Charlie looked up when John stood and tried not to chuckle. It was his distinct displeasure that he was not as intoxicated as everyone else in the room. But he had drunk only a little punch, worried that he might overindulge and embarrass himself. Now, with the tassel of a fez nearly hitting Saville in the eye, Charlie wished that he were drunk. He nodded and managed to keep his face deadly serious. "I understand," he murmured. Charlie did his best to appear eager and docile. He could not help but glance over, curious to see what role the rest of the group, particularly Allaster, might have in this tableau.
One of the men stood and swaggered over to his chair. Upon hearing the first of his tasks, Charlie had to smile. It would not be a challenge nor an embarrassment to kiss each of the men here. He glanced over at Allaster and decided to leave him for last.
Charlie stood and smoothed his trousers as he took a moment to compose himself. He lifted his head, looked around the room and squared his shoulders. "Oh, great king and most revered assembled party," he began with a booming voice. "I appear to you today as a humble penitent might appear before a sacred fountain of life. I shall endeavor to live up to my tasks and to prove myself an eager squire." Charlie was certain that he was a bit exaggerated, but this was his moment to perform. He strode over to the man stretched across the settee and leaned over. His stomach churned with anticipation as he brushed his lips against Alec's. Charlie hoped his first act as a squire would not involve bloodshed.