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Chapter Text

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife"

Charles often disregarded that statement, he was a man who believed that people should marry for love and only love, it was this attitude of his that has left him single even now, at 24 years of age. His mother, however, was the complete opposite. As of now, she could be no more happier upon learning that a new tenant has taken up Netherfield, AND...he was a young, single man who earns up to five thousand pounds a year whose name was Mr McCoy. Immediately, did Charles's mother berate his father about the news, speaking about how he must invite him round and introduce Raven to this new man in town, for he would surely be enchanted by her handsome looks and amiable manners.

"Mr Xavier! You must introduce our dear Raven to this Mr McCoy, she will attract him plenty and ensure the family is secure."

Mr Xavier chuckled at his wife's exclamation, used to her dramatic antics by now, he felt a little bit of teasing could do no harm to her.
"So that is his design in settling here? To simply pluck a wife out of the women in Longbourn?"

"Oh Mr Xavier! How can you tease me so?! Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?!"

Mrs Xavier was fanning herself a bit more frantically than she usually does, almost enraged at her husband's unwillingness to understand the necessity of arranging this match.

"You mistake me, my dear. I have the utmost respect and regard for your nerves, they have been my constant companion these past twenty or so years. Nevertheless, you needn't worry, I have already sent a letter to Mr McCoy and arranged for him to meet our children this evening at Merryton during the ball."

Mr Xavier had to bite back a smile, seeing the astonished surprise that coloured Mrs Xavier's face, though he was soon fighting an eye-roll when she started spewing nonsense about how she always knew, and how he loved his children too much to not take up such an opportunity. He decided now would be the appropriate time to exit his study, yet to his surprise when he opened the door, he was greeted by the faces of his five children who failed masterfully in pretending they weren't eavesdropping on the conversation, regarding this Mr McCoy.

Mr Xavier chuckled "I suggest you all prepare your attire for this ball, and while you're at it, perfect your lying skills."

Charles grinned at his father's teasing, he enjoyed his sarcastic humour, though he doesn't think his mother would agree with him on that.

On their way to Meryton in their carriage, all Charles's mother could talk about was how fantastic it was that such fortune could be bestowed upon their family, though it was often followed with Mr Xavier pragmatically stating that Mr McCoy has yet to even meet Raven, and perhaps will not accept her as his wife.

“Ridiculous Mr Xavier, absolutely ridiculous! Of course he will love Raven, she is kind, well-read, and not to mention, the most handsome girl in Longbourn. I have no doubt in my mind that she will enchant the Mr McCoy.”

Charles smiled at his mother’s comment, for she was not wrong, if this Mr McCoy decides that Raven isn’t the one for him, then he is simply a fool and no more.

Meryton was bustling with people, women and men from all across the town had come to welcome the new residents at Netherfield, Charles had never seen anything like it before. Usually, most balls would be quaint and simple, this was anything but. Once Charles’s family had settled, he departed from his party and went in search of his closest friend, Jean Grey. A simple woman with pleasant manners and a pretty enough face, but none of that mattered to Charles, what he enjoyed was her wit and intellect. He found her chatting with some other residents on the other side of the ballroom, he made his way over to her and warmly greeted her.

“Jean! Oh how wonderful it is to see you here, it has been too long my dear.”

Jean turned to face Charles with a friendly smile on her face.

“Charles, I half expected you not to show, I know you aren’t fond of the whole pomp and circumstance that follows the wealthy.”

“Oh my mother insisted on me coming, she’s determined for the family to make a good impression on this Mr McCoy.”

As Jean and Charles conversed, Raven soon came walking over with some information to tell.

“I have just heard some news, apparently Mr McCoy is accompanied by his sister and a close friend of his who are also staying with him at Netherfield.”

Charles eye-rolled internally at that, it was bad enough having this ballroom fawning over one man in a tailored suit, let alone two more uptight people. As this thought crossed Charles’s mind, the main doors to the ballroom opened up and three people walked in. A man with an awkward smile on his face and glasses, a woman with perfectly styled blonde hair and finally, a man who stood tall with a frown on his face. Charles turned to his sister and inquired,“So which one of these painted peacocks is our McCoy?”

Raven leaned into her brother’s ear and spoke with a distracted voice, “Well he’s on the right and the one on the left is his sister, Emma McCoy, though she often gets called Emma Frost for her cold personality.”

“And the one with the quizzical brow?”

“That is his good friend Mr Lenhserr.”

“He looks miserable, poor soul.”

“Miserable he may be, but poor he is not.” Charles’s curiosity peaked at that and found himself speaking without even meaning to. “How much?”

“Ten thousand pounds a year and he owns half of Derbyshire.” Charles grinned cheekily as he spoke, “The miserable half?” Though his chuckles were soon silenced as the party of Mr McCoy walked through the ballroom and everyone went quiet, bowing in respect to the three new people of town. As Charles bowed his head, he glanced up and accidentally caught the straying eyes of Mr Lehnsherr, the man quickly turned his eyes away in surprise at being caught. Charles couldn’t help but quietly chuckle at this, even finding it rather endearing, little did Charles know…Mr Lehnsherr wasn’t exactly known for being endearing, though he was soon going to find out.

As soon as Mr McCoy and his party had settled at the head of the ballroom, Charles’s mother moved herself swiftly across the hall and grabbed for Raven and Charles, insisting that they must make a quick and good impression before some other woman impresses Mr McCoy. Meanwhile, his father brought his youngest brother, Scott, with him whilst he silently scolded his other two children, Alex and Sean, in his head for making immature fools out of themselves on the ballroom floor, dancing with any pretty girls they set their eyes on.

After what seemed like a slow walk through crowded hell to get to the end of the ballroom, Charles and the majority of his family managed to find themselves in front of Mr McCoy, Miss McCoy and Mr Lehnsherr. Charles ducked his head politely whilst his father introduced them all, “Mr McCoy, my name is Brian Xavier, I believe I sent you a letter only two days ago, welcoming your presence to Netherfield. I would like to introduce you to three of my five children, as well as my wife, Mrs Xavier. On the end is my youngest son, Scott Xavier, next to him is my second eldest Raven Xavier, and finally next to me here is my eldest son, Charles Xavier.”

Mr McCoy bowed with a polite smile and spoke with an eloquent accent that was rarely heard around Longbourn, “I am honoured to meet you all, truly.”

When Charles glanced up, he had to prevent a knowing smile crossing his face as he saw Mr McCoy’s eyes widen a tiny bit at the sight of Raven. Though his mother quickly broke the small spark of a moment with her love scheming, “Do you dance Mr McCoy? My Raven here is a wonderful dancer, and I’m sure she would enjoy a dance or two with you.”

Mr McCoy glanced at Mrs Xavier before looking at Raven with an awkward smile, “Um yes, I would be happy to share a dance with your daughter, Mrs Xavier.”

Charles moved his eyes over to Mr Lehnsherr, while his mother praised his sister to the nth degree to Mr McCoy, and Charles couldn’t help but notice the pure disinterest and…mild disgust that was in Mr Lehnsherr’s eyes and frowned. The disinterest he could understand, he too wasn’t fond of social occasions, but the disgust? That was out of line. There were many things that Charles hated in a person, but arrogance? He couldn’t think of a more unattractive personality trait in the world and he hoped he would never have to see that look ever again, especially directed to his family.

After that small introduction and conversation between the two parties, Charles made his way to an empty space in the crowded ballroom and watched with a smile at the sight of Mr McCoy entering a dance with Raven, though his moment of happiness was soon interrupted when Mr Lehnsherr stood next to him. Charles was expecting the tall man to say something but he found himself almost scoffing when the man stayed silent, so he took it upon himself to begin the conversation, “Do you dance, Mr Lehnsherr?”

