welcome to the family

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Philomena D'Harcourt

better terribl e truths

THAN KIND LIES

It would seem that his brother has finally found a wife. The news did not entirely surprise Slade, so far removed from the marital obligations of his brother and sisters. But this did still effect him. It effected him, because it would effect his daughter. Slade had brought Evelina to Mayfair so that she may spend time with her uncle, aunts and grandmother. Her existence however, was something he kept sheltered from the general public. For her own safety. Yet now, another family would hold this knowledge. Another family would be involved and entangled in his daughter's life.

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Slade was not too thrilled about this however her knew it was inevitable. The same would happen when his sisters married too. So naturally, he had planned for this. Today, was when these plans would be set in motion. He had invited his brother's intended to his own residence -- as Slade at his own estate rather than remain at the Duke's. And here, is where he would introduce Philomena to his daughter. Once news of her arrival reached him, Slade raised himself to a stand and leaned against his cane to make his way to the parlor where he remained standing as she was escorted into the room. His expression remained unchanged. Stoic in nature and demenaour. His lips void of a smile. And his eyes rested upon the woman, taking in every detail of her without revealing as much.

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He had done what research he could on her, sending word out to his informants to gather all information about her family. He needed to know who he was bringing into his daughter's life. His daughter, who was not yet in the room. Keeping his gloved hand wrapped around the top of his cane, he finally began to speak. "Miss D'Harcourt," he greeted, or rather acknowledged. "I have invited you here today with the intention of speaking to you regarding a matter of great import." For his daughter, was the center of his world. Besides, Slade was not one to beat around the bush. He wished to get straight to the point.

[Philomena D'Harcourt]

Philomena had sat with the steady fire of her love for William so long that it was easy to forget that so much of their relationship was formed in ink, the ordinary steps of a courtship set aside as the stacks of letters grew over the years. It was easy to forget, that was, until they were suddenly together again, the space between them now mere breaths instead of countries. It was no longer just the two of them, confined to four corners of a page.

Now, there were others to consider, happinesses that would be affected and could not in good conscience be ignored. To say that Philomena was giddy at the receipt of Reuben Slade’s invitation would have been a falsehood. This was not a ballroom in which she could operate with deft charm and a pretty flutter of a fan. No, this was so much more. It was real, and the prospect of eyes so important to William sizing her up stirred her nerves quite effectively.

Still, Mena was not one to shy from difficult situations, and she would not do so here. For all her future husband’s sometimes cantankerous appearances, William was a man capable of deep affection, and nobody held his heart in a tighter grip than his family. This visit meant something, though she was left in the dark to the true purpose. To her, to Reuben, to the future of their families’ union.

Philomena was led to where he was waiting for her. She gave her quiet thanks to the butler, and nodded respectfully to Reuben. “Lord Slade,” she smiled softly, accent heavy in her words. A trait passed down the Slade line, she mused, to get right to the business of the matter. “Of course. I would be rather surprised if you did not have many questions for me. Please, speak freely.” She moved further into the room, taking a seat on a plush divan.

Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Philomena D'Harcourt

better terribl e truths

THAN KIND LIES

Slade continued to take in every detail of the woman. The accent in her voice. The tone in which she spoke. This was the woman who seemed to capture the interest -- perhaps even heart -- of William. There must be something about her then, and Slade only thought of such things for the sake of his daughter. For he would not let her around just any woman. Evelina was easily attached and Slade aggressively protective. "I do not entangle myself in the affairs of the Duke," Slade stated. His tone as stoic as his demenaour. Words not harshly spoken but straightforward and true. After all, Slade and his brother were not exactly close. The younger male was aware that he was the black sheep of the family. It was for the sake of his daughter that he even maintained family ties. The family he was born into not as strong as his chosen family.

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"Questions about you only come out of necessity." Though he may make no show of it, this was incredibly difficult for the crime lord. To suddenly reveal his daughter to a stranger. To a woman he did not know. It went against all his meticulous planning and caution. All he could do was trust his instincts in this woman. For he trusted that far more than he trusted the judgement of his brother. "For the sake of my daughter," he added, letting that fact sink in. Had William told her of Evelina? He had explained the situation of wishing to protect her to his family but that did not mean he expected them to actually listen. It was a risk Rueben took every time he brought her to visit everyone. And now, he would see how the woman before him handled the situation.