss Berry saw Kurt looking in her direction and smiled. Kurt forced a smile and nodded to her, as demanded by etiquette if not his own desires.
Miss Fabray pursed her lips and fanned herself. "It seems there is no hope for it. We must endure her here as well as in Lima."
Miss Berry was now approaching their table at a rapid pace. Trailing behind her, a silver lining to the dark cloud that had fallen over Kurt's day, was Mercedes Jones. He smiled with genuine feeling at the sight of his friend. She wore her pink gown, and he was pleased to see that she had indeed trimmed it with primrose ribbons. Her Indian shawl was draped around her shoulders and a chic demi-turban completed the ensemble.
"Well, this is quite the Lima reunion!" cried Miss Berry as she reached their table. "I did not at all expect to see familiar faces at the Upper Rooms, but they do say everyone comes to Bath!"
"Indeed, your presence here is proof enough that Bath attracts all manner of people," said Miss Fabray.
Kurt rose and bowed to the newcomers. "Do allow me to offer you a seat, Miss Berry. And you as well Miss Jones, how delightful to see you! What brings you to Bath?"
"I suddenly developed quite a passion to see Bath, and my guardians agreed it was a most excellent idea," Miss Berry explained. "There are so many opportunities to expose oneself to music and culture. I invited Miss Jones along as my companion."
"It is good to see you too, Mr. Hummel," Miss Jones said as Kurt reseated himself beside her.
"You are looking very well, Miss Jones. What a charming turban!"
"You are too kind."
"It suits you perfectly. Did you purchase it here in Bath?"
Miss Berry did not allow her the chance to answer. "Where is Mr. Hudson-Hummel?" she asked eagerly. "It is a surprise to see his brother and fiancée here but not the man himself."
Miss Fabray raised an eyebrow at Kurt and fanned herself more rapidly. It was clear what, or rather who, had inspired Miss Berry's sudden passion for Bath.
"I am my own man, Miss Berry, and do not depend upon my brother," Kurt said coldly. "Finley is with his regiment until later this month. I am escorting Miss Fabray in his absence."
"Oh," Miss Berry said. She was obviously disappointed, but quickly rallied. "Well, it is quite delightful to see you both! Did you come to Bath with your parents, Miss Fabray?"
"I accompanied my godmother."
"Is she here?" Miss Berry asked nervously.
"No, she has gone to take the waters at the Pump Room," said Miss Fabray.
Miss Berry's posture relaxed and she began looking about her. Kurt wished she would not gawk, it was so unsophisticated. "What a grand room!" she said. "And so many people! I say, do you know that man, Miss Fabray?" Miss Berry gestured to some point behind Kurt's head.
Miss Fabray glanced in the direction indicated. "I have never seen him before in my life."
"I believe he is looking at you."
"I think not," said Miss Fabray. "Perhaps he's admiring your gown, Miss Berry," she added with poisonous sweetness.
Miss Jones adjusted her shawl, looking back over her left shoulder as she did so to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man. "He is quite handsome," she observed.
Kurt began to feel curious, but did not wish to turn and gape like a country bumpkin. "Is that why he has so captured your attention, Miss Berry?" he asked.
Miss Berry blushed. "I do like a man with curly hair."
"Really, I had no idea," said Miss Fabray drily. Finley had curly hair.
Miss Berry seemed immune to sarcasm. Perhaps she was too distracted by the stranger to notice. "He has a romantic look about him. I declare, he is the image of Lord Byron!"
"Lord Byron is a wicked man," said Miss Fabray. "Only very silly girls admire him."
Miss Berry huffed. Kurt rolled his eyes. He already knew Mr. Fabray's opinions on Lord Byron – no morals, scandalous behavior, England well rid of him – and did not expect to find them any more amusing when repeated by Miss Fabray.
"Byron is reckoned a fine poet," said Miss Jones. "Childe Harold is—"
"What is poetry without morality?" Miss Fabray interjected. "Byron is an adulterer and a sodomite, and England is well rid of him!"
"The sins of Sodom were greed, cruelty, and lack of compassion," said Miss Berry. "Are those the sins you speak of, Miss Fabray?"
"Do not think to teach me the Bible, Miss Berry. You are not even a Christian."
"No, I am not," Miss Berry answered with flashing eyes. "I am a Jewess, and I know the scriptures of my own people. I dare say I know them better than do you."
"Ladies, please!" Kurt exclaimed. "These are heavy matters to discuss over tea. Let us talk of more pleasant things."
Miss Jones glanced to her left again. "Such as our new acquaintance," she murmured. "He approaches."
Kurt saw the angry expressions vanish from Miss Fabray and Miss Berry's faces as they looked up. The former took on a look of demure disinterest while the latter simpered like a schoolgirl. The expression on Kurt's own face changed just as quickly to one of surprise when a voice behind him said "Mr. Hummel? Mr. Kurt Hummel?"
He turned and at last saw the man his companions had been admiring. He was indeed handsome, even more handsome than Kurt had remembered. "Mr. Anderson!" Kurt squeaked. He inwardly cursed his treacherous voice. "What a pleasant surprise, how very good to see you!" he managed to say with somewhat greater composure.
"I thought it must be you," Mr. Anderson said with a smile. "Although when last we met you were alone, and now I see you surrounded by fair friends. Your sisters, perhaps?" he asked in a playful tone.
"They are none of them my sisters," Kurt began.
"But one of us will soon become so," Miss Fabray finished with a large smile.
Kurt realized he had not properly introduced Mr. Anderson. "Ladies, I would like you to meet Mr. Blaine Anderson. He was kind enough to offer me directions on my first day in Bath. Mr. Anderson, this is my brother's fiancée Miss Quinn Fabray, this is Miss Rachel Berry, and this is my dear friend Miss Mercedes Jones." The women nodded their heads as they were introduced.
Kurt turned back to Mr. Anderson. "Are you free to join us?"
"I fear I cannot, but I am glad to have seen you here," Mr. Anderson replied. "I enjoyed our walk the other day."
"As did I," said Kurt. "I wanted to call upon you to thank you for assisting me, but I did not know your address."
Mr. Anderson blinked, then smiled. "Of course you did not! What a muggins I am, I did not even leave you my card." He reached inside his coat and withdrew a card from his pocket. Handing it to Kurt, he said "I have another engagement today, but please feel free to call upon me this week. Ladies, I hope you have a delightful stay in Bath. The city is adorned by your presence." He bowed and was gone before Kurt could recover his wits.
"You did not tell us you had made friends in Bath already," said Miss Jones.
"What a charming gentleman," said Miss Berry.
"Let me see his card," said Miss Fabray. She pulled it from Kurt's hand. He had not even looked at it yet. "Why Mr. Hummel, I see your taste in friends is as excellent as your taste in clothing."
Miss Fabray returned the card to him with a smile. Engraved upon it were the words The Hon. Blaine Anderson, No. 28, Royal Crescent.