4th July: Responding to Invitation.

"Torrington, as you are my friend, I am certain you would not have brought me anywhere disreputable." Hunter remembered all their earlier adventures clearly and, though he kept his face serious, there was laughter in his eyes. "Perhaps, we will meet more people you've managed to befriend."

Gravely, Edward replied:

"Hunter, as your friend, it must always be an object with me to make our outings suit your taste."

The doors to the other rooms and to the outside had been thrown open again, and people began to move quickly, many hoping to get a seat at the tables outside in the cooler night air.

The crowd was on the verge of jostling them, though never quite reaching that state of roughness, and Hunter had to press closer to Torrington. A little elbow shove into his friend's side, annoying rather painful, was only a reasonable pay back for Torrington's obvious enjoyment in Hunter's forced graveness.

Torry suppressed a groan and tucked Hunter's ellbow firmly under his own not too loose him - and not to get his ribs shoved again.

As soon as they were outside, Torrington steered his friend towards the plaza in front of the inn.

"Here, I believe it is customary to take a turn ..."

Much softer he added:

"And show off the company you keep ... so perhaps I should exchange your parson self for one of the dashing senoras?"

"It is not very gentlemanly of you to assume that any of the ladies present are of such low morals as to not only leave me alone and friendless in a crowd of unfamiliar faces, but also to take a turn with an officer they've only just met," intoned Hunter.

"Which, my dear Hunter, would preclude them from accompanying you, but not me. As I said, I crashed into a tea-party. Shall I introduce you to some?"

He guided Hunter to the large early baroque fountain in the middle of the plaza, however.

"Here ... the villagers say it was sculpted by Martínez Montañés. I don't know whether it's true, but it is certainly a beautiful piece."

"Very nice," muttered Hunter, then added with more enthusiasm, as he spotted a particularly handsome lady, walking on the other side of the fountain, "Lovely forms."

Torrington slightly bumped his well-tailord shoulders into Hunter's.

"Careful there ... I think oggling the ladies might more than half qualify you for loosing your bet."

"I was admiring God's creation, Torrington, don't paint me with same lecherous brush as you have yourself," Hunter couldn't resist directing a small smirk at his friend.

Edward's face fell and he replied in a lachrymose voice:

"But, my dear, it was only to better myself that I have taken you along."

"Your honest face needs work, Torrington," snapped Hunter and sat down on the edge of the fountain, tugging on Torrington's arm to draw him down.

Edward chuckled and sat down as well.

"If you think this was my honest face, you should see the one I make when I get caught with my hands on the sweets. What do you make of the performance sofar? It isn't Drury Lane, but the performance is pretty captivating, isn't it?"

'I have to admit it is rather enjoyable, though it has nothing on yours! Such a fine comic talent. Tell me, perhaps, you also sell oranges?"

Without pausing, Edward pulled a fruit from his pocket and said in dulcet tones and a London accent:

"Sixpence for that, Sir, if you please!"

He even leaned slightly forward towards Hunter, holding the orange out before his chest, and tilted his head coyly.

George blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing. "I am not sure whether I feel pleased about being cast in the role of Charles II," he placed a hand around the orange, giving Torrington his best bedroom smile, "I am afraid I don't have the power to ennoble our child."

Edward snorted.

"As long as you are not the Duchess of Portsmouth, I'm well satisfied!"

"You shoud have said, as long as I don't treat you as Catherine of Braganza," George smirked.

"I don't think I can ever be accused of introducing tea anywhere ..."

Edward shrugged.

"But it is said that he begged her pardon at the end of his life, so it might not be the worst role to play."

Hunter frowned. "Do you think so? Nell and the Duchess may not have lived carefree lives, but they have certainly lived to full extent, but the poor Queen... Well, no matter, I don't wish to dwell on sad things tonight." George pulled the fruit out of Torrington's hand. "I'd rather eat your orange."

Edward held the fruit for a moment longer before allowing Hunter to pluck it from his fingers.

"Shouldn't you eat your insane amount of treacle tarts instead? Or would you be so accommodating to give one to a poor friend who has (by his goodness of heart and the fact that he actually prefers treacle tart) just lost his only sustenance?"

"Of course, Torrington. You may have the tarts," Hunter smirked, "I prefer more wholesome sustenance."

Edward chuckled.

"Oh no, my friend! With the majority of the tarts you are still stuck. After all, you gave your word! I only beg one small tart."

He winked at his friend for a second, then let his gaze travel back to the ample charms of the senora Hunter had admired before.

"Although wholesome sustenance certainly is not to be passed up lightly ..."

"As long as you don't get too attached to it." George peeled the orange and nonchalantly dropped the peel into Edward's lap.

Edward slowly and methodically picked the pieces up again, swiping minute drops of juice from his immaculate breeches.

"I try never to set my heart on things I can't constanly have."

"A very smart policy, but I think sometimes having something for a short while is better than not having it at all."