Standing in the large garden behind Edward Gorman's home, Walter Bennet tried with difficulty to control his facial expressions. As he scanned the partygoers, he could feel his lip curling in contempt. And based on some of their expressions, they were quite aware of his disapproval. He wanted to spit and shout when they looked back at him with their own measure of displeasure but that wouldn't do, not for a Lord. So he continued warring with himself in spite of himself.

When he was a boy, in his teens, social affairs were something different. The parties that young Walter Bennet were invited to had a better clas...