Mr Lehnsherr glanced at Charles before responding, “Not if I can help it.” …Nothing. Charles was astonished at the lack of manners this excuse of a man possessed, but. He rose above his brief flame of anger, and just moved past Mr Lehnsherr as though he wasn’t even there and made his way over to Jean, his only hope for enjoyment at this point. Jean noticed Charles walking over and smiled, “I didn’t know you were coming to see me.”

“Oh my dear Jean, I have much to tell you, come, let us sit under the stairs.”

Once Jean and Charles settled themselves down under the wooden stairs, Charles immediately started telling her about Mr McCoy and Raven and the prideful Mr Lehnsherr, and it was just Charles’s luck that as he was speaking of the man with disdain, that Mr Lehnsherr and Mr McCoy walked into the room, conversing, standing just in front of the staircase where Charles and Jean hid underneath.

“I have never seen so many pretty girls in all my life.” Charles smiled at the glee that was in Mr McCoy’s voice, the man seemed rather sweet and naive, a suitable man for Raven.

“You were dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.”

“She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld, though I must say the Xavier children are all rather pleasing on the eyes, the eldest son especially so.”

“Your methods are transparent, Hank, and they will not work. The man is barely tolerable, I dare say, certainly not handsome enough to tempt me. You best get back to your partner's pretty smiles, you’re wasting your time with me.” Charles doesn’t think he’s ever felt more insulted in his life, barely tolerable? How much crueler of an insult could Mr Lehnsherr have given? Though Jean somewhat cheered his mood up with her comment about him, “Count your blessings Charles, if he liked you, you’d have to talk to him.”

Charles chuckled at that and responded, “Quite right, and as it were, I wouldn’t dance with him for all of Derbyshire, let alone the miserable half.”

Soon after that debacle, Jean had to leave the ball as she had to get back home and look after her father, leaving Charles to make his way through the slowly emptying ballroom as the night came to close, in order to reach his mother and Raven, who were speaking with Mr McCoy and Mr Lehnsherr. Once Charles had made his way over, he joined in on the conversation they were having.
“Oh but Raven is a wonderful dancer, is she not Mr McCoy?”

Charles glanced over at Raven, and could physically see the flushed embarrassment crawl up onto her cheeks as their mother spoke. “Not to mention, she is very handsome isn’t she? A little while ago, there was a man so much in love with her, I was sure he would make an offer, however…he did write her some very pretty verses.”

Charles decided then to step in, and prevent Raven spontaneously combusting from embarrassment, “And that put paid to it, I wonder who discovered the art of poetry in driving away love?”

As soon as Charles finished his sentence, Mr Lehnsherr immediately spoke up, “I thought poetry was the food of love.” Charles’s smile immediately dimmed, as he looked over at the arrogant man who had insulted him so heartlessly, only a few moments ago.

“Perhaps to some it is, but I am convinced one poor sonnet could kill any love stone dead.”

“So then what do you recommend, to encourage affection?”

“Dancing. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.” Mr Lehnsherr found himself effectively stunned at that, and mildly ashamed, as Charles turned around and walked away back to the carriage that would take him home, with a small victorious smirk on his face.

Chapter Text

The morning after the ball at Merryton, the Xavier family were all sat around their dining table, eating breakfast. Meanwhile Mrs Xavier was gleefully speaking of all the times Mr McCoy danced with Raven. “Oh Mr Xavier, how he smiled at her. Infatuated, Mr Xavier, infatuated I tell you.”

Mr Xavier sat low and comfortably in his seat as he pulled apart some bread, not really paying attention to what his wife was saying, “Yes, we saw my dear, we were all there.”

As the couple spoke about the previous night, the maid of the Xavier house came walking in with a wax-sealed letter in her hand, “A letter for Miss Raven Xavier, sir.” You could physically see the ‘I told you so’ look on Mrs Xavier’s face as she grinned at her husband.

Raven took the letter from the maid and opened it up with excitement, “It is from Emma McCoy…she has invited me to dine with her,” Raven’s face fell slightly as she read out the next part, “Her brother will be dining out.”

Mrs Xavier looked at Raven with confusion, “Dining out?”

Charles glanced over to his mother, “Mama, the carriage, for Raven. The walk to Netherfield is too far for her.”

Mrs Xavier went silent for a few moments before taking the letter and reading it herself, “Certainly not, she will go on horseback, this is outrageous for him to be dining out.” As soon as she spoke those words, a distant rumble of a thundercloud was heard, and Charles found himself speechless at how far his mother was willing to go in order to matchmake.

It was about an hour later that Raven found herself at the entrance to Netherfield Park, drowned from head to toe and sneezing as she tried to greet the doorman.

It was only the next morning that Charles received a letter from Raven, stating that she will be bedridden at Netherfield until she recovers fully from her cold, as Mr McCoy demands it. Charles looked at his mother with a slightly concerned expression, “Mama, this is ridiculous. Raven is currently lying sick in a bed, surrounded by strangers, with no home comforts…I must go to Netherfield at once, I refuse to leave her alone in such a vulnerable state.”

It was quite a long and muddy walk to Netherfield, but Charles didn’t mind, he rather enjoyed the sights he got to see when walking on his own. After some time, Charles made it there and was escorted by a butler through the grand estate, to the dining room. Where Mr Lehnsherr, and Miss McCoy, were sat discussing some affairs relating to other high-borns. The butler walked in and bowed politely before speaking, “Mr Charles Xavier is here, sir.” Immediately, did Mr Lehnsherr’s eyes move to the door where Charles walked in from, in what could almost be seen as anticipation. He swiftly stood up and bowed his head in greeting to Charles, though completely ignoring the confused look that crossed Emma’s face, before she turned to look at Charles and chuckled condescendingly at his dirtied apparel.

“My goodness, Mr Xavier, did you walk here?” Charles looked at her with disguised disgust.

“Yes, I did…I’m so sorry, where is my sister?”

“She’s upstairs.” Charles nodded and bowed before walking out to find his sister, meanwhile he was stunned at how quickly Mr Lehnsherr responded, he had barely even finished his sentence before he answered.

Meanwhile, back in the dining room, Mr Lehnsherr couldn’t help but scold himself internally at how keen he came across, he shouldn’t act like this. Though that thought quickly left his mind, and was replaced with complete and utter disinterest at what came out of Emma’s mouth.

“My goodness did you see his pantaloons? Six inches deep in mud, he looked positively medieval.”

Eventually, Charles managed to locate the bedchamber Raven was in, and he couldn’t help the affectionate grin that came upon his face when he saw her in the bed.

“Hello my dear, how are you feeling?” Raven smiled at her brother, glad for some familiar company.

“As good as one can be with my ailment, but I feel guilty they are being so kind to me.”

“Oh don’t worry, I’m not sure who’s happier at you being here, Mama or Mr McCoy.” As they chuckled at Charles’s comment, there was a knock at the door and it opened to reveal Mr McCoy himself.

“Forgive me for intruding, I was just wanting to see how Miss Xavier was doing.”

“Oh she’s doing much better here than she would be at home. Thank you, Mr McCoy, for tending to her so diligently.”

“It’s a pleasure…I mean- not a pleasure that she’s ill, of course. It is a terrible thing your sister being ill, I only meant that I’m glad she’s here…being ill.” It was then Charles knew that Raven would be in good hands, should she be married to Mr McCoy, but it was clear as day how affectionate he was with her.

Later that evening, Charles was sitting in the drawing room with Mr McCoy, Miss McCoy and Mr Lehnsherr, Charles occupied his mind with a book, while the others were doing whatever it was the upper class do. Soon, he heard Miss McCoy’s voice addressing Mr Lehnsherr, “You write uncommonly fast, Mr Lehnsherr.”

“You are mistaken, I write rather slowly.”

“How many occasions you must have to write letters, Mr Lehnsherr, letters of business too, how odious.”

“It is fortunate they fall to my lot then, instead of yours.”

“Do tell your sister I wish to see her.”

“I have already told her once, at your request.”

