"Did you know he was going to do this?"

"Yes."

"And you're just going to continue to let him?"

"I kenned ye were trying to stop with this nonsense?"

"That's not the point, Ma." Edgar growled.

"Mr. Higgs is a grown man and can make decisions for himself. It's quite clear who he wants to be with and it's not our job to get in the way. We've already discussed this at length, Edgar."

He sighed. "Right... It just seems so bold, you know?"

"Well, as much as I agree and dinnae necessarily approve, Mr. Higgs doesnae want bastard children running around in the dark about their unknown inheritance, and I agree with that decision. The poor bairns who may be out there now having to go through this without a help in the world... An he can choose how they come to be and with whom, then I support that. It's for the bairns."

"If you say so."

"Dinnae let on that ye ken about the issue and show yer tail. We've got a dinner to get through. And think about what I have to go through? I get to sit at the table and watch first hand." She said with a shudder.

Edgar smiled and pat her hand. "It'll be alright, Ma."

"Aye, an I keep stuffing food in my face, I willnae say something I will regret. I'll leave ye to it then, lad. By the by, ye're doing a fantastic job."

Edgar beamed at the compliment as they left so that Edgar could listen for the door.

*********************

Once everyone arrived, dinner was pleasant with very few hiccups or awkwardness. The conversation was casual and luckily no one ended up going on strange subjects that would have most likely caused controversy and argument. Even being the odd one out (with no one to couple with) Merida felt included in all conversation, even between Higgs and Elizabeth. Once dessert was served, the men and women split up for some after dinner drinks and gossip, for once having enough people to do it.

*****************

"Gretchen mentioned that ye made some cookies for Mr. Higgs. Did he like them?" Merida asked.

"I'm quite sure he didn't. He was trying so hard to be nice that it was obvious how terrible they were." She said with an embarrassed blush.

"I tried to do that with Jami once when we got married. He loves crème brûlée, fell in love with it when a French diplomat came to visit. It seemed easy enough." Margaret laughed. "I burned a hole right in the center and practically charred the thing. I was so upset that Catherine had to console me for hours because I felt like such a failure. Jamison just laughed and hugged me for trying."

"I haven't tried to do anything like that for Boston yet. By the way everyone is speaking, maybe I shouldn't." Fuchsia said, seeming pensive.

"Since ye live below us now, I can pop over and help ye learn a few dishes. It's nice to be able to cook at least one thing for yerself." Merida said.

Elizabeth gasped. "Merida, you should have a cooking class for the ladies!"

"Huh?"

"I'm sure there are many young ladies looking to snag their man during a ball or small gathering. Why not have them be able to give small sweets to their men of choice? Win them by their stomachs, per se."

"I dinnae ken the ladies of the ton would be interested in learning how to cook when they already have a cook to cook for them. No offense but most young lassies here are not aware of their servants enough to care."

"That's why you would have to have someone promote you, like the three of us. We could make it an appealing thing, sell it up. I'm sure Mr. Higgs and a few others would be happy to drop a hint."

"I think it would be interesting." Fuchsia said. "I knew Boston for a long time, so our friendship helped me get a husband, even after it being so long, but most girls aren't like that. There are plenty of mothers who practically hide their daughters until they have a debutante ball or the like. Having something made by the new and available lady (or ladies) especially if it tasted good, would be an interesting start for conversations."

"I would promote it to everyone I know."

"Uh... I'll have to think about it. Seems like a useless endeavor."

After brainstorming a couple of ideas regarding the 'Lady's Cooking Class' -as it was temporarily named- they moved on to other matters of trivial content.

****************

"How have your urges been?" Jamison asked.

"The tonic that Boston prescribed for me has worked very well so far. I haven't jumped anyone, so..."

"Well that's good."

"I'm glad that it worked. I was afraid that Merida was going to keep me locked in a room all month long."

"How have the two of you been? I know there was the Edgar fiasco and when she pushed you down the stairs and such..."

"Things are resolved." He said, sipping his drink.

"I see that you're still actively pursuing Lady Hinkley." Boston said with a tiny bit of an edge.

"Yes, why?"

"No reason. Have you told her about your... issue?"

"Yes. I told her about it." Higgs said, narrowing his eyes at his friend.

