Chapter 8:

Kagome would have been indignant, no, angry, if she knew that she was the object of anybody's pity. For a young lady who had spent most of her life under fetters of unnecessary laws, she found the carefree life led by Inuyasha very enjoyable.

Mr. and Mrs. Gunning, the caretakers of the hunting box in Lecieshire were at first resentful of her presence, but when they saw that she had no desire to interfere in the way they ran the establishment, they at once became more affable and fell into the habit of treating her like Sherry's other male friends.

As for Inuyasha, he would have found Lecieshire unusually dull at this time of the year, but between teaching Kagome how to drive, attending a cockfight in the district, trying out the new blood in his stable, arguing with Sesshomaru (all of which he lost spectacularly); he managed to while away his time pretty nicely.

Lord Kouga made a welcome diversion. His debt-ridden estates were not far from Lecieshire and he often rode over from Wolfsden to visit his friends. He and Kagome had become fast friends on a very short notice as he had found in Kagome a sympathetic listener and had wasted no time in pouring his passion for Ayame into her ears.

To Inuyasha's extreme annoyance and Sesshomaru's amusement Kagome was moved to tears by Kouga's recital of his hopeless love for the Incomparable.

" Oh Kouga, I understand." Kagome's voice shook a little as she made a lot many sympathetic noises at the back of her throat and patted Kouga's hand gently.

"Feh. Foolish wolf." Inuyasha grumbled, glowering at Kouga.

' Foolish half demon and his weakling freind. ' Sesshomaru had a hard time in keeping the expressionless facade and not yawning. ' This Sesshomaru is bored. '

At this juncture Miroku arrived fleeing from London as if the hounds from hell were after him. He brought the news that Inuyasha's mother was indeed in London. As neither brother was ready to face their mother yet, they decided to extend their stay in the hunting box. Miroku's arrival was propitious as he made a fourth in whist and they spend a great many cozy evenings in front of the fire.

Kagome, though she did not know any of the rules of the society was fast learning how to become popular with the young blades. During the evenings she would sit curled up in a large chair by the fire and watch the men play cards. Propriety would take a hike and she became Kagome to them all, her sweet manner and sparkling eye making her their favorite hostess.

However, a letter from London conveying the deepest facilitations to the new couple had the effect of breaking this party up. It was a letter from the Incomparable Ayame, and the news that The Incomparable was indeed back in the haunts of men caused Lord Kouga to leave most of his work undone and depart for London with the feverent hope and fierce desire of thrusting a spoke into Lord Northwood marital plans.

It also heralded the start of the season in London and both Sir Miroku and Lord Sesshomaru had to leave owing to the various engagements they had in the city. The bridal couple however lingered on for a few more days during which they had the fortunate meeting with Lady Sefton. Lord and Lady Sefton visited them at the hunting box and promised Kagome her patronage in the London society and a voucher to the Almack's.

Inuyasha was very pleased. "This is very good Kagome. Ten to one she'll have them all leaving cards at our house, Lady Drummond-Burrell, Princess Esterhazy and all them high and mighty dames, and you will be creditably established in society."

It was around this time that a letter arrived from Totosai informing them that house at Half Moon street was ready to receive its new master and mistress. Inuyasha decided that it was time to return to London. They were also under the obligation of returning Sir Miroku's watch to him. What attraction Shippo had for Sir Miroku's watch was something one could never comprehend since this was the tenth time he had tried to swipe it.

Inuyasha was livid with rage and Shippo's tearful explanation that having the watch right in front of him day and night was too much of a temptation for him to bear served only to incense Inuyasha further. Kagome however intervened by having the happy idea of bestowing a similar timepiece on Shippo for Christmas provided he did not steal Miroku's watch in between.

"Or anything else for that matter." Inuyasha said severely.

At that Shippo wiped his running nose and eyes at the end of the dirty tunic he was wearing and gave his word not to steal, saying that Kagome was a regular bang-up lady. This was, Inuyasha assured Kagome a compliment of no mean order.

And so, the couple wound up their business in the hunting box and departed for London.

