Mr. Enzo Winchester

Edgar O'Connor had come to Bartholomew Fair for the same reason most of London had come: because it was the most exciting thing happening, aside from the Ton's gossip about young people's love lives. Edgar moved through the crowd with a grin, coat unbuttoned, hair wind-tossed, one hand curled around a paper packet of sugared almonds he had not paid nearly enough attention to keep from spilling. Somewhere behind him a fortune teller was calling him troubled. Somewhere ahead, a painter outside the scandalous little tent was promoting his artwork. Edgar, naturally, walked toward the painter.

He had only paused to admire a canvas that would have sent half the matrons of Mayfair into apoplexy when something small and golden dropped from the tent's awning and landed neatly in his palm. A token. Edgar looked at it, then up at the lantern-strung chaos around him, his smile slow and immediate. Before he could decide whether to redeem it, steal away with it, or wager it on the nearest impossible game, he became aware of someone standing close beside him. Edgar turned, holding the token between two fingers, eyes bright with mischief. "Tell me honestly," he said, "do you think this wins a prize, or have I just been selected for some type of public humiliation show?"

Enzo's entire face lit up as his best friend turned around. He surely could have not expected to see him there. Enzo had been quite secretive about his return to London. It wasn't that he was trying to hide it from Edgar, just the rest of the ton. In fact, Edgar was perhaps the only person he felt like he could truly be himself around. His old self. Before responsibility, gossip, and the duty of fatherhood caught up with him.

"If it is a humiliation ritual, then you shall be the perfect candidate. I hear you excel at making a complete fool of yourself." He let out a low chuckle before dragging him into a hug, his hand patting the back of his shoulder. "It is good to see you again, brother."

Instead of pulling away, he wrapped his arm around the back of his shoulder and began leading him further into the tent with its scandalous paintings. His other hand picked a sugared almond out of his paper packet.

"Now tell me, why did I have to hear from Lady Whistledown that my best friend was... how did she put it..." He put on a theatrical feminine voice. "Was seen alone with not just one princess, but two."

He finally stepped aside, watching him, and there was a slight of judgment and worry underneath. He knew Edgar, he knew his heart. Yes, he had taken certain liberties, but not like this. "Truly, Eddie? Two princesses? Are you trying to get yourself beheaded?"

open starter for anyone in THETONHQ! // THE BARTHOLOMEW FAIR

Enzo was happy to hear that a fair was taking place upon his return to society. Perhaps that would allow him to go somewhat unnoticed. Six years ago, Enzo would have welcomed the attention. He would have reveled in it. Especially if it would help him get his art noticed. Yet he knew that it was just a matter of time before the infamous Lady Whistledown would write about his return. After all, he was an heir, if he decided to marry again. And before he ran off with his bride after a rushed engagement, Enzo was even a desirable match, if he did say so himself.

He had noticed the looks of desperate mamas as he made his way around the fair. He could see them whispering to one another. Talking about his return, no doubt. Or about the rumors surely swirling around about who had fathered his daughter. Enzo felt a deep dread and rage in the pit of his stomach. His daughter, once she was old enough, would have to face the same rumors and gossip that he had faced about his own upbringing. The irony was not lost on him.

And so, the widower had sought retreat in the Menagerie of Curiosities. It was quite fitting, as he himself felt like a curiosity. A man who had been missing for six years, who returned as a completely new person. Well and truly inside, he found a crowd of people who had gathered around an exceptionally large cage. Enzo stepped through the crowd to observe. Only one woman had dared to truly step up to the cage, and he could tell why.