Chapter 3
Julian let Jones and the other servants deal with the luggage, since that was their job, tugging Alex towards the gaily decorated front doorway. Chudleigh's household had hung pine swags decorated in ribbons in the family's colours of orange, black, and gold.
"It's very festive," said Julian brightly as they mounted the wide steps.
"That it is," said Alex, giving him a little squeeze where he was still snuggled up close by Alex's side. "I hope the whole place isn't swathed in orange, though."
"Fortunately," said Chudleigh, by the door to greet them as they came in, "I overrode any such familial decorating choices."
"Chudleigh!" said Julian cheerfully, going and giving him a quick hug. "It's so nice to see you, and to know you're finally done renovating!"
Chudleigh laughed and mimed wiping his brow. "I know, it seemed like it would never end for a while there, but we made it!"
"Are you ever going to start calling him Lucas?" asked Geoff, sidling up and tucking himself into Chudleigh's side.
Geoff had evidently let his boyfriend dress him, because he was in as fashionable a suit as anyone could want, complete with cufflinks and tie pin to match, all in warm red-browns and golds that matched his complexion beautifully.
"Aww, Geoff, you know I don't mind," Chudleigh — Lucas — started to say, but Julian interrupted.
"We will right now! I didn't know you wanted us to," said Julian.
"Lucas, huh? I suppose I can get used to that," said Alex with a little smirk. "I suppose we did train you off of our last names ages ago."
"Well, all right, then," said Lucas with a smile. "Anyway, you guys are the first here what with the weather and fashionable lateness and all, so Geoff can get you two settled in the parlour with hot drinks."
"Sounds good," said Julian happily. "Oh, Alys sent something over, Jones will know which thing goes to the kitchen for later."
"I'm sure my people will take care of it," said Lucas. "They're very good at their jobs, or nothing would ever get done here."
They shared a moment of perfect understanding for the value of good help, whether brownies or humans, and then Geoff led them all off into a bigger parlour with a huge fireplace, a number of conversational groupings for the furniture, and a bar laden with hot drinks and small snacks.
Geoff ladled them both hot ciders personally, despite the servant behind the bar whose job it actually was. "Don't worry, Smithson, I won't steal your job all night, just with these two. They're friends of mine as much as Lucas'."
"Yes, sir," said Smithson, but there was a twinkle in his eye. "Good to see someone will be here for you."
That had the feeling of a previous conversation, so Julian let it go, instead smiling warmly. "I'm Julian and this is my husband, Alex. Alex knew Geoff first, but Lucas was at my Courtship."
"Oh, I remember that," said Smithson, comfortable being talked to as a person, which made Julian like Lucas even more. "He was disappointed not to win you, but not heartbroken or anything. Just lonely for a while, until he met Dr. Tamlinson, here."
"We introduced them," said Alex proudly. "They were both lonely, and good men who deserved someone good in their lives."
"That they do, sir," said Smithson, very pleased looking. "We've been happy to host Dr. Tamlinson a number of times, though he's refused to move out here. Sir will be allowed to move back to the city soon, however, which I think bodes well for their future."
Julian giggled happily at Geoff's exasperated look, though he was also pink and pleased underneath that. "Don't be sad they want him to keep you, it's much better than the servants wanting to be rid of you."
"Yeah, you're right," said Geoff with a shy grin.
"I might let him move me in, once he's in the city, honestly.
" He began to drift closer to the fireplace, where Julian would be nice and warm, though Julian's temperature issues had mostly been cured now that he was getting sufficient food and magic both into his system.
"I know," said Alex, like the brat he was. "You want to nest with him just as badly as Julian and I ever did."
"You'll be happy, and if you're not, you'll come cry on our guest bed awhile." Julian gave him a little half-hug that made Geoff grin.
"I suppose that's true," said Geoff, posting them up by the fire like a good host.
Atop the mantel, in lieu of a painting, there was a huge glass box full of greenery, sticks, and a lounging snake whose violet colour seemed to shift with the light. "Is that an Iridescent Western Viper?" asked Alex, curious as ever.
"I think that sounds right?" said Geoff, huffing a laugh. "Some princeling gave it to Lucas' brother, and he sent it on to be installed here in preparation for his arrival. Apparently the brother has a few other snakes, too, but nothing as rare or venomous as this guy."
