The Honour of Gentlemen Part 2/5: Go Forth From Ashes
“I...” Adam started, unsure of how he would proceed with his answer. He was a bit embarrassed over the whole situation, but the fact remained that whenever he so much as heard a melody, a strange feeling crept over his skin: a cold, clammy tingling that turned his stomach. “ ... I felt unwell after so much travel, Neil. I confess I was not myself.” Adam chided himself for playing the coward, but he had not admitted to anyone the cause of his strange aversion to music; a symptom he had only just taken notice of before his departure from London. He was well aware that it was foolish; irrational even, but he could not restrain his mind from the association. Perhaps in time...
Neil glanced at him dubiously, but did not raise any further inquiry. Instead, he collapsed into one of the chairs in front of the desk, leaning his head against the side of the high back. Adam thought he looked positively childish; it was tough to believe that so many years had passed since he and Neil were routinely summoned into this very office for important paternal lectures.
“Trying few days?”
“Few weeks.” Neil replied. “But it was worth it in the end.” He smiled roguishly. “Though now that you’ve brought up Reverend Allen I’m feeling a little remorseful.”
“I don’t believe he holds it against you.” Adam said, offering a little comfort. “He blames himself, I think, for not making his intentions plain. He pinned all his hopes on her, it seems, and is a little lost without that particular goal in mind. He’s grateful, incidentally, for the words you spoke on his behalf to the Bishop. Kristopher seemed eager to settle into some semblance of a normal life here.”
“You don’t think I was...wrong to bring him here, do you?” Neil scratched at his fingers, a nervous habit he had indulged in since childhood. “Katherine was so keen on the idea, but now that I have seen them interact I feel as though I did him more harm than good. His feelings for her were written on his face, as clear as words on a page. Do you not think he would have been better off somewhere far from her?”
“You needn’t fear for your wife’s virtue, if that’s what you’re concerned over.” Adam said, treading carefully.
“No, that’s not it.” Neil sighed loudly and wriggled in his seat. “It’s just that, without the Church here to keep him occupied, I worry I have placed him in an untenable situation.”
“It’s not your responsibility to keep him from being idle. He can help the rebuilding effort here; perhaps assist at the parish the next county over. I am sure the Bishop will find some task to keep him occupied till our church is reconstructed. I would guess that by this time next year the repairs should be complete, taking a seasonal work stoppage into account.” Adam had seen a lot of construction during his tenure in London; there were constantly buildings being raised or razed in the West End. In London, carpenters worked happily through the winters, but this far north he doubted the weather would permit such convenience.
Neil looked unconvinced, and Adam wondered at his sudden outburst of concern for someone who he had all too recently dismissed.
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Since Livejournal is being a whore, I had to publish the rest of this chapter off-site. I'd really appreciate it if you left feedback here, though. Cause feedback makes me happy. Livejournal was obviously not meant for 12,000 word posts - any advice on how to make this actually work would be welcomed.
The Balance of Go Forth From Ashes can be found here
Neil glanced at him dubiously, but did not raise any further inquiry. Instead, he collapsed into one of the chairs in front of the desk, leaning his head against the side of the high back. Adam thought he looked positively childish; it was tough to believe that so many years had passed since he and Neil were routinely summoned into this very office for important paternal lectures.
“Trying few days?”
“Few weeks.” Neil replied. “But it was worth it in the end.” He smiled roguishly. “Though now that you’ve brought up Reverend Allen I’m feeling a little remorseful.”
“I don’t believe he holds it against you.” Adam said, offering a little comfort. “He blames himself, I think, for not making his intentions plain. He pinned all his hopes on her, it seems, and is a little lost without that particular goal in mind. He’s grateful, incidentally, for the words you spoke on his behalf to the Bishop. Kristopher seemed eager to settle into some semblance of a normal life here.”
“You don’t think I was...wrong to bring him here, do you?” Neil scratched at his fingers, a nervous habit he had indulged in since childhood. “Katherine was so keen on the idea, but now that I have seen them interact I feel as though I did him more harm than good. His feelings for her were written on his face, as clear as words on a page. Do you not think he would have been better off somewhere far from her?”
“You needn’t fear for your wife’s virtue, if that’s what you’re concerned over.” Adam said, treading carefully.
“No, that’s not it.” Neil sighed loudly and wriggled in his seat. “It’s just that, without the Church here to keep him occupied, I worry I have placed him in an untenable situation.”
“It’s not your responsibility to keep him from being idle. He can help the rebuilding effort here; perhaps assist at the parish the next county over. I am sure the Bishop will find some task to keep him occupied till our church is reconstructed. I would guess that by this time next year the repairs should be complete, taking a seasonal work stoppage into account.” Adam had seen a lot of construction during his tenure in London; there were constantly buildings being raised or razed in the West End. In London, carpenters worked happily through the winters, but this far north he doubted the weather would permit such convenience.
Neil looked unconvinced, and Adam wondered at his sudden outburst of concern for someone who he had all too recently dismissed.
****
Since Livejournal is being a whore, I had to publish the rest of this chapter off-site. I'd really appreciate it if you left feedback here, though. Cause feedback makes me happy. Livejournal was obviously not meant for 12,000 word posts - any advice on how to make this actually work would be welcomed.
The Balance of Go Forth From Ashes can be found here