"How did she take it?"

"She understood."

Jamison narrowed his eyes. "What exactly did you tell her?"

"The truth... and that I picked her."

"She is aware of the consequences, right?"

"Yes, she knows. Why are you in my business?" he growled.

"Because it's a delicate subject to be brought up to anyone, especially someone whom you plan on planning it out with."

"So you are going to do something with Lady Hinkley?" Boston said.

"Why not? It's better than shagging every whore in England."

"Then why not choose Merida? She's been there for you longer than Lady Hinkley and you know she'd do anything for you."

"That sounds a bit forced and I have always said I didn't want her to feel obligated to fulfill that."

"Don't get me that bullshit answer. I've known you since you were little and I've never seen you happier or more confident that when you are with Merida Dunbrough. You know she loves you and if anything happened with the child, she wouldn't care. She'd love it all the same."

"I feel like I'm binding her to something just because she works under me."

"Are you planning to marry Lady Hinkley, Higgs?" Jamison asked.

Higgs drank another drink. "Don't you think it's most appropriate if you're going to get a lady pregnant?"

"So you'd rather wed her than Merida? Is it status?"

"Our family doesn't really care about status anymore."

"Actually, that's not true. We haven't pushed that since we thought you were going to get with Merida and we like her enough to not really care, but if you're pursuing other women, then yes, they need to have some status about them. We are lords after all... Either choice is fine but I just ask that you choose wisely."

"And the wise choice would be Merida."

"But my choice is Lady Hinkley. This isn't your curse you have to deal with, Boston." Higgs growled.

"Fine. Whatever." He snapped, sipping his own drink.

"Enough of this foolishness. I didn't come here to talk with children, I came to speak with men. Higgs can do whatever he likes for his curse."

Boston sipped his brandy but he was not pleased. It ached that he knew about the curse and couldn't tell either of them. Higgs was wasting his time on Lady Hinkley.

*****************

Edgar went to the drawing room to check on the men but saw Jamison helping Boston down the hall.

"Is he alright?"

"I'm perfaly fine." Boston said, leaning back.

"Had one too many glasses."

"Where is Mr. Higgs?"

"He fell asleep in the chair, so I thought it best to leave with this one still intact."

"Are you sure he's alright?"

"He's not a brandy drinker, and neither is Higgs. Higgs insists on keeping it for company."

"I see."

"Are the girls ready?"

"Yes, that's why I was coming up here. They are getting their coats at the door."

"We'll meet them at the door."

Edgar nodded as he went past them to go get Higgs. He opened the door and found him splayed out in the chair, snoring. Edgar sighed and tapped him on the leg.

"Mr. Higgs."

"Go away."

"You need to get up. Everyone's leaving and you need to get to bed."

"No. I have guests."

"No you don't. They're leaving."

Higgs gasped. "Leaving?! What about Elizabeth?!"

"Um..."

"She can't go right now!" he said, trying to stand up properly. Once he did, he wobbled a little. "I gotta get to her... Ugh, help me Edgar, don't just stand around."

"Right."

Edgar went over to him and put his arm around him for support. As they started to walk through the door, Higgs grabbed the doorjamb and wouldn't let go.

"Mr. Higgs, you have to let go."

"I think I'm going to be sick."

He got away from Edgar and stumbled back into the room, grabbing a pot of flowers to throw up in. Edgar made a face and walked to the landing of the stairs.

"I'm sorry, it looks like Mr. Higgs is not well at the moment. He wanted to see you out, but he's indisposed at the moment."

"Tell him I will call on him tomorrow." Elizabeth said.

"I will."

She and Gretchen left as Merida climbed the stairs.

"Drunk, is he?"

"Pretty well. If Mr. Higgs is so susceptible to alcohol, then why do we have it in the house?"

"He keeps it for guests but an he's nervous or upset, he'll find it. He's a wine drinker, really, not much on the spirits. Where is he?"

"He's in the drawing room. I'm worry about him... he's been getting drunk a lot these past few months."

"Aye, I ken ye. He wasnae one for the bottle. It's gotten much worse ever since the kitsune incident. Go and get me a glass of water and crush some mint in it to wash his mouth out."

