FIC: Assumptions Burst (9/13) - A Much Ado About Nothing fic
Title: Assumptions Burst
Genre: MAAN
Rating: T
Author: tkel_paris
Summary: The lives of Beatrice and Benedick are made more complicated by the presence of her father, who has plans for his only child. Plans she does not agree with.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything Shakespearean. Also don't have anything to do with the Josie Roarke production that I adore so much. If I could make money off these...
Dedication: sykira, whose praise has inspired me to try writing even more MAAN fanfics. This is your fault, lovely. ;) Also dedicated to inward_audacity, whose comments were the basis for this idea. And thanks to tardis_mole for betaing.
Author's Note: Posted in sykira's honor. You know why. Sorry this is so late. But I think you'll like this one. I've created an OC, and I think I'm almost as in love with this one as I am with Benedick. You'll see why. :D
This was supposed to be a “just because” present, but given how long it's taken me it's turn also into a Christmas present. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday season!
Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight
Assumptions Burst
Started September 2, 2015
Finished December 23-25, 2015
Chapter Nine: Friend Against Friend
Elena and Innogen entered from the side of the room, having changed into mourning attire. Veils covered their faces, and each had their arms folded as though they were chilled. Each pursed their lips as they watched Leonato drink glass after glass of champange. Olivio was not far off. They had left their girls sitting together to dress in black, and to avoid speaking with either man who controlled their lives.
Olivio still held himself back from the depths of grief. He disliked the effects of too much drinking, and aimed to remind Leonato of that. “If you go on thus, you will kill yourself. 'Tis not wisdom to second grief against yourself.”
Leonato's words in rejecting the advice were long, full of self-pity and grief. He was consuming himself in grief.
Innogen could finally take no more and let them know they were present. “Therein do men from children nothing differ.”
“Sister, I bid thee caution in thy words,” Olivio warned her sharply.
“Yet bend all the harm upon himself? Make those that do offend thee suffer too, husband!” she insisted, as she shoved the front of the veil over her head. Elena followed suit.
Leonato stood, putting his glass aside. “There thou speak'st reason: nay, I will do so. My soul doth tell me Hero is belied; And that shall Claudio know; so shall the prince And all of them that thus dishonour her.”
As though summoned by the words the Prince and Claudio walked by, slowing as they realized who was near. “Good den, good den,” the Prince said, gentle yet firm.
“Good day to all of you,” Claudio said, cool yet mannerly.
The good manners were enough to set Leonato off in his state. “Hear me, my lords-”
“We have some haste, Leonato,” declared the Prince, refusing to take his hand.
“Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord. Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.”
“Nay, do not quarrel with us, old man.”
Elena had to speak, her voice colder than anyone had ever heard it. Even Olivio when she threatened to sleep in her own room and then, in the same breath, hinted of leaving him. “If he could right himself with quarreling, some of us would lie low.”
“Who wrongs him?” asked Claudio.
Leonatos answer was instant. “Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dessembler- Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword I fear thee not,” he added when Claudio's hand did so without his awareness.
The Count did not need the Prince's gesture of caution or the stiffening of the women to know he was wrong, and raised both hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Marry, beshrew my hand, if it should give your age such cause of fear: in faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.”
“Tush, tush, man; never fleer and jest at me,” Leonato snapped, chasing Claudio through the chairs. Olivio made it difficult for Claudio to hide. “I speak not like a dotard nor a fool, as under privilege of age to brag what I have done being young, or what I would do were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head, thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me that I am forced to lay my reverence by and, with grey hairs and bruise of many days, do challenge thee to trial of a man. I say...”
Olivio touched his arm, reminding him that he had to be careful.
Leonato got the message “... thou hast belied mine innocent child; thy slander hath gone through and through her heart, and she lies buried with her ancestors; oh, in a tomb where never scandal slept, save this of hers, framed by thy villany!”
Don Pedro and Claudio were stunned. Dead upon their words?! Although Claudio could not be completely silent. “My villainy?!”
“Thine, Claudio; thine, I say,” declared Leonato.
“You speak not right, old man,” said the Prince.
“My lord, my lord, I'll prove it on his body, if he dare,” Leonato said, shoving Claudio.
Ckaudio fled toward the Prince. “Away! I will not have to do with you.”
“Canst thou do daff me?! Thou hast killed my child; if thou killst me, boy, thou shall kill a man!”
“Peace, Leonato!” cried the Prince.
Innogen, having grabbed a glass full of champange to keep her hands busy, had enough. “Let him answer me!” She stepped forward and threw the liquid onto Claudio, who squawked from the shock of a woman challenging him. He walked a little away, but was followed. “Come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, follow me: Sir boy, I'll whip you from your foiling fence!”
Leonato was stunned. “Wife--”
“Content yourself!” she cried. “God knows I loved my daughter; and she is dead, slander'd to death by villains, that dare as well answer a man indeed as I dare take a serpent by the tongue: boys, apes, braggarts, Jacks, milksops!”
“Sister Innogen--” Olivio tried to interrupt, but she was too full of anger to speak, and the men's shock was too much to interfere much.
“Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea, and what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple - scrambling, out-facing, fashion-monging boys, that lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander, go anticly, show outward hideousness, and speak off half a dozen dangerous words, how they might hurt their enemies, if they durst; and this is all.”
Olivio could not be silent any longer. “Come, 'tis no matter: do not you meddle, sister Innogen; let me deal in this.”
“Good sirs, madams, we will not wake your patience,” declared the Prince. “My heart is sorry for your Hero's death: but, on my honour, she was charged with nothing but what was true and very full of proof.”
“My lord, my lord,” began Olivio, unaware that their dispute had witnesses. Benedick and Pietro stepped slowly into the area, tall and with the fullest military precision.
“I will not hear you,” snapped the Prince.
“No? We will be heard,” Olivio declared. “Thou hast been decreed the finest future King the land could have, and what doth thou do? Permit thyself to be led by others when thine own judgment is required. Hath thou not spoken of how much care thy brother by thy father's being a man hast required of thee? Hath thou not spoken of how mine daughter speaks only the truth when she speaks no mirth; and even when she doth speak mirth there is always truth to it? How canst thou disregard her words entirely, her oath that my niece was never left alone with any man? She is a lady you swore that you respected and thou threw her oaths away like the waste of dinner to a beggar.”