“I do dote on her, I was quite enraptured by her little design for a table.” Charles had to fight back an eye roll at that, so much better things to do and see in the world than designing tables. It was then Mr McCoy chirped up with his rather endearing positivity, “Well I think it’s amazing you, young ladies, have the patience to be so accomplished.”

Miss McCoy looked over at her brother with boredom, “What do you mean, Hank?”

“You all paint tables and embroider cushions…I have never heard of a young lady, but people say she is accomplished.”

Charles smiled at that, this Mr McCoy was truly one of the most amiable gentlemen he had ever met, and of course the voice of the depressive Mr Lehnsherr had to cut in and ruin the moment.

“The word is indeed applied too liberally, I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen women in my lifetime that are truly accomplished.” Charles couldn’t tell if it was the tone of voice Mr Lehnsherr spoke with, or his language that made him speak up against the intolerable man.

“Goodness, you must comprehend a great deal in the idea.” Mr Lehnsherr turned in his chair to face Charles.

“I do.”

Miss McCoy spoke up, “Absolutely, she must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages to deserve the word…and something in her air and manner of walking.”

Mr Lehnsherr glanced over at Charles and the book he was reading before adding, “And of course, she must expand her mind with extensive reading.”

Charles slammed his book shut in thinly veiled frustration and spoke sharply, “I am no longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women, I now rather wonder at you knowing any.”

Mr Lehnsherr looked at Charles with an unimpressed look, “Are you so severe on the female sex?”

My god, did Charles have to bite his tongue, such arrogance and condescension radiated off that man. “I never saw such a woman, she would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.”

In what could be seen as an attempt to dispel the growing tension in the room, Miss McCoy walked over to Charles and asked him, “Would you care for a walk around the room, Mr Xavier?”
Charles took a deep breath before standing up and holding his arm out for her, and as they slowly strolled around the room, Charles attempted to calm himself down from the previous debate. Miss McCoy tried helping in getting rid of the rather awkward silence that plagued the room, “It’s refreshing taking a small walk, especially after sitting for so long.”

Charles decided to entertain her small talk, “It is a small kind of accomplishment, I suppose.”

“Would you care to join us, Mr Lehnsherr?” Charles almost scoffed on the spot.

“You can have only two motives Emma, and I would interfere with either.

“What could you possibly mean?”

“Either…you are in each other's confidence and have secret affairs to discuss, or you are conscious that your figures appear best when walking. If the first, I would get in your way. If the second, I can admire you better from here.”

“Shocking…how do we punish him, Mr Xavier?”

Charles grinned, “We could always laugh at him.”

“Oh no, Mr Lehnsherr is not to be teased.”

Charles walked his way to the front of Mr Lehnsherr’s desk, “Are you too proud Mr Lehnsherr? And would you consider pride a fault or a virtue?”

Mr Lehnsherr looked up at Charles, “That I couldn’t say, perhaps my fault is that I cannot forgive those who offend me…my good opinion once lost is lost forever.”

Charles almost smiled at that, “Oh dear, I cannot tease you about that, what a shame for I dearly love to laugh.” With that, Charles walked away. Though Mr Lehnsherr remained in the same position, almost wishing he said something else that would’ve made Charles Xavier laugh, just so he could see what rather striking blue eyes look like when he does.

Chapter Text

A few days after Charles’s debate with Mr Lehnsherr, he was sitting and sharing a cup of tea with the recovering Raven, when he was informed by a butler that their mother, alongside their three younger brothers, had come to Netherfield and were currently sat in the drawing room with Mr McCoy, Mr Lehnsherr and Miss McCoy. Charles demanded that his sister remain in bed, in order to rest some more whilst he goes and handles their family, eventually she agreed and Charles made his way to the drawing room. When he walked into the room, Charles heard his mother gleaming about how expensive all the furnishings must’ve been, and how she hoped he would be staying in Netherfield for a long time. It was when Charles sat down that Mr McCoy replied saying, “Of course, I find the countryside very diverting…don’t you Lehnsherr?”

Mr Lehnsherr glances at his friend, before returning his sight to Mrs Xavier with an awkward stance, “...I find it perfectly adequate…even if society is less varied than in town.”

Charles swear that if looks could kill, his mother would’ve murdered Mr Lehnsherr a thousand times over by now, ever since she found out about what Mr Lehnsherr said about Charles at the Merryton ball, she took to disliking him immediately.

“Less varied? Not at all, we dine with multiple families of all shapes and sizes, for example Mr Grey is a very agreeable man…and he is a great deal less self important than other people.”

As soon as Mrs Xavier stopped speaking, Charles’s younger brother Alex Xavier chirps up, “Mr McCoy, is it true you will be holding a ball here at Netherfield soon?”

Mr McCoy looks at Alex with a polite smile before speaking, “A-a ball?”

“It would be a great way to meet new friends…you could even invite the militia who have recently come into town, they’re excellent company.”

“Well, I…suppose I could hold one…once your sister is well enough, you shall name the date.”

Two days had passed, when the private doctor at Netherfield had proclaimed Raven fit once more, and immediately upon hearing the news, Alex went to Mr McCoy and requested for the ball to be held in a week’s time, to which Mr McCoy agreed. Once Raven had packed up all her stuff, she and Charles made their way to the carriage Mr McCoy had arranged for them, after bowing to both Mr McCoy and Mr Lehnsherr, Raven climbed up into the carriage with the help of Mr McCoy’s hand holding hers. Charles following behind Raven bowed his head to the two gentlemen himself before climbing in the carriage, when all of a sudden, he felt a gentle hand cradle his. He turned his head around, only to be looking at the one and only Mr Lehnsherr, Charles glanced down at their intertwined hands in befuddlement before finally getting in the carriage. Once Charles was seated, Mr Lehnsherr swiftly turned away and made his way back into Netherfield, he looked down at his hand that had just held Charles Xavier’s, and he couldn’t help but stretch his fingers out in hopes that the ghost of Charles’s soft hand and touch would somehow disappear.

Once the Xavier family had returned home, Mrs Xavier went to speak to the cook in order to arrange the meal they would have that night, it was mid-conversation that her husband, Mr Xavier came over holding an open wax-sealed letter.

“I hope you have prepared a good feast today, my love. I believe we have reason to be expecting a guest at our residence.”

“A guest? Who?”

“My sister’s son, William Stryker, will be arriving in about 2 hours.”

Charles overheard this conversation, and immediately went to tell his siblings about the dreaded cousin coming to visit, while it was rare they ever saw him, he never failed to be unpleasant at every meeting.

Just as Mr Xavier had said, a few hours later, a knocking was heard at the door. Mr Xavier opened the door and was greeted by William Stryker, before welcoming him into the home and taking his coat for him. Soon enough, they were all sat around the dining table in an awkward silence as they ate. A few beats of silence went by before Stryker spoke, “This dinner is…lovely…and what…exceptionally boiled potatoes…should I thank you, Mrs Xavier, or my cousin Raven for this dinner?”

Mrs Xavier replied, “Mr Stryker, we are more than capable of having a cook.”

“Oh, excellent, I am glad that this residence can afford such luxuries…I am fortunate to have as my patron, Lord Sebastian Shaw, you have heard of him, I presume?

Mrs Xavier shook her head.

“His estate abuts my church…sometimes I see him pass by with his carriage and horses…he even offers for me to come visit on occasion.”

“Does he have any family?”

“One daughter, her name is Rogue, I have often said to Lord Sebastian Shaw that she seemed born to be a duchess…for she has all the necessary traits of elevated rank…it is these little comments I find pleases the ladies and I often feel required to say them.”

Charles had to cover up his laugh with a cough before speaking, “Tell me, do these small pleasings come from what you feel in the moment, or are they results of previous study?”

“They sometimes arrive from fleeting feelings at the time, but I do like to amuse myself by rehearsing such compliments that I know will entertain the ladies, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.”

Charles had to hide a grin as he spoke, “Oh believe me…no one would believe your manners are studied.”

