Theo sulked until rough fingers were prying his own and the drink had returned to his hand. Then, he gave Fletcher a nod of thanks as Edwina carted him back into the throng.
The commotion as it turned out was another newly engaged couple announcing their good news. Theo downed his drink quickly and handed it off to a passing tray as he grabbed another to toast the couple. Edwina bounced excitedly beside him nearly spilling his drink in her own tipsy excitement. She quickly abandoned his side though to squeal and cheer with her friends as Theo hung back and simply watched.
He was so deep in his thoughts watching her though that when a hand latched onto his forearm and began to drag him along to another room, he simply went along with it, assuming that it was likely Fletcher. Given that he was deaf, he completely missed the future groom and the other engaged or married men encouraging him to join them in another room away from the dance floor where they could all smoke or drink in peace away from their women and the music.
"—man come too," a bright-ginger haired man said to Theo as he finally focused on the one dragging him along. 'Carrot top is NOT Devlin. Devly. Deviled Eggs.' The nobleman giggled softly to himself, knowing full well Fletcher would have something to say about that being his new nickname.
"It's so good to have you join us Honorable Lord Archer. I mean I've always wanted to make your acquaintance but you're such a hard man to approach and I mean I'm just me but like I have genuine deep respect for you sir. Would you like another drink sir? I see yours is empty—"
Theo blinked as he glanced and saw his drink was indeed empty. When had that happened? He took a seat on one of the room's many couches as another glass was pressed into his hand and the men passed pipes or cigarettes out among each other. Even Fletcher was offered some of each and seemingly treated as an equal rather than a servant once they all settled about the room.
"Perks of being engaged am I right?" A blonde man piped up as he elbowed a brunette beside him. "No more whining and decorations and boring conversations. Just a couple of dances, some nods of agreement, and now we can escape in here to have our own parties the way we want them to be. Let the ladies have fun to their heart's content. And then when you get them home," he wiggled his brows and made a rude gesture that had Theo looking away with a blush to sip at his drink. Was this the third? Fourth? Fifth maybe?
He looked to Carrot Top in time to see the man apparently asking Fletcher a question—his name? Ah that made sense. Oh and there he went continuing with the talking. Theo blinked again, emptying his glass and smiling as someone filled it again for him.
"Do you have a partner? Married or soon to be too?"
The commotion as it turned out was another newly engaged couple announcing their good news. Theo downed his drink quickly and handed it off to a passing tray as he grabbed another to toast the couple. Edwina bounced excitedly beside him nearly spilling his drink in her own tipsy excitement. She quickly abandoned his side though to squeal and cheer with her friends as Theo hung back and simply watched.
He was so deep in his thoughts watching her though that when a hand latched onto his forearm and began to drag him along to another room, he simply went along with it, assuming that it was likely Fletcher. Given that he was deaf, he completely missed the future groom and the other engaged or married men encouraging him to join them in another room away from the dance floor where they could all smoke or drink in peace away from their women and the music.
"—man come too," a bright-ginger haired man said to Theo as he finally focused on the one dragging him along. 'Carrot top is NOT Devlin. Devly. Deviled Eggs.' The nobleman giggled softly to himself, knowing full well Fletcher would have something to say about that being his new nickname.
"It's so good to have you join us Honorable Lord Archer. I mean I've always wanted to make your acquaintance but you're such a hard man to approach and I mean I'm just me but like I have genuine deep respect for you sir. Would you like another drink sir? I see yours is empty—"
Theo blinked as he glanced and saw his drink was indeed empty. When had that happened? He took a seat on one of the room's many couches as another glass was pressed into his hand and the men passed pipes or cigarettes out among each other. Even Fletcher was offered some of each and seemingly treated as an equal rather than a servant once they all settled about the room.
"Perks of being engaged am I right?" A blonde man piped up as he elbowed a brunette beside him. "No more whining and decorations and boring conversations. Just a couple of dances, some nods of agreement, and now we can escape in here to have our own parties the way we want them to be. Let the ladies have fun to their heart's content. And then when you get them home," he wiggled his brows and made a rude gesture that had Theo looking away with a blush to sip at his drink. Was this the third? Fourth? Fifth maybe?
He looked to Carrot Top in time to see the man apparently asking Fletcher a question—his name? Ah that made sense. Oh and there he went continuing with the talking. Theo blinked again, emptying his glass and smiling as someone filled it again for him.
"Do you have a partner? Married or soon to be too?"