Elena's face darkened over her husband's words. She looked at Innogen and whispered, “Accuse he the Prince of doing exactly what he himself had done twice this day; first when he forbade her to marry Benedick and then when he would not support her defence of Hero?”
Olivio still overheard, and lost all ability to continue in that vein. No one else overheard.
Elena then noticed the entrance of the two men and decided to break the tension slightly. “Good day, Senor Benedick, Duke Pietro.”
“Good day, Lady Elena, Lady Innogen, my lords.” Benedick disliked that the address permitted Claudio to think he was being referred to, but he had no interest in singling out either Leonato or Olivio. Pietro merely bowed slightly, aiming it at the ladies as Benedick was to speak for them both.
“Welcome, senor and Duke Pietro: you are almost come to part almost a fray,” Don Pedro said, considerable relief in his voice.
Benedick was not going to let this continue. “In a false quarrel there is no true valour. I came to seek you both, and my right hand follows where I go.”
Claudio stepped toward them, and away from the ladies who made him uneasy. “We have been up and down to seek thee and thy gutter-snipe spawned man; for we are high-proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt thou use thy wit?”
“It is in my scabbard: shall I draw it?” Benedick said, taking a page from Pietro's book and ignoring everything else.
The whole room was taken aback. The words sounded like a man quick to pass anger and willing to greet violence.
Don Pedro knew better than any that was not Benedick's nature. “Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?”
Claudio also knew Benedick was slow to anger, although his nature encouraged him to make a joke of it. “As I am an honest man, he looks pale. Art thou sick, or angry?”
“Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, and you charge it against me. I pray you choose another subject,” Benedick snapped, not liking how far his friend had fallen and not willing to be engaged in any foolish wit match.
Elena's eyes widened and her hand went over her heart as hope flared within. Could he possibly have come in answer to Hero's death, to defend them all?
“By this light, he changes more and more: I think he be angry indeed,” remarked Claudio in full amusement.
Benedick shared a grim look with Pietro, then raised his right hand in a firm command and looked right at Claudio. “Shall I speak a word in your ear?”
The sharpness told them that Benedick meant business. The ladies' eyes brightened as they realized he was looking to avenge the wrong done. The men were merely confused.
Claudio looked to the Prince, who nodded. Then he walked to Benedick's side, which was within earshot of all of the room even though he stepped away from Pietro to keep the two apart. “God bless me from a challenge!”
Benedick saw no need to speak in an aside. “You are a villain. I jest not,” he added when Claudio laughed.
The room went silent.
“I will make it good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare. Do me right, or I will
protest your cowardice. You have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. To make matters worse, you have also wronged three honourable women by slandering their reputations as honest ladies. Let me hear from you.” He moved away from Claudio.
Who, in disbelief, did not let him get far. “Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.”
“Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily,” Benedick mocked, his voice deadly. He was pleased that Claudio stepped back from both the force of the words and his stepping closer.
The Prince could not make a joke. Instead he looked to Benedick. “What means thee, Benedick? When hath Claudio acted truly in the wrong?”
Claudio took comfort in his lord's defense. “Yea, perhaps thou meant a feast with thy man as thy fool?”
“Fare you well, boy: you know my mind,” Benedick interrupted. “I will leave you now to your gossip-like humour: you break jests as braggarts do their blades, which God be thanked, hurt not. My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you: I must discontinue your company, and my men follow me.”
Don Pedro was not the only one shocked by Benedick handing him a letter. The complete earnestness in his face spoke to his speaking the truth. So the Prince numbly took the letter.
Once it was taken, Benedick continued his campaign. “Your brother the bastard is fled from Messina: you have among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet: and, till then, peace be with him.”
Olivio did not miss that Benedick's voice clearly said that Claudio did not deserve the title, and so he had to speak. “Upon what right doth thee act on my family's behalf?”
“I act as a man who knows the characters of both the Lady Hero and the Lady Beatrice by observation well. Nay, I know the Lady Hero is innocent of such accusations. Did not the Ladies protest Hero's innocence and offer proof?”
“How canst thou be certain?” snapped Claudio.
“The ladies did,” acknowledged Don Pedro, keeping Claudio in line by speaking. “The Lady Beatrice claimed to be with her the whole time, and so did their mothers.”
“And they speak the truth, for I was in the company of both the Lady Hero and the Lady Beatrice, who were with their mothers. She was never alone for an instant, let alone unmeet with a man! Any who would dare claim that she is disloyal knows her not and hath never been attentive to her character.”
All went silent, staring at Benedick who stared everyone down.
Pietro could not be silent any longer. “My lords and ladies, I must add my own knowledge to the innocence of the Lady Hero, for I was in mine room reading a letter from home when I heard my lord Benedick escorting the ladies to Leonato's. I saw the ladies enter at precisely two last night. When, my lords, was this disgraceful act to have ta'en place?”
Don Pedro went pale. “Not three minutes before.”
“Then it is impossible for the woman thou saw to be the Governor's daughter and the Viscount's niece,” Benedick proclaimed.
No one was more silent than Leonato, who also was so pale that he looked like he ought to be falling down on his rear from the lack of blood in his head. Olivio was not far behind.
Don Pedro and Claudio were the next most silent, but they were the stillest. To accuse Benedick of not telling the truth would be to challenge the honor of a man they both knew was the definition of it, and foolhardy because he was the better fighter. And to outright accuse the Doge of Venice's youngest of lying would invite a war that the kingdom could ill afford.
Benedick stared all the men down. “By impugning the Ladies' honours and dismissing their truth, you have also called me a liar and impugned mine own honour; there was no scoundrel as I was with them at the time declared. Unless you wish to accuse me of being the scoundrel?”
The Prince had never felt so weak or such loss of blood without an injury. He shook his head wordlessly to indicate he would never accuse Benedick so.
And Pietro's face lit with a grim smile. “My father, the Doge, is yet ignorant of this day's dreadful events; but I assure thee that if it is war with Venice that Florence wishes for he will be happy to oblige given the dishonour against the best friend of his youngest. Shall it be an all-out war or a mere gentlemen's duel?”