Sean Xavier, Charles’s younger brother, choked on his laughter, fortunately hiding his amusement at William Stryker. William glanced around the room before speaking again, “I was hoping I might read to you all this evening…I have brought with me the Book of Leviticus, which speaks on all manners of the law and social behaviours.”

Later that evening, they all sat in the drawing room, listening to Mr Stryker drone on and on the sins of the world. Meanwhile, Charles was looking down at his hand that was resting on his lap, and the memory of the man who held it so delicately plagued his mind…

A night before the ball was to be held at Netherfield, Charles, Raven and Scott Xavier went to town together in hopes of finding some new accessories for their outfits. While they were walking, Charles was complaining about the new presence back home to Raven, when he accidentally bumped into a firm chest. He looked up and saw the face of a rather rugged but handsome man wearing a military uniform, Charles was about to apologise before the mystery man spoke with his charming voice. “Forgive me, sir. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

“Oh…No, I am sorry, Officer. I should’ve been watching where I was going.”

“...If I may ask, where are you guys off to?”

“We are just about to head into that shop across the street in hopes of finding a new tie…may I ask for your name, Officer?”

The tall mystery man bowed his head before speaking, “Logan Howlett, at your service, sir. Perhaps I could accompany you and your party on this errand and pay for your new tie…as compensation for me bumping into you, of course.”

Charles couldn’t help the smile that came onto his face at that, “You would be welcome to join us, Officer.”

So, the party of four made their way across the street into the tailoring shop, Raven and Scott went further into the shop, leaving the newly acquainted Logan and Charles on their own. Logan glided his rather large hands, that Charles definitely didn’t think too much about, through some of the silks that were on display before speaking, “I shan’t even browse, I am hopeless when it comes to fashion.”

“Only a man truly confident in himself would admit to that.”

“Well it’s true…and buckles, when it comes to buckles I have very poor taste.”

Charles couldn’t help the endeared chuckle that came out of his mouth “My goodness, you must be the shame of the regiment.”

Logan looked at Charles with amused eyes, “Oh, a laughing stock.”

Charles could feel his heart beat heavier at Logan’s eyes looking at him, “What do your superiors do with you?
Logan walked around the shop a bit before answering, “Ignore me. I am of next to no importance so it’s easily done.”

Charles was about to make a comment to refute Logan’s self depreciation before Scott came back through to the front area, “Charles, I need a few more shillings to pay for this pin I found.”

“You already owe me a fortune Scotty.”

Logan turned towards Scott before holding out five shillings in his palm, “Allow me.”

Once the group had finished with their shopping, they decided to take the scenic route back to the Xavier residence, while Raven and Scott talked, Charles was asking Logan about his travels with the militia. They were in the middle of discussing the wars England was having with France when Scott called out to someone, Charles looked over across the river and saw Mr McCoy and Mr Lehnsherr on their horses.

Scott spoke again, “Mr McCoy, do you like my new pin to wear for your ball?”

“Indeed, Mr Xavier, it’s very exquisite.”

Scott walked over to where Charles and Logan were before saying, “Oh Mr McCoy, you must invite Officer Logan Howlett to your ball, he is very delightful company.”

Charles glanced over at where Mr Lehnsherr was…almost glaring at something, he followed his gaze and found it led to Logan, who was also looking coldly at Mr Lehnsherr. A moment later, Mr Lehnsherr, without a word, rode off. Mr McCoy looked over at where his close friend had just swiftly departed, and spoke quickly before following after Mr Lehnsherr, “Of course you must come, Officer Logan.”

Once the two gentlemen had left, the group decided to walk a bit further and take a small rest before continuing the return home, Charles was sitting down against a tree while Logan stood in front of him.

“Do you plan on attending the Netherfield ball, Logan?”

“Perhaps…how long has Mr Lehnsherr been staying at Netherfield?”

“A couple of weeks now…forgive me, but, what is the nature of your relationship with Mr Lehnsherr?”

Logan, for a moment, avoided Charles’s gaze before speaking, “You may find it difficult to believe due to our cold greeting earlier, but he was once a very close friend of mine…I once considered him my brother in all but blood and name. We grew up together, my father served his father’s estate, so I spent a lot of time with him…when we were only teens, Mr Lehnsherr’s father passed away, and in his will…he left a lot of what he owned to me, he saw me as his own son and…and Erik couldn’t stand it, the idea that his own father loved me more than him. So he practically had me exiled, and I was left with nothing…leaving me to give up my dreams and join the militia.”

Charles was practically speechless, and once again he found himself staring down at the hand that was held by Mr Lehnsherr, only this time he looked at it with disdain. Charles looked back up at Logan before speaking, “I am truly sorry you suffered such a fate because of his arrogance, Logan, you deserve so much more than that.”

After that conversation, they both rested against the tree for a couple minutes more in a comfortable silence, though Charles’s mind was anything but comfortable with the new information about Mr Lehnsherr he had been given. It was in that moment Charles promised himself that he would loathe Mr Lehnsherr for eternity and will never play nice with such a vile, selfish individual ever again.

Chapter Text

The day after Charles had found out about the horrendous actions of Mr Lehnsherr, he found himself sitting in front of his sister’s vanity, fixing up his hair, while confiding in Raven about all of this. He shared with her the contempt he held for the man, and how sorry he feels for the poor Mr Howlett, though Raven chimed in with her naive kindness for people.

“I still believe there must have been a misunderstanding.”

“Oh Raven, do you never think ill of anybody?”

“Well, how could Mr Lehnsherr even do such a thing?...I’ll discover the truth from Mr McCoy at the ball tonight.”

“Raven, I have been in close proximity to Mr Lehnsherr, for more than I would like to admit. I can confidently say that man is more than capable of being filled with envy, and pride.”

Raven sighs at her brother’s declaration, “Very well, let us just hope Mr Howlett is a much more willing dancer.”

When the Xavier family showed up to Netherfield in their carriage, they were greeted with the sights of men and women from all backgrounds, dressed up all affluently, walking into the grand estate. Charles and Raven entered the place that had become familiar enough to the both of them, and were immediately welcomed by Mr McCoy and his sister, Emma McCoy. Whilst they all said their greetings, Charles found himself glancing around the room, in hopes of seeing the uniform-clad broad shoulders of the charming Mr Howlett, yet he couldn’t see him anywhere.

Mr McCoy noticed Charles’s straying eyes and inquired, “Are you looking for someone, Mr Xavier?”

Charles snapped his eyes back to Mr McCoy and spoke, “No, I’m just…admiring the decor.”

Charles then said his goodbye’s to the three of them, and went in further search of Mr Howlett around the various rooms, and yet again he could not find him, though he did find Jean.

“Jean, it is wonderful to see you again, though I must ask, have you seen Mr Howlett anywhere?”

“I cannot say I have, my dear, perhaps he’s in one of these rooms back here.”

Jean led Charles through the bustling crowds, all the way to the rooms at the very back of the estate which had few people in them, and once again Charles was disappointed. After a few more moments of Jean and Charles looking around, Raven came up to them with some information.

“Charles, Mr Howlett is not here, apparently he was too busy to attend because of-”

Just as Raven began telling Charles all he needed to know about Mr Howlett, they got interrupted by their cousin, Mr Stryker.

“Ah, there you both are. Perhaps, you’ll do me the honour, Miss Raven, for a dance?”

“Oh…I did not think you danced, Mr Stryker.”

“I do not think ill of an established clergyman, such as myself, indulging in such an innocent diversion like dancing…In fact, several people, his Lordship included, have complimented me on my lightness of foot.”

Charles found himself holding back laughter at his cousin, and instead decided to offer a dance to Jean, so that he could alleviate some of the awkwardness his sister would face when dancing with Mr Stryker. The four of them moved towards the grand ballroom, and got into position before the joyful music of the band began playing. As they all danced, Raven spoke as quickly and quietly as she could to her brother, “Apparently, Mr Holwett has been called onto some business in town...and my informant tells me that he would be a lot less declined to engage, if it were not for the presence of a certain gentleman.”

