Kurt Hummel turned toward the voice calling him to find the bright face of Rachel Berry making her way through the Saturday bustle of Market Street.

“Hello, Miss Berry. I’m afraid I’ve not idea what you are talking about, which surely means that I have not ‘heard.’” Kurt said with his usual cool air. Miss Berry huffed in exasperation, stomping her foot in a most undignified manner.

“Well if only you paid a bit more attention to the word about the neighbourhood, then you might have already known what I’m about to tell you!”

Miss Berry was always berating Kurt about not being in the know about local gossip, but Kurt had quickly learned to brush her frustrations with him aside; she was a naturally temperamental sort of person anyway and never truly satisfied. It wasn’t that Kurt was disinterested in the matter, it was simply that he was more interested in hearing about the latest fashion trends in London than who that cork-brained (although admittedly beautiful and well-intentioned) girl, Brittany Pierce, was courting at the time.

“Well,” Kurt said as he and Miss Berry walked into the tailor’s shop, “Since I do not already know what it is that you’re about to tell me, perhaps you ought to inform me.”

Miss Berry’s eyes shown with a spark that only a tantalizing bit of gossip could ignite.

“A man is moving here to Berkwood!”

“I suppose new blood is always a benefit to this dangerously small town, but I don’t see why this news should give you such giddiness.” Kurt remarked, running his fingers along some very fine linen.

“He’s very rich, unwed, and,” she sighed distantly, “he is purported to be very handsome.”

Kurt crooked a practiced eyebrow at her.

“I’m still at a loss as to why this man should be of any interest to me.”

Miss Berry heaved an irritated sigh, “Oh, you are absolutely no fun. He’s come from London, so I thought perhaps you might know him.”

“Well give me his name, dear Rachel, and I may be able to confirm an acquaintance.”

“Mister Blaine Anderson. I understand that the senior Mister Anderson is something of a nabob, having gained much of his fortune through the spice trade in India.”

“I’ve heard of Mister Anderson. Indeed, he is near infamous in London for his wealth.”

They left the shop with nothing but the feel of silk on their fingertips and Kurt’s mind buzzing with thoughts of all the fashions everyone much be sporting in London.

“So then, have you met him?” Miss Berry asked enthusiastically, trailing along behind him.

“Oh certainly not. I am not of high enough status to move in that circle.” Kurt said bitterly. “I’ve heard of his sons, but have never had the honour of being acquainted with either of them.”

“Oh! there are two sons?” Miss Berry exclaimed with excitement, linking her arm through the crook of Kurt’s elbow.

“From what I’ve heard, yes. But I’m not sure I quite understand why this is so consequential to you. Have your affections for Mister Hudson faded so greatly since the departure of his regiment that you’ve set yourself up to peruse other available men?”

Miss Berry’s face faltered rapidly as she stuttered, trying to both reaffirm her love of one Mister Finn Hudson, a close family friend of the Hummels and a soldier in the militia, while explaining that “there is no harm in allowing myself to enjoy the fantasy of a more prudent marriage.”

Kurt merely smiled as Miss Berry stumbled her way toward trying to rescue her dignity.

“Well, whatever your reasons for taking such an interest in Mister Anderson, as I said, I have no acquaintance with him or any of his relations, so I will not be able to introduce him to you. Perhaps your father should pay him a visit.”

“Oh! but Kurt,” Miss Berry all but begged, tugging on Kurt’s sleeve. “You know very well that my family does not stand near so well as his, or yours for that matter! You ought to pay him a visit when he arrives. Your family is not so very poor, so it would not seem impudent to visit him; in fact it may be rude of you not to!” she cried hopefully.

Kurt resisted the the strong urge to roll his eyes at the girl hanging off his arm.

“Miss Berry, I shall make no such visit to Mister Anderson, unless I some other circumstances utterly insist upon it.”

“Oh!” Miss Berry cried, “Why not?”

“Because, Miss Berry,” Kurt said sharply, breaking away from her grasp to face her, “I have absolutely no interest in Mister Anderson.”

And with that, Kurt bid her good-day and walked back to Hummel Lodge alone.