Leonato paled further. The Duke had said nothing against Messina, but the merchants' fears suddenly seemed far too likely. Olivio's actions could hardly be hidden in such a situation, and the Viscount's equally pale face proved he knew it.
Benedick had to add one final note. “And in case any think my father would not take advantage of such a moment, know this, Claudio: I know that thy father spoke words against Pietro's mother that cost the Doge money and reputation, and he never forgot. Thy father and mine were also at odds, and it was a lie traced to Florence that led to Pietro's arrest at my father's command. Do not protest, for I found the proof! Our fathers have quietly spoken over these fifteen years, and whilst he hath not yet come to peace with the friendship between myself and Pietro he would not ignore a dishonour against myself. This would be exactly the situation to create a formal truce between Padua and Venice, and perhaps an outright alliance against Florence.”
Claudio's body sank into a chair. He knew his lands stood no chance against the combined might of Padua's land soldiers and Venice's second-to-none sailors.
“How certain are you?” Don Pedro breathed aloud, desperate to avoid a war.
“As certain as as my mother carried me and brought me forth into the world. As certain I am that the sun springs anew at the end of the night. As certain I am that you have been beguiled by a snake that would test your character and pit it against the honour of a woman and call you a fool,” Benedick coolly declared, eyes flaming brighter than the mid-day sun that shone overhead. “The Ladies' honourable mothers were there, and saw their daughters away from the place where I know you mean the incident occurred, and I saw them all enter Leonato's house - far away from the place where you say you witnessed her with a man not Claudio. Now I demand to know what is your authority for saying that you saw Hero, for you insult four honourable ladies, and myself and the Duke with!”
Leonato found his voice. “Prince, Claudio, how can the pair of you declare one thing when two men known to speak nothing but the truth doth declare another?”
“We did not see any of the other three ladies, nor Benedick,” confessed Don Pedro, suddenly wondering now if his eyes had deceived him or that he had seen double through the effects of drink, or that a snake had indeed bitten off his buttock. “We went on the word of my brother, who challenged me with the consequences if I was wrong. We saw one woman and a man, acting in a lewd manner, and heard the man call the lady 'Hero'.”
Benedick scowled. “Better did I think of both of thee, Prince. I have bled with each of thee and been as sure of your honours as of mine own. How could thou take the word of one who you both must know in your souls could not be trusted to tell the truth? Why did thou not insist upon getting more men whose wits were not dulled by drinking? When war would suit the wishes of Don Grouch?”
The nickname was known to the Prince, who flinched as he saw the truth of the words from yesternight.
Pietro added one last detail. “Benedick and I hath managed to stay our respective fathers' hands from declaring war many a time before, for far longer than any would credit. A true answer of repentance shall be required to ensure war doth not burst upon the lands.”
Don Pedro rubbed his face harshly while Claudio sat stock still. At length the Prince finally found any words to say, and could only speak to Claudio. “Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?”
“I have drunk poison whilst he uttered it,” muttered Claudio, sinking deeper into his chair.
“He is composed and framed of treachery,” declared Don Pedro, self-directed fury bursting through. “And fled he is upon this villany!”
“Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear in the rare semblance with I loved it first!” cried Claudio.
Pietro scowled at him. “Didst thou love the lady or her fortune?”
Claudio could not answer, as stricken as he was. Don Pedro looked away, remembering the questions about Leonato having a son.
Olivio turned to Leonato, eyes turning huge. “Brother,” he whispered. “Benedick was the only suitor who made no mention of Beatrice's fortunes; he made special mention of wishing to honour our family and traditions, and what mention of her fortunes was a wish to preserve them for their heirs.”
It was grudgingly spoken, yet extremely humbling in light of Claudio's actions. Claudio hid his face in shame.
Leonato turned to face the man whose actions would allow Hero to be restored before the public without requiring her be tied to someone so reckless with her honor. “Senor, I cannot thank thee enough for preserving my child's honour and good name. A reward must be granted to thee.”
Benedick shook his head. “Senor Leonato, I cannot accept a reward for doing what was right; any man of honour ought to protect those he knows to be innocent, and to accept would be wrong. There is no debt.”
The Governor was very uneasy. He knew he had acted wrongly, and needed to do something. “But mine honour cannot be satisfied if I do nothing to repay thee.”
“Any repayment would be a price too high, so I beg thee to let me alone with the honour of acting right.”
Elena stepped forward. “Brother, husband; a word, if you both please? Innogen, your presence would be an honour. Prince, Claudio, Benedick, and Pietro; I pray you wait for us.”
She had never sounded more like her daughter, which stunned the entire room. And none more than the men in question, who led her to the side. Innogen followed closely, as much to help ensure it remained private as to participate. The others remained where they were, either standing or sitting.
Once they were far enough off that low voices could not carry, Elena turned on both of the men who ruled her life. Her eyes burned with the fire her daughter so often showed, and she would not be silenced. Yet she made sure her pitch did not raise too loudly.
“Husband, what reason can you now give before God to deny Benedick of Padua our daughter's hand, as he and she hath always wished? Our House stands in debt to him and he still refuses the monies that most men would demand, which I believe stands him foremost in all the lands of the King and beyond in honour and valour - even about the Prince himself at the height of his accomplishments. You wished for a son who will hold Beatrice and your fortunes with care, protect thy family's traditions. Hath he not stated that he shall forego his father's to be your son? Hath he not prov'd superior to the Prince himself in his ability to see the truth? Our daughter refused the Prince's suit, and now I think her right; His Grace is too willing to stand by other men, which risks my child being given out! Not the Senor, nay; he would run himself through on his own sword than let any harm befall our daughter! All the glories and jewels of a Queen I would not take, for a husband who shall truly forsake all others and cleave onto his wife is worth the whole of the world. Did I not refuse dukes with greater fortunes, my brother, and with nearly equal cause? And my husband, how is seeking to force a match for the glory of the House that is entirely unsuitable to our child's character any better than the shame that Don Snake tricked his brother and the Count into placing on our niece?”
She let neither her brother nor her husband speak. Never had mother and daughter seemed more alike than in that moment. Gentleness and mildness had seemingly ruled Elena's ways, but danger to her child or niece drove her to unleash the martial anger that Beatrice freely showed at times.
