Stolen by the Crown

Xavier's Decision

Falmouth sat at his desk, writing on some documents he was focused on as always. Xavier realised his father's austere behaviour was not putting on airs. Falmouth just saw no need to gracefully welcome a guest before he reached a full stop. The Viscount Falmouth was, in his view as well as in the view of his smarter subordinates, the most significant personage on earth. But Xavier had arrived at the great moment when what and who his father was meant nothing to him. He sat in the chair before Falmouth 's desk and waited without any enthusiasm for his father to complete whatever consumed him. