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“It was simply dreadful, the way those wicked, wicked old women handled me.” Agatha recounted the grueling details of her experience with customs earlier that day to Miles as she chose one of his eye shadows to match her outfit for Archie Schwert’s party that evening. She had her own at home, of course, but Miles had a far better selection. Besides, if there was anyone she needed to share her story with (not that she would object to telling anyone who would listen), it was definitely Miles. “Too shaming. Made me feel like a criminal, and for what? Trousers? It isn’t any of their business what I wear.”
“How completely horrid, my dear, I’m so sorry. Will you notify the papers?”
“I already have. They said they’d have it printed tomorrow, front page.”
“Good for you. They shan’t get away with this unscathed.” Miles browsed through his shadows and chose a pretty blue for himself. He sighed. “I wish we’d had more excitement around here like you did. You really didn’t miss much while you were away.”
“What about that Inferno Party? I heard newsboys from the Daily Excess shouting about it outside but I didn’t get a chance to find out more.”
“I’ve got a copy here.” Miles retrieved the paper from his nightstand and handed it to her. “Too dull, darling, believe me. Nina and I couldn't stop lamenting what a bore it was. Honestly, you should thank me you weren’t there.”
Agatha viewed the headlining photographs. “I say, Miles, you’ve made the front page again!” she declared, referring to a picture of Miles with his arm around a young man. "‘Raising eyebrows: The Hon. Miles Maitland and friend.’ Who is this ‘friend’, exactly?”
“Oh, that. Just some boy I bumped into at the party, I had a lovely chat with him. I just hope Margot doesn’t see it sober, otherwise, I won’t hear the end of it.” It was bad enough that his mother policed his appearance at her parties - he didn't need her criticism of how he lived or behaved on his own, nor her threats to cut him off financially.
“You don’t think someone could turn you in from this picture alone, do you?”
“Circumstantial evidence, darling. There’s no crime against simply standing next to another boy. It wouldn’t hold up in court.”
“Just the same, I’d hate something dreadful happening to you – you really ought to be more careful.”
“We certainly were once everyone left.”
Agatha eyed him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Miles smiled. “Mother shouldn’t kiss and tell, dearest. What I can say is that the picture caught us just before my hair and lip paint were simply ruined for the evening.”
~*~*~
The night before, chaos ensued as guests at the Inferno Party chased out the photo rat identified by Simon. Some tried to run after him, but most of the partygoers decided to call it a night and go home. There was no need to stay out any later now that they knew for sure they would be featured in the paper by morning.
“We should leave,” said Miles’ companion of the evening – Henry, he believed it was. He was supposed to be getting Nina a drink, but he’d forgotten all about it when he came across Henry. She probably didn’t want it anymore anyway.
“Now?” Miles pouted, taking Henry’s hand. “But the evening’s just begun, darling, and there’s so much we don’t know about one another.”
“Everyone else is leaving, aren’t they?”
“We don’t need them to get better acquainted.”
“But the rat–”
“The rat is gone.” Miles looked into Henry’s eyes with a certain twinkle and stroked his hand. “Now the mice can play.”
“I thought it was the cat that went away. I don’t think rats–”
Miles interrupted Henry as he guided two of his fingers into his mouth. Henry’s eyes widened and he watched with bated breath as his fingers slid in and out of Miles’ dark lips contrasting against the crimson lights. Miles closed his eyes with a gentle moan that vibrated against Henry's digits, then opened those luscious lashes slowly, strategically. As he drew them out of his mouth, a small trail of drool remained. “Oh dear,” he tisked, claiming the air of innocence, “how clumsy of me, let me clean that off for you.” His tongue returned to Henry’s fingers as he lapped up the excess spit. “That’s better. I’m sorry, darling, you were saying?”
Henry tried to recollect his thoughts but found none of them would come out properly.
“You mentioned something about a cat, did you not?” Miles asked. “It appears to have gotten your tongue. Why don’t we take this somewhere… private where we can look for it, yes?”
Henry swallowed and nodded eagerly.
~*~*~
“Miles, darling, are you honestly trying to tell me that a man took your picture – a picture that could potentially ruin your life – and instead of fleeing the scene, you chose to… pardon me saying this… shag this Henry fellow?”
“It wasn’t a full shag. I might pleasure someone else, but the rest of me is all for Tiger. If the body is a temple, I’ve only room for one worshiper to come inside.”
“Nonetheless… I hardly think that was the most appropriate time for it, don’t you?”
“What can I say? Mother has her cravings.” Miles gasped and took Agatha’s hand to his stomach. “Perhaps I’m with child! Oh, how exciting! Tiger and I have been trying for months now, you know.”
Agatha rolled her eyes and took away her hand to hit his shoulder. “Honestly, Miles, you’re wicked!”
“Aren’t I?” he smirked.
Agatha shook her head. “How does Tiger feel about you fooling around with other men?”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Besides, I get so terribly peckish when he’s away, and that night I was practically skin and bones.” He wiped excess lip paint from a corner of his mouth. “I do miss him so, I’m simply a mess without him. Really, Aggie darling, you should see my letters – oh, how blush-making, as you’d say! Anyway, I’m only practicing for when he returns to me. You will keep your lips sealed, yes?”
“Certainly better than you can.”
Miles narrowed his eyes toward her, a knowing smile creeping across his face. “I’m sure you would’ve understood the pure lust that washed over me when I saw this boy… but then again, perhaps not.”
While Agatha rarely spoke of it herself, there was a curious question as to where her romantic interests lay. The only men she’d been tied to were ones she’d been caught in photographs with for Mr. Chatterbox, none of whom she ever fancied or even knew to begin with. The few times it came up in conversation, she either brushed it off or claimed too many men were far too immature and such a waste of time. But Miles had other suspicions…
“Are you quite finished? If you keep this up, we’ll be late, and you know how Archie gets.”
Neither Miles nor Agatha actually knew Archie very well to begin with — he was still quite new to their circle. From the few interactions they did have, Miles could tell Archie wouldn’t even notice if they were late with how many people were attending, so long as they did show up, but he dropped the subject just the same. He’d find out the truth from her some way or another. “Very well,” he said instead, completing his ensemble with an earring that Margot thought she threw out because she couldn’t find the other, “how do I look?”
“Simply marvelous!” Agatha squealed. “Now let’s go!”
They joined arms and Agatha rushed the both of them out the door – so much so that she didn’t even notice she’d left her latch key on his table.