Innogen felt compelled to add to her sister by marriage and heart's words. “Gladly did we accept the Prince wooing in Claudio's name, but doth a man who lets another woo for him show something wanting? Blinded was I by Hero's affection for the Count, but now I cannot abide by seeing her wed to a man who had so freely cast her aside on the word of a viper in his midst. A fashion-mongering boy is he; yea, not a man! O, the Prince is sunk in mine eyes! If a warrior Queen were desired then Beatrice would have ruled the world; but remain at home she must, and so must she have a husband who shall honour her as she is and her family with her. Jester as he may seem I hath never seen him be cruel where it was not warranted, and always fair to servants which many a great man is not. Brother, bend not any more pain upon Beatrice or her Senor, whose honour is now greater than even the Prince's!”
Olivio stood still. A statue had more signs of life than his body did. Leonato was not far off, leaning now on the wall, still faint to his knees.
After a long minute Olivio's breathing became noticeable and he turned to embrace his wife. “Never once did I deserve thee,” he whispered. “I pray our daughter can forgive me. Canst thou forgive me for not listening when thou attempted to speak on our niece's behalf? Canst thou forgive me for denying our daughter voice and her own choosing when I, in my arrogance, sought for her what she did not? I looked for rank, when she looked and found love, and I scorn’d it as beneath me.”
“Only because thou hath been the finest of men to me in all other respects,” Elena said, accepting and returning the embrace.
Innogen nodded. “And mine forgiveness thou shall also have, as no other father would have permitted a daughter to be so indulged and educated outside of Venice.”
Leonato moved to embrace Innogen. “I pray thee for thy forgiveness as well.”
“You will have it, husband. Pray give me the night to allow mine anger to soften, sir.”
He nodded, accepting of that punishment and feeling that he got off lightly.
Olivio took a deep breath and moved to stand several feet away from Benedick. “Senor, dost thou still stand by thy words of yesternight in thine application?”
Don Pedro and Claudio startled. If they had been able they would have been whispering amongst themselves.
Benedick frowned, but was swift to answer, plainly and flatly. “Yea, my lord.”
Olivio flinched slightly at the stiffness, the barely there hint of distrust. Now he understood that the man had cause to question his reasoning. “Thou hath refus'd the offers of my brother, but I beg thee to not refuse this offering of mine. As thou hath prov'd the finest man in the Prince's service and equal to the honour of a great lord, I shall nevermore stand in the way of thy greatest desire; if my daughter still gives her consent then be my heir by taking her to wife. I relinquish my objections as cast aside by thine own actions, and beg of thee to forgive an old man set on seeing his daughter rise to glory by marrying an already titled lord.”
Pietro's jaw slackened with a gasp. He stared at his cousin by marriage, looking for any sign of a trick. But never had he looked more earnest and humbled.
Benedick, rendered as still as any had ever seen him outside of waiting to spring a trap, had to swallow to locate his voice. “I wish that I could say that I can forgive thee only if the lady hath not decided she cannot forgive the distance I created between that I felt thy dictates demanded; dictates I honoured in the hope that I could prove myself worthy of her. If she is able to find it in her heart to forgive, then I will gladly call thee Father. But I cannot accept in this manner.”
He would not say how much it would hurt if Beatrice could not forgive him, or how much he would hate the man if she could not forgive him for trying to prove himself to her father.
The women's heads shock was almost as great as the men's. Olivio was rendered nearly silent. “Refuse? When it is thy wish to marry my daughter?”
“I do not marry a woman given to me as payment, for a woman should come to a man of her own free will and not as an object to belittle and trample, an object of cruelty and resentment. Nay, therefore I refuse such a dishonour and will tread it into the dirt you see fit to call your daughter's honour. Until she is a lady in your eyes and in heart your daughter, your own flesh, then I deny that I have heard you recant your ill toward me. And though it wound me to my soul and beyond, I will not have Beatrice ridiculed in this to have your honour indebted cleared, while hers is torn and her wishes ignored. How, under God, can you call yourself father and yet leave her bleeding all these years while happiness assured I have offered and you throw it my face? Nay, I do this deed for Hero and her father and for Beatrice and for the man she stands by because I wished it of her. Mark you; I wished it of her!"
Elena sucked in a breath. It linked in with Beatrice's comment of Benedick telling her not to elope because he thought it would taint her honor.
He bowed. ”My sincerest apologies, my lady Elena, my lord Leonado and lady Innogen but I find this disrespect a step too far and must speak my mind in the lady Beatrice's defense. She is not a cloak to passed and shared, nor is she chattel to be bought and sold on. She is a rose that once bloomed withers for want, and her father has not seen it.”
Pietro took a hidden pleasure in the dismay on Claudio's face. Clearly he had never thought of thinking in that way toward any woman, including his own mother.
Benedick nodded and bowed. “Peace be with you.” He turned and led Pietro away.
Elena turned an angry look on Olivio. “Well, husband, I thank thee for causing our daughter even more pain. How often did thou say that Beatrice's talents must not be wasted as God saw fit to gift her with them? Educated her in private you did, but then claimed I foisted it all upon thee?! When will thou let her choose in as wise a manner as any man would with such an education?”
Luckily for Olivio the Prince's Messenger, the Constable and the Watch came along with two of Don John's men. Although it left them even less satisfied with their own actions to learn just how easily the Prince and Claudio were led astray by a plan that any sober man would have seen through in an instant.
Leonato turned to Claudio and Don Pedro. “Prince, Count: whilst I see that you were both mightily abus'd by Don John I cannot forgive that you neither challenged the accusations or considered that drink makes true judgement impossible for even the greatest of wisdoms. Whilst my own honour has suffered and I must make amends to the ladies I have wronged, it does not excuse either of you from the parts you played in killing my daughter before us all. On thy honours I demand a penance; and Claudio, only time shall tell if Hero shall ever grant thee true forgiveness as I insist thee serve some great penance. I shall listen to the Lord of Padua and the Doge of Venice if they wish for something particular.”
Claudio accepted it immediately, along with the demand to speak at the family tomb that night.
Although Don Pedro was needed to remind him that drinking himself into oblivion and trying to kill himself in grief were not the actions of an honorable man. Or one who wished to recover his honor.
