Roderick's Tale

Grandfather looked at each of us before he unfolded a letter and glanced down at it. He addressed Faith and Edith, "Girls, I am going to be blunt, but please let me finish. What I have to say may cause hurt until it is all heard."

They nodded.

"Good. Given your pregnancies, it would be difficult to find you husbands. To do so would likely cost a significant sum, in addition to your already high dowries. So, we are not going to find you husbands. It is as simple as that."

All the women began to protest, but Grandfather raised his hand, and they fell silent.

Grandfather touched the letter on his lap. "Now that said, I have already found you a husband. Of course, some details need to be worked out, but he has agreed."

Looking at the faces of the women, they were all confused. In essence, Grandfather stated he wouldn't look for husbands due to the difficulty and expense and then said he had already found one.

"Who, Grandfather?" Faith asked. "Who have you found, who would marry me, knowing I'm pregnant?"

Grandfather smiled. "You know him. Quite well, in fact. And if you wish to know why he would marry you in your condition, you will have to ask him yourself."

Mother spoke up next. "Papa, how is Faith to ask this man if she doesn't even know who he is?"

"Well, the man is sitting next to her--"

They all looked at me. Under their scrutiny, I squirmed.

"Grandfather, Roderick is my brother. We cannot marry! It is wrong! It is wicked! Besides, if I marry Roderick, who would marry Edith?" Faith exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes once more.

Grandfather held up the letter again. "Do you know who this is from? I have been in correspondence with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and I stated plainly the situation and my thoughts to him. He wrote back that there is no reason under God that a man cannot marry more than one woman. Given the situation, I petitioned for a dispensation from the Archbishop, asking that you be allowed to marry despite being siblings."

There was silence.

"Things are not completely set. I still need to negotiate the contract," Grandfather continued. "However, the reason I have not yet done that is because of you," he said, indicating all of us on the sofa. "I have spoken to Roderick, and he is willing to marry both of you. The question now is whether the two of you, Edith and Faith, are willing to marry Roderick together."

My sister and cousin looked across me at each other, and I glanced between them.

Faith looked back at our grandfather. "The church has agreed to the union?"

Grandfather nodded.

"Then I am willing to marry Roderick, only if Edith also agrees," Faith stated matter-of-factly.

While Faith spoke, I watched Edith. Her face showed confusion and indecision, and her eyes were on my mother. Glancing over, Mother's eyes were on Edith also.

"What of it, Edith? Will you marry Roderick as a co-wife with Faith?" Grandfather asked brusquely.

I reached out and took Edith's hand. With my actions, I drew her gaze. "Edith, may I speak with you alone?"

She nodded her agreement, and we excused ourselves. Grandfather only asked that we not be long.

I led Edith into the adjoining, seldom used, antechamber. This room would be where callers would wait for an audience with me for business. It had only been used twice in the few years where I managed the estate.

I closed the doors behind us. When I was sure we were alone, I took both her hands and looked into her eyes.

"I wish I could have spoken to you before this meeting. Edith, I love you. I asked your mother for permission to marry you, and she gave me her blessing. I still plan on asking your father-- Forgive me, I'm rambling." I paused to collect my thoughts. "Edith, I've taken it for granted with the events forcing our action that you and I would marry. Do you even want to be my wife?"

Edith smiled at my words, and her eyes held love and kindness. "Yes, I will marry you. With or without your sister. I think that Faith and I can put aside any malignant feelings we may have to make the situation work."

Just as when Edith told me she thought she was pregnant, warmth and happiness took me. I pulled her in, placed a kiss on her lips, and hugged her to me.

She laughed, returning my hug, before pushing me back. "I worry about your mother, though."

Though I still felt the joy, it was tempered with the knowledge of what Edith meant. "You also have sapphic desires?"

Edith blushed but nodded. "I never thought those feelings could be within me. Being with your mother was wonderful and different." She looked into my eyes, and I felt she tried to impart her feelings as she spoke. "I am so glad it was you who made me a woman. Other than circumstance, I would not change that. You make me happy, and I felt indescribably amazing. Yet it was just as indescribably amazing with your mother."

I nodded. "I think I understand. Wait here, please."