"It's gorgeous," said Alex, admiring the way the firelight danced along its length, turning it into a jewelled marvel. Alex hummed softly and Julian piggybacked, feeling the magic coursing through it, too, as it was a magical creature as much as a natural wonder.
"It's magic," said Julian, voice full of wonder. He put fingertips against the glass to feel it better, sending it a little magical boost that got him a lazy stare and slow blink, tongue flicking out twice before it went back to its nap.
"The venom's a useful ingredient, too," said Alex.
Julian chuckled. "You are forbidden from asking for some until after this party," he teased. "And you'll pay for it if you do."
"Of course I will," said Alex. "It's good in healing potions, though, so I'll consider a formal request to the brother, I guess."
"That's probably your best bet," said Geoff. "Lucas thinks it's pretty but doesn't like to handle any of the snakes."
"That's fair," said Alex. "I'm qualified to do it myself, and I can use appropriate precautions as well."
"You'd better," said Julian darkly, sending him a wave of love and humour through the bond and getting the love back twofold.
"Well, I'd best get back to greeting with Lucas," said Geoff regretfully. "You two pick whatever seats you like, perk of being early."
"Will do," said Alex, and Julian gave Geoff a little kiss on the cheek before sending him on his way.
Julian had a feeling that Lucas had sent Geoff off with them to take care of some of Geoff's nerves and it seemed to have worked, for now. Julian knew it could be nerve-wracking, dealing with this many nobles, though he had high hopes that Lucas wouldn't have invited too many duds.
There were always a few that one couldn't get away with excluding, unfortunately.
Julian took a sip of the cider, finding it sweet and well-spiced, though not as good as Alys made.
"Let's steal the best spots by the fire," said Julian, amused that Alex was still fascinated by the snake. "And no, you can't have one."
"I know I can't," said Alex with a sigh. "They're endangered; he would've had to get special permits just to import this one."
He sat, too, and turned his attention back to Julian where it belonged.
"So, who do you think is coming?" asked Julian. Alex had kept up more with gossip now, albeit reluctantly, since many of their customers were from the nobility in and around the city.
"No idea," admitted Alex. "I kept meaning to call Flora, but then I'd have to call Fauna, and I just didn't want to."
Julian laughed and kissed him, apple-sweet. "I don't blame you, really. I doubt it'll be many of my former suitors, though I suppose Lucas was more in with that set than you were."
"He might get Chilcott and Barnes in, to help show Geoff how happily people can be married," teased Alex.
They weren't close friends with the couple, but Julian held a fondness for them which Alex shared, a mirror of how they might have been, had circumstances forced them to keep the original engagement with all its restrictions.
It wasn't too long before Geoff led in another couple, a man and a woman this time that seemed vaguely familiar to Julian but he definitely did not know.
They were older than Chudleigh, dressed in perfect style for an afternoon soiree, her in an ankle-length dress with giant swaths of pearls down the front, and him in a fashionably cerulean blue suit.
"Let's get you two some cider, and then I can introduce you to the Benedict-St. Albanses," he said awkwardly.
"Thank you, Tamlinson," said the man, his accent pure nobility and his nose just slightly in the air. "It's good of you to assist like this."
"I'm always happy to make Lucas' life easier," said Geoff, only a little emphasis on the familiarity of using his lover's first name. "Smithson, two ciders, please."
"Of course, sir," replied Smithson.
Alex put an arm on Julian's hand and whispered in his ear, "Stare at snake not humans."
Julian huffed and stuck out his tongue, but turned his attention to the snake's tank as if fascinated, listening as the couple got their drinks and were led over by a polite but clearly done with their shit Geoff.
"Alex and Julian Benedict-St. Albans, this is Dahlia and Jefferson Smythe-Darbyshire, Baron Herbert." Geoff gestured as he spoke. "Lord and Lady Herbert, the Viscount and Viscount Charmer's Way."
"Alex, please," he said, sounding a little desperate about the idea of being Viscount all weekend.
"And I do prefer Julian," he added, smiling somewhat artificially, but good enough for this sort.
"I don't mind Dahlia, but you'll want to call him Lord Herbert," said the wife, beringed hand out for kissing.
They each obliged, though Darbyshire didn't bother to shake, instead holding his drink with both hands. "I'm not sure I've heard of you before, I thought the Benedict and St. Albans holdings were..."