Chapter Ten: Ladies' Honour Acknowledged
Genre: MAAN
Rating: T
Author: tkel_paris
Summary: The lives of Beatrice and Benedick are made more complicated by the presence of her father, who has plans for his only child. Plans she does not agree with.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything Shakespearean. Also don't have anything to do with the Josie Roarke production that I adore so much. If I could make money off these...
Dedication: sykira, whose praise has inspired me to try writing even more MAAN fanfics. This is your fault, lovely. ;) Also dedicated to inward_audacity, whose comments were the basis for this idea. And thanks to tardis_mole for betaing.
Author's Note: Posted in sykira's honor. You know why. Sorry this is so late. But I think you'll like this one. I've created an OC, and I think I'm almost as in love with this one as I am with Benedick. You'll see why. :D
This was supposed to be a “just because” present, but given how long it's taken me it's turn also into a Christmas present. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday season!
Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight
Assumptions Burst
Started September 2, 2015
Finished December 23-25, 2015
Chapter Nine: Friend Against Friend
Elena and Innogen entered from the side of the room, having changed into mourning attire. Veils covered their faces, and each had their arms folded as though they were chilled. Each pursed their lips as they watched Leonato drink glass after glass of champange. Olivio was not far off. They had left their girls sitting together to dress in black, and to avoid speaking with either man who controlled their lives.
Olivio still held himself back from the depths of grief. He disliked the effects of too much drinking, and aimed to remind Leonato of that. “If you go on thus, you will kill yourself. 'Tis not wisdom to second grief against yourself.”
Leonato's words in rejecting the advice were long, full of self-pity and grief. He was consuming himself in grief.
Innogen could finally take no more and let them know they were present. “Therein do men from children nothing differ.”
“Sister, I bid thee caution in thy words,” Olivio warned her sharply.
“Yet bend all the harm upon himself? Make those that do offend thee suffer too, husband!” she insisted, as she shoved the front of the veil over her head. Elena followed suit.
Leonato stood, putting his glass aside. “There thou speak'st reason: nay, I will do so. My soul doth tell me Hero is belied; And that shall Claudio know; so shall the prince And all of them that thus dishonour her.”
As though summoned by the words the Prince and Claudio walked by, slowing as they realized who was near. “Good den, good den,” the Prince said, gentle yet firm.
“Good day to all of you,” Claudio said, cool yet mannerly.
The good manners were enough to set Leonato off in his state. “Hear me, my lords-”
“We have some haste, Leonato,” declared the Prince, refusing to take his hand.
“Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord. Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.”
“Nay, do not quarrel with us, old man.”
Elena had to speak, her voice colder than anyone had ever heard it. Even Olivio when she threatened to sleep in her own room and then, in the same breath, hinted of leaving him. “If he could right himself with quarreling, some of us would lie low.”
“Who wrongs him?” asked Claudio.
Leonatos answer was instant. “Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dessembler- Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword I fear thee not,” he added when Claudio's hand did so without his awareness.
The Count did not need the Prince's gesture of caution or the stiffening of the women to know he was wrong, and raised both hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Marry, beshrew my hand, if it should give your age such cause of fear: in faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword.”
“Tush, tush, man; never fleer and jest at me,” Leonato snapped, chasing Claudio through the chairs. Olivio made it difficult for Claudio to hide. “I speak not like a dotard nor a fool, as under privilege of age to brag what I have done being young, or what I would do were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head, thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me that I am forced to lay my reverence by and, with grey hairs and bruise of many days, do challenge thee to trial of a man. I say...”
Olivio touched his arm, reminding him that he had to be careful.
Leonato got the message “... thou hast belied mine innocent child; thy slander hath gone through and through her heart, and she lies buried with her ancestors; oh, in a tomb where never scandal slept, save this of hers, framed by thy villany!”
Don Pedro and Claudio were stunned. Dead upon their words?! Although Claudio could not be completely silent. “My villainy?!”
“Thine, Claudio; thine, I say,” declared Leonato.
“You speak not right, old man,” said the Prince.
“My lord, my lord, I'll prove it on his body, if he dare,” Leonato said, shoving Claudio.
Ckaudio fled toward the Prince. “Away! I will not have to do with you.”
“Canst thou do daff me?! Thou hast killed my child; if thou killst me, boy, thou shall kill a man!”
“Peace, Leonato!” cried the Prince.
Innogen, having grabbed a glass full of champange to keep her hands busy, had enough. “Let him answer me!” She stepped forward and threw the liquid onto Claudio, who squawked from the shock of a woman challenging him. He walked a little away, but was followed. “Come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, follow me: Sir boy, I'll whip you from your foiling fence!”
Leonato was stunned. “Wife--”
“Content yourself!” she cried. “God knows I loved my daughter; and she is dead, slander'd to death by villains, that dare as well answer a man indeed as I dare take a serpent by the tongue: boys, apes, braggarts, Jacks, milksops!”
“Sister Innogen--” Olivio tried to interrupt, but she was too full of anger to speak, and the men's shock was too much to interfere much.
“Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea, and what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple - scrambling, out-facing, fashion-monging boys, that lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander, go anticly, show outward hideousness, and speak off half a dozen dangerous words, how they might hurt their enemies, if they durst; and this is all.”
Olivio could not be silent any longer. “Come, 'tis no matter: do not you meddle, sister Innogen; let me deal in this.”
“Good sirs, madams, we will not wake your patience,” declared the Prince. “My heart is sorry for your Hero's death: but, on my honour, she was charged with nothing but what was true and very full of proof.”
“My lord, my lord,” began Olivio, unaware that their dispute had witnesses. Benedick and Pietro stepped slowly into the area, tall and with the fullest military precision.
“I will not hear you,” snapped the Prince.
“No? We will be heard,” Olivio declared. “Thou hast been decreed the finest future King the land could have, and what doth thou do? Permit thyself to be led by others when thine own judgment is required. Hath thou not spoken of how much care thy brother by thy father's being a man hast required of thee? Hath thou not spoken of how mine daughter speaks only the truth when she speaks no mirth; and even when she doth speak mirth there is always truth to it? How canst thou disregard her words entirely, her oath that my niece was never left alone with any man? She is a lady you swore that you respected and thou threw her oaths away like the waste of dinner to a beggar.”