“That gentleman barely deserves the title.”

Just as Raven opened her mouth to speak again, Mr Stryker came closer to her and spoke, “It is my intention, Miss Xavier, to remain close to you for the remaining night.”

Charles could physically see the uncomfortable look on Raven’s face and stepped in, “Mr Stryker, how about you and I go acquire some glasses of wine for these two lovely ladies?”

“Ah, a wonderful idea, let us go.”

With a reassuring smile to Raven, Charles and Mr Stryker made their way through the estate to one of the butlers who was holding a silver tray full of filled glasses, and grabbed four in total. On their way back to Jean and Raven, Charles bumped into Mr Lehnsherr, Charles looked up at the man and was about to dismiss himself when Mr Lehnsherr spoke, “May I have the next dance, Mr Xavier?”

To say Charles was shocked is an understatement, and in this moment of stuntedness, he ended up blindly agreeing. “You may.”

With a swift bow, Mr Lehnsherr walked away and Charles glanced at Mr Stryker who had a suspicious look on his face, “Um, could you possibly carry these two glasses, Mr Stryker?”

“...I can, dear cousin.”

Charles carefully placed the two glasses in Mr Stryker's hands, before following Mr Lehnsherr’s steps into the ballroom, he made his way to the ballroom floor and stood opposite Mr Lehnsherr. As they began dancing, not only could Charles feel people looking at them, but he also felt incredibly awkward. Here he is, dancing with a man he can’t tolerate and everyone at Netherfield is watching, great. Charles attempts to alleviate some of the awkwardness by starting a conversation, “I love this dance.”

Mr Lehnsherr glanced around the room before looking back at Charles and speaking quietly, “Indeed, most invigorating.”

And once again they were hit with an awkward pause, though Charles took this opportunity to try and get under Mr Lehnsherr’s skin, “It is your turn to say something Mr Lehnsherr, I remarked on the dance, now you must comment on their ballroom or the amount of people.”

“I am more than happy to oblige, tell me what you would like most to hear.”

Charles scoffed silently, “That reply will do for present, for now we may remain silent.”

Mr Lehnsherr was quiet for a moment before speaking, “Do you talk as a rule while dancing?”

Charles glanced back at Mr Lehnsherr while he expertly moved around the dancing couples and spoke teasingly, “No…No I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn, it makes dancing so much more enjoyable, don’t you think?

And for a moment, the perfectly crafted shell Mr Lehnsherr had made cracked a bit, for he soon found himself asking a question that could lead to unwanted feelings bubbling up, “Do you and your siblings often walk to town?”

Charles couldn’t help the small look of disbelief on his face, “Yes, me and my siblings often walk to town, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people…In fact, when you found us we just had the pleasure of meeting a new friend.”

Mr Lehnsherr’s brow furrowed slightly, “Mr Howlett is blessed with such happy manners, he is sure of making friends…whether he is capable of keeping them is less certain.”

Charles could feel the anger building in his throat as it threatened to make him raise his voice, “He’s been so unfortunate to lose your friendship…and I dare say that is an irreversible fate?”

Charles could feel a tight grip on his right arm that pulled him closer to Mr Lehnsherr, so close that he could feel the man’s breath against his skin, “It is, why do you ask such a question?”

Charles looked up at Mr Lehnsherr and his breath quickened slightly, and it was almost like the rest of the room blurred. He could no longer hear the music, he could no longer feel the stares…he could only see and feel Mr Erik Lehnsherr. “To make out your character, Mr Lehnsherr.”

“And what have you discovered?”

“Very little, I hear so many different accounts of you that my opinion dizzies me.”
Charles could swear he sees Mr Lehnsherr’s eyes stray further down his face, and scarily close to his lips before looking him in the eyes again, “I hope to offer you more clarity in the future.”

Whatever bubble they were trapped in gets broken, as the music comes to a close and they hear people clapping around them, Mr Lehnsherr clears his throat and swiftly moves away and out of the room. Once Charles’s mind returns to his body, he remembers sending Mr Stryker to give Jean and Raven their glasses of wine, but just as he turns around and goes to find them, he sees Mr Stryker standing at the doorway, staring at him with a look of…hatred? Charles shakes his head in hopes of clearing it, and decides to just go and find his family, wherever they may be. He soon finds Jean and hopes she can offer him stability of mind, “My dear Jean, how have you been faring without me?”

“As well as usual, though you have caused quite the stir of gossip around the estate.”

Charles sighs and rubs his temple as he speaks, “Just, don’t mention it please, anyway where is Raven?”

Jean smiles and points towards where Raven is, she is standing by the firepit with Mr McCoy and seemingly having a nice conversation with each other, Charles chuckles as he says, “Ah, they are rather fond of each other, aren’t they?”

“Well he clearly is, though Raven seems rather reserved.”

“Oh she’s shy Jean, we both know this.”

Jean turns to Charles with a serious look, “But does he know that? We know her to be shy and smitten but he may take it as her lack of interest in him.”

Charles looks at Jean confused, “If he cannot see that she is head over heels for him then he is a fool.”

“We are all fools in love, she cannot afford to be shy, she needs to snap him up now and fall in love later.”

Charles rolls his eyes and makes his way off to be on his own, he’s heard that talk enough from his parents, “Charles, you must find a wife and worry about love later” “Oh Charles you are the eldest boy, you must carry on your father’s legacy with marriage and children.” He couldn’t stand it. Is it so bad to want love? Is it a crime to love? Charles makes his way to a dark, empty room and leans against the wall with nothing but the sound of his breath and his thoughts. After all that has happened tonight, he just wants to be home and lose himself in a book, he doesn’t want to worry about his sister, he doesn’t want to worry about his own future, and he certainly doesn’t want to worry or think about a stupidly tall and handsome man, who is full of nothing but pride and who’s name, may or may not be Mr Lehnsherr.

Chapter Text

It was the dreaded morning after the ball at Netherfield, Mr McCoy was kind enough to let Charles and his family stay over at the estate and so when the clock hit eight, they bid their goodbyes and got on their carriage back home. Mr McCoy stood at the balcony, alongside his sister, and waved them off with a smile, though he could feel his sister’s eyes piercing the side of his head. “Hank, you cannot be serious. The Raven girl is nice enough, but her family is nothing but classless, you know better than to marry into that mess.” With that, Emma left Hank on the balcony with nothing but his thoughts.

Back at the Xavier home, they all sat at the dining table in peaceful silence while they ate, until Mr Stryker entered the room, “May I please have a private audience with Mr Charles Xavier?”

Charles could feel his family’s gaze slowly settle onto him uncomfortably, and he soon had an empty feeling of dread in his chest, “Um, there is nothing you could say to me, Mr Stryker, that my family could not also privy to.”

“Mr Xavier, I demand it.”

After a beat of silence had passed, Charles’s mother stood up out of her seat and encouraged the rest of her children to do the same, Charles looked to his father with eyes of pleading for him to stay but he could only sigh and follow his wife’s actions. Soon enough, it was only Mr Stryker and Charles in the room, surrounded by an uncomfortable silence. Just as Charles was about to speak, Mr Stryker cut in, “I must make myself clear, Charles, I am a man of faith who believes in second chances, so I will give you a chance to come out honestly about your…indiscretions.”

Charles was staring holes into the table, he could hear his heartbeat quicken and his breath grow shaky, with the last bit of mental strength he had, he defended himself. “Sir I…I have no idea what you speak of.”

Stryker scoffed at his weak defense, “Do you think me blind, dear cousin? You and Mr Lehnsherr. It was already outrageous for two men to dance so openly with each other at a ball, but the closeness? Dare I say, the intimacy of it all? I am no fool, Charles, and I know the devil’s work when I see it, confess.”

