lord-graham:
Graham doesn’t respond to the compliment on the quality of his rooms as his eyes wander over the belongings of the bride and groom to look for any clue. He hadn’t expected to find them here, hadn’t dared to hope lest the couple turn his nightmares into reality. It’s macabre, but also practical ( in his opinion ) that his expectation is for the worst. Though they have no tangible evidence, there’s a feeling sinking deep into his bones since they were all back in the chapel that this wedding would not be taking place.
His thoughts are broken by the sound of Theo running into the trunks and his head snaps towards the noise. Silently assessing the other man, signs of stress are written all over him as the priest attempts to collect himself on the bed. That same anxiety courses through his own veins, but he’s lived his whole life with at least some level of tension and is either more practiced at hiding or has adopted it into his persona that he doesn’t seem more off than his usual self.
Concern for Theo has Graham crossing the room for the water pitcher and brandy decanter, selecting the less expensive glass tumbler over the crystal goblets in case his companion develops the shakes. They’ve already lost the bride and groom, why add his finest drinkware as well. He pours a healthy measure of amber liquid followed by a few drops of water and then holds it out for him to take. “No apologies necessary,” Graham says as he presses the glass into his hand. “We shall take a moment to regroup before checking the rest of the rooms.”
He tries to open one of the trunks atop the pile but finds them locked. There’s no reason to break it open now, he’ll leave that up to the families if this drags on. “Did you speak with either of them before the ceremony?” It seems like something that might take place, though Graham is far from an expert of the timeline of a wedding.
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Theophilus had felt better, after speaking with Mina on the matter his nerves had settled, except now facing an empty honeymoon suite his nettle had deserted him. Theo held his head in his hands, desperate for the world to stop spinning for a moment, for the sun to pause its descent through the sky until they could find their couple and marry them as was good and proper.
Instead all the happened was that Graham moved across the room and began to clink crystal together and pour a glass of... Theo looked up just in time for Lord Mulberry to offer him the drink. Usually Theo would have demured the offer at such an hour, but his nerves needed it more. "Thank you," he said, squeezing his hand around the crystal. Theo took a healthy sip, wincing as the burning-sweet brandy slipped down his throat and warmed his belly. He had been too nervous to eat breakfast, so without doubt the drink was sure to hit him fast.
Theophilus nursed his drink as Graham inspected the trunks, which were locked. Theo was beginning to conclude that they hadn't come here at all, which failed to bode well. As did Graham's question, that still sent Theo's heart trembling with angst. "I meant to... I wanted to, but... the day slipped away from me." Theo smiled, and gave a self-depracating shrug of his shoulders, willing himself to keep his nerve. He would not like to be a trembling mess in front of Lord Mulberry, as the oldest of their university friends, he had always wanted to impress upon him. "I should have... I should have spoken to them, then it would be more clear whether their disappearance was due to nerves or excitement." Theo offered a wan smile. Ah, hindsight.
He finished his serving of brandy, already beginning to feel pleasantly light-headed, his hands sturdy instead of wavering. Theo stood up from the bed, smoothing his perspiring palms over his trousers. "If they... if they are not here, I doubt they would be in the other rooms... If they have eloped they would either come here, heedless of the consequences, or attempt to hide themselves away... What do you think?" Theo asked, looking to Graham for his opinion.