Elena's face darkened over her husband's words. She looked at Innogen and whispered, “Accuse he the Prince of doing exactly what he himself had done twice this day; first when he forbade her to marry Benedick and then when he would not support her defence of Hero?”
Olivio still overheard, and lost all ability to continue in that vein. No one else overheard.
Elena then noticed the entrance of the two men and decided to break the tension slightly. “Good day, Senor Benedick, Duke Pietro.”
“Good day, Lady Elena, Lady Innogen, my lords.” Benedick disliked that the address permitted Claudio to think he was being referred to, but he had no interest in singling out either Leonato or Olivio. Pietro merely bowed slightly, aiming it at the ladies as Benedick was to speak for them both.
“Welcome, senor and Duke Pietro: you are almost come to part almost a fray,” Don Pedro said, considerable relief in his voice.
Benedick was not going to let this continue. “In a false quarrel there is no true valour. I came to seek you both, and my right hand follows where I go.”
Claudio stepped toward them, and away from the ladies who made him uneasy. “We have been up and down to seek thee and thy gutter-snipe spawned man; for we are high-proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt thou use thy wit?”
“It is in my scabbard: shall I draw it?” Benedick said, taking a page from Pietro's book and ignoring everything else.
The whole room was taken aback. The words sounded like a man quick to pass anger and willing to greet violence.
Don Pedro knew better than any that was not Benedick's nature. “Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?”
Claudio also knew Benedick was slow to anger, although his nature encouraged him to make a joke of it. “As I am an honest man, he looks pale. Art thou sick, or angry?”
“Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, and you charge it against me. I pray you choose another subject,” Benedick snapped, not liking how far his friend had fallen and not willing to be engaged in any foolish wit match.
Elena's eyes widened and her hand went over her heart as hope flared within. Could he possibly have come in answer to Hero's death, to defend them all?
“By this light, he changes more and more: I think he be angry indeed,” remarked Claudio in full amusement.
Benedick shared a grim look with Pietro, then raised his right hand in a firm command and looked right at Claudio. “Shall I speak a word in your ear?”
The sharpness told them that Benedick meant business. The ladies' eyes brightened as they realized he was looking to avenge the wrong done. The men were merely confused.
Claudio looked to the Prince, who nodded. Then he walked to Benedick's side, which was within earshot of all of the room even though he stepped away from Pietro to keep the two apart. “God bless me from a challenge!”
Benedick saw no need to speak in an aside. “You are a villain. I jest not,” he added when Claudio laughed.
The room went silent.
“I will make it good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare. Do me right, or I will
protest your cowardice. You have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. To make matters worse, you have also wronged three honourable women by slandering their reputations as honest ladies. Let me hear from you.” He moved away from Claudio.
Who, in disbelief, did not let him get far. “Well, I will meet you, so I may have good cheer.”
“Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily,” Benedick mocked, his voice deadly. He was pleased that Claudio stepped back from both the force of the words and his stepping closer.
The Prince could not make a joke. Instead he looked to Benedick. “What means thee, Benedick? When hath Claudio acted truly in the wrong?”
Claudio took comfort in his lord's defense. “Yea, perhaps thou meant a feast with thy man as thy fool?”
“Fare you well, boy: you know my mind,” Benedick interrupted. “I will leave you now to your gossip-like humour: you break jests as braggarts do their blades, which God be thanked, hurt not. My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you: I must discontinue your company, and my men follow me.”
Don Pedro was not the only one shocked by Benedick handing him a letter. The complete earnestness in his face spoke to his speaking the truth. So the Prince numbly took the letter.
Once it was taken, Benedick continued his campaign. “Your brother the bastard is fled from Messina: you have among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet: and, till then, peace be with him.”
Olivio did not miss that Benedick's voice clearly said that Claudio did not deserve the title, and so he had to speak. “Upon what right doth thee act on my family's behalf?”
“I act as a man who knows the characters of both the Lady Hero and the Lady Beatrice by observation well. Nay, I know the Lady Hero is innocent of such accusations. Did not the Ladies protest Hero's innocence and offer proof?”
“How canst thou be certain?” snapped Claudio.
“The ladies did,” acknowledged Don Pedro, keeping Claudio in line by speaking. “The Lady Beatrice claimed to be with her the whole time, and so did their mothers.”
“And they speak the truth, for I was in the company of both the Lady Hero and the Lady Beatrice, who were with their mothers. She was never alone for an instant, let alone unmeet with a man! Any who would dare claim that she is disloyal knows her not and hath never been attentive to her character.”
All went silent, staring at Benedick who stared everyone down.
Pietro could not be silent any longer. “My lords and ladies, I must add my own knowledge to the innocence of the Lady Hero, for I was in mine room reading a letter from home when I heard my lord Benedick escorting the ladies to Leonato's. I saw the ladies enter at precisely two last night. When, my lords, was this disgraceful act to have ta'en place?”
Don Pedro went pale. “Not three minutes before.”
“Then it is impossible for the woman thou saw to be the Governor's daughter and the Viscount's niece,” Benedick proclaimed.
No one was more silent than Leonato, who also was so pale that he looked like he ought to be falling down on his rear from the lack of blood in his head. Olivio was not far behind.
Don Pedro and Claudio were the next most silent, but they were the stillest. To accuse Benedick of not telling the truth would be to challenge the honor of a man they both knew was the definition of it, and foolhardy because he was the better fighter. And to outright accuse the Doge of Venice's youngest of lying would invite a war that the kingdom could ill afford.
Benedick stared all the men down. “By impugning the Ladies' honours and dismissing their truth, you have also called me a liar and impugned mine own honour; there was no scoundrel as I was with them at the time declared. Unless you wish to accuse me of being the scoundrel?”
The Prince had never felt so weak or such loss of blood without an injury. He shook his head wordlessly to indicate he would never accuse Benedick so.
And Pietro's face lit with a grim smile. “My father, the Doge, is yet ignorant of this day's dreadful events; but I assure thee that if it is war with Venice that Florence wishes for he will be happy to oblige given the dishonour against the best friend of his youngest. Shall it be an all-out war or a mere gentlemen's duel?”