Charles was clutching his fists so tightly he was sure blood would soon spill from his palm, his vision was slightly blurred, though he couldn’t tell if it was from fear or anger…or both. “You seem quite certain of my inclinations, I almost wonder why you even ask. No matter what you think you know about me, Mr Stryker, you must remember that you are in my house, you are my family’s guest, and one more mere suggestion of disrespect will leave me no choice but to have you thrown out with all of your books full of…kind and faithful notions.”

Mr Stryker stood there with a look of pure disgust and anger, “You sit there, so proud of what you do and what you are, but trust me Mr Xavier, this will come out one day and when it does, you will have shamed your family and it’s entire future. I will make my own exit, though I did have intentions to marry your sister, I would sooner be stoned than be in the presence of such…disease.”

With that, Mr Stryker stormed up to his guest room and began swiftly packing his case, downstairs however, Charles was still sat like a statue in his chair at the table, and once he finally walked to the door he opened it only to see his family stood there, who had evidently been listening to the entire conversation. It was at this moment Charles wished a devil did truly exist, just so he could be struck down where he stood. Instead, he pushed his way through his family, muffling out any sounds that came out of their mouth, and ran out of the house towards the lake nearby.

He looked over the water with nothing but despair, and he couldn’t help the tears that threatened to drop down his cheeks, he wanted to disappear. For so long, Charles had managed to not look inwards, to not face the glaring obvious in his heart, to not confront what he was…but now, that’s all gone. He is now a shattered man, who is sitting on the grass, gripping it in his hands like a little boy all over again, wishing he could fix himself.

About an hour later, Charles was playing with a small flower in his hands when he heard slow footsteps behind him, he knew who it was immediately. “Father.”

“Charles, mind if I sit by you son?

Charles gestured carelessly to the patch of grass next to him, “Be my guest.”

Mr Xavier slowly sat down on the grass with a grunt that signaled towards his aging knees, he looked over the sun-kissed water with a small smile to his face, “I remember coming here when I was young, I would sometimes feed the ducks and swans that swam by, put my heart at peace.”

Charles would smile at that if he could, he could imagine it so clearly, his father being a little boy and excitedly kneeling before the wildlife in order to feed them. Mr Xavier glanced at his son, who was looking down at the flower in his hand with empty eyes, “I remember one time I came down here, these two swans passed by, beautiful things they were, but I noticed something odd. Both swans had larger body proportions, which meant they were both male. I thought to myself, ‘That’s strange, I’ve never seen that before.’ So I went back inside and gathered all my books on birds, turns out swans are capable of having same-sex relationships and can mate for life, including raising offspring. Now all of this is to say, Charles, that we humans have allowed ourselves to be dictated by man-made concepts and standards, but no amount of god-fearing will change our nature. We are animals, and we always will be, and if nature can show that two males can live a happy life with offspring, then so can you.”

At this point, Charles was already crying again, he looked at his father with eyes that reminded Mr Xavier of the innocent little boy he once was, full of life and curiosity. He smiled at his son and opened his arms for him, Charles happily took up the offer and hid himself in the safety of his father’s arms. His father gently stroked his hair and spoke with a calm voice, “I will always be your father Charles, and nothing will ever change that.”

After a couple of minutes of sitting there, Charles and his father stood up and dusted themselves off before walking back to the house with smiles on their faces. When they entered the house, they saw Raven sitting on the stairs with an open letter in her hands, Charles could see she seemed upset. “Raven, are you alright?”

Raven glanced up at her brother and father’s concerned faces and spoke, “It’s from Miss McCoy…Mr Lehnsherr, Mr McCoy and her and returning to London.”

And here Charles thought today couldn’t get any worse, “What? That’s…ridiculous, what could possibly possess them to leave?”

Raven handed the letter over to Charles, “Read it, I don’t mind.”

Charles carefully took the letter from his sister and read it, “Mr Lehnsherr is eager to see his little sister again, and we are looking forward to it as well. The girl has beauty and knowledge that makes me hope I can soon call her my sister-in-law.”

“Is that not clear enough?”

Charles scoffs, “Emma McCoy has seen that her brother is in love with you, and has taken him away to persuade him otherwise.”

Raven takes the letter back and stares down at it, “It is more likely that he doesn’t love me and never has.”

Charles kneels down to his sister’s level and gently holds her wrist, “He loves you, Raven, don’t give up. Why don’t you stay with our aunt and uncle in London? You will be most comfortable and you can go visit Mr McCoy.”

Raven sighs and nods, deciding to follow her brother’s advice. The next day, Raven grabbed her case and made her way onto the carriage, waving her family off as she disappeared down the road. As Charles waved her off, he turned to his mother who has refused to speak to him since yesterday’s…events. “Mother, I-”

Before he could even start his sentence, she walked back inside the house, ignoring him. Charles sighed and turned to his father, “Will it be like this forever?”

His father smiled down at him and shook his head, “No, just give her time and she’ll come around eventually.”

Charles nods and makes his way back to his room, where he picks up the book his father gave him about birds and begins reading it.

Within the next month that passes, nothing much changes, Mr Stryker left and went to stay in town for the rest of his visit, Charles’s mother slowly begins speaking to him again but they never really address the big thing, Charles is content with that though. The militia ends up moving north, which means Charles no longer has the colourful Mr Howlett to spend time with anymore, and truthfully he is left feeling quite lonely as he sits on the simple swing out in the garden. Though it all changes when Jean pays a visit, Charles smiles at her oncoming presence and greets her, “Jean, how wonderful it is to see you.”

Jean looks at Charles with a quite restrained expression, “Charles, I’ve come to tell you the big news…Mr Stryker and I are engaged.”

Charles’s smile drops and he goes silent for a moment, “Engaged?...to marry?”

Jean sighs, “Yes of course to marry, what other kind of engaged is there?”

Charles stands up from the swing and stumbles through his sentence, “But Jean, he is- I mean he is truly despicable, y-you have no idea what he’s like, you shouldn’t marry him.”

Jean looks at Charles with a hint of anger, “That’s easy for you to say, you’re a man, there is no pressure for you to marry and bear children as soon as you can. I am twenty-six years of age, I’m already a burden to my parents…but Mr Stryker will give me comfort and a suitable amount of money, I’m not a romantic y’know, I never was. So, don’t judge me Charles, don’t you dare judge me.”

With that Charles is left frozen in shock as Jean walks away, he eventually sits back on the swing left with the same feeling he had when he first got on it, loneliness.

Chapter Text

Two months had passed since Charles had seen Raven, and Jean had left with the incorrigible Mr Stryker, so most of his spring was spent in lonesome. Until, he received a letter from Jean wishing for him to come and visit her in Kent for a few days, to which he happily accepted. A day later, Charles had arrived at Jean’s new home with a lighter feeling in his heart, and gave her a suffocating hug while ignoring the piercing glares from Mr Stryker.

“Oh Jean, how wonderful it is to see your face after so long.”

Jean chuckled and said, “Charles, I am so glad you could make your way here, I have much to show you, come.”

Jean looped her arm through Charles’s, and guided him into the house to show him around, at the end of the tour she took him to her own private room, where Mr Stryker couldn’t interrupt. “This room is for my own personal use, we won’t be disturbed in here, oh Charles it’s so wonderful to run my own home. Whatever woman you marry, will be so happy to run your home Charles.”

Charles’s smile faltered slightly but before he could say anything, Mr Stryker came knocking on the door, “Great news, great news. Lord Sebastian Shaw has invited us to dine with him.”

Charles looked down at his clothes that were slightly dirtied from the ride to Kent, and realised he is nowhere near ready to meet a Lord, he couldn’t even greet his neighbours dressed like this. Mr Stryker glanced over to Charles and spoke, “Don’t worry yourself about your apparel, cousin, Lord Shaw has never been averse to the..truly humble.”

Jean attempted to help Charles out, “Just put on whatever you have that’s best.”

