Chapter Text
Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Chessum was a curious man. A very curious man... in multiple senses of the word. For over a hundred years, he had kept his curiosity pushed down... but tonight, finally, he could no longer control it. The current owners of Woodstone were throwing a party, and though they were not explicitly invited, Nigel knew he, Baxter, and Lieutenant Jenkins would not be kicked out of the mansion for simply enjoying the atmosphere. Who doesn't love a good party?! Tonight, Nigel was determined to find out more about Captain Isaac Higgintoot. And what better way than to ask the people who lived with him and presumably knew him best?
Evening was rapidly settling over Woodstone, and the air was brisk, but not unpleasantly cold. Nigel stood a good distance away from the main entrance, lest he get walked through by approaching guests. It had only happened to him a couple times in the past, and it was awful, no, excruciating every time. He watched the guests, vaguely staring at them in their finery, letting his mind wander. He recalled a few formal military events from his time, seeing the handsome soldiers all dressed up, hoping to meet the lovely daughter of someone higher-ranking than themselves. Nigel himself had stayed more to the corners, away from the crowd, simply enjoying the view ('just like tonight,' he thought sardonically to himself). Speaking of handsome soldiers, he suddenly spotted Captain Higgintoot, the very man he sought to learn more about tonight. He was strolling towards the mansion, chatting with the lady of the house, Henrietta Woodstone. Her arm was linked onto the captain's, and they both were smiling, clearly having a good conversation. For some reason, it warmed Nigel's heart to see the man acting so gentlemanly, so chivalrous, even if it wasn't towards him. Nigel smiled softly to himself, and realized most of the guests were already inside, leaving him fairly exposed. Of course, as luck would have it, Captain Higgintoot did notice Nigel standing alone, looking somewhat of a creep, near the entrance of the house, just standing there alone, smiling to himself. From the distance they were at, Captain Higgintoot paused, said something to Henrietta, and they both looked at him, their smiles dropping, which in turn caused Nigel's to falter as well. Nigel's mouth opened to protest, but of course, he was too far away to say anything to them, so he simply stood there, slack-jawed, awkward, and alone. Isaac gave a stiff, swift nod to Nigel, and the pair vanished into the house through an exterior wall. 'Damn it!' Thought Nigel. This was not the way he wanted this evening to begin. Sighing wearily, he headed towards the house, following the last pair of guests who had arrived a few moments ago. He grimaced as the heavy front door swung shut behind them and in Nigel's face, even though he was able to simply walk through it.
Inside was a flurry of activity. Maids, servants, and guests alike all fluttered around. Live music filled the air, a beautiful string ensemble. Women and men dressed exquisitely enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, chatting amongst themselves in smaller groups. Nigel smiled fondly again, his resolve quickly returning. He did love a good party, and the Woodstones certainly knew how to throw one. The music was especially nice, in his opinion, and felt a bit nostalgic, as he'd been raised playing classical violin. Of course, he still couldn't let himself get too carried away or too distracted... there were a lot of people around, and he could easily get walked through at any moment. He quickly ducked past a group of women, pausing by them just long enough to overhear their conversation. Parties and gossip were two things he loved.
"Did you see Georgia's gown?" One woman exclaimed, sounded scandalized. Nigel wondered who Georgia was, and why her gown would warrant such a tone.
"Absolutely scandalous!!" Another chirped.
"So much leg exposed!" A third woman replied. Ahh, there is was. Nigel rolled his eyes. If death had taught him anything, it was that there are matters far worse than a bit of bare skin.
"Well, she is trying to woo Mr. Woodstone's son, after all!"
"Oh, which one?" Nigel didn't linger long enough to hear the answer, and he didn't care at this point. He continued to a less busy part of the house, near the string ensemble, hoping to get a glimpse of the performers. He absentmindedly wondered if any of them were attractive. He would be willing to wager at least one of them would be... and there was something to be said about a man with excellent taste in music and was good with his hands on a beautiful piece of wood. But also he needed to find Thorfinn, the Viking fellow, and Sasappis, the Lenape gentleman, to ask their opinions and knowledge of Captain Higgintoot. What kind of gossip or knowledge did they have about him? And Henrietta, her too... though it might be hard to find her alone, without the captain himself present. He did seem to see them together quite often. Was he wrong about Captain Higgintoot's inclination? Did he perhaps prefer the company of women, and Nigel had been reading him wrong the past 100 years or so, during their limited interactions? It was possible! Nigel prided himself on being very observant, but he had, truth be told, misread a few situations from time to time in his day. He shook his head slightly, clearing his thoughts, and carefully picked his way through the crowd until he found the source of music. He hid behind several living men, who were gathered around, drinking, chatting, and maybe vaguely watching the performers. He peered past them... oh yes, the cellist and the violinist were both very handsome. Even if his mission tonight was a failure, he had least had something to think about later and enjoy. He smiled slightly to himself, watching the violinist in particular. After a moment, out of the corner of his eye, somehow, impossibly in this sea of people all moving and chatting, something, no, someone caught his eye. As always, it was Captain Higgintoot. How did this man perpetually catch his attention?! Even in this busy, bustling room full of lively people and live music! Sighing perhaps a little too longingly, he shifted so he was more hidden behind the livings, so Isaac wouldn't notice him. He took a break from watching the violinist to... well, to watching Isaac. What would he give his attention to? He followed the man's gaze. Oh. Yes. Also the violinist. At least that gave Nigel some reassurance that Isaac was in fact fond of attractive men. And apparently they had similar taste, which also might be a good sign. Oh! But since Isaac was standing alone, this might be a perfect opportunity to go find Henrietta and talk to her alone, without Isaac present! As much as he hated to leave the scene, he did have a mission he wanted to accomplish. One last glance to the handsome, lonely captain... those soft, sweet hazel eyes, almost shyly following the movement of the musician's hands made Nigel's heart melt a little more. He wondered briefly if Isaac himself was ever a musician. He wouldn't mind seeing Isaac's elegant hands caressing some other wood. He grinned at his own little joke, and stole one last glance at the violinist as well. Hmm... he suddenly didn't seem as lovely when Isaac was also nearby. Sighing one more time, he turned and quickly left the space, in hopes of finding Henrietta Woodstone.