Edward is caught up in commotion - stay in the background.

By the time you reached the dining room, conversation had all but ceased.

Several guests stood frozen where they were, glasses still in hand.

Others watched with poorly concealed curiosity.

At the centre of the room stood Sir Edward and Nathaniel Blackwood.

Neither man raised his voice.

The restraint somehow made the exchange all the more uncomfortable.

"You overstep yourself, Blackwood."

Edward's tone remained calm.

Blackwood answered with the faintest smile.

"I merely expressed an opinion."

"You challenged Lord Ashcombe in his own house."

"I challenged a decision. There is a difference."

The room fell silent.

Lord Ashcombe stood nearby with an expression that betrayed little, though the tension in his shoulders was difficult to miss.

You remained where you were.

Every instinct urged you to step closer to Edward.

Instead, you quietly moved towards one of the sideboards and occupied yourself arranging a few glasses that required no arranging at all.

A valet who attracted attention was rarely doing his job properly.

The gentlemen would settle this amongst themselves.

Edward and Blackwood exchanged a few more measured words before the conversation finally drew to a close.

Blackwood gave a curt nod.

"If you'll excuse me."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away.

Only then did the room begin to breathe again.

Lord Ashcombe forced a weary smile.

"I believe luncheon has waited quite long enough."

A few nervous laughs followed.

Guests gradually returned to their seats, eager to pretend nothing unusual had happened.

You quietly resumed your duties.

Sir Edward took his place at the table without comment.

He appeared no more flustered than if the disagreement had never occurred.

The meal passed in relative peace.

Conversations slowly returned, though they remained noticeably more subdued than usual.

You caught more than one guest glancing towards Blackwood before quickly looking elsewhere.

Whatever had been said, it had left an impression.

As luncheon drew to a close, Sir Edward rose.

Together, you left the dining room behind.

The argument had come and gone.

Whether it would truly be forgotten, however, was another matter entirely.