Donot own rights to kuro, story is fan made for fun

Thanks to ladymadland for the kind review.

short transitional chapter Lizzy and Grey interaction will be in the next chapter.

Lord Charles Grey sipped his tea ever so elegantly in the plush lounge of The Royal Health Club & Gymnasium. His pewter eyes darted over the newest print of the society section. "Aw more engagements" he mused aloud while reading the happy news of London's rich. Just as he finished his last drop of tea, Charles felt a firm grip on his shoulder. Quickly turning with annoyance, he met the small smile of his Partner and friend Charles Phipps. "I say Grey didn't you hear me call your name?" "No." sharply replied Grey. "I see." "You... weren't day dreaming again, were you old friend?""Perchance thoughts of a beautiful smiling blond?" "Don't be ridiculous" huffed Grey with a squaring of his shoulders. "May I join you?" inquired Phipps with a polite smile. "Of course" replied Grey with a wave of his hand followed by the flush of his lace sleeve, "please sit".

"So tell me Lord Grey have you devised a plan to capture your bride yet?" "Ballocks!" remarked the young lord a hair to loudly catching the eye of a disapproving patron. "Oh dear touchy today aren't we?" Chided Phipps as he smoothed his lapels. "Why it is Phipps that the only time you show an ounce of humor is to make ridiculous claims at my expense?" Phipps being prepared for his rowdy partners retort had already began to lazily glance over the day's news. He eyed his fellow butler over his paper for a long moment before saying "have you tired speaking to her again?" Such memories of said encounter had the silver haired man deeply exhaling with a wilting of his shoulders. "Yes but it's difficult, she isn't interested in more than straightforward pleasantries." "It's like she's purposely thwarting me." "Perhaps Lady Elizabeth thinks you're insane?" "Why on earth would she think that?" "How dare you make such a claim a Phipps, without backing it up?" "Well for starters not but an hour ago you were practically hiding behind drapes spying on her, as she warmed up for her afternoon match." "Oh and let me tell you dear boy if that was your idea of being inconspicuous our magnificent Queen should have you drawn and quartered!" "Even Lord Blackburn caught you leering and he's nearly daft from old age."

Grey shot from his seat in protest and ground out between remarkably taut jaws, what sounded like "absolute bloody lies all of it!" The younger butler's outburst was answered by Phipps giving him a firm tug on the wrist. "Calm down Charles put the bravado aside now, sit and talk to me truly." With a flare of indignation followed by resignation Grey complied."Now honestly man have you tried getting to her threw her own people?" Furrowing his porcelain brow Grey reluctantly explained to Phipps the difficulty in doing just that as Elizabeth had greatly scaled down her social circle after Phantomhives passing.

"How about her brother Lord Edward?" Queried Phipps with a sip of his tea. "Edward…"The name rolled of Greys tongue like sand paper. "He's a bit off when it comes to his sister, wouldn't you say?" With a roll of his eyes and a nod of his head Phipps agreed. "Well how about that ridiculous prince Lady Elizabeth palls around with?" "He seems to accompany her at social gatherings from time to time." "I understand they have been close for a number of years." "The price is known to claim a close relationship with the late Earl and as I understand it inherited his town house after the young Lords passing."

"Ahhhh Grumbled Grey. "He's twice as insane as Phantomhive and Edward combined." "I honestly think he's completely certifiable, too much indulgence if you ask me." "Quite" replied Phipps with a small weary frown. "None the less the prince is rather close to Lady Elizabeth and he's known for loving a party." "You may want to extend the society olive branch, it just might come in handy to befriend him." "Lady Elizabeth would approve of the gesture at the very least I'm sure." "Those to being so close and all, I assume he's been her shoulder to cry on."

Phipps paused for a moment with a noticeable raise of his right eye brow. "Say Charles you don't think the cheerful prince has ever taken your Lizzy for a few solid rolls in the hay do you?" "WHAT!" Shouted Grey with such gusto and flourish he spilled Phipps tea all over the peach table linens. With hearty laughter from Phipps Charles's furious demeanor simmered down to an icy level. Grey sent his horrid partner piercing death stares, until Phipps spoke. "Oh come on now Charles it was just a joke in good conscience, a bit of fun nothing more." "Why?" Grey asked words dripping with loathing. "I simply can't help it in all the years I have known you only jabs about Lady Elizabeth Midford get you going." "When you were a boy I couldn't help but tease you about how much better Elizabeth was with a sword." "That fact frustrated you to know end and know its ten times worse that you've fallen for her many charms." "Not even the cruelest of grand inquisitors could get the same reactions out of your calculated disposition." "It's really just too easy!" Grey was left defeated and slumped over the thick upholstery of his arm chair, while Phipps's poorly muffled laughter filled the lounge.