Charles rubbed his temple and nodded, “Alright, I’ll be outside in five minutes.”

Five minutes later, Charles walked outside in his best black blue frock coat and single-breasted waistcoat, Jean looked him over and nodded. “A dashing man you make when you actually try Charles.”

Charles scoffed, “You mean to say I look in a horrid state most of the time?”

Jean grinned at him, “Your words, my dear, not mine.”

Charles missed this, the banter he and Jean shared, not speaking to her for two months made him really appreciate the simple happiness she brought him. If Charles didn’t already hate Mr Stryker for his despicable actions, he would despise him for having his best friend live hours away from Hertfordshire, where he could no longer call upon her so easily.

Anyway, they made their way over to Rosings Park, all the while Mr Stryker was talking about how expensive all the furnishings and windows cost. Charles’s eyes were practically stuck in the back of his head, with how often he was rolling his eyes, such pretentiousness irritated him beyond belief. Though, Charles didn’t realise he was about to meet the definition of pretentiousness.

Upon reaching Rosings Park, they were escorted by a butler to the drawing room, where a man with rather greyed hair sat. Next to him was a young girl, ‘That must be Rogue’ Charles thought, recalling Mr Stryker’s descriptions from when he visited Longbourn. They slowly made their way to stand in front of Lord Shaw, they bowed and said their pleasantries, but then Lord Shaw looked Charles up and down sceptically. “Ah, the Xavier boy, I’ve heard…things about you.”

Charles tried not to let his face show how nervous that statement made him, as he glanced over to Mr Stryker who had a glimmer of smugness on his face, “Ah, good things I hope, my Lord.” Lord Shaw stared at him for a moment, before turning his head round to the girl sitting next to him, “This is my daughter, Rogue.” Just then, the door opened to reveal a figure that had been haunting Charles’s dreams for a while. “Mr Lehnsherr.”

Erik Lehnsherr walked gracefully into the room, his eyes only on Charles, “Mr Xavier.”

Lord Sebastian Shaw watched the interaction between the two with curiosity, before looking over to Charles, “You know my nephew?”

Charles fixed his surprised expression and smiled politely to the Lord, “Yes, my Lord, I had the honour of meeting your nephew in Hertfordshire.”

Lord Sebastian hummed in what Charles could only guess was either acknowledgement, or disappointment, but Charles’s mind was once again distracted by Erik Lehnsherr, who Charles could see was still looking at him. “Um, may I ask what has brought you here, Mr Lehsnherr?”

Charles watched as Mr Lehnsherr fiddled with his hands behind his back, in what seemed to be anxiousness. “I’m a guest here, Mr Xavier.”

Charles nodded and after a few moments, he broke the awkward silence that had begun plaguing the room, “...When will dinner be served, my Lord?”

Lord Shaw stood up and smoothed his suit out, “It should be ready soon enough, let us make our way to the dining hall.”

Slowly, they all made their way over to the grand hall and went to sit down, until Lord Shaw spoke, “Mr Stryker, you cannot sit next to your wife, you must sit opposite her.”

Charles saw that he would have to switch seats with Mr Stryker, as he was opposite Jean, and it was just Charles’s luck that he would now have to be seated beside Mr Lehnsherr. Charles made his way round the ornate table and sat down in his seat, avoiding any eye-contact with Mr Lehnsherr. While they waited for the food, Charles decided to confront Mr Lehnsherr quietly about Raven, “My sister is in London, perhaps you’ve run into her at some point?”

Mr Lehnsherr glanced at Charles with a neutral expression, “I haven’t had the pleasure, no.”

Charles was about to interrogate Mr Lehnsherr further about Raven and Mr McCoy, until Lord Sebastian Shaw spoke up, “Do you play the piano forte, Mr Xavier?”

Charles looked over to where the Lord sat at the head of the table, “Uh a little, my Lord, and very poorly.”

“Oh…do you hunt?”

Okay, now Charles feels like he’s being interrogated, “No, not at all.”

“Your younger brothers, do they hunt?”

Charles let out a quiet, calming breath, “Not one.”

Lord Shaw condescendingly chuckled, “How strange, your father should’ve taken you all to the woods and trained you in such a sport.”

Charles had to control his temper, “I’m sure my mother would’ve been happy with us being taught to hunt, but my father has a deep love for nature.”

“Your younger sister, is she out in society?”

“Yes, my Lord, she is.” Charles was starting to get snappy at this point, not wanting to tolerate the obvious disdain in Lord Shaw’s voice.

“How very odd, your sister being out in society while you’re not married, she must be very young.”

“Yes, she is only just 19.” Lord Shaw audibly gasped at how ridiculous a statement that was, Charles continued, “But I think it would be very hard for my younger siblings to not enjoy their lives just because the eldest is still unmarried, it would hardly encourage affection between us all.”

There was a beat of silence before Lord Shaw responded, “Upon my word, you give your opinion so decidedly for such a young person, what is your age?”

Charles chuckles quietly to himself, “With four younger siblings, your Lordship could hardly expect me to own up to my age.” And just then, the dinner began being served at the table, while Charles sat them with a small smirk to himself.

Once dinner was over, they all moved back to the drawing room to converse more comfortably, Charles decided to move away from the group and observe the world out the window until he heard Lord Shaw call for him. “Why don’t you play for us, Mr Xavier?”

Charles followed Lord Shaw’s line of sight to the grand piano which sat near the back of the room and back, “Oh no, my Lord, I am not afflicted with false modesty, when I say I play poorly I-”

Mr Stryker looked at Charles harshly and almost commanded him, “Come on, Charles, his Lordship demands it.”

Charles looked over the group of people and sighed before moving over to the piano, but behind him was a pair of the grey eyes of Mr Lehnsherr watching him with a flicker of affection in them, though his gaze was soon back on the matter at hand when Lord Shaw asked him about his sister.

“How does Wanda play, Erik?”

“She plays very well.”

Lord Shaw nods approvingly, “I hope she practices, perfection cannot be achieved without constant practice.”

Erik did his best to pretend that he was active in the conversation, but he couldn’t help his straying eyes, after a moment he decided to walk over to the failing piano player, Charles.

Charles glanced up from the ivory keys to Mr Lehnsherr, before looking back down, “You mean to frighten me, Mr Lehnsherr, in coming over to see me. Though I shall not be phased, even if your sister plays so well.”

Mr Lehnsherr leans against the piano, whilst observing Charles’s hands glide over the keys with some difficulty, “I have come to know you well enough, Mr Xavier, that I cannot frighten you even if I should wish it.”

Just then they both hear Lord Shaw’’s voice coming closer as the man walks over to the both of them, “Tell me, Mr Xavier, what was my nephew like in Hertfordshire?”

Charles stops playing the piano and grins at Mr Lehnsherr before looking over to Lord Shaw, “Prepare yourself for something rather dreadful, when I first met him at a ball he never danced with anyone at all, even though gentlemen were scarce and there was more than one young lady sitting down.”

Mr Lehnsherr interrupted Charles sharply, “I knew nobody beyond my party.”

Charles chuckles, “Oh and nobody can be introduced in a ballroom.”

Lord Shaw observes Charles’s nonchalant attitude with a look of disappointment, and ultimately decides to exit the conversation. Once Lord Shaw had left, Mr Lehnsherr leaned down closer to Charles and spoke quietly, “I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before.”

Charles looks up at Mr Lehnsherr with an amused grin, “Then maybe you should take your Uncle’s advice and practice.”

Mr Lehnsherr couldn’t help the slight smile that took over his face, before making his way back over to where the party of people were sat around, though Charles couldn’t help himself noticing Mr Stryker was staring at him, but he decided to brush it off and try to his enjoy his time.

The next morning eventually rolled round, and Charles was occupying himself with a book since Jean and Mr Stryker had some business to attend to, when all of a sudden the front door opens and a frazzled Mr Lehnsherr appears. Charles was stunned to say the least but stood up and bowed his head regardless, “Mr Lehnsherr, um…would you like to take a seat?”

