This was one of the many family dinners that Gerald had hosted for his family. Alice and their mother was always welcome for a visit, and Will was tolerated to a certain degree. Gerald knew how to act like a proper young man. There were ladies present after all. So far the evening was going quite well. Alice expressing how well the children were doing, which was good. The child would have a governess soon, which was good to hear. Education was always ideal for the young. It taught them their place in the world, wherever that might be for each child. The idea of having his own child was in his mind more and more as the days went on, though he didn't want to make too much of a proclamation, not wanting to look like a fool for his younger age than others who begin their wife search.

"I went to a wonderful party last night. Many wonderful young ladies were there. Were you there, William? I didn't see you among the crowd." Mother did want Will to participate in the events more. And without a job, it must have been far more easy to attend party after party. He did wonder how the wife search was going for the oldest of the family. Mother seemed to focus more on the conversation as she looked between the two of them.