Lessons in Etiquette and Love

Chapter 2

Hadrian did, indeed, enjoy his time in London. His "lessons" were only an hour or two at length after the cooking class had left for the afternoon, leaving him free to roam the city and do as he pleased otherwise. He'd met many men along the way, several of which were quite attractive, and some which were rather pudgy and all were content to do nothing with their lives besides boast about this or that while living with the benefits of being a part of the gentry.

Once the novelty of London wore off, he quickly found that he much preferred the company of Tom during the afternoon hours rather than the superficial ones of those he'd been meeting as of late. He looked forward to their visits and often wondered if the man was even available. He never spoke of his own life, only his classes and occasionally his students. Finding a way to bring up Tom's life was becoming quite the chore, until Hadrian's luck turned around one afternoon.

"Tell me Hadrian, why have you not asked about my lineage?" To say that Hadrian was shocked would be an understatement. He was downright flabbergasted that he didn't have to sneak in a question with the hopes it would be answered.

"I suppose I didn't think you wished to speak about it. I'm not one to pry, especially since you've been quite hospitable to me. I imagine there are plenty of young men you could be training right now, instead I'm here taking up your time and space."

"Nonsense, your family paid me in advance for the time and space. Regardless if it is used the way it was intended, I've been enjoying your company. You've struck me as an honest man, and that intrigues me. There are so few around London that you're a bit of a novelty to me. Please, ask me anything you wish." Tom stretched out his legs towards the fire to warm himself while Hadrian thought over what he wanted to know.

"Do you have any plans to further your line?"

Tom smiled and chuckled, waving one hand through the air. "What comes, comes. I've had a bit of a difficult time finding someone my own age that hasn't been completely atrocious with keeping a conversation. You excluded, that is. Tell me, what is it you came to London for again? I'm afraid I've forgotten in the few weeks you've been here."

Hadrian thought on that for a while. He had come looking for...what? Adventure? Love? What a silly notion now that he'd spent an extended period of time here. How could he possibly find love with any of the aristocrats here? Stuck up, snobbish men that only worried about money and their image. Whether or not their daughter would finally be taken off of their hands and if their son would pick a rather nice young partner to bear the next generation of children.

"I originally came to meet new men. It's incredibly difficult to find anyone to be with when you've only known a small handful of people outside of your family. I guess I didn't realize it would be so difficult to find anyone worthy of falling in love with." Tom gave him an odd look, his bright blue eyes piercing through his soul.

"Do you truly find it so difficult to find someone to love here in London Hadrian?" Hadrian's stomach did a little flip at hearing the smooth voice and he suddenly felt a blush creeping into his cheeks against his wishes.

"I...May I ask you something?" Tom disregarded his hesitation and nodded for him to continue. "I'm wondering how one would go about finding out if someone is open to you pursuing them. My father seems to think it's an unteachable subject and my mother doesn't speak out against him often so the subject has never been breached."

Tom thought for several minutes on this, regarding him with curiosity.

"It would depend on their station and their beliefs, I think. It's a bit trickier with men than it is with women. Ladies are mostly content to be pursued by anyone at their same station or above whereas with men you have to find one that has your same preferences as well as availability. Most of us have already been betrothed or have already married."