Mr Lehnsherr looked at Charles as he fiddled with his riding gloves, but he did not reply, almost ridden with nerves. Charles then spoke again, “Um I’m afraid Mr and Mrs Stryker have left to attend to some business in the village.”

After a good few moments, Erik eventually speaks, “This is a charming house…I believe my Uncle aided with the costs.”

Charles couldn’t help the awkward smile on his face, “...Yes, I believe so…would you like some tea, perhaps?”

Erik shook his head, “No, thank you…” Just as he was about to speak again, the door opened revealing Jean, Mr Lehnsherr looked back at Charles and bowed his head. “It’s been a pleasure, Mr Xavier.”

With that, Mr Lehnsherr walked swiftly out the door and back to his horse outside, Jean looked absolutely bewildered. “What on earth have you done to Mr Lehnsherr?”

Charles watched out the window as Mr Lehnsherr rode away, “I have no idea.”

Soon after that mind-boggling encounter, Charles and Jean decided to go attend Mr Stryker’s sermon together, though Charles wasn’t too keen on the idea he did want to spend time with Jean. Once they arrived, Charles looked over the rather full church and spotted both Mr Lehnsherr and Rogue, Lord Shaw’s daughter, attending as well. Due to the lack of seats, Charles ended up sitting next to Rogue who greeted him with a polite smile, which he gladly returned. After a while of hearing Mr Stryker’s droning voice, Charles turned to Rogue and spoke quietly under his breath, “Does Mr Lehnsherr often visit you and your father, Lady Shaw?”

Rogue turns to Charles and says, “He comes and goes when he chooses.”

Charles chuckles quietly, “It seems like Mr Lehnsherr can do whatever he likes, I pray for the woman who he inevitably has to marry.”

Rogue smiles and shakes her head, “Any woman lucky enough to be married to Mr Lehnsherr would be a very happy wife.”

Charles raises an eyebrow, “Is that so?”

Rogue nods, “Of course, Mr Lehnsherr is a very loyal man, when I spoke to him last night he told me of how he came to the aid of his good friend just in time.”

Charles couldn’t help the gnawing feeling of anxiousness in his stomach, “What happened?”

Rogue continued, “He saved him from an unwise marriage.”

Charles couldn’t help but glance over at Mr Lehnsherr who was hanging his head down in prayer, “Who was the man?”

“It was Mr McCoy.”

And just like that, Charles’s world had shattered. “...Did Mr Lehnsherr give a reason for this interference?”

“Apparently, there were very strong objections to the lady.”

Charles’s sadness was now starting to turn into anger, “What kind of objections? Her lack of fortune?”

Rogue shook her head, “I believe it was the girl’s family that was deemed unsuitable.”

Charles couldn’t hear anymore, he swiftly stood up and stormed out the church, he didn’t care that it was raining he was far too consumed by his own feelings. Soon enough, Charles found himself long enough away from the church, and found shelter beneath an old monument building. He leaned back against the cold bricks, and stared at the ground with a hazy vision, he couldn’t tell if it was from anger or the tears. Though when he looked back up, he was greeted with the face of the last man he wanted to see right now, Mr Lehnsherr.

“Mr Xavier, I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer, these past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you, I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgement, my family’s expectation, the inferiority of your birth, my rank and sex, and I am willing to put them aside and ask you to end my agony.”

Charles looked at Mr Lehnsherr with a blank face, for he could not fake anything but his sheer disinterest in what this man is wanting, “I don’t understand-”

“I love you, most ardently…please do me the honour of accepting my affection.”

…Charles was speechless, here he was drenched in rain, standing opposite a man who had once given him mild amusement, who now makes him feel nothing but undiluted loathing. “Sir I…I appreciate the struggle you have been through and I am very sorry to cause you pain, believe me it was unconsciously done.”

Erik was silent for a moment, expecting Charles to say more, “Is this your reply?”

Charles nodded, “Yes sir.”

“Are you…are you judging me?”

“No.”

Erik raised his voice slightly, “Are you rejecting me?”

Charles scoffed, “I’m sure the feelings you have told me that have hindered your regard will help you in overcoming it.”

Erik didn’t know if he wanted to laugh or cry, “Might I ask why you are so repulsed by me?”

Charles took a step closer, “And I might as well enquire why, with such evident a design in insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgement.”

“No, believe me, I didn’t mean-”

“If I was uncivil then that is some excuse, but I have other reasons, you know I have.”

“What reasons?”

Charles took a breath, “Do you really think anything might tempt me to accept the man, who has ruined perhaps forever, the happiness of my dear sister? Do you deny it, Mr Lehnsherr? That you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to the potential of genuine contentment, and my sister to the world of disappointed hopes, and evoking in them misery of the most severe kind?”

“I do not deny it.”

Charles’s voice cracked slightly from the bluntness in Erik’s voice, “How could you do it?”

Erik sighed, “Because I believed your sister to be indifferent towards him.”

Charles moved his head back in shock, “Indifferent?”

“I watched them most carefully and realised his attachment was deeper than hers.”

Charles voice went higher-pitch with frustration, “That’s because she’s shy-”

“McCoy too, is modest, and was persuaded she didn’t feel strongly-”

“Because you suggested it.”

“I did it for his own good.”

Charles snapped, “My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me,” they both stood there panting out of breath from their argument before Charles spoke again with a calmer voice, “I suppose that you suspect that his..his fortune has some sway on the-”

Erik quickly defended himself, “No, I wouldn’t do your sister the dishonour, though it was suggested-”

Charles’s ears perked up, “What was?”

Erik almost winced in regret before continuing, “It was made perfectly clear that an advantageous marriage-”

Charles raised his voice, “Did my sister give that impression?!”

Erik quickly corrected himself, “No, no…however there was the matter of your family.”

“Our want of connection? Mr McCoy didn’t seem to vex himself about that-”

Erik rolled his eyes, “No it was more than that.”

Charles stepped closer again unconsciously, not even realising he was close enough that he could feel Mr Lehnsherr's breath on his face, “How sir?”

Erik looked down at Charles and was quiet for a second before speaking, “It was the lack of class shown by your mother, your three younger brothers and even on occasion your father.”

Charles couldn’t exactly argue that, his mother was more than happy to talk about the soon rich marriage Raven would have. Erik felt the need to reassure Charles of something, “Forgive me, you and your sister I must exclude from this.”

Charles took a moment to think before speaking, “...And what about Mr Howlett?”

Erik blinked in confusion before his eyes turned envious, “Mr Howlett?”

“What excuse can you give for your…your behaviour towards him?”

Erik scoffed, “You’ve taken eager interest into that gentleman’s concerns.”

Charles wanted to slap that look off his face, “He told me of his misfortunes.”

Erik chuckled dryly, “Oh yes, his misfortunes have been very great indeed.”

Charles narrowed his eyes in judgement, “You ruin his chances and yet you treat him with sarcasm.”

Erik took a step back from Charles and shook his head, “So this is your opinion of me, thank you for explaining so fully, perhaps these offences might’ve been overlooked had not your pride been hurt, by my honesty in admitting scruples about our relationship. Do you expect to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?”

Charles laughed in shock, “And those are the words of a gentleman.” Charles took a breath before gripping Erik’s suit coat and dragging him closer, “From the very first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others, made me realise that you are the last man in the world I could ever be forced to love.”

Erik stood there frozen, his eyes looking at Charles’s beautiful blue ones before glancing down at Charles’s lips. So close…he was so close to making one mistake out of a desire that clawed at his stomach for weeks, but in the end Erik knew better than that. He slowly pulled away from Charles, “Forgive me, sir, for taking up so much of your time,” and with that, Erik turned around and left, leaving Charles back to where he was. Leaning against the wall, looking down at the ground, trying not to let his tears fall.