A Young Man of Most Gentlemanlike Appearance
Chapter seven – Sean!!! Super awkward. Lots of awkward pauses. Charles knows it would be a good deal to marry Sean but cannot imagine living with him/being married for the rest of their lives. Wants better for himself, even if he’s risking great poverty.
“I hope, my dear,” said Mr. Xavier to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, “that you have ordered a good dinner today, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.”
“Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure, unless dear Moira should happen to call in—and I hope my dinners are good enough for her.”
“The person of whom I speak is a gentleman, and a relative stranger.”
Raven cried, “It is surely Mr Howlett!”
“A gentleman and a stranger! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr Howlett and have a dinner arranged for him!”
“It is not Mr. Howlett,” said her husband; “it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life.”
“Pardon?” asked Hank.
“What can you mean?” cried Charles.
Amused by everyone's attention, Mr Xavier said, “About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Cassidy, who, when I am
dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.”
“Oh! my dear,” cried his wife, “I cannot bear to hear that men tioned. Pray do not talk of that odious Alpha. I do think it is the hardest
thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your
own children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I should have tried long
ago to do something or other about it.”
Charles sighed and looked at Hank.
They had often attempted explain entailment to their mother before, but it was a subject on which
Mrs. Xavier was beyond the reach of reason, and she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of three omegas, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.
”An affair entirely immoral,” said Mr. Xavier, “and yet nothing can clear Mr. Cassidy from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself.”
“No, I am sure I shall not; and I think it is very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could he not keep on quarreling with you, as his father did before him?”
Charles sighed.
“Why, indeed; he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that head, as you will hear.”
“Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent,
15th October.
“Dear Sir,—
“The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance. But recently have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lord Sebastian Shaw.
I confess I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable children, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends—but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’ennight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lord Shaw is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.—I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and young omegas, your well-wisher and friend,
“Sean Cassidy”
“At four o’clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making gentleman,” said Mr. Xavier, as he folded up the letter. “He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my word, and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lord Shaw should be so indulgent as to let him come to us again.”
“There is some sense in what he says about the children, however, and
if he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to discourage him,” said their mother, surprisingly sensibly.
“Though it is difficult,” said Hank, “to guess in what way he can mean to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is certainly to his credit.”
Charles was chiefly struck by his extraordinary deference for Lord Shaw, and his kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying his parishioners whenever it were required. “He has rather a pompous style,” remarked Charles. “And what can he mean by apologising for the entail? He seems a strange man.”
The letter was of little interest to Raven. “A clergyman!” she exclaimed.
“Certainly he will not arrive in a dashing scarlet soldier’s coat to whisk you away,” Charles said teasingly.
Mr. Cassidy was punctual to his time, and was received with great politeness by the whole family.
Mr. Xavier indeed said little; but the children were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Cassidy seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself. He was a slender young alpha of five-and-twenty, with bright red hair and striking blue eyes. His manners were very formal. He had not been long
seated before he complimented Mrs. Xavier on having so fine a family
of omegas; said he had heard much of their beauty, but that in this
instance fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did not
doubt her seeing them all in due time disposed of in marriage.
Mrs. Xavier answered most readily, “You are very kind, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may prove so, for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly.”
“You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate.”
“Ah! Ma’am, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor children, you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with you, for such things I know are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed.”
“I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young omegas that I come
prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more; but, perhaps,
when we are better acquainted—”
He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and Hank and Charles smiled
at each other.
During dinner, Mr. Xavier scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patron.
Lord Sebastian Shaw’s attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Xavier could not have chosen better. Mr. Cassidy was eloquent in his praise.
“That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,” said Mrs. Xavier, “and I dare say he is a very agreeable man. It is only a pity that great alphas in general are not more like him. Does he live near you, sir?”
“The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, his lordship’s residence.”
“I think you said he was a widow, sir? Has he any family?”
“He has only one omega son, the heir of Rosings, and of very extensive property.”
“Ah!” said Mrs. Xavier, shaking her head, “then he is better off than many omegas. And what sort of young man is he? Is he handsome?”
“Jason Wyngard Shaw is a most charming young man indeed. Lord Sebastian himself says that, in point of true beauty, young Mr Shaw is far superior to the handsomest of his sex, because there is that in his features which marks the young omega of distinguished birth.”
Bored with this conversation, Charles excused himself. Mr Cassidy certainly can talk, he thought to himself. I hope he will not stay long.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Raven planned to walk to the village, and the others decided to accompany her, chaperoned by Mr Cassidy, whom Mr Xavier was anxious to have out of his library. In observations on his side, and civil assents on that of his cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton.
A new muslin in a shop window caught Raven’s eye, and the party paused so that she might admire it, but she was quickly distracted, for who should appear but Officer Le Beau, in his splendid red coat and regimental decorations.
A new young man in town, of most gentlemanlike appearance, was walking with the officer. He bowed as they passed him, and caught Charles’ eye with a smile; Charles felt himself flush. Raven immediately hatched a plan to feign interest in something back across the street, and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Officer Le Beau introduced them; the man’s name was Azazel, who had just accepted a commision to their corps. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he was a tall man, with fine bone structure and glinting dark eyes. He smiled again at Charles. Thank goodness I am wearing my navy coat, Charles thought to himself. I hope it does bring out my eyes. He smiled back beatifically.
The introduction was followed up on Azazel’s side by a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Logan Howlett and Erik Lensherr were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the omegas of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. Mr Howlett was the principal spokesman, and Hank Xavier the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Lensherr corroborated it with a bow, and was clearly determining not to fix his eyes on Charles, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Charles happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other; and was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Azazel after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Lensherr just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know. In another minute, Mr. Howlett, but without seeming to have noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with his friend. Officer LeBeau and Azazel walked with the Charles, Hank and Raven to the door of Mr. Phillip’s house, and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Raven’s pressing entreaties that they should come in, and even in spite of Mrs. Phillips’s throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the invitation.
Some of them were to dine with the Phillipses the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Azazel and Remy, and give them an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Phillips protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr. Cassidy repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless. As they walked home, Charles related to Hank what had seen pass between the two gentlemen; but though Hank would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, he could no more explain such behaviour than his brother.