Chapter Text
“Would you please just consider it?” Henry begged, closing the door behind him as he entered the library.
“Why me? Why don’t YOU ‘please just consider it?’” Oliver threw himself in his chair by the fireplace. His walking cane clanking to the floor, having lost its balance against his chair.
Henry took a fortifying deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose. After collecting his thoughts he let out his breath. Following his younger brother across the room, he sat on the edge of the opposite chair. It always ended up this way. He was constantly chasing Oliver anytime this conversation arose, and his brother was the best at running and dodging hard topics. This had gone on long enough, a solution needed to be made as soon as possible.
“We’ve put it off long enough. Aunt Margot deserves an answer.”
Oliver narrowed his eyes with disapproval, “Then tell her we refuse. I don’t want to, God knows you don’t want to either.”
“It’s not that easy.“ Henry took on the form of a defeated man, hunched over, leaning his elbows to his knees. “After everything Aunt Margot did for us. We can’t turn her down. She has never asked for anything in return after taking us in. She gave up so much of her freedom when she could have simply let us fend for ourselves after mother and father died.”
Oliver’s pinched face smoothed. He remembered the understanding face of a much younger Aunt Margot as he recovered from the carriage accident that took his parent’s lives. Waking in an unrecognizable room, to be comforted and encouraged after he was recovered enough to walk on unsteady legs. Uncharacteristically she had been patient. The Aunt Margot he knew prior to the accident was guarded, blunt, intolerant and didn’t seem to care much for the company of little boys. But after he awoke in her home, it was her shoulder he would cry on. It was a physically and emotionally broken little boy that melted her jaded heart. Her uncomfortable stiffness soon began to soften as he worked his way into her life. She understood a cruel world that sought out and fed on the vulnerability of the weak. His injuries would from that point forward be his constant companions, she understood he would forever be judged by. His marred cheek and unseeing eye weren't as easy to hide as an uneven gait. To wear his imperfections for the world to see, would be a difficult burden to bear. Although what had caused her so much scorn had not been physical, the world was not quick to forget and neither kind to an unmarried, spurned woman. Her empathy endeared him to her. More than once did her silent tears fall as she held the sobbing little boy. Together they mourned his parents and the cruelty of his injuries. And as he grew into a man, she never asked too much of him. Never pushed for him to make new acquaintances, knowing he preferred the solitude of his own company and their hodgepodge family of three. Although truth be told, she treated unscarred Henry with the same respect. It wasn't until later that they realized it may have had more to do with the size of her social circle than out of courtesy.
“I understand.” Oliver inhaled a deep breath then slowly released it. “But she asks too much.”
“I know it may be a bit of a request…”
“A bit? A BIT?” Oliver stared unbelievably at Henry and the understatement.
“Just hear me out. I know on the surface it sounds absurd, but she has made a few valid points that i can not say that I disagree with.” Henry raised his hands placatingly. “She fears that she has failed her new charges and feels the need to make amends.”
“From my understanding, her charges were in this predicament upon her acquirement… which was only this year. When would she have had time to rectify this prior to now? Also how old are these charges? They can not be less than their twenties. Who has charges that old? Why couldn’t she have gotten a new animal like any other old aunt…” he would have continues mumbling if Henry hadn’t cleared his throat.
“They are sheltered. From what I understand, remained close to home all of their lives. Their parents were an eccentric pair who had been very kind to Aunt Margot. She had been their god mother.” He took a long breath before continuing. “She’s taken them in. They aren't from poverty, only lacking in the ways of the world having been hidden in the country from infancy. From what shes told me they are just over thirty and have no prospects.”
“Damn Aunt Margot’s bleeding heart…But why me? Why not you?”
“I’m currently in no need of a bride. Eventually, I will seek out a marriage partner, but for now, I am more than satisfied with my business and friends to keep me company.“
“So it’s good enough for me, but not for you?”
“I didn’t say that…”
“I would rather be alone, than with someone who’s situation recommended me. No one should be obligated to be bound to me out of desperation.” He gave a self deprecating laughing. ”No one is that desperate.”
“Stop it. You’re not a gargoyle. You don't know her. She may not even notice as you fear.”