Leonato paled further. The Duke had said nothing against Messina, but the merchants' fears suddenly seemed far too likely. Olivio's actions could hardly be hidden in such a situation, and the Viscount's equally pale face proved he knew it.
Benedick had to add one final note. “And in case any think my father would not take advantage of such a moment, know this, Claudio: I know that thy father spoke words against Pietro's mother that cost the Doge money and reputation, and he never forgot. Thy father and mine were also at odds, and it was a lie traced to Florence that led to Pietro's arrest at my father's command. Do not protest, for I found the proof! Our fathers have quietly spoken over these fifteen years, and whilst he hath not yet come to peace with the friendship between myself and Pietro he would not ignore a dishonour against myself. This would be exactly the situation to create a formal truce between Padua and Venice, and perhaps an outright alliance against Florence.”
Claudio's body sank into a chair. He knew his lands stood no chance against the combined might of Padua's land soldiers and Venice's second-to-none sailors.
“How certain are you?” Don Pedro breathed aloud, desperate to avoid a war.
“As certain as as my mother carried me and brought me forth into the world. As certain I am that the sun springs anew at the end of the night. As certain I am that you have been beguiled by a snake that would test your character and pit it against the honour of a woman and call you a fool,” Benedick coolly declared, eyes flaming brighter than the mid-day sun that shone overhead. “The Ladies' honourable mothers were there, and saw their daughters away from the place where I know you mean the incident occurred, and I saw them all enter Leonato's house - far away from the place where you say you witnessed her with a man not Claudio. Now I demand to know what is your authority for saying that you saw Hero, for you insult four honourable ladies, and myself and the Duke with!”
Leonato found his voice. “Prince, Claudio, how can the pair of you declare one thing when two men known to speak nothing but the truth doth declare another?”
“We did not see any of the other three ladies, nor Benedick,” confessed Don Pedro, suddenly wondering now if his eyes had deceived him or that he had seen double through the effects of drink, or that a snake had indeed bitten off his buttock. “We went on the word of my brother, who challenged me with the consequences if I was wrong. We saw one woman and a man, acting in a lewd manner, and heard the man call the lady 'Hero'.”
Benedick scowled. “Better did I think of both of thee, Prince. I have bled with each of thee and been as sure of your honours as of mine own. How could thou take the word of one who you both must know in your souls could not be trusted to tell the truth? Why did thou not insist upon getting more men whose wits were not dulled by drinking? When war would suit the wishes of Don Grouch?”
The nickname was known to the Prince, who flinched as he saw the truth of the words from yesternight.
Pietro added one last detail. “Benedick and I hath managed to stay our respective fathers' hands from declaring war many a time before, for far longer than any would credit. A true answer of repentance shall be required to ensure war doth not burst upon the lands.”
Don Pedro rubbed his face harshly while Claudio sat stock still. At length the Prince finally found any words to say, and could only speak to Claudio. “Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?”
“I have drunk poison whilst he uttered it,” muttered Claudio, sinking deeper into his chair.
“He is composed and framed of treachery,” declared Don Pedro, self-directed fury bursting through. “And fled he is upon this villany!”
“Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear in the rare semblance with I loved it first!” cried Claudio.
Pietro scowled at him. “Didst thou love the lady or her fortune?”
Claudio could not answer, as stricken as he was. Don Pedro looked away, remembering the questions about Leonato having a son.
Olivio turned to Leonato, eyes turning huge. “Brother,” he whispered. “Benedick was the only suitor who made no mention of Beatrice's fortunes; he made special mention of wishing to honour our family and traditions, and what mention of her fortunes was a wish to preserve them for their heirs.”
It was grudgingly spoken, yet extremely humbling in light of Claudio's actions. Claudio hid his face in shame.
Leonato turned to face the man whose actions would allow Hero to be restored before the public without requiring her be tied to someone so reckless with her honor. “Senor, I cannot thank thee enough for preserving my child's honour and good name. A reward must be granted to thee.”
Benedick shook his head. “Senor Leonato, I cannot accept a reward for doing what was right; any man of honour ought to protect those he knows to be innocent, and to accept would be wrong. There is no debt.”
The Governor was very uneasy. He knew he had acted wrongly, and needed to do something. “But mine honour cannot be satisfied if I do nothing to repay thee.”
“Any repayment would be a price too high, so I beg thee to let me alone with the honour of acting right.”
Elena stepped forward. “Brother, husband; a word, if you both please? Innogen, your presence would be an honour. Prince, Claudio, Benedick, and Pietro; I pray you wait for us.”
She had never sounded more like her daughter, which stunned the entire room. And none more than the men in question, who led her to the side. Innogen followed closely, as much to help ensure it remained private as to participate. The others remained where they were, either standing or sitting.
Once they were far enough off that low voices could not carry, Elena turned on both of the men who ruled her life. Her eyes burned with the fire her daughter so often showed, and she would not be silenced. Yet she made sure her pitch did not raise too loudly.
“Husband, what reason can you now give before God to deny Benedick of Padua our daughter's hand, as he and she hath always wished? Our House stands in debt to him and he still refuses the monies that most men would demand, which I believe stands him foremost in all the lands of the King and beyond in honour and valour - even about the Prince himself at the height of his accomplishments. You wished for a son who will hold Beatrice and your fortunes with care, protect thy family's traditions. Hath he not stated that he shall forego his father's to be your son? Hath he not prov'd superior to the Prince himself in his ability to see the truth? Our daughter refused the Prince's suit, and now I think her right; His Grace is too willing to stand by other men, which risks my child being given out! Not the Senor, nay; he would run himself through on his own sword than let any harm befall our daughter! All the glories and jewels of a Queen I would not take, for a husband who shall truly forsake all others and cleave onto his wife is worth the whole of the world. Did I not refuse dukes with greater fortunes, my brother, and with nearly equal cause? And my husband, how is seeking to force a match for the glory of the House that is entirely unsuitable to our child's character any better than the shame that Don Snake tricked his brother and the Count into placing on our niece?”
She let neither her brother nor her husband speak. Never had mother and daughter seemed more alike than in that moment. Gentleness and mildness had seemingly ruled Elena's ways, but danger to her child or niece drove her to unleash the martial anger that Beatrice freely showed at times.
