Mayfair

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: William Slade

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Rueben felt Evelina's body become less tense as her shoulders relaxed, once William's tone calmed a bit more and assured her that he would see it later tonight. A smile returned to her lips, knowing that she would be able to make her uncle smile a little later. But, somehow she knew not to say anything, the tension filling the room as Rueben watched his brother. His observant ways noticing how tightly William gripped the neck of the bottle, his words not yelled but strong in authority. This demand, was precisely why Rueben had left his family and saw to his own business and acquirement of wealth. Why he had chosen his own path. Because he was not one to submit. And that stubbornness, was what made him so bold -- perhaps foolishly so -- in the words he stated next.

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"Then you will have it in her absence," he told him bluntly. He could demand all the respect he desired, but Rueben would not compromise his daughter for it. Though perhaps now, things had become more about the brothers rather than just about Evelina. For he knew how he was outranked; he knew he could not say such words to any other duke. But here, he was William and Rueben was disallowing rank to effect what he said or how he acted. Yes; foolish indeed. "For my status as her father, far outranks yours where she is concerned." His voice strong, as Rueben leaned forward a little bit, his expression more stern rather than indifferent.

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden They'd always had a strained relationship, but ever since the death of Reuben's former wife, William felt as if it had grown worse. The only individual that was keeping the brothers in contact was Evelina, and even then, he barely saw her. He was usually in Wellington, focusing on his duties rather than in Mayfair. The journey back and forth wasn't simple, either, and he was genuinely making an effort to see his family this time, with hopes of making it out alive that current season with a wife by his side. "Careful, brother, for you tread on dark waters," And only William was aware of what lingered in the abyss. Evelina would probably misunderstand what he meant by his expression, fortunately, for he did not mean to startle her -- only her father. A mild threat to stand down for the Duke had had enough that evening. Clearing his throat, he took another sip from the wine, before lifting it slightly for a servant to replenish the expensive glass. "That will be enough of that, however," Turning to his sisters, he inquired, "Have you received any callers as of late?" Reuben Slade , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: William Slade

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Rueben leaned back in his chair, the threat leaving him unafraid and serving as a reminder as to why he did not frequently see his family. If it were not for Evelina, Slade doubted he would have seen his family at all from the day he left. But for the sake of her, he did. And he would have to continue to. But the threats made by his brother would not be forgotten nor would Slade be afraid of them. William was correct in her misunderstanding of what the expression meant and such was evidenced by the way curiosity flooded her features as she titled her head to the side. She was about to ask but William moved the conversation along, asking his sisters as to whether they received any callers. Slade could not think of a topic that interested him any less than hearing of suitors for his sisters.

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However, it must have been fate for suddenly, there was a thud at the door. Muffled voices and chaos could be heard on the other end. And then, there was another pounding sound. Slade could not help but smile, the side of his mouth curving upward in a half smile while Evelina's face lit up excitedly. For they both knew what was happening. They both knew what was coming. It was a matter of mere seconds before a creature raised on his hind legs, pushed open the doors with his front hooves and came bounding in the room with the same energy that Evelina had.

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"SIR GILLY!" Evelina squealed with pure excitement. And his sisters, screamed for an entirely different reason as Gilberto trotted towards them, under the table and around it, weaving his way through excitedly as he bleated to express it. He reached the end of the table, which just so happened to be where William sat and without hesitation, leapt onto the Duke's lap; the entirely scene unfolding in a matter of mere seconds. This, was indeed perfect timing to introduce his family to Sir Gilberto The Goato.

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden "What the devil is that commotion?" William inquired only moments after he'd asked his sisters about their possible admirers. It was coming from outside the family dining room, and the servants seemed to be trying to contain... something. Peering at his mother first, he offered her a look of confusion, and then turned to his brother. Then, the door flung open, and a furred creature with four legs trotted in. Was it a pony of some sort? That question did not matter, for all he cared about now was where on earth it hailed from. Then, his niece called out its apparent name and William raised an eyebrow, sitting upright in his seat. "Sir Gilly?" Who on earth named that monstrosity Sir Gilly? Before he could ask any more questions, however, the animal leapt onto his lap and began licking at his face. Groaning loudly, William attempt to pull it off of him, finally realising that it was a bloody goat. "WILL SOMEONE REMOVE THIS GOAT FROM MY VICINITY?!" He demanded of his servants, particularly the male ones with larger frames, to come to his aid as his own power barely seemed to work against its powerful vigour. Finally, before the servants could hesitantly leap in, he pushed it from his lap and rose from his seat, heaving heavily. "WHAT ON EARTH IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" The lion roared. Reuben Slade , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: William Slade

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

The scene that unfolded thoroughly amused Slade. Between his sisters screeching, and Gilberto situating himself on William's lap before licking him . . . it was indeed perfect. Evelina was enjoying it too, not realizing that the impact of it as she clapped her hands, merely excited to see her best friend join their family dinner. Though she started to see that something was very wrong when her Uncle started to yell, and a few men took hold of Gilberto. "Sir Gilly!" He exclaimed, seeing that he was being held and . . . taken away! "COME BACK!" Gilly having heard her call to him, and while he had been content to be held, he too seemed to realize that there was further distance being placed between him and the others.

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He started to bleat in disagreement, squirming in the man's hold and managing to pry himself free. When he had enough of that freedom, he jumped onto the table . . . and decided to help himself to some vegetables that were laid out, munching on them happily. Evelina giggled at the goat. "Silly Sir Gilly! He is just hungries!" Clearly, she thought it amusing that Gilberto was standing on the table. The smile remained on Rueben's lips, completely unapologetic for any of this. His sisters watching in horror as they seemed too afraid to sit back down on the chairs now with the goat on the table.

