At Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): Good evening, Ms Dvorak. I apologize for calling without notice. Um, is Mr. Fitzroy available? I brought a care basket...
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): That is simply adorable, Charles. She's up in her room. You can go on up… But, nothing inappropriate, dear.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): I-- I beg your pardon, ma'am, but I would attempt nothing of the sort! I wanted to check on her.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): Heh. That's quite a shame, darling. She's feeling a bit hideous. You'd think she was John Merrick, the way she's going on. She could use a handsome young man being untoward. ;-P
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): I... I, um, I have no idea how to respond to that.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): Go on, Charles. Go check on George. I'll be in the library if you need anything, sweetie.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): Thank you, ma'am...
A few minutes later:
Charles (to George): George? Hallo?
George (to Charles): Charles? … Go away. I don't want anyone to see me like this.
Charles (to George): Good heavens, George. Don't be silly! I'm sure I've seen worse ...Please let me in.
George (to Charles): … Fine. It's unlocked.
Charles (to George): Thank you. I brought you some things I thought you might like. There's some whiskey in there as well as your favorite scone. How is your nose feeling? It looks less swollen than before. That's good, you know. It's healing... Have you been keeping it cool like you should? It will help with the swelling, you know. Let me fix you a compress.
George (to Charles): Thank you. That's very nice of you, Charles.
Charles (to George): Not at all. You're my... I mean, you're very dear to me, so... Um, I mean... WOULD YOU... Ahem. W--would you like a scone?
George (to Charles): Yes, I would like one very much... You're very dear to me, too. Ms. Dvorak mentioned that the Stuart boys have been having a recent run of bad luck. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?
Charles (to George): Here you are. Have they been having bad luck? I can't say I'm sorry to hear it... What kind of bad luck?
George (to Charles): A bunch of little incidents & accidents, Wheels of carts falling off and the like.
Charles (to George): ... Oh. Yes. Sounds like a bit of bad luck, doesn't it? Oh... Fine. FINE! If you... If you promise not to think less of me, I-I'll tell you what I know.
George (to Charles): And?
Charles (to George): I, um, I've been giving the day-old food that we can't sell to some of the less-fortunate young men and ladies about the inn. I, um, I may have mentioned your recent unfortunate case of mistaken identity. And, mentioned how I wish there was something I could do about it... I'm sorry.
George (to Charles): ... You are amazing. Thank you, Charles.
Charles (to George): ...You aren't upset with me!?!
George (to Charles): You are the best boyfriend, ever... Oh, I beg your pardon. Heat of the moment. I shouldn't have called you that. I just meant a friend that's a boy... This is a very good scone. Did you change the recipe? I could just shove this whole thing in my gob.
Charles (to George): Oh. Um, yes. I changed it a bit... I thought you'd be cross because I used a street gang to... You know. I-- I didn't think you meant you wanted to... I mean, you wanted me for... Well, why should you! ... I'm happy you're well.
George: Boys are just ridiculous, if you ask me. (to Charles) ... Bloody hell! You could always just ask me.
Charles (to George): No I bloody well couldn't! Y-You'll come round to see me, or kiss me, but then you'll shout at me, and say what a bore I am. Last week you said that with the way I acted, that only an addle-brained nun would ever want to go 'round with me.
George (to Charles): Oh, fine. Be that way, then... And, I just said that because you were being all flirty with that Delilah & her... Breasts. All up in your face. It was just horribly embarrassing for you..
Charles (to George): I certainly was NOT being flirty with Delilah!
George (to Charles): Oh really!?! I'm sorry if I was confused by your hand being on her arm. Looked pretty flirty to me.
Charles (to George): I wasn't...! She kept coming into the kitchen and KNOCKING into me! It was damned... I mean, it was most irritating. She is an infuriating woman. I suspect the only reason she continues to be employed is her, um... Her cavalier attitude towards her, uh, blouse.
George (to Charles): ... So, I've noticed.
Charles (to George): Yes, just as all of New London has, I'm sure.
George (to Charles): … Is that really the type of girl you find interesting?
