Because no one says no to Henry Bolingbroke

[newredmuses]

Only the strength of his father's friendship with Bolingbroke has him here -- that and Kate's insistence that he must occasionally act like he is part of a company, with responsibilities to allegiances greater than his own. This is why he is glumly walking up this long driveway with a bottle of good scotch under his arm, though he neither cares much for whiskey nor for the man in whom most of it will inevitably end up.

"I have far better things I could be doing with myself tonight," he mutters, when there is still time to make a phone call and go home to those pastimes, like building a model airplane or butchering some karaoke or, God save them all, babysitting.

Comments

[adivasheadvoices]

. . . Kate hates it when she's wrong.

Usually she finds Hal Bolingbroke sort of charming, at least in small doses, but not when she's just talked her husband into not punching him in the neck. God give them strength.

"Hello, Hal," she says with a light laugh. "That was a few years ago, actually."

[newredmuses]

"This is for your father," Harry says, scowling, and shoves the scotch forward.

Hal holds both his hands up with a smirk. "You'd better give it to him, then, I'm clearly not to be trusted with such a fine display of fealty."

Harry's brow darkens, and he begins to open his mouth.

[adivasheadvoices]

"Brilliant," quickly. "Why don't you go find Henry, dear?"

HINT HINT.

[newredmuses]

Harry raises an eyebrow, but nods, and pushes past Hal with only the slightest of glowering backward glances.

Hal gives a self-effacing laugh and holds the door open for Kate. "Your marriage fascinates me, have I ever told you that?"

[adivasheadvoices]

"Why, no," she says, all sweetness. "Really it's dreadfully mundane. You'll find that out if you ever manage to settle down with someone."

[newredmuses]

He snorts. "You'll pardon me if I disbelieve you on several points of that argument. My father is always telling me I should try it, though." Hal screws up his face and drops his voice to a drawling growl. "'Why can't you be more like Harry Percy? Come home with a woman like Kate Mortimer, Hal. Then you'll finally make me proud!'" A wink. "He likes you and your family. After all, he's got to like somebody."

[adivasheadvoices]

Kate laughs. See? Charming.

"Do yourself a favor, Hal, don't marry a girl like me. You'd never have any fun again."

[newredmuses]

"Unfair! Very unfair to yourself, Kate. I don't see how that's possible. Although..." He leans close, conspiratorially. "If you're really so lacking in fun, Ned Poins is coming by later. He says it's a real caper. Even your gallant husband could tag along if you wanted."

Is it a real offer? Hard to tell, considering that Hal has been pre-gaming the party some.

[adivasheadvoices]

She pats him on the shoulder. There is a very specific amount of condescension in that pat.

"You enjoy yourself. I'll take my gallant husband home to say goodnight to his son."

[newredmuses]

Hal smiles and spreads his arms. "This is why I need one like you. I'll get there someday, though why hurry for the second best of the bunch?"

[adivasheadvoices]

Kate laughs.

"You're such a flatterer."

[newredmuses]

He gestures at the house. "It's gotten me this far."

[adivasheadvoices]

"I hope it gets you farther."

She sighs, and reaches out to touch his shoulder again.

"Hal -- won't you do me a favor tonight and not bait him?"

[newredmuses]

There's a moment, between the sardonic smirk and the furrowed brow, a flash of canniness that belies the rest of him. Hal cants his head and pauses. "How on earth do you live with him?" he asks quietly.

[adivasheadvoices]

She gives him a sharp grin.

"Use your imagination."

[newredmuses]

"A cold shower for me, then." He glances over her shoulder. "I think I've just spotted Westmoreland." He leans close and lowers his voice. "We'll continue this conversation later."

[adivasheadvoices]

"Will we," pleasantly.

Time to go find her husband and make sure he's behaving, then.

[newredmuses]

Hal tips an imaginary hat and strides off.

Maybe it's through this brief gap in the hall that allows Kate to be spotted. Margaret Percy, her mother-in-law, gives her shoulder a squeeze. "Kate, my dear! I assume if you're here you've brought that son of mine with you."

[adivasheadvoices]

"Margaret!"

Kate beams and gives her mother-in-law a quick hug. "He's around here somewhere. I sent him off to say hello to our host."

[newredmuses]

"That should narrow things down a bit. I've sent his father to do the same." She smiles. "And how are you this evening? Managing things well?"

[adivasheadvoices]

"Oh, I'm fine. Are we putting all the Henrys in one place, then?" She glances back over shoulder. "Hopefully with one exception."

[newredmuses]

"What would be the collective noun for that? A murder? Or a calamity?" She says it so casually, it's a dare to anyone to overhear. "I must confess, I'm a bit let down that young Bolingbroke hasn't invited all these friends I hear so much about. Isn't that what makes these affairs worth coming to?"

[adivasheadvoices]

Dry: "Stick around long enough, and I hear you may have your chance. I'm amazed his father lets him get away with it."

[newredmuses]

"His father nothing. I know he drives our Harry mad." She chuckles. "I think I came to see that too. Tell me, they haven't already crossed paths, have they? Have I missed the fireworks?"

[adivasheadvoices]

Kate sighs. "Just a few sparks. If I'm lucky that's all there'll be."