Tristan let out a short laugh, partly out of relief. He visibly relaxed. "Well, I should hope so."

Should he? Wasn't Tristan against drunkenness? He seemed to have forgotten all about that as a result of several glasses of wine and the eagerness and hope of a budding friendship.

"If you're done eating, why don't we take 'em back into the sitting room. Or you can bring your plate, if you aren't choosy about such things. Seems smart to make our way there while we still can." He gave the Earl a convivial wink.