I opened the door to my study. "Mother, could you please join us for a moment."

She nodded and left the study to join us.

When I was sure the door was closed, and we had privacy again, I turned to the women.

"I pray what I am about to say is not out of station. The two of you wish to pursue a relationship, yes?"

The women looked at each other, blushing. The hungry look in their eyes told me all I needed to know.

They turned back to me, and both nodded and said in unison, "Yes."

I couldn't help but smile. I reached out and took each of their hands, raised them together, and cupped my hand around theirs. When I released my hands, they continued to hold hands and look into each other's eyes.

"If I am to marry both Edith and Faith, I will not be able to spend time with both. When I am with Faith-- Edith, Mother, if you wish to have a relationship, I will not stand in the way of it."

Both of their heads snapped over to me. "Are you sure, Roderick? You would condone this wicked thing between us?" Edith asked.

I nodded. "Yes, I am sure. I wish for my family to be happy. If this is what is needed for that-- so be it."

Edith lunged at me, hugging me tightly.

When she pulled back, tears were streaming down her face. When I checked, Mother was also crying.

"Come, let us tell Grandfather Edith has agreed to marry me, but let me give the news, please."

The women agreed, and we returned to Faith and Grandfather.

Grandfather watched us as we returned but didn't say anything.

When the women were seated, I turned to face Edith and Faith on the sofa.

"Faith, Edith, due to horrendous events, we have been brought here to this point. Despite those events, I love you both." I took a knee in front of them and pulled two of the rings from my pocket. "Would you both do me the honour of marrying me?"

They looked at each other, and in unison, with smiles, said, "Yes."

I took the first ring and placed it on Edith's left hand. Then I put Faith's ring on her left hand. Both rings fit as though expertly designed for them.

Standing, I gave them each a kiss on the cheek before turning to my mother.

"Mother, I cannot marry you, and as we discussed, truly, I have no desire to. However, I love you unconditionally, and you carry my child." I went down on my knee again. "Would you please accept this ring, a token of my love and commitment to care for you and our child? Even if I cannot claim the child as my own."

Mother sobbed happy tears as she nodded her assent.

I took the final ring and placed it on Mother's right hand. And then I gave her a kiss on the cheek as well.

"Well, I guess that settles things here," Grandfather said, though he had a smile on his face. When I looked over, he gave me a nod.

Chapter 10

Mother and the girls left to find Aunt Lola and Grandmother to start preparations for the wedding. As they left, I heard them speaking about how it would need to be a small and private affair.

"What of you, Lad?" Grandfather asked. "That was a loving thing you did for your mother."

I pulled my eyes away from the door the women left through and smiled at my grandfather. "I did what my heart told me was right."

Grandfather laughed. "Such a romantic."

I blushed lightly but nodded.

"What now then?" He asked.

I glanced out the window. It was a clear and sunny day. "I have not been to see the estate in a few days, and it is far too nice out to not spend the day out-of-doors." I looked back at Grandfather. "I will ride the estate."

He nodded. "Find and take Ephram with you. He could use some country air. And remember, I expect your father here in time to sup with us."

I had forgotten Father was coming. I knew Mother needed to be seen publicly with Father to avoid scandal, but with Father being the cause of all our troubles, I was not looking forward to seeing him.

Grandfather's mention of my father reminded me. "Grandfather, I plan to travel to speak with Uncle Aubrey about my marriage to Edith. I have requested that Aunt Lola write a letter explaining the situation to him. I hope you could write a letter also. I would like Uncle to understand, from others, why this is happening now."

Grandfather nodded. "Very well. I shall pen one while you are out riding."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

With that, I left to find Ephram.

***

I watched Ephram climb ponderously into his saddle, and he blanched at the effort of doing so.

"Ephram, I know Grandfather said for you to come with me, and I welcome your company, but are you well enough to ride?"

My cousin looked over at me and gave me a wain smile. "I will be well enough once we are moving. Though I don't know if I should continue to mount and dismount as you do at the farms."

I nodded my understanding. We spurred our mounts and left the manor at an easy trot.

We rode in silence for a time, both enjoying the sounds of the country and sun on our skin.

