"My intentions?" Clarence asked, surprised by the question. There was hardly anything unusual, or anything to be ashamed of, in the answer. "My intentions are to make a gift of it. I believe it would look quite well on my wife. And you are kind, Hutchinson, but this one will suit her even more." This necklace, which the proprieter had brought out for him, was very much like the first, but with a highly polished pendant hanging from it. The contrast pleased him. Besides, the younger man had seen the one in the window first. Even if there had not been another, he'd not have accepted the offer until he knew Hutchinson didn't want it, though he'd have very much hoped Hutchinson /wouldn't/ want it.

Archibald looked as the shop keeper brought out a second almost identical looking necklace but with a very pretty pendant hanging from it. "I did not mean to offend Haworth. I just thought it would be funny if you too were here purchasing something for a sister."

Ben bowed gratefully to Haworth. "I am most obliged to you, sir."

It seemed to him that he might have met the man's wife on a previous occasion. Faint images of a handsome, fair-haired lady floated through his mind. Of course, it could be anyone from the Duchess of Devonshire to a milkmaid, but the probability was higher for it being Haworth's spouse.

To the other gentleman--Archibald Edwards, Marquess of Eddington, Ben reminded himself several times over--he remarked briefly upon the responsibilities of older-brotherhood, then proceeded to the counter to inquire after the coral necklace.

The price quoted exceeded the change in his pocket by a sum just beyond what he considered the acceptable range of bargaining. His stomach sank as he placed what he had on the counter. Patting his coat in search of additional money, and finding none, Ben confided his predicament to the shopkeeper in hushed tones. "Is there anything else I can offer you to make up the difference? Perhaps," he suggested, removing a small ring from his right pinky, "this might suffice?" The article in question had been awarded him at university for his contribution to an essay competition and bore the insignia of his alma mater.

His brow softening, the shopkeeper stayed Ben's hand. "Please, sir--keep your ring. Take the necklace." He inclined his head towards the window.

"Oh, no," protested Ben, shaking his head, "I really couldn't."

The shopkeeper chucked under his breath. "Well then, pay me when you're able, but don't you leave without that necklace in your pocket."

"Then will you allow me," insisted Ben, laying his ring between them, "to leave this with you as a pledge of my intent to pay?"

"Yes, yes, go!" agreed the man, shooing Ben away and sliding the ring behind the counter. "Oh, and sir--" he called, as his customer collected the merchandise, "May your sister be well pleased with your purchase." As an afterthought, he beckoned for Ben to return and spoke confidentially. "Do remember to smile when you give it to her, will you?"

Ben wasn't sure whether he ought to be offended by the merchant's unsought advice, but in truth, it comforted him. His own father had often made similar observations. Wistfully, he realized how much he missed his parents' guidance, though he had become an adult in the eyes of the world. He smiled across the counter. "Thank you, sir. I will."

"No offense at all; please do not be concerned." He politely ignored the incorrect form of address, as it seemed clear that the young marquis was only just becoming adjusted to adult society.
Hutchinson had entered into a quiet conversation with the shopkeeper, so it was up to Clarence to keep their conversation going, to prevent them from standing silently by while pretending not to hear.
"In fact perhaps I ought to have a gift for my sisters as well; I believe one of them is to arrive later this week, and the other with my mother when my mother feels quite recovered." It was an idle remark. They would expect nothing, and presenting them with something would be a bit extravagant, considering. In fact, presenting his wife with something would be a bit extravagant as well, with no special circumstances to call for it, but he felt it could be forgiven in a man married less than a year.

Archibald nodded and continued to watch as the younger man made his purchase. Then turning to Lord Louth Archibald smiled thinking of his own sister. "I have always found that it is always good to keep females happy wheather they be wives, mothers or sisters. Take my sister for example. People who know her in society wouldnt ever think that she could be a brat, but if she doesnt get her way, well lets just say I have never seen a person through a bigger fit."

Clarence smiled and shook his head sympathetically. He was glad his own family members were not so eccentric as the viscount's apparently were. Judging by the man himself, of course, it was not surprising to hear that they were. "I shall endeavor not to repeat that piece of news to Lady Louth," he said, keeping a straight face. "I am certain you should not like it to get back to your sister! And it is good to keep the ladies happy, but it is also important, is it not, to treat them as rational beings?" That was one of the things he admired about Georgiana--her curiosity and her rationality.

"Yes indeed it is good to treat them as rational beings, for they very much are," Archibald said nodding his head in agreement with Lord Louth. "In fact my sister is one of the smartest and most curious creatures I know. There is nothing she likes better than to learn, and most of the time I cant get her to take her nose out of a book long enough to do much at all," he said with a grin and a chuckle.


[[OCC- Sorry about posting as Lydia. I dont know why I always do that...]]

Turning around, Ben observed his two fellow customers in conversation, and felt as though perhaps he should not have removed himself from their company to make his purchase. Had he seemed rude?

They had selected as their topic, gathered Ben, the subject of women's rationality. It had not yet, however, been minutely separated from the concept of women's--or anyone's--intelligence.

"Forgive me for intruding, sir," he addressed the Marquess, "I couldn't help but overhear your discussion, and I must say, I wish my sister was more dedicated to serious reading. I worry that her intellect may be wasted on balls and entertainments, which are all well and good in their way, but form only a small part of a person's education. Although," he pondered aloud, "education carries no guarantee of rationality, for women or for men--that is a matter of natural character and personal choice."

Might the Marquess's sister appear at Almack's tomorrow? Ben hoped that she might. Such a young woman could prove a steadying influence on Sukey and encourage her in habits of study. He would watch for the pair, he concluded, and do his best to obtain an introduction.

"Beware of what you wish for! I wish my sister were interested in balls and parties, that way she might be a little more interesting sometimes," he said smiling. "Maybe our sisters should meet. I think they would influence each other greatly. Your could help mine become more sociable and mine could help yours get a little more interested in reading. Is your sister to be at the ball at Almacks tomorrow evening?"

"Come, surely reading is not the only way in which a woman can come by rationality?" Clarence said with courteous disbelief. "Much is, of course, inborn, but a great deal more is brought about by proper company and a healthy interest in all that she sees! That, I think, is one of the ways in which the ladies differ from us--for them, rationality can be served in even something so frivolous as a discussion of dress patterns, though I would not care to admit it to one of them. It is all in how they handle it."
He frowned slightly. "I, for one, should be sorry to see my sisters experiencing the world only through their readings." Similarly, he'd expect something more of his wife. Reading was all well and good, but was no substitute for experience.
He looked politely inquisitive at the last, though the presence or absence of Mr. Hutchinson's sister at Almack's was of little moment to him. He would have to ask Georgiana if they were to attend themselves, though he was almost certain they would. She would not like to miss the first ball of the season. And she was, he felt, an excellent dancer.