Innogen felt compelled to add to her sister by marriage and heart's words. “Gladly did we accept the Prince wooing in Claudio's name, but doth a man who lets another woo for him show something wanting? Blinded was I by Hero's affection for the Count, but now I cannot abide by seeing her wed to a man who had so freely cast her aside on the word of a viper in his midst. A fashion-mongering boy is he; yea, not a man! O, the Prince is sunk in mine eyes! If a warrior Queen were desired then Beatrice would have ruled the world; but remain at home she must, and so must she have a husband who shall honour her as she is and her family with her. Jester as he may seem I hath never seen him be cruel where it was not warranted, and always fair to servants which many a great man is not. Brother, bend not any more pain upon Beatrice or her Senor, whose honour is now greater than even the Prince's!”
Olivio stood still. A statue had more signs of life than his body did. Leonato was not far off, leaning now on the wall, still faint to his knees.
After a long minute Olivio's breathing became noticeable and he turned to embrace his wife. “Never once did I deserve thee,” he whispered. “I pray our daughter can forgive me. Canst thou forgive me for not listening when thou attempted to speak on our niece's behalf? Canst thou forgive me for denying our daughter voice and her own choosing when I, in my arrogance, sought for her what she did not? I looked for rank, when she looked and found love, and I scorn’d it as beneath me.”
“Only because thou hath been the finest of men to me in all other respects,” Elena said, accepting and returning the embrace.
Innogen nodded. “And mine forgiveness thou shall also have, as no other father would have permitted a daughter to be so indulged and educated outside of Venice.”
Leonato moved to embrace Innogen. “I pray thee for thy forgiveness as well.”
“You will have it, husband. Pray give me the night to allow mine anger to soften, sir.”
He nodded, accepting of that punishment and feeling that he got off lightly.
Olivio took a deep breath and moved to stand several feet away from Benedick. “Senor, dost thou still stand by thy words of yesternight in thine application?”
Don Pedro and Claudio startled. If they had been able they would have been whispering amongst themselves.
Benedick frowned, but was swift to answer, plainly and flatly. “Yea, my lord.”
Olivio flinched slightly at the stiffness, the barely there hint of distrust. Now he understood that the man had cause to question his reasoning. “Thou hath refus'd the offers of my brother, but I beg thee to not refuse this offering of mine. As thou hath prov'd the finest man in the Prince's service and equal to the honour of a great lord, I shall nevermore stand in the way of thy greatest desire; if my daughter still gives her consent then be my heir by taking her to wife. I relinquish my objections as cast aside by thine own actions, and beg of thee to forgive an old man set on seeing his daughter rise to glory by marrying an already titled lord.”
Pietro's jaw slackened with a gasp. He stared at his cousin by marriage, looking for any sign of a trick. But never had he looked more earnest and humbled.
Benedick, rendered as still as any had ever seen him outside of waiting to spring a trap, had to swallow to locate his voice. “I wish that I could say that I can forgive thee only if the lady hath not decided she cannot forgive the distance I created between that I felt thy dictates demanded; dictates I honoured in the hope that I could prove myself worthy of her. If she is able to find it in her heart to forgive, then I will gladly call thee Father. But I cannot accept in this manner.”
He would not say how much it would hurt if Beatrice could not forgive him, or how much he would hate the man if she could not forgive him for trying to prove himself to her father.
The women's heads shock was almost as great as the men's. Olivio was rendered nearly silent. “Refuse? When it is thy wish to marry my daughter?”
“I do not marry a woman given to me as payment, for a woman should come to a man of her own free will and not as an object to belittle and trample, an object of cruelty and resentment. Nay, therefore I refuse such a dishonour and will tread it into the dirt you see fit to call your daughter's honour. Until she is a lady in your eyes and in heart your daughter, your own flesh, then I deny that I have heard you recant your ill toward me. And though it wound me to my soul and beyond, I will not have Beatrice ridiculed in this to have your honour indebted cleared, while hers is torn and her wishes ignored. How, under God, can you call yourself father and yet leave her bleeding all these years while happiness assured I have offered and you throw it my face? Nay, I do this deed for Hero and her father and for Beatrice and for the man she stands by because I wished it of her. Mark you; I wished it of her!"
Elena sucked in a breath. It linked in with Beatrice's comment of Benedick telling her not to elope because he thought it would taint her honor.
He bowed. ”My sincerest apologies, my lady Elena, my lord Leonado and lady Innogen but I find this disrespect a step too far and must speak my mind in the lady Beatrice's defense. She is not a cloak to passed and shared, nor is she chattel to be bought and sold on. She is a rose that once bloomed withers for want, and her father has not seen it.”
Pietro took a hidden pleasure in the dismay on Claudio's face. Clearly he had never thought of thinking in that way toward any woman, including his own mother.
Benedick nodded and bowed. “Peace be with you.” He turned and led Pietro away.
Elena turned an angry look on Olivio. “Well, husband, I thank thee for causing our daughter even more pain. How often did thou say that Beatrice's talents must not be wasted as God saw fit to gift her with them? Educated her in private you did, but then claimed I foisted it all upon thee?! When will thou let her choose in as wise a manner as any man would with such an education?”
Luckily for Olivio the Prince's Messenger, the Constable and the Watch came along with two of Don John's men. Although it left them even less satisfied with their own actions to learn just how easily the Prince and Claudio were led astray by a plan that any sober man would have seen through in an instant.
Leonato turned to Claudio and Don Pedro. “Prince, Count: whilst I see that you were both mightily abus'd by Don John I cannot forgive that you neither challenged the accusations or considered that drink makes true judgement impossible for even the greatest of wisdoms. Whilst my own honour has suffered and I must make amends to the ladies I have wronged, it does not excuse either of you from the parts you played in killing my daughter before us all. On thy honours I demand a penance; and Claudio, only time shall tell if Hero shall ever grant thee true forgiveness as I insist thee serve some great penance. I shall listen to the Lord of Padua and the Doge of Venice if they wish for something particular.”
Claudio accepted it immediately, along with the demand to speak at the family tomb that night.
Although Don Pedro was needed to remind him that drinking himself into oblivion and trying to kill himself in grief were not the actions of an honorable man. Or one who wished to recover his honor.
Chapter Ten: Ladies' Honour Acknowledged