4th October: Visiting the Lord

"See, you know most of them already."

Torrington pulled a new sheet of paper towards him and in his quick caricature style sketched two overdrawn but recognizable portraits of the two remaining riders.

"Here - the two others look something like that, I think?"

He turned the page so Willoughby could see and comment on it.

"Can I sit for a sketch next?" Willoughby asked, chuckling as he studied the two drawings. "Yes, I think they have a good likeness and you shouldn't have trouble to discern whether you are giving the letter to the right person or not." He saw Pye eye the sketch curiously.

"Oh, you might want to add a bit more hair on this side to captain Bernard."

Torrington obediently added more hair.

"Like that? You certainly can have a sketch, and you don't even need to sit for it, if it amuses you. Actually, if anything, I would prefer to sketch you on horseback, or perhaps with that violin of yours. Sitting still has sofar not been a very characteristic trait of yours."

"Yes, perfect! " Willoughby looked very satisfied with the sketch. Pye and Rottlaender would have no problem at finding the correct recipient.

His grin broadened at Torrington's words and he seemed grow in height just a little, as he straightened. "Well, my Lord and dearest friend, for you, I shall stand, sit, or do pretty much anything for the opportunity to see your art come to life! And if we are to do one with the violin, may I bring the one from Spain?"

"Of course! I wasn't sure whether you had managed to really bring her all the way back to here until you mentioned it yesterday, and I really look forward to seeing it in a better condition", Torrington immediately answered, blushing slightly at Willoughby's enthusiasm for his sketching.

"Does it sound as good as it promised?"

"There were a few moments when I feared for her. She is very well now. The sound is beautiful and so pure...the body really makes it resonate in ...well I have to show you. I may not be an expert, but I hope to do her enough justice." Willoughby really talked about his instrument as if though it was a fragile person that needed protecting and quite passionately about its qualities.

"I will look forward to being introduced to your lady. I hope you will bring her by soon", Torrington teased gently. Freddie and Pye seemed to have sorted out their route and Torrington nodded for them to leave, smiling at the eager enthusiasm Freddie displayed, bounding out of the room.

"Alright, I think duty is done with for today. So ... would you mind putting in another half an hour of practice?"

The question came out somewhat sheepishly, but Torrington knew perfectly well that he had not as good as he could be this morning, and he would do his best not to be caught like that again.

While Pye eagerly ran after his friend, clutching the sketches in one hand and carrying the letters carefully concealed in his pocket, Willoughby relaxed again in his chair.

"You know me, yet you ask such a strange question?" Willoughby teased. "Of course I would... not mind it!" He straightened a little in the chair. "Where though?"

"Gleve House has a pretty decent courtyard with the added advantage of privacy", Torrington suggested. He grinned up to the portrait of his grandparents in all their court finery over the fireplace.

"Unfortunately, as admirable as this house is, it never had need for a jousting space."

"Perfect then. Should I send for Herrero, or do you think Bella, my mare, will be adequate?" He hesitated briefly, fully remembering what an awful reaction Torrington had so long ago. Though of course, ever since, he never again appeared bothered.

"She is not as well trained as he is, but she might do for the practice." He chcukled and added. "Oh, and shall we another time organise a proper joustling tournament for the entertainment of your friends and you?"

"Let's see what we can do with different horses. I will take the Fresian you saw this morning - he's trained well enough, and I barely had a change to ride him sofar."

While the engineer still inwardly cringed when he heard the horse's name - mainly because he remembered the same incident - he had his face well under control now.


"Do you want to change or ...?" He let the sentence trail off. He had changed into a fresh uniform, but he could ride perfectly well in it.

"I will be fine as I am, unless you would consider it inappropriate." He had decided that if time was indeed going to be short for them, to have his clothes he had prepared, delivered to Torrington's home as the other suggested.

He smiled. "So shall we test our theory, and see if what we have set for us all to do.. can actually be done?"