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The house on Half Moon Street, London was tastefully decorated. Totosai had outdone himself in furnishing the house in the first degree of Fashion, right from the plentiful cellars to the wonderfully smooth gilt edged papers that were to serve as the master's stationary.

When Inuyasha and Kagome entered the house, they found a small fire cackling merrily in the small fireplace that had a place of honor in their cozy drawing room. Both Miroku and Sesshomaru had dropped in earlier, Miroku to leave a bunch of roses for the mistress of the house, and Sesshomaru to leave a rather overfed fat cat which he had christened Buyo.

Kagome was so overwhelmed by these thoughtful gifts that she promptly brought out the scented paper that was to serve as her stationary and began to write a letter conveying her thanks.

No such agreeable surprises waited for the master of the house. In the backroom which Inuyasha christened as his study he encountered with a pile of bills. He looked over them with a frown on his face and put them in the drawer thinking of consigning them to Totosai the next day. Anyone who knew Inuyasha would agree that the sobering influence of the marriage was making itself known because previously he would have assigned the bills to fire. Instead he merely sighed and went down to join his wife for dinner.

They dined at a fashionably late hour of six and at the end of dinner Kagome very correctly left Inuyasha to enjoy a bottle of wine in the smoke room. Inuyasha however was loath to dine alone. So he put the bottle under his arm and went to join with his wife upstairs.

He found her sitting in front of the fire, looking very wifely as she smoothed the fur of her newly acquired pet. He took a seat opposite to her.

"Come Kagome, we must celebrate our house."

Kagome nodded, smiling. "That we should."

There was a smart rap on the door and Inuyasha turned to see who it was.

"Oh Sir Naraku, this is a pleasant surprise." He got up from the chair and went to greet the elegant man who entered the room.

As usual Naraku was dressed in the first style of elegance. He transferred the ivory cane to his other hand and shook the outstretched hand.

"How are you my dear boy? I hope I am not intruding on anything." His cynical gaze rested on Kagome for a while.

"No, no. "Inuyasha smiled. "Care for some wine?"

"No thank you dear boy. I had heard that you had just returned to town. So, I thought that we could go to the Pall Mall and celebrate your new house. "

"That is an excellent idea Naraku. "Inuyasha turned at Kagome. "You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Kagome felt a strange lump at her throat. After all she had decided not to interfere in Inuyasha's affairs. She pulled an extra bright smile on her face. "No, of course not, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looked at her keenly for a while. Then he picked up one of her hands and pressed a kiss on her hand.

"Now, there's a good puss. Don't wait up. I will be late."

Picking his coat up he exited from the room. Kagome watched him go and felt a sudden desire to cry, considering that she should be generally happy. So, she pulled up a fierce smile on her face and proceeded to the bed.

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The next morning the house at Half Moon Street had a few early morning visitors. The first was Lady Musou and her three daughters. Kagome had decided to go out riding in the park, so she was dressed in an elegant riding gown with lovely embroidery at the neck and scruff.

"A...Aunt Musou?"She had not expected to see them so soon. "Eri? Yuka? Ayumi?"

Lady Musou turned." I hope you have not become too puffed up of your own consequence to acknowledge a poor relation of yours who took you in and reared you."

"No...No Aunt. Please sit down."

Lady Musou sat down on one of the sofas and looked over the elegant apparel her niece wore. "Well, fine feathers make fine birds. I dare say that you have never worn anything like that before."

Kagome flushed. "You know I haven't Aunt Musou."

"Of course. Where is your dear husband by the way? You do realize that you have us in behaving in this awful manner."

Inuyasha had returned very late the previous night, bleary eyed and having suffered a reversal of fortunes at the gaming table. He had not made and appearance at the breakfast table. Kagome was persuaded that he was still sleeping. She remained silent.

Lady Musou continued. "However, we have decided to accept this marriage, which I am foretelling is bound to end in disaster. I hope you will not forget the kindness we have shown you. Perhaps you could introduce us to a few nobles..."

At this moment the door opened and Inuyasha entered imperiously, his hair messy and neck cloth askew.

"Where the hell did that man of mine keep that hot water?" His eyes rested for a while on the morning visitors, the expression on his face changing from irritated to shocked to horrified in a matter of moments.