Edgar nodded and Merida went to the drawing room. She found him on the floor laying in the seat of the chair, staring blankly at the door. Hearing movement, he looked up at her and smiled.

"Hello."

"Hello." She knelt to his level. "Ye seem to be into the brandy as of late."

"It tastes nice going down."

"Aye, so does sherry but it's a bitch coming back up."

"Mmmhmm." He smacked a little. "My mouth tastes like a fart smells."

Merida laughed. "Kenned it would so I have Edgar getting some peppermint water for ye."

"You're the bestest, Merduh."

"Of course. Although I'm a bit worried for ye. Ye've been doing this a lot lately. Ye've never been one to drink like this before."

"I'm not sure why either..."

"Did I do this right?" Edgar asked, coming in with the glass.

Merida looked at it. "Ye did just fine, lad. Will ye go and turn down Mr. Higgs' sheets for me? I'll take him to his room." He nodded and left as Merida held the glass to Higgs' lips. "Here, swish this around yer mouth and spit it back out."

Higgs drank the drink and moved it around his mouth, spitting it out in an extra cup Edgar had brought.

"Feel a bit better?"

"My mouth feels all fresh but I'm still drunk." He said, slamming his face into the cloth of the chair.

"I know. Mint doesnae cure ye of that. Come on, lovey, let's go to yer room."

She helped him up and took him to his room.

******************

When they got there, she opened the door and Higgs moved away from her to grab the door.

"I got it from here."

"Are ye sure?"

"No... but I can manage."

"Alright then." She said, turning to leave.

"Wait." She turned back. "Stay with me."

"Mr. Higgs-"

He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her to him. "Stay with me, Ms. Dunbrough."

"Ye're drunk."

"Right now, I feel as sure as ever. Merida, stay with me... in that way."

"What about Elizabeth? Arenae ye saving yerself for her? Isnae she the lass ye want to do this with?"

"I've been saving myself for you, Merida."

"Mr. Higgs, ye are quite drunk. I dinnae appreciate yer antics like this."

Higgs put his hands on her shoulders, pulling her into his room. He turned her around to look at her.

"There are no antics and no tricks. I want you, Merida. I know what I'm saying and I want to rip that beautiful dress into pieces and feel your pale, freckled skin against mine. I want our lips to savor each other, your warmth against mine. I want to se your full body exposed to me and me before you, laid bare to one another. I want to feel that tooshie of yours in my hands, it's soft supple goodness making our union all the more delightful. I want you to be the mother of my children, the wife of my title, by my side when we walk in public..."

"Ye say such sweet things to me and ye tomorrow ye will be back to trying to be with Lady Hinkley. How cruel in sobriety and in drunkenness can ye-"

He pulled her to him and kissed her right on the lips. It was deep and warm and full of a secret longing that she herself felt towards him. Merida wanted to deny him, knowing full well that he would go after Elizabeth the next day, but he tasted so good and so right. He pulled away from the kiss to take his lips to the nape of her neck, leaving delicate kisses all the way up to her ear.

"You are the one I choose, Merida Dunbrough."

"As much as I want to believe ye, I cannae give ye everrathing."

"Why not?"

"It's a lie... it's a tease and I just... this isnae right."

"But it is." He pulled back to look at her. "It's so right that it hurts. I want you, Merida. I want you now."

"Is this the curse making ye do this?"

"No. Believe me. Being with you was there long before the curse stuck it's nose in my business... but I admit, it's helping it along. Drinking helps..."

"Shut up." She said, putting her hand on his mouth. "Are ye sure? This may mess things up."

Higgs walked her backwards as he reached up and grabbed the pins holding her hair up, letting each tendril fall down in wild abandon. Once their legs hit the bed, he touched his finger to her cheek softly.

"Drunk or sober, I don't think I've ever been more sure in my life than right now... but if you feel like this isn't to your liking-"

Merida jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waste, kissing him passionately. He grinned and began to promptly undo her dress.

++++++++++++++++

hehe kinky... to be honest, i'm not the sex scene type of person. i like the foreplay and the lead up but i don't need to see dick and vag to satisfy my pleasure. i think a nice cut scene leaves more to the imagination. maybe it's because i'm not experienced but i mean... i just feel there's no need.