Oliver looked at his brother deadpan. “She may not notice? This?” He pointed to his frosted over milky eye that rested above a raised scar that ran the distance of his cheek to his chin. Evidence of where his face had split open and an attempt to sew him back together, jagged and raised. “You’re right. I don't know her. So why would I agree to marry her? This is not logical. You and Aunt Margot are delusional. She of all people should understand not sacrificing freedom in marriage. She who has reveled in her lack of obligations. Why would she force that on her charges?”
“I believe that is the exact reason for her suggestion. Yes, she’s made the best of her situation, but she knows the loneliness and the stigma of being a single woman. She wants to protect them from what she’s been through. She knows first hand how the world treats those they deem undesirable. She’s also worried about you.” He sighed. “I don’t lack for company. I haven’t hidden myself away from the world as you have. We have both suffered greatly. Albeit, you more than I. We have been handed a bad hand. We only want you to be happy..” Oliver’s mind replayed memories following the accident. Henry rarely leaving his bed side when he should have been in school. Private tutors, when Henry should have been with his piers, experiencing more that life had to teach than school books ever could. How much had been deprived from Henry when he was on the cusp of adulthood? And Oliver knew his condition was all at fault for changing the trajectory their life had taken. What opportunities and friendships had Henry missed? What could his life look like now, if not for his obligation to an invalid of a brother who refused every offer to leave the house?
Henry quietly admitted. “I miss our parents deeply too.” Seeing the solemn look on his bothers face and misreading the route his thoughts had gone. “But not a day goes by that I’m not grateful that you walked away from that accident.”
“Walked away…” Oliver scoffed.
Henry interrupted, “I don't want to imagine what it would have been like to be alone.” Came out louder than he had anticipated. He took another deep breath. “Ollie, It’s been years, And you have but five people of your acquaintance. Only three who aren't of relation. Who you wouldn’t even be able to recognize if you were to see them in person… Who you rarely even have any interaction with. You’re lonely. We can solve multiple problems with this one solution.”
“I am lonely? Excuse me? Just because I am alone, does not make one lonely….”
“How would you even know if you’ve only ever been anything but? You’ve shunned all of society since you were twelve. How can you know if you’ve only ever been in a constant state of loneliness?”
Oliver only stared at his brother. Remembering the parcel of friends he had had at school that he hadn’t seen since. After the accident, he never went back. He wrote the occasional letter to the few he had been closest to. In this way he learned of the progression of their lives and avoided thinking if his might have had parallels. His return letters consisted of progress in his interests, but never had much of a personal life to share. The correspondence was infrequent but often enough to not stop entirely. He refused all invitations of meeting up in person, instead redirecting the direction of their conversations.
His thoughts were interrupted by his brother’s voice. “Come out with me tonight at the very least. I can introduce you to some of my friends. They have been wanting to make your acquaintance for some time…” He laughed to himself, “having heard so much with little proof, they tease that you are fictional. I think you would really like them.”
Oliver turned his head and looked into the fire. Bitterness and guilt over his situation overwhelmed him. He refused to be a burden outside of the home as well.
Henry’s jovial tone left, He felt that he was losing his audience. “Clara is your age. Aunt Margo says she is of a gentle nature and quite agreeable.”
But what would they even talk about? It was too much work. Pulling niceties from a place that didn't exist. Oliver hadn’t made a friend since before the accident. He hadn’t spoken to a girl since he was eleven. Then, all they had cared to speak of held no interest to him. Ribbons and lace. He could barely remember, having spent most time avoiding them all together. God, what did women even talk about? It would be bad enough have a new acquaintance, much less one that just as well be a different species. He just wanted to be left alone. He had stopped listening to his brother. His thoughts were spiraling out of control. He focused on Henry’s voice.
“Aunt Margo is getting older. As her heirs, we may inherit her charges anyway. We may as well meet upon friendly terms and not due to tragedy. I’ve invited Clara and Aunt Margot to visit. Please behave at the very least. I expect you to be present at meals… and not hide away.” Henry stood, scrubbing his hand over his face. In a last effort to plead his case he said, “How can you ever know if it could work if you do not even agree to meet her? That’s all that I ask. Just meet her and maintain an open mind. If it doesn’t suit, we will find her a match elsewhere.”
Upon receiving no reply, Henry left the room.