Charles (to George): Of course not! She's about as interesting as wet taffy & about as smart. She knows nothing about me, nor does she care to... She's only mucking with me, because she's convinced herself I'm some aristocrat's illegitimate son.
George (to Charles): ... Well, I feel like a cad, now. I'm sorry, Charles. I just see all these pretty girls flirt with you and I wonder why you're bothering with me. I'm nothing like them at all. Even when I dress like a girl I still look like a boy. Only then I look like a boy in a dress. You're such a handsome fellow, you should go get yourself one of those pretty girls to go 'round with.
Charles (to George): You do not! Honestly, it utterly baffles me how anyone could mistake you for a boy. You're very pretty! Yes, you do look a bit uncomfortable in a dress... But that doesn't matter! I like spending time with YOU. What on earth could I possibly talk about with those girls at the Inn? ... Do you really think I'm handsome?
George (to Charles): ... Yes. You're quite handsome. Heh. Why do you think all those girls mess about with you? It's not just to pick on you. If you were to respond with interest, they'd be all over you.
Charles (to George): Oh who cares what they think? ...You don't think... I mean, I'm starting to look a bit like Achilles.
George (to Charles): No, I don't think you look like him at all...
Charles (to George): Oh... Really? You really don't? Oh, that is... That's a relief, I have to admit.
Lily (to George & Charles): GEORGE!?! Are you in here? I was coming to see if you wanted to go to the museum with me... Oh! Hello.
George (to Lily): (to Lily) Heh. You have terrible timing. :-P
Charles (to Lily): Oh. Um, hello, Ms Wilkes. I was just checking on George after her ordeal yesterday… I should really get back to work. Excuse me, ladies. I'll let you get to your days… Day! Day. Heh. I meant, back to your day. Goodbye, George. I would like to call later if that's acceptable.
Lily (to George): Heehee. (to Charles) Goodbye, Charles. It was nice seeing you. Persephone is downstairs with Ms. Dvorak.
George (to Charles): Bye, Charles. Thank you for the care package. (to Lily) ... Stop grinning like that.
Charles (to Lily & George): I'll be sure to pay my regards on the way out, then.
George (to Charles): I would like that. (to Lily) Seriously, Lilian, your face is going to stick like that.
Lily (to Charles): Heehee... (to George) He's so handsome.
George (to Charles): Hush you... Give me a moment to get dressed & I'll head downstairs with you.
A few minutes later, in the sitting room:
Charles (to Persephone & Ms. Dvorak): I was on my way back to the Inn, but I wanted to pay my regards. It's nice to see you again, Ms Persephone. Thank you for receiving me, Ms Dvorak.
Persephone (to Charles): Hi, sweetie! You're looking quite dapper... You might want to get Ma to let out those trousers a bit, though.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): You are very welcome, dear. I hope George is feeling a bit better.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): I, um I hope so, ma'am. (to Persephone) Do they really need to be let out again? ... That is most irritating. I think I may have to replace them altogether.
Persephone (to Charles): Heehee... I'm sure Ma has some of Da's old clothes hanging about & would be more than willing to fix them up for you. You don't want to waste your money on new clothes until you've stopped growing. Heh. At the rate you're going, you're going to be as tall as Da in no time. :-P
Charles (to Persephone): I wouldn't want to inconvenience your mother, miss. I'm sure I can make due, but I do appreciate the offer.
Persephone (to Charles): Heh. Have you met my mother? She loves doing that sort of thing. Speaking of which... Shouldn't you be getting back before the lunch rush?
Charles (to Persephone): Oh good heavens! Yes! Please excuse me! I must dash.
Ms. Dvorak (to Persephone): Heh. That boy.
Persephone (to Ms. Dvorak): Heh. If he ever gets some confidence, he's going to be a quite the ladykiller. Well, that sounds like the girls... (to Lily & George) I swear Miss Lilian Wilkes that better not be you galumphing like an elephant down those stairs!
Lily (to Persephone): Sorry, Miss Persephone... (to George) Shut it, you!
Ms. Dvorak (to Persephone): Persephone, it wasn't all that long ago that would have been you. You girls have fun at the museum.
Persephone (to Ms. Dvorak): We will. (to Lily & George) Come along, you two.