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"He is part of the family," Evelina explained happily, as Slade watched the goat munch the otherwise respectable dinner. "Is there a problem?" He asked nonchalantly, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. "Why would there be problems?!" Evelina asked curiously. "Sir Gilly wanted to join us for dinner! He wanted to meeted my uncle, and my aunties, and my grandmama! And now we are all together!" She said with a big, bright smile.

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden Sir Gilly was getting on his nerves and if his servants did not remove it from the premises, he would burn down London if he had to. This was certainly unexpected, but then again, when his younger brother was involved, was this not expected? Even though it was probably his niece's goat, why on earth would he even approve of attaining the goat for her sake? It was entirely improper! A dog, sure, but a goat!? To make matters worse, the servants lost control of the animal, and it hopped onto the dinner table, causing more stir in the dining room as his sisters rose from their seats, their screeches slightly louder. William did not dare look in his mother's direction, either, knowing full well that she must have been horrified by the scene that was unfolding in the Slade home. He could hear was his niece was saying, yet his focus was fully on the animal that was munching away at the vegetables that had been carefully cooked to perfection by the family's cooks. "Oh, for Heaven's sake, men, take control of the thing, or I will!" They tried again to no avail. William peered over at his brother, who sat there amused, watching the scene. "YOU! He suddenly demanded. "Put a leash on your animal, or I will!" It was a strict demand as he glared daggers into the fellow man's soul. "NOW!" This was the last straw. Reuben Slade , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: William Slade

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Ah yes. This was indeed amusing to Rueben. To see the Duke of Wellington, thwarted by a goat. It was a rather humorous scene to unfold, for a man who otherwise was so controlled and disciplined. It was his next words that caused Slade's expression to sober a little as he locked eyes with his brother. His brother who was making a direct threat to Gilly. Who, was like family. But before Slade could do or say anything, Evelina was quick to react, looking between her uncle and her father . . . his tone and volume of voice indicating his anger. "P-Please don't fight!" She exclaimed. Oh how she hated to see people mad at each other! "I will get him!" With that, Evelina raised herself from her papa's lap and climbed onto the table, moving on all fours towards Gilly. When she was close enough she threw her arms around the goat's neck.

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"Come on Sir Gilly! We must get off the table!" In Evelina's embrace, the goat complied, moving along with her as both of them were on all fours. Evelina used her father's lap to climb down and hopped onto the floor. Gilly used the same path, jumping on Rueben's lap and then the floor. Evelina put her hand on Gilly's back, keeping him close. "All better now!" Or she assumed. "Are you still mad uncle? I fixed it! So please don't be mad! Please smile!" She was desperate to make this all better, but Slade was far from content with William's words. "I am not your servant to be spoken to in such a way," Slade stated in a strong voice. He did not do well to authority like this. Dukedom be damned.

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden He understood very well that his niece had a terribly strong attachment to the animal, judging merely by her expressions and words directed at the goat. However, William simply would not have it under his roof, specifically because it made his mother deeply uncomfortable. Also, it had ruined a perfectly decent dinner. It was disrespect, and if Reuben could have only leashed it outside, everything would have gone well. His crystal blues watched as she helped tame the goat, embracing it softly as it hopped off the table. William relaxed slightly, knowing that the situation was something contained and by his five-year-old niece, of all people. The Duke might as well have docked his servant's pay for their lack of skills in taming the beast, but he wouldn't. They already slaved all day to maintain the household. It was not their fault that Reuben brought the animal inside the house without much warning. Yes, it was definitely Reuben's fault. "You are my brother," He corrected him. "Act as such." Reuben Slade , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: William Slade

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Brother. Rueben knew that his personality was as such that it was difficult to form strong emotional attachments. His deviation from social norms and expectations had him leave his family to build his own . . . blood related or not. It was Evelina that kept him truly bonded to his mother, brother and sisters. "In title only," he told him nonchalantly, but stubbornly. And what was the expectation of a brother? To support their eldest? To give him respect? To be subservient to him? Rueben was none of these things, nor would he suddenly act on it.

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"I come here, for Evelina," he told them. "Because she deserves to know her family." Not because Rueben felt connected to them nor emotional upon their reunion. He kept a distance for a reason, whether it was acceptable or not. "I do not come to be treated as a subordinate." And perhaps his business having placed him in a leadership position, made him far more aware and rebellious of not following his brother's commands . . . Duke or not. At least under the roof of their households. Out in public, Rueben knew it was an entirely different matter -- no matter how much he loathed it. 

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden As grateful as he was for Evelina's presence within the home, he certainly did not feel the same way about his younger brother's stubbornness. It seemed as if he held this unnatural lack of respect toward members of his family, drifting it toward people who were hardly his blood. William simply could not understand what he'd done wrong to damage this growing space between them. Had their late father done something? Reuben may have been the black sheep of the family, yet he was still a Slade through birthright.  "Show me respect, and I will return it." That was all he could express at that moment. Now that everything was calm and back in place, William fixed his waist and tailcoat, beckoning for the servants to clean up the mess that the goat had made, and silently requested that his family enter the drawing room. Whether Reuben would join them along with Evelina was up to him. The goat would be allowed entry if it was tranquil, otherwise it would be led elsewhere. After all, it was his land. Reuben Slade , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.