"Roderick, I have been thinking about your policy of treating others as your equals," Ephram stated as we rode. I waited patiently for him to continue. "I find it fascinating how, by spending money on your staff and tenants' wellbeing, you increase your income overall."

I smiled over at him. "It does seem somewhat counterintuitive, doesn't it?"

He nodded. "And then the concept that we are all equal, it's unheard of. I don't think the peerage would agree that they are equal to the street urchin."

I laughed. "No. I think you are correct. However, that does not mean it's true. We studied the bible closely at school, and I cannot refute the priest's claims. Also, you have read my ledgers and know the numbers; my practices seem to make a difference."

"I cannot argue with that, Cousin," Ephram stated as we rode into the first of the farms.

As with the other rides around the estate, I stopped and spoke with the farmer. The difference this time was that Ephram remained in his saddle. I made sure my tenants understood why so they did not become offended.

Ephram and I continued to chat as we rode. We discussed the management of the estate and life in general.

As we rode into the last farm, we faced the first problem on a farm since Ephram's arrival. The farmer and his two sons worked on a hitched wagon. I thought they were fixing the wheel.

Something, even now, I do not know what spooked the horses. One reared, and the other kicked before they pranced a few steps. Oddly though, they settled down immediately after.

It was horrifying to watch. The horses shifted the wagon, and the wheel they worked on fell off. The younger lad must have seen it happening; he pulled his brother out from under the wagon. However, the wagon ended up crashing down onto the leg of the younger lad. He couldn't have been older than Ephram, yet he sacrificed himself to save his brother.

I spurred my horse forward and dismounted at a run. Together the boys' father and I managed to lift the wagon, so the boy was no longer pinned.

The older brother helped the boy shift from under the wagon. As soon as he was free, we set the wagon down.

I looked at the poor lad. Though he must have felt extreme pain, he was brave and contained his cries. His left thigh bent at an angle, in a place the leg should be straight.

"Ephram, ride back to the manor! Send for the surgeon immediately."

My cousin nodded and spurred his horse into motion. I watched after him a moment, worried about his condition.

When I turned back to the situation, others of his family had arrived.

"Take the lad inside. The surgeon will be here as soon as I can get him here."

"Thank you, sir!" the lad's mother exclaimed.

When his mother and younger siblings carried the boy off, his father, older brother and I remained at the wagon.

"Come on, you two. Let us get the wheel back on," I ordered.

"Sir?"

I nodded. "He sacrificed himself. Let us not let that sacrifice be in vain."

We picked up the wheel and got it into position. Then the father and I lifted the wagon again, and the boy then put the wheel back on. Once it was in place, we secured the hub.

I dusted my hands off and took a few steps away. I simply took a deep breath to clear my head.

"Mr. Livingstone, sir. How can I thank you? You helped save my boy and have sent for the surgeon."

I turned back and faced the man. "No thanks are necessary. If I don't take care of you and your family, you would not be able to take care of my farm. Though we may not live in the same house, we are like family."

The farmer shook his head in wonder.

"I should get back to the manor. I'll ensure the surgeon gets here as soon as possible."

The farmer walked up and shook my hand.

"Thank you again, sir!"

I nodded and smiled before mounting my horse and riding back to the estate.

***

When I turned onto the lane of the manor, I spotted a carriage pull to a stop by the front entry. I spurred my horse to a cantor and closed the distance quickly.

My father stepped down from the carriage as I reigned in and dismounted.

My father was an average-sized man, a few inches shorter than me; he also clearly did not spend his days doing hard labour. He was a soft man who spent his days talking and drinking brandy.

He took in my appearance, and his eyes went wide. "Dear God, Roderick! What happened to you?" Father said, with a note to his voice, which I thought might be concern.

I looked down and noticed that I was soiled. The grease and dirt from the wagon covered my hands and clothes.

"Oh! Nothing of concern for myself. There was an accident at one of my farms. A wagon collapsed, and a young lad was injured. I helped them fix the wagon. How are you, Father? Was your trip well?"

I didn't really want to have my father here at my home. I knew he was here out of necessity, not desire, though. As such, I maintained my civility.

Father turned his nose up at me. "So, you are a common groom or teamster now, are you? From the reports your mother sent me, I thought you were raised better than to act below your station."

