1752 [S.P.C]

1779: Quiet Days

Jacob SNR
I read the information that Patrick had given me from his mission to England. "Patrick, what you did is enough to start a war, you know that," I shouted at my nephew. Someone had to. "You've not only put your life in danger but the rest of us too. You're an idiot. If your father were here, he'd..." I stopped myself, taking a deep breath to contain my anger. Whatever Patrick did was enough to provoke retaliation.

"I did what had to be done, Uncle, and you know that." Patrick's tone was defiant. I rolled my eyes at him. "Papa isn't the head of the Templar business for the Cormacs anymore I am."

I slammed the papers down on his desk, leaning against it. "That was one of the biggest mistakes Shay ever made." My anger wasn't just about what he had done but about how recklessly he had done it, without warning, fueled by sheer arrogance.

"If you don't like it, Uncle, you can always leave," he retorted with a smirk. He wasn't the sweet, innocent boy I once knew. "There isn't a reason why you need to stay here anymore."

I chuckled darkly and left the office, closing the door behind me. "If only he knew," I muttered under my breath. Heading down the hallway, I spotted my other nephew, Jacob. "Jacob, speak to your brother. If he keeps doing reckless things like this, he'll get himself killed," I warned, brushing past him toward the sitting room where my wife and children waited.

I gave Clara a nod, a silent signal she immediately understood, and she began rounding up our kids. Our eldest, Elliot, was now eighteen, nearly old enough to join the Templar Order. Our twelve-year-old daughter had already started her training, and then there was little Elizabeth, just one-year-old.

As I followed behind my wife, my niece Patrick's wife approached me. "Jacob, please don't leave Patrick," she pleaded. "I know he's done some questionable and reckless things, but he still needs your guidance. And I need you."

I stopped and turned to face her, gently taking her by the shoulders and forcing her to meet my gaze. "I promised his mother I'd never leave him," I said firmly. "I'm not leaving. I'm just angry at his reckless actions. But you... you're his wife. If anything, you need to be involved in his Templar matters. Don't let him fool you into thinking otherwise. Marriages in the Order last longer than people think because their wives know everything."

I paused, softening my tone. "Nicola, you may not be as experienced as Clara or Evie, but you're still his wife. You know his mind's inner workings and behaviour better than anyone. You can set him straight; honestly, it'd be a relief not to have to mentor him when that's supposed to be your role. Don't let him disregard you anymore. You're meant to be more involved."

I kissed her forehead gently before following Clara and our children out.

Nicola

Jacob was right. He never shared the business with me, and he's been pushing me out since he was responsible for captaining the Cormac Templar business. "Fuck this," I muttered under my breath. Picking up the hem of my dress, I decided that for the first time, I would give that husband of mine a piece of my mind. He's been an arse for well over a year now, and with all that responsibility weighing on him, he's no longer himself. I've had enough.

He will snap out of it, whether he likes it or not. I'm done babying him. We already have two children I don't need a third one in the form of my husband. That's not what I signed up for.

I stormed down the hallway to my husband's study and found my brother-in-law, Jacob, talking with him. "Jacob, give us a moment, would you?" I said firmly. Perhaps sensing the tension, he nodded and stepped out of the room. I closed the door behind him, turning to face Patrick. He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn't give him the chance. I walked up to him and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in the room, and he stared at me in shock and confusion.