"Oh...My...God." He uttered these three syllables with extreme horror and promptly fled the room.

This was too much for Kagome and she burst into peals of laughter. Lady Musou was incensed and got up stiffly.

"Well girls, it is understandable that your cousin does not want us here."

Kagome controlled her laughter and tried to make amends by asking her to stay and asking whether she would like any refreshment. Lady Musou was adamant. She would not stay but began to read Kagome a strict sermon regarding the evils of pride.

At this time Myoga announced Lord Kouga Ookami, who entered the room looking more romantic than usual. He went straight to Kagome and caught hold of her hands.

"Kagome, you alone can help me. Say you will help me."

Lady Musou gave Kagome another disapproving glance and ushered her starry eyed daughters out. She was all together not pleased that Kouga had ignored her daughters and foretold the oncoming doom of this strange union.

"And it will be all Kagome's fault." She concluded smugly.

Kagome watched her aunt go and detangled her hands from Kouga and smiled at him.

"Hello Kouga. How are you today?"

"Oh Kagome. Look." Kouga parted the lapels of his coat and brought out a rather derelict rose. "Yesterday, at the Fakenhams ball Ayame gave this to me. She was looking most heavenly in a ivory gold gown and wore this rose in her hair." He gave a heavy sigh. "And then this rose fell on her lap and that damned Northwood had the audacity of asking that flower from her. I was devilishly near calling him out. But then she turned and with the sweetest smile gave this flower to me."

"Oh Kouga." Kagome's eyes were starry. "That is so romantic."

"Could it be that she has a tendre for me?"

"It is possible. I am so happy for you Kouga."

"Help me then Kagome." He took hold of her hands again. "There is a balloon ascension this afternoon. Will you come with me? It promises to be a excellent spectacle."

"Rogue. And I suppose you want me to invite Ayame to accompany me?"

Kouga's lips parted into a sly smile. "You are the best of fellows Kagome. Will you do so?"

"That depends..."

"What are you doing wimpy wolf?"

Kagome turned to see Inuyasha framed at the doorway, cleaned and frowning. Supremely unaware of the scene she presented with her hands still in Kouga's grip, she beamed happily at him.

"Look what Ayame gave Kouga."

Inuyasha looked disparagingly at rose. "It a dead rose. Throw it away, it is falling apart."

Kouga's face dropped. He left Kagome's hand and cradled the rose to his chest. "Oh cruel world, why won't it let me keep this sign of Ayame's affection."

"Feh."

"Don't be cruel Inuyasha." Kagome patted Kouga's back. "Press it inside a book and it will remain good for ever."

"Really?"

"I don't see why you two are bothering over that thing." Inuyasha scoffed. "Ten to one she only did it to make Northwood jealous. Tell me if he wasn't nearby. "

Kouga's face clouded. "If I knew that she was so heartless... I will grind this rose under my heel. "

"No need to make a mess on my new carpet, throw it out of the window. "

" Inuyasha!" Kagome cut in. "No Kouga, I am persuaded that Ayame is not heartless. Say what, why don't I invite Ayame to the balloon ascension this afternoon. Say Inuyasha..."

"No." Inuyasha said. His voice brooked no argument.

Kagome flushed. She had forgotten that Inuyasha had once loved Ayame and to see her again would possibly cause him discomfort.

"Never mind. I will invite Hakakau to go with us. " Kouga said happily before taking his leave.

"Balloon ascension?" Inuyasha gave a short laugh watching him go. "Wimpy wolf is a fool. "

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Ayame had accepted Kagome invitation to the balloon ascension ceremony and it was indeed a spectacular affair.

However, it was not an afternoon of unmixed contentment as Ayame played fast and loose with Kouga during the whole time. Being unused with the art of coquetry she could not understand why Ayame would allow her hand to rest on Kouga's hand for a moment longer than necessary and then acting coldly formal at the next instant. No wonder Kouga was looking so haggard at the end of the day.

Looking at Kouga's pale countenance at the end of the event, Kagome concluded that her dear Inuyasha was not to be pitied so much after all.

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