Aboard the steam train Robert sits opposite his daughter. She's off to see her editor, something about the column she writes.
Beside him, a necessary but undesirable distance away, sits Thomas. Robert does his best to pay attention to his conversation with Edith but it proves difficult in the face of this evening's activities. He should try harder though, that's not for hours yet, and after a meeting with the agent no less. Not to mention it's unfair to Edith even though he really couldn't care less about her newspaper, feeling it was inappropriate for a woman of her class to indulge in such things as writing a tabloid column. Though he supposes he really shouldn't judge her proprietary given his current situation. Still, it is insufferable to listen to her rabbit on about women's rights.
A sigh escapes his lips.
"Am I boring you Papa?" Yes.
"Not at all," Robert lies. "You were saying..." But he trails off because he hasn't a clue.
"Never mind," she dismisses with a sigh of her own, though it's good humoured which he feels both thankful for and guilty about. Edith is so used to being ignored, she's grown accustomed to it. He really does need to increase his efforts. Robert has so little in common with her though, and she lacks that spark he so admires in his eldest daughter. Thomas possesses that spark too. He has an edge of fight about him, living as he does in a constant state of defiance. Realising his thoughts have strayed toward the fascinating man again, Robert attempts to find some common ground with his younger daughter.
"Will you being seeing Rosamund while you're in town?" Turning the conversation to his sister of all people proves how desperately Robert is struggling.
"I'm staying with her," Edith frowns.
"Yes, of course," Robert says apologetically, she did already tell him that.
"As should you be," she goes on to chide him. He wants to scream with frustration at the insurmountable hole he's digging himself. It won't do to have Edith questioning his motives for staying elsewhere too closely.
"Have you seen the advertisements for the new Musketeers picture?" Thomas pipes in, rescuing Robert from his own foolishness.
"Oh yes," Edith smiles. "It looks wonderful. Have you read Dumas?"
"I have," Thomas replies. "I was hoping to catch it before we leave town."
"I hope you get the chance. I wonder if Mr Gregson would like to see it?"
"I should think he would," Thomas offers encouragingly. Robert watches on with silent gratitude as Thomas successfully distracts his daughter with chatter about the pictures merits and reviews they have both read. Thomas is a wonder. With one small question he has saved Robert from himself and managed to put a smile back on Edith's face. When he glances over at Thomas who is still speaking enthusiastically, Robert is struck by a sudden and unexpected sense of sadness. For what, he's not sure, the feeling makes no sense. He is glad for the interruption but for just a second he felt as though something was lost.
xxx
They bid goodbye to Lady Edith and head for their own accommodations. There will be a meeting with the agent this afternoon and Thomas wants to clear the air before then, so they don't waste any time afterwards. He saw something on His Lordship's face earlier that worried him.
As he lays out His Lordships clothes he broaches the subject.
"I hope you weren't upset earlier by my interruption, I only wanted to help."
"Upset? No of course not. I think you salvaged an unsalvageable situation quite admirably."
Thomas smiles with pride at the praise.
"I'm glad."
"As am I. Do you really want to see that picture?"
"I wouldn't be opposed to it. Though it would be two hours I think we can better spend otherwise occupied."
"Quite so," His Lordship agrees with twinkling eyes. "I do have that meeting this afternoon though, perhaps you could see the matinee while I'm gone?"
Thomas wants to accept but it feels like too much of a liberty.
"What is it?" His Lordship frowns.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Then you will be able to discuss it with Edith next time you see her." His Lordship reaches inside his jacket and produces a sum of money which he offers to Thomas.
"I can't accept that."
"Nonsense. Think of it as part of your job if you like. A way to serve the family by preserving the bond between father and daughter."
Thomas still isn't sure he trusts this, in fact he's certain he doesn't, but it's such a rarity that he's offered any sort of kindness, so he accepts.
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure. Make sure you buy all the snacks you want too," His Lordship adds with a playful smile which Thomas reflects back at him.
"This is too much," Thomas says when he realises the generous sum he's been handed.
"Not at all. When you're done you can buy some new clothes. I want to take you out to dinner somewhere nice. No one will look twice at us if you look the part. Buy whatever you like. I'm sure you're more than capable of appropriately dressing a gentleman."
Thomas is rendered speechless by the proposal. He's appreciative of the gifts but what he's more grateful for is the invitation. He'd thought this trip was solely about exploring the physical aspect of their relationship, which is something he's certainly keen to do, but this? This implies so much more. The hinted possibility of something he never, ever thought he'd have. There's only one way to express his feelings. He steps forward and kisses the earl. Not hot and hungry, or desperate and demanding like other kisses they've shared. This one is slow and soft and heartfelt.
"Thank you," Thomas says earnestly, looking His Lordship steadily in the eye. His Lordships eyes light up with a warm smile.
"It truly is my pleasure," the earl replies, resting his hand on Thomas' face and pulling him in for another kiss.
AN: So I'd say it's pretty obvious by this stage that I have no idea what I'm doing with this fic. I tried to take Little Claws' advice on this chapter and expand the conversation. (Hopefully I can do that more in the next chapter too.) Also this chapter is fluffier. I guess I'm asking if it works? If this is the kinda thing you'd rather read or should I stick with the more crack oriented stuff? Let me know in a review. Thanks for reading :)