"I don't mind. It would be rather advisable if we at least already knew the routine perfectly so that those who had not yet found time to perfectly memorize the script cam follow our lead."

Torrington ordered the horses to be made ready and send a footman off with a message to his parents so that they were warned of the impending appropriation of their courtyard.

"Sensible. " Willoughby smiled. "And fun." He added, looking quite pleased. "We can also see if there should be any problems in any of the changes and work out how to solve them, should there be a need for it." He straightened a little.

"Does your offer still stand that I may change here, should we run out of time for me to head home and back?" He asked, wishing to make sure whether he could send someone for the clothes sometime nearer to the time of the departure for the theatre.

"It certainly does, although, if we use my parents' house, it will be easier for you to return to your own home. I'm afraid we have to go all through the city down to the strand."

Since he already had a map of the city on his desk, he took a pair of callipers and pointed out the locations.

Timothy peered at the map briefly, and was reminded of the not too long ago, when such maps had a completely different use. It was certainly not for them to seek the easiest way to go to a 'party' or a 'theatre' at the time.

"Hmm,you have a fine point." He studied the map briefly. "I also have some space for practice,..well, my grandfather does, should that be more convenient for both of us." It was all the same to him as long as they could do it and later of course still not be late for the visit to the theatre.

"It would certainly be closer. However, I just send off a footman to my parents, so if you don't mind ...? I'm pretty sure mother already has ordered tea and Bella is hiding behind a pillar to watch us."

"Ah, then your father's place it is." Willoughby did not need convincing. Torrington could come at another time or they could even choose to practice then or do other things, but if he had already sent his man over it would be terrible to send one saying he had changed his mind and perhaps the much more pressing reason for present agreement was that perhaps Bella would watch them as well. he did not want to admit to the last, though it was probably quite true.

Torrington was just in the process of putting his desk to order again when Wilson came in to announce that the horses were ready and waiting outside. He and a footman were already holding hats, coats, gloves and whips, and while the foorman helped Torrington, Wilson offered Willoughby his things.

"Should you wish to send a message, Mylord, there is a groom available to take it", the butler said quietly, reckoning that perhaps the old earl would want to know that his grandson would be out all day, and quite sure his head butler would appreciate to know Lord Gwydyr's whereabouts and that he was safely out of the public, if his day sofar was in any way similar to his own.

Willoughby, who had not until that moment considered the need to tell others of his whereabouts - which was quite inconsiderate and amusingly immature of him - seemed to contemplate a moment whether he should do so now. Of course their head butler would have been quite displeased if the younger master chose to 'disappear' without a word and neither would his grandfather appreciate it as much. Even if that man was quite upset with him at the moment.

"Ah, right.." He said finally, and reached into his pocket. He turned briefly and used his sabertache as a makeshift writing table. He quickly scribbled off at it with pencil so that it did not require him to search for an inkwell.

"This can be delivered to my grandfather's house." He finally said, having the piece of paper folded once. He then proceeded to take his coat, the hat and finally his whip and if there was anything else he had earlier passed to the servant. He then moved to his horse, pulled himself easily into the saddle, careful of his sabretache of course. He took the reins and nodded, as if to aknowledge being ready.

"Very good, Mylord."

The butler took the paper with a slight bow. It would find its way to its destination as quickly as possible, and with a trusted man who would not show it to any outsider.

Torrington followed his friend outside and mounted his own horse, then led the way in an easterly direction, up Curzon Street.

"Since we practically pass your home: Would you like to stop for anything?", Torrington offered. He had not heard the small conversation between Willoughby and Wilson.

"No, I think my note shall be delivered and unless you wish for a few tunes with the violin or some other instrument or something special, while we practice, I have most I need here. of course, should you desire a little more drink, we can stop as well." He patted Bella's neck gently.

His mare stepped proudly alongside Torrington's own horse. She seemed to show off just a little, her tail flicking behind her once or twice, not exactly because there were flies she needed to be rid of.