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There was less of a spring in his step when he returned home than earlier in the day, but Theodore felt good for it.

He was an active man, or had been for much of his life.

Daily riding his horse or marching beside him took much more energy than sitting at a desk and reviewing papers and proposals.

Slugging it out with other gentlemen was not something he did often, but he was grateful for the exercise.

He was weary, but the exertion of it had helped settle him.

The same footman opened the door, and Theodore idly wondered how long the footman had to stand at attention by the door.

He knew it was somewhat of a sought-after position, but he certainly could not just stand there for hours on end.

Tucking the thought away to investigate at a later time, he trudged up the stairs to clean up.

He was sweaty and would need to make himself presentable for whatever had been planned for the evening.

“Theodore, what has happened to you? You look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards!”

Theodore looked up to spot his mother coming out of the sitting room.

The tone of her voice caused him to wince, and he briefly wondered whether all mothers had the power to use that particular tone or if his was just a special case.

“Good afternoon, Mother. I have been at Jack’s and was just going up to clean up. ”

Coming closer, she looked him over like a general inspecting his troops.

“I will never understand why gentlemen feel the need to bash one another about. Well, at least you have not bruised your face,” she sighed.

“We have been invited to dine with the Cabots this evening and I know you will try to look presentable.

It's essential to represent the family well, and with several important figures present, it's even more crucial tonight.”

Fighting the urge to squirm under her scrutiny, Theodore attempted to settle himself in for a conversation with his mother.

He had not been this thoroughly inspected since he was a fresh recruit.

While he had been happy enough that she was finally showing him interest, it was quite unsettling.

She always seemed to have an explanation for why they had to attend yet another gathering.

He could ignore her, he supposed, but he was at a loss as to what an earl's obligations were.

She had a better understanding of how these things worked than he did.

“I thought we attended the dinner you had been invited to a few nights ago.”

Finally, turning away from him, his mother moved to rearrange a vase of flowers.

Once she was satisfied with the arrangement, she turned back to him and smiled.

“You have done so well upholding Cedric’s position that we are being invited to even more dinners with more important families.

It is vital to be seen attending all the right dinners if you are to have any hope of accomplishing even a fraction of what Cedric was attempting to do,” his mother explained, studying his appearance once more.

“Do not worry, they won't all be dinners. There will be several musical evenings.”

Rubbing at the eyebrow that seemed to have developed a twitch behind it, Theodore considered his mother's plans. The use of the word several left him feeling uncertain, prompting him to question her. “Just how many dinners and musical events are we talking about?”

“Oh, I don’t know, several a week? No more than four.” His mother made a dismissive gesture with her hand. Then reaching into her reticule that hung at her wrist, she pulled out a folded slip of paper.

Running his hand through his hair, Theodore looked at the extensive list of events his mother wanted him to attend with her and sighed. “Mother, I do not quite understand why you are so insistent on all of these dinners with people I have nothing in common with.”

“If only you had taken the time to understand your brother's methods for getting his bills passed, you would have a better understanding. Being successful in politics involves not only speaking in parliament but also socializing with the people and gaining their support.” With a sniff, she turned away from him, and her shoulders slumped as she continued speaking listlessly.

“It is what Cedric devoted his life to and you do not know, cannot comprehend. It is so sad that his legacy will be forgotten.”

The thought of having to be social to gain the favor of those his mother wanted him to spend time with made Theodore slightly sick to his stomach.

In talking to those people, he had learned that for the most part they were self-centered and unaware of the genuine problems in the world.

Had Cedric truly spent his time with them trying to gain their votes?

Moving forward, he placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Mother, I will do whatever it takes to carry on Cedric's legacy of kindness and generosity. His memory will be cherished by both of us and all those who loved him dearly.”

“Hearing you say that makes me so happy.” His mother beamed at him.

Feeling compelled to at least commit some of his time to enjoyable pursuits, Theodore could not help but wonder about having time for himself.

It seemed like his opportunities to just be were slipping away.

“When will I have time to do anything for myself? I would like to spend time with people I enjoy talking to. Or possibly have an evening at home reading some of the books Darcy has suggested.”

His mother recoiled as if he’d struck her.

“Why you would do anything else I do not know.

Do you know what most people would give to get into one of these dinners?

And here you are being invited . Besides, a true gentleman does not need to read as excessively as your cousin Darcy does.

True society doesn't hold such a dull hobby like reading in high regard.”

“The books he has suggested I review are on estate management and crop rotation. Nothing frivolous, I assure you.” Theodore was not going to say anything about the book he had been trying to finish called L’Art de la Guerre, or roughly translated into English, The Art of War .

“A true gentleman lets his stewards, and his people, do that kind of reading. You do not need to bother yourself with it. Learn to enjoy the good life you have access to now.” His mother reached out to pat his shoulder, though the gesture left him feeling hollow.

Refusing to comment on the fact that her ideas continued to neglect his own hopes and desires, Theodore opted to point out that he was still standing there covered in sweat.

Maybe that would get him a few moments of peace before he had to go to yet another one of these social events.

“Mother, I really must get clean of all this sweat. If I am to be made presentable for your dinner tonight, I must see about bathing.” Moving towards the stairs, Theodore slowly made his escape.

“Go freshen up, put on something refined, and maybe have your batman help you tie your cravat properly tonight. Wearing the same knot all the time will simply not do. If he does not know how, Timmins is still here and he can show him. Your brother always had the best cravat styles.” His mother continued to call after him as he climbed the stairs.

Theodore ran a hand down his face, dreading what was inevitably going to be a long night.

It was staring at him—a hare that someone had obviously worked very hard on.

The creature's head and paws were still covered in soft, thick fur while the rest of its body had been reduced to a pile of carved meat.

The creature's ears stood erect, as if sensing an impending danger, while its unblinking gaze remained fixed, leaving Theodore unsettled. It was disconcerting to say the least.

He liked rabbit. Truly, he did. He had eaten plenty of rabbit on campaign, but it never looked at him quite like this one did.

Who wanted to eat like this? He had some boiled potatoes, which were quite good, but most everything else was far too complicated for his tastes.

Pushing his plate back, he resigned himself to eating something more substantial once he got home.

He could not even settle into a pleasant conversation because he was seated between Lady Lavinia and Mrs. Meadowbrook.

Someone might just be plotting his demise.

Between the staring hare and the simpering ladies, his night could not get any worse.

Theodore looked down the table at the prattling groups and wished he was nearly anywhere else.

“So, Lord Matlock, I was told that you fought in France before leaving the regulars.” Lady Lavinia had taken a measly three bites and put her silverware down.

Theodore looked at her abandoned silverware for a moment before responding. Did she only plan on eating three bites, or did she also find the hare disturbing? “Yes, Lady Lavinia. I fought both in France and Spain before being wounded and coming home.”

“I was always fond of the uniform of the regulars. I am sure you enjoyed wearing it.” This came from Mrs. Meadowbrook.

What did one say to that sort of comment? Did these ladies know nothing of the horrors of war besides the fashion that went along with it? “The uniform served me well enough, keeping me warm and dry as a uniform should.”

Mrs. Meadowbrook seemed to be put off by his response.

Turning to the gentleman seated on her other side, she started conversing with him.

Theodore was fine with that, as it left him only having to converse with Lady Lavinia.

He desperately searched for a topic of conversation that wouldn't bore them both to tears.

“Lady Lavinia, have you read anything of interest lately?”