Re: Bryony and open
It was another one of those command performance sorts of things. Rich's mother had commanded him to attend the funeral and represent the family. Most likely because the Flints and the Summerbys had never really traveled in the same social circles. He and Marcus had at least gone to the same school, more or less together. That way Pureblood tradition would be upheld, sort of, anyway. To be honest, for all Richard knew, his mother might have been glad the woman was dead, but those traditions still had to be upheld. It was a bloody bore, one of those things you had to do, complete with looking a little sad, keeping that traditional British stiff upper lip at the loss.
So, looking suitably solemn, Rich made the rounds of the gathering in the ballroom, offering subdued greetings and condolences as appropriate while nursing a large bourbon, which was, at least, top shelf. He noticed Bryony standing a little by herself, and stopped at a polite distance to exchange a silent acknowledgement, or conversation if she desired. One never knew at these sorts of things.