Love & Reputation (HC #3.5)

11: Prove me Wrong

It was a very awkward time for the Quentin-Kilroy family to have a scandal, given that almost all of their acquaintance was within five miles for a house party they were hosting. It meant the could not make a swift retreat, even if they wanted to. Thankfully, many of their guests had been awake long into the night spreading rumours and gossip, so no one was displeased when the planned croquet tournament was postponed. Instead, many stayed in their rooms and slept off what they had imbibed the previous night.

But then there was the matter of that night's ball.

Alex's sisters-in-law were of the mind to cancel that as well.

"Surely no one will mind an extra night of rest," Lucas' wife Lucinda said softly when they were all gathered in her husband's study once more. "And I think it's best for the whole thing to be called off, rather than Mrs Albright and Alexander to be... conspicuously absent."

"Yes, yes, I agree," Helena chimed in. "Perhaps an early hunt could be arranged as an excuse?"

Their plans were well-intentioned, Alex thought, but knowing his mother as he did, he doubted that hiding would be an option.

He was right.

"I agree that they cannot be absent from the ball," Cordelia said, "but I think the ball must go on with them in attendance. Otherwise there is more time for gossip and mischief to spread."

Although the thought of another ball pained him, Alex did not disagree. After a few more comments from his mother, his sisters-in-law agreed it was the best plan – no one was really inclined to disagree with Mrs Cordelia Kilroy at the best of times – and everyone dissipated to prepare for the evening ahead.

His mother caught him at the door, linking her arm through his and slowing their progress down the hallway. It seemed she wanted to talk. Or perhaps for him to talk, but Alex had volunteered more than enough information in the last twelve hours, and he waited for her instead.

After about twenty paces, she spoke. "I called on Rosemary this morning."

Alex had a visceral response to that news, his muscles tensing almost automatically, and causing him to nearly trip as he took his twenty-first step. "Is she alright? What did she say?" He bit the inside of his cheek to keep the rest of his questions inside.

"She is as well as can be expected," his mother responded, patting his arm lightly with her free hand. "She's a very strong woman, Rosemary Albright."

Her youngest son nodded easily at that.

"As for the rest," Cordelia continued, "you'll have to ask her yourself."

Alex couldn't contain a huff of laughter; he didn't know why he had hoped for a straightforward answer.

"Although, when she and I were speaking I did realise something. Something about you."

There was no point in asking. His mother would either tell him or she wouldn't. In case she decided to be less cryptic, Alex pulled them both to a stop, unlinking their arms so he could face her more directly. The hallway was empty and surrounded as it was by family quarters, there was no reason to seek out a more private place for this conversation.

Cordelia set her hands on her hips, looking down her nose at him, and announced loudly: "You are an idiot, Alexander Kilroy."

Alex blinked. "And this is a new realisation for you, mother?"

The woman's lips twitched, amused despite herself. "It is, I'm afraid. You see, I've always thought you a little silly," she said, inclining her head towards him as if to take the sting out of her words. "Like when you were at Eaton and you got in those fights because the other boys told you that you did not deserve to be there because your father didn't have a title. Very silly."