Legacy Disowned - Book 2

Chapter 10 - Control

The sound of thunder rolled over the morning mutterings of the Great Hall. The beginning of November had been marked by consistently dreary weather, forcing the occupants of the castle to remain indoors where there was little to do besides gossip.

Ominis was picking listlessly at his breakfast as he listened to the low hum of conversation around them.

"See Grace, she isn't with them, again. I'm telling you it's true." he heard Violet hissing down the bench.

"Oh stop Vi," Grace whispered. "It's her business—"

Ominis threw his fork down with a clatter. Ever since the Halloween party, he had been forced to listen to what felt like every single person in the castle speculate about what was going on between Maggie Darling and Vincent Burke. Every single person except, it seemed, Sebastian.

Apart from the sound of his chewing, he was being irritatingly quiet, making the whispers from down the table even more difficult to ignore.

Something had clearly happened at that party and whatever it was, it seemed to have robbed Sebastian of his senses. He had gone from constantly fretting over Darling to sitting idly by while these cruel rumours spread like wildfire.

A distant roll of thunder echoed through the hall and the patter of rain against the windows was added to the din.

"I'm assuming Imelda has booked the pitch again today?" Ominis asked, trying to sound pleasantly interested.

"Mhmm," was all he got in response.

"Where's Darling?" he probed cautiously.

Ominis didn't miss the deep measured sigh Sebastian took before answering. "Out flying." he said evenly.

"I see." Ominis replied, picking his fork back up and twirling it absently between his fingers. "With Burke?"

There was a pause before Sebastian replied with another, "Mhmm."

Ominis forced his voice to remain impassive. "They've been spending an awful lot of time together lately"

"I suppose," Sebastian said blandly, taking a bite of his toast.

"Isn't that cause for concern?" Ominis pressed, unable to keep the edge out of his voice. "Given... well... you know."

"Darling isn't stupid Ominis," Sebastian sighed and Ominis heard him obsessively run his hand through his hair. "She knows better than to say anything that might be—"

"You know that isn't what I meant, Sebastian," Ominis said irritably. "People are starting to talk..."

"What is this about?" Sebastian asked, dropping what was left of his toast onto his plate. "Don't tell me you're jealous?"

Ominis rubbed his temples in frustration. Sebastian's fiery temper seemed exactly what was needed here, but why in Merlin's name was he directing it at him.

"I'm just concerned for her," he sighed exasperatedly. "She doesn't need any more trouble in her life, and Vincent Burke... well, he's not exactly known for being a gentleman."

"You're point?" Sebastian said through gritted teeth, stabbing at a sausage with unnecessary force.

"My point," Ominis snapped, losing his patience, "is I don't like listening to the whole school talk about her like she's some kind of—" he swallowed, unable to even form the sentence. "And I really don't like the idea of some philanderer actually treating her that way— and I know you don't either."

Sebastian was quiet for a long time. Ominis understood that Darling had not been raised with the same propriety that he had, and it was very likely she could not care less about her reputation, but still— In his mind she deserved all the same respect and dignity as any young woman from a noble house.