Letters to Half Moon Street (Meddle & Mend, #1)

by Sarah Wallace

I liked the quiet atmosphere, but I was alarmed by the number of people inside. I went straight to the dining room and found a little table in the corner. I sat next to a lovely stained glass window, which was pleasant, and no one approached me, which was a relief.

Mood

Rose has been tight-lipped on the details, but I suppose it’s possible for her to be of the feminine persuasion and still have her head turned by a particularly handsome man. If I learn more, I shall tell you.

So is being gay okay in this slightly altered magical history?

I know you said the idea of entering into the marriage mart fills you with dread, but I rather think you would do well at keeping house for someone.

He’s house husband material!

I must have been drunker than I realized because all I remember is how well he tied his cravat and how perfectly his coat fit him.

Is it true he enjoys the company of both men and women? And yes, I’m being indelicate and don’t you dare lecture me for it.

Please do me the honor of satisfying my insatiable desire to get to know you better. Lady and Lord Partridge will be there as well, lest you fear for your reputation. Sincerely, Charles Kentworthy

He’s so flirty!

You are the first person I think of now when I see poetry. I shall continue to gift you with such volumes. You cannot stop me.

Is it possible no one has shown you how to experience London properly? If this is so, please tell me at once and I shall make it my personal mission to instruct you.

I quite like you. So I’m going to give you some advice, all right?” I nodded, tentative. “I think you know what you want, but you’ll never get it if you aren’t willing to risk a little. Be bold, my pretty buck. Can you do that? Can you be bold?”

Lino giving solid advice.

“Is it possible you do not trust me, Gavin?” he said at last. I looked up at that. “Nonsense,” I said. “I’ve let you drag me all over town. That’s as great a trust as I can give anyone.” “You do not trust me with your heart, I think,”

Screaming

“That is decidedly not true. I simply have no plans to marry for convenience. When I find someone dear enough to me, I will most certainly make a declaration. Has that rumor concerned you, darling? How sweet.”

“Is it true you enjoy the company of both men and women?” You must know I was truly medicated to have had the gall to ask him that. “I suppose you mean intimately rather than socially?” I frowned at him, confused. He grinned. “Let us say I find both to be lovely. Does that answer your question?”

Bi king!

Kentworthy was dreadfully nervous when he fed the medicine to me. I tell you, Gerry, his hand was positively trembling. I have never seen him so unnerved. Except, I suppose, when I jumped into Peerless Pond. Oh, and when I started to fall ill. Good God, how do I manage to always upset the poor man’s calm? On the other hand, he did look excessively pleased when I started to feel better. It almost made taking the antidote worth it. Almost.

I will say, however, one does not usually keep vigil at a friend’s bedside for nearly a month—and at Christmastime—if one does not care deeply for the person. I would even hazard a guess that he loves you.

if you trust Mr. Kentworthy as much as you claim, why do you not trust his judgment where you are concerned?

Seb, No, I am not dead. Yes, I am all right. Thank you for your concerns, I think. I honestly cannot tell if you expressed any.

Seb is the annoying but endearing sibling we all have

He paused. “Do I take it, then, that you would not be opposed to dancing with another man?”

AHHH he’s finally going to tell him!

It felt daring stepping onto the floor with another gentleman, and with Kentworthy of all people. He is so frightfully popular.

AHHHH I love it so much!!

Viscount Finlington found us after the set. “You are a superb dancer, darling,” he told me. “You two look very fine together. Such an attractive couple you make.”

He’s a good wingman lol

village is too small to provide varied company. So even though I am fully aware there are people who discover they fall outside the lines of the gender they’ve been taught to believe, and there are people who are neither men nor women, and there are people who fluctuate between genders, I’ve never met anyone from any of those categories.

Kentworthy took a deep breath. “Understood.” “And if this boy is not married by the Season’s start, he’s going under my wing.” I was much alarmed by this, but Kentworthy merely looked thoughtful. “Can we not settle for engaged, Your Grace?” They scoffed. “Do you think you can manage it?” “I certainly hope so.”

Then, with no more warning than a small smile, he moved his hand from my cheek to the back of my neck, gently pulled me forward, and kissed me.

AHHHHH so cute!!

How dare John? How dare he leave his wife with a new child? How dare he leave our parents with his horrid wife and new child? How dare he impose on you in such a manner? And tell you who you can be friends with? It is perfectly outrageous.

Gerry is the voice of the reader! Get him girlie!

I know what I will say to Charles. It is just a matter of being bold enough to say it.

Tell him you’re in love with him!!!

Do write back to confirm this bit of gossip. And tell me when you and Mr. Kentworthy are to be married. And then please send for me so I can meet him and he can introduce me to interesting people. Affectionately, Seb

😂

“Yes, I know. He made me take up boxing.” “He told me,” Finlington said with a grin. “Between you and me, my sweet, I would guess that was due partly to ensure you were getting sufficient exercise and partly to see more of your adorable person.” I’m sure I was blushing bright red at this.

I punched him. That is, I meant to punch John. But he saw me pulling my arm back and, for once, had the good sense to back away. So I punched Hampstead instead.

Hell yeah!

It was mortifying, Gerry. To have to tell someone such a thing. In the street. In public. In broad daylight. It does not bear thinking of. I had it all planned out in my head how I should say the words to him. Everything was going horribly wrong. I looked at my feet. “Not here, Charles,” I said. He lifted my chin gently. “Please tell me,” he said. “What did Hampstead realize?” I swallowed. “That I love you, Charles.” Charles smiled that beautiful broad grin of his. “Darling,”

Sobbing

His grin widened. “I came back to London with no other intention than to ask for your hand. We can make it a long engagement, so you have time to get accustomed to the idea. Will you have me, my darling?”

“But, Charles?” He ran a hand through my hair. “Yes, my heart?” “Why?” “Because I love you, impossible man.”

“You really do tell her everything, don’t you? Do you talk of me often in your letters?” I laughed. “As a matter of fact, Charles, I talk of precious little else.” Then I kissed him. Affectionately, Gavin

I am certain you played a large role in my current happiness. So, thank you, dear, dear Gerry, for every letter you sent to your brother at Half Moon Street. With love, Your future brother-in-law (my word, darling, but it feels so good to write that!), Charles Kentworthy