Hello lovely readers!

This week we are reading Chapters 13-15.

Here’s a recap for Chapters 9-12:

The first night in the London house, Christopher has a weird, sexy dream about Harding, which is an improvement over his usual nightmares. Unfortunately, it means he calls out Harding’s name in his sleep, which causes Harding to rush to his aid as per their previous agreement. Christopher, embarrassed, plays it off as a nightmare. Harding offers to make him some warm milk to try and get him back to sleep.

It’s the middle of the night and they have the kitchen to themselves. It’s the most intimate moment they’ve had yet, and Harding presses Christopher to confide in him about his nightmares. Well, that ain’t happening. He asks if the upcoming ball is stressing Christopher out, and, grasping for anything but the truth of what he was dreaming about, Christopher confesses that it is because he’s never wooed a woman or even kissed anyone. Harding has, of course, and he tells Christopher that his inexperience is less important than his kind and gentle nature. He’s certain Christopher will find a wife in no time. Yippee.

The next day, Christopher plans to visit his tailor (and best friend) Etienne to get new clothes for the ball. An insane thing to expect so close to the event, but let’s pretend it’s possible. Harding bullies his way into accompanying him, at least to be introduced in the name of professional courtesy. Etienne, the gayest Frenchman in the universe, immediately takes a liking to Harding, or at least his calves. Christopher dismisses Harding while he gets fitted. Etienne is the only person Christopher is out to, obviously. Once they’re alone, Christopher tries on Etienne’s newest creation, a binding waistcoat to replace his linen bandages. He confesses to Etienne that he also thinks Harding is hot as hell, but out of propriety, he’ll never do anything about it. Intersectional conversation about queer masculinity! Then Christopher mentions he needs to get married and Etienne suggests a lady who’s in dire straits and might agree to Christopher’s unusual proposal: Verbena Montrose. She’ll be at the ball, too.

The following day, the invitation to the ball arrives and Christopher spirals a bit. While Harding helps him tie his cravat for a ride in the park, Christopher explains that he’s only planning to marry to fulfill his late father’s will and that any woman will do, so long as she’s willing to be married in name only. No affection at all, Christopher makes clear. Hm, says Harding.

After a long day hobnobbing with London society, Christopher returns home and shares a drink with Harding. As they chat about Christopher’s ensemble for the ball, Harding broaches the idea that Christopher might want to marry a woman he loves. Christopher is adamant that this will not happen. (He’s gay! Gay as a three pound note! He dances around it but James HAS to get it at this point.) Harding then says he might have a solution to Christopher’s problem, if Christopher would allow him to make some discrete inquiries first. Christopher tells him to knock himself out and has another drink.

And that’s a recap!

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Kit in the Discord server asks: I love Christopher's reactions to seeing Harding wearing the ridiculous Winterthrope livery. Do you have any reference images for what it would have looked like?

I am sure I looked up several references way back when. I should really keep these things saved in folders. But I recall this blog being very helpful and likely ended up reading their posts on livery. Very basically (I’m sure fashion historians could talk about this more intelligently) while men’s fashions would change and evolve, servants’ liveries were a sort of callback to the 1700s or earlier. Powdered wigs, breeches, the whole deal. This was probably because A) rich people love reminding everyone how much control they have, even over time and space and B) they probably didn’t want servants to look too fashionable. Hotties like that, in the latest styles? That shit’s dangerous.