Gay In The 1800s - Steddie

Chapter 14

Steven and Edwina were sitting down under a little tent chatting when Edwina spotted Edward in the crowd and called out to him, he and Steve made eye contact and Edward looked unsure of what to do, remembering their last encounter. "Come sit with us" Edwina said smiling, he stood there for a moment before finally walking up to them.

As he did that Steven got up and stood by his chair with his arms behind his back, the silence was extremely loud and Edwina glanced between the two as Edward stood by his own chair. "Mister Sharma" Steven said nodding to him. "Lord Harrington" he said giving him a small smile, they made eye contact once again as they sat down right across from one another.

Steven cleared his throat and smiled at Edwina when she glanced at him. "Did you tell the Viscount about your bee sting?" Edwina asked, softening up her face as Steven looked to Edward, Edward chuckled awkwardly and sighed. "I got stung" he said scrunching up his face. "Ah" Steven said nodding. "I am well" Edward added. "Ah" Steven repeated but softer.

Edward looked off to the side, as did Steven and Edwina could feel the awkwardness. "Edward was telling me how he is eager to see more of the grounds of this magnificent estate" Edwina said as Steven smiled and nodded, Edward looked over to Edwina slightly confused. "I did?" He asked as she looked at him. "After having spent the last few days on his own. Might you give him a tour today while I spend time with the other ladies?" Edwina asked clueless.

"Oh I-" Edward interrupted Steven. "I'm certain Lord Harrington is occupied with other guests" Edward said fake smiling. "Shooting, in fact, with the other gentleman, the party is to leave quite soon, I'm afraid" Steven said as Edward nodded. "Did you know Edward is an excellent shot?" Edwina said. "Of course he is" he said chuckling as Edward glared at him, feeling offended.

Luciano walked up to Steven. "Are we all set for the hunt, Steven?" He asked. "Indeed we are" Steven said getting up and pushing his chair in. "Edward , tell him how you used to shoot all the time" Edwina said. "Miss Edwina-" Steven tried to say. "Edward is being modest" she said as Steven looked at Luciano and laughed, Edward tilted his head slightly looking at them. "Do you not think it true?" He asked as Steven looked at him then to Edwina

"Perhaps your brother can aim straight on the field, but surely he would have some trouble managing-" Edward interrupted Steven once again. "Why would you assume I had any trouble managing at all, my Lord?" Edward asked as Steven grew more annoyed. "I only mean to say-" "say what, hm? You assume I cannot shoot, you do not know me" Edward said getting up. "No- no, I did not say that" he said.

"But you thought it" Edward said as Luciano held in a laugh, Steven glanced behind him at Luciano and Luciano instantly straightened his face, Steven chuckled in disbelief as he looked back to Edward. "I am quite certain this will be good for you all, Oh, what fun you will all have" she said smiling as Steven looked at Luciano in shock.

"Getting to know each other all the better" Edwina said looking at Edward who gave her a smile. "What an excellent idea, Miss Edwina" Luciano said. "Hmm" she responded smiling as Steven looked at Luciano wondering why he said that. "Surely we can make an exception, just this one time. We are on our private lands, after all. And who knows? Perhaps Mister Sharma can teach you a thing or two" he said patting Steven as Edwina chuckled looking at Edward who smiled satisfied while Steven clenched his jaw in annoyance.

~~~

Roxana sat with Edwina, Lady Danbury, and Lady Mary, playing cards, and trying to get to know Edwina a bit. "Hopefully, the festivities are living up to your expectations, Miss Edwina?" Roxana said, trying to make conversation. "Very much, your grace. You and Lady Mary are such intelligent, diligent hostesses" she said as Roxana smiled a bit. "I so look forward to hosting my own gatherings one day" Edwina added.