Bertie walked down the street and his mind drifted back to nearly a year ago when he walked Edith home from dinner after their first real date. He felt a bit foolish for comparing the two since his current situation was about as different from that night as you could imagine. Last year it was late night, late autumn chilly, quiet and intimate with the street virtually deserted and he hoped it wouldn't end.
Now it was early evening, warm as you would expect in the late summer with many couples rushing about headed somewhere or another to start their evening. And most glaring was that he had been pushed to come out tonight and he would be happier when he would be able to return to Hexam house and even happier when he could excuse himself from London entirely and return to Brancaster. It seemed there was something that reminded him of Edith around every corner. He knew there were worse things to be doing and many men would love to be in his position, Celia of course was a pretty girl and pleasant enough, always seemed to be the life of the party and center of attention. Conversation never lacked when she was around, that was a blessing at least, that he never felt guilty for being a bit too quiet or melancholy, Celia would always pick up the slack.
It was hard to dislike her, when his mother brought her over to introduce her to him she smiled widely and sweetly and seemed very interested in what Bertie's favorite animal was too shoot, or what car he preferred, or his favorite place to listen to jazz and dance. After only being introduced to society a few weeks prior she was eager to find the most fashionable places and would greatly appreciate someone in the know to show her around.
Bertie acquiesced of course, it was rude not to and he was beginning to feel sorry for himself a bit too much. He hoped Celia would distract him, and she would while they were together but when he was alone he'd find himself comparing her to Edith, wondering what Edith was doing, and hoping he'd snap out of it.
Bertie felt the tugging on his arm and realized Celia was talking to him
"Sorry, what was that? Traffic is a bit loud isn't it?" Bertie said as an excuse, he was getting very good at blaming other things for his lack of attention
"I asked if you'd be going to the theater next week? You know they are performing a very funny play I've heard and I'd love to go see it with someone." The young woman smiled up at Bertie as she cuddled on to his arm
"I'm due back at Brancaster I'm afraid, but I'm sure one of your many friends will gladly go with you."
"Oh I see them often enough, I'd much rather have you take me."
Bertie smiled in embarrassment
"Aah well, you know duty calls. We're expecting a very busy harvest season."
"It's so silly that you'd rather be all the way up in Northumberland discussing crops when you could be in London, don't estate managers take of all those things?"
"Sometimes, where are we going again?" Bertie wanted to change the subject, he wasn't interested in debating his involvement in his estate with her again, she clearly felt he should just employ people to run it and that it was all rather boring
"A friend of my cousin's, it's a bit of a literary set I'm told but hopefully there won't be too many odd ducks around." Celia laughed, she had a very loud laugh.
"I'm sure there will be very interesting conversation all around."
"Oh Bertie, always optimistic!" Celia laughed again as she directed them to their destination.
Bertie reached out and knocked, he felt cocktail parties were hit or miss but he would hear it from his mother if he didn't pick up on Celia's implied invitation and there was always the possibility of him seeing an old Army friend or finding a decent conversation with someone who felt stuck in London for one reason or another
The heavy door opened and Celia soon said
"Hello! I hope you didn't mind but I've brought a friend, the more the merrier after all!"
"Good evening Lady Celia and no, not at all…Lord Hexam, nice to see you again."
"Mr. Gregson, you as well. Celia didn't tell me you were the host." Bertie told him as the group moved into the foyer
"How do you two know each other?" Celia excitedly asked
"Just from an story we did on him, what was it? Last year?"
"Yes, last year." Bertie confirmed as Celia went off to greet another guest
"I hadn't expected to see you here, you're more than welcome of course but…" Michael told him quietly
"Thank you, but if you'd rather I'd leave I'll understand completely."
"No, no I don't think that's entirely necessary." Michael told him but the way he said it didn't convince Bertie he was being entirely truthful
"Is Edith here then? I'd like to know what I'm getting into."
Before Michael could answer Celia came up to clamp on to Bertie's arm
"Can you point us toward the drinks Michael?"
Edith leaned against the windowsill sipping on her cocktail and enjoying the diverse crowd Michael and Lizzie's parties always seemed to attract
"So, you've brought quite a dish tonight." Lizzie told Edith with a wink
"Evelyn? Yes, he's quite dashing when he wants but there's nothing like that happening. I've known him so long he feels like part of the furniture."
"I know plenty of couples that started as friends and are perfectly happy."
"And I know plenty of men and women who are just friends and are perfectly happy. Evelyn will always carry a torch for Mary anyway, I just heard he had an open evening and thought he'd enjoy meeting some new people." Edith explained as she caught sight of Evelyn making conversation with a group of young women
"Well I think you make a striking couple, and it's nice to see a handsome man fetching you drinks."
"I certainly don't mind it either, oh here comes Michael. You might have an incoming crisis on your hands." Edith recognized Michael weaving through the crowd focused on Lizzie and Edith with a worried look on his face
"What's wrong?" Lizzie immediately said as soon as Michael got close enough
"Edith…um Bertie just showed up. He's getting drinks in the other room." Michael blurted out to Edith's surprised face
"Well, did you throw him out?" Lizzie demanded to Michael's shocked face
"No, no it's fine. Don't go making a scene on my behalf. We ended as friends, mostly."
Edith quickly eliminated any controversy and tried to put on a brave face
"Michael why in the hell did you invite him?"
"I didn't! He came with Denny's cousin, that young flapper who's always running about." Michael defended himself to his wife
Seeing Edith becoming a bit uncomfortable and Evelyn approaching Lizzie didn't mind excusing herself by taking Michael by the arm and harshly whispering
"I need to speak to you in the kitchen."
"I hope that's not because of me." Evelyn said siding up to Edith and seeing Michael looking like he was being lead to the slaughter
"Not at all, Lizzie is very charmed by you, as are all those ladies over there it seems." Edith said referring to the group on the side giggling and sneaking looks at Evelyn
"I don't know about that, it seems one of them used to visit my home with her mother growing up, so we were just catching up."
"A childhood crush then?" Edith teased
"I doubt it, she remembers me as a brooding teenager."
"You'd be surprised at the appeal of that, and I have heard in certain circles that finally being able to secure the Viscount Branksome would be quite the feat."
"Not for everyone it would seem." Evelyn told her referencing the most recent rejection he received from Mary
"It might take a while for you to find someone who appreciates you as you should, but when you do it will be worth it, and very well deserved."
Evelyn gave her a thankful smile and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek while reaching for he glass
"You're a very good friend and I'm lucky to know you, let me get you another drink."
With that Evelyn went toward the bar and Edith let her eyes wander across the room before settling on Bertie giving her a weak smile from across the room.