The Dowager sat across from Abdul Walli Wud. Even with the space of twelve spinning candleabras and the china with the disaproving faces it still seemed far too intimate for her. If her father had only seen this. Uppity bog people, science disproving angels, and now this across from this man whose name sounded as if a child was having a seizure with a mouth full of grapes. I must make sure he doesn't mistake any of the draperies for his evening suit. She almost laughed inside and put her napkin up to her mouth. No that would never do she coughed a little. She wondered if el Walli Wud was using a napkin and she wondered how one could even tell. She almost laughed again and checked her wine glass thinking she may have had a sip too many.
Abdul's dark eyes were darting about the dinning hall. She had seated him next to the most colonel in the service and her most flatuent distant cousin. But even still Abdul was ripping through the carefully crafted and finely honed stuffiness. He was aware of his alieness and was careful not to alienate but at the same time never appeared to be shrinking into one of the countesses diminutive breeding experiments.
It was at least a time when she could appreciate her age. As she watched Abdul from across the table she saw the sly smirk of his lips and the quick dark pools of his eyes that some how despite their color transmitted a lightness that was almost ethereal. All things have a place and when the flesh is no longer soft it must stay hard. As the kore that hold up the parthenon. The aged must stand firm while the young flesh squibles about and when they finally recoil in shame then they shall take the place. And with any luck like the Kore of Greece may she one day be retired to the British Museums permanent collection. She could see that smile of his. The sly boy thought he could pry the world open with a look and maybe he could to most it was entirely possible the whole world has lost its head.
"Yes my dear, once, when Gilbert was still alive, we traveled to Constantinoble. He was research a branch of his family tree that he believied had fled after the fall of the empire. "
"Oh! yes my lady then you have been to the east."
"Yes you can tell that the Hagia Sophia must have, at one time, been a very lovely place."
"Yes outstanding a true jewel! I was wondering if you have ever traveled abroad, I noticed you must not be aware of our peculiar habit of not eating pork. I have noticed that every dish is largely pork based."
"Why! Abdul Walli Wud, I am ever so sorry. I am sure I had mentioned it to Maurice, I don't know why he didn't adjust the menu. He must've been to busy it has been the harvest time for us. It is habit, that is just how we do things here."
"Madame don't think any more of it. As it happens this is earlier then I am accustomed to dine and in fact I was worried I would have to feign an appetite. But the whole reason for these dinners is for the company and for your immense hospitality I propose a toast. You see I do not share all the asceticism of my country men, to Downtown Abbey!"
"To Downtown Abbey!"
As the glasses clinked the waitstaff brought out desert, pistachios and figs suspended in a pork lard.
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