Anger flared in my eyes, and I stepped up to him. In a quiet voice, I ordered, "Watch your tongue, sir! This is not the capital, nor is this your house. You will do well to remember it. For if it happens again, I assure you, you will not like what happens."

At first, Father's eyes went wide in fear, but then they narrowed. "You dare speak to me in like manner? I am your father--"

"You are a sack of wine!" I cut him off.

"Enough!" Grandfather bellowed.

Neither Father nor I backed down, maintaining eye contact. I loathed my sire but would tolerate his presence as necessary.

"Both of you desist this instant," Mother ordered, running down the steps. She grabbed my arm and pulled me away from my father.

When Mother stationed herself between my father and I, she turned to address her husband. "Please come inside, Ira. A chamber has been prepared for you to freshen yourself after your travels."

Father finally looked away from me to glare at Mother. Without a word, he turned and strode up the steps to the house. He passed Grandfather without a word.

"Come, Roderick. You need to make yourself presentable," Mother stated, looping her arm through mine and beginning to walk to the house.

I walked beside her up the stairs. We paused when we reached Grandfather, and mother glanced between us before bowing her head and leaving us.

"That was unwise, Roderick," Grandfather stated.

I nodded. "Yes, I believe you are correct. Though I am not sorry. Knowing what he has done-- Knowing what he has caused-- It angers me so."

Grandfather nodded and patted my back. "Go to your chamber and change. To be safe, stay there until I call for you. This will ensure that you do not cross paths with Ira again before we can discuss matters."

I looked into my grandfather's eyes and saw that he ordered me to my room out of love and not annoyance. Nodding, I said, "I shall await your summons, Grandfather."

"Good lad." He gave me another pat, and we entered the house.

***

I stood in my dressing room, in front of the floor-length mirror, tying my cravat, when I heard a knock at the door to my suite. As I finished tying the knot, I was surprised when Faith stepped into the dressing room with me.

I glanced around her into my bedchamber, looking to see if she was alone. If a servant were to see her here unescorted, it would be cause enough for a scandal. I didn't spot anyone for two reasons. One, she did come alone, but more importantly, she giggled, wrapped her arms around my neck, and kissed me.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her lithe body, returning her kiss.

When we separated a moment later, she smiled at me.

Though I didn't see anyone when I looked, I was still panicked, though the kiss had distracted me.

"Faith! What are you doing here?" I asked in a hushed whisper.

She giggled again. "Rodi, you are so funny. I told you I have been obsessing about you. I didn't get the chance to kiss you that night, besides a peck on the cheek. Now that we are to be married, I wanted to steal a kiss and spend some time with you."

I couldn't help but smile at her explanation. "And what are the servants going to think, finding you here, alone in my dressing room?"

"Honestly, I don't care. If I am to marry my brother, then why care what they think?"

I didn't have an answer for her.

Nodding, I said, "Very well. Head into my chamber. I will be but a moment more."

Faith smiled and gave me another tantalizing kiss before leaving me to finish dressing.

I quickly pulled on my waistcoat and tail-coat before joining Faith.

We moved to my sofa, looking out the window at the gardens in the back. Faith sat snuggled into my side, and we held hands while simply talking.

I enjoyed my time with Faith. Due to her pulling away avoiding her desires, I had spent so little time with her in the past month it was good to catch up.

It wasn't long, though, before there was a knock on the door, and my butler entered. Spotting Faith and I, he raised an eyebrow but did not comment on the situation. "Sir, Lord Ambrose requests your presence in the parlour."

"Thank you, Mr. Jakobe," I replied. Turning to Faith, I said, "Please excuse me, dear Sister. I believe it is time for me to confront Father."

Faith's expression was unreadable at the mention of our sire. She nodded, and I left, following my butler.

Chapter 11

I followed Mr. Jakobe into the parlour and took in the scene. The furniture had been rearranged. Five armchairs from around the house were arranged in a circle. Several more chairs were lined up along the outside wall, and Grandfather sat in one. On either side of Grandfather, the chairs were empty, and Ephram and Father sat in the other two chairs.

"Mr. Jakobe, please close and lock the doors before you join us," Grandfather asked.

Father looked like he was about to protest but held his tongue.