Love & Reputation (HC #3.5)

8: Shame & Censure

Alexander Kilroy was having a very unenjoyable evening.

For the last three and a half hours, he'd been sitting in his eldest brother's study, in various uncomfortable positions, being berated by each and every family member he had.

Four hours earlier, he was being berated by a complete stranger in a hallway.

Four hours and five minutes earlier, he'd been about to kiss Rosemary Albright.

He supposed not all parts of the evening had been unenjoyable then.

"What on earth are you smirking about, Alexander?" Lucas snapped from across the room where he stood behind his large desk, his pale face pinkened by fury.

Alex raised his eyes from the floor, running a hand across his face to smooth out whatever twist in his expression had irritated his brother. Like much of the censure aimed at him that evening, he did not feel the need to respond.

"Lady Elliot has not wasted a minute – her tale has already been spread throughout the house twice over," Lucas continued, a muscle in his jaw twitching as he glared at his youngest brother.

Alex let out a slow exhale and let his gaze drift across the room as the man repeated himself for the umpteenth time. Lucas and Peter had led him directly to the study, casting him scowls whenever he'd tried to speak. They maintained their silence until their mother, James, and their wives had joined them, and then insisted he tell them every detail of the evening. He had, though he'd glossed over what had been said about his mother and father, and then they'd demanded he repeat the story again. And then a third time, with interjections to tell him how stupid his decisions had been.

The worst part was that Alex agreed with them. It had been entirely thoughtless to be alone with Rosemary, especially after Miss Evlington had warned them off only the night prior. And it was especially embarrassing to stand before his mother and sisters-in-law and describe how closely he and Rose had been standing... and how exactly they had been positioned for Lady Elliot to be so sure that Rosemary was 'compromised'. He was hopeful his dark skin hid most of the colour in his cheeks. His mother's narrowed gaze suggested his hope was in vain.

But now the chairs in the room outnumbered his relatives at the late hour, the women having long since abandoned them for their beds. Peter was sitting in a plush armchair to Lucas' left and struggling to keep his eyes open, and James' elbows rested on his knees as he pinned the rug with a slight frown.

"I'm sure even the kitchen staff are aware by name of the damage you've done to Rosemary's reputation..."

How had Lucas not run out of steam, Alex wondered. Did his title provide him with endless energy for reprimanding his lessers?

"... and our family name!"

Alex's slow exhale caught in his chest as he froze, and it was a long moment before he could inhale again, turning quickly back to his eldest brother.

"Well then you need not fear, Lucas," he said, meeting the man's fiery gaze with the icy chill that had crept up his spine. "As Rosemary has said many times tonight; she is a widow, and she cannot be compromised." Whilst this was true to some extent, Alex did not believe it entirely. Rosie was too young, pretty, and wealthy for society to let her escape their clutches entirely. But his brother did not need to know that. "And as for your 'family name'..." he shrugged, the movement sharp and uncomfortable, "I think you'll find it unaffected by anything a Kilroy does."

Lucas was not put off, his lip twitching his disdain. "Do not be pedantic, Alexander. You are still our brother, and society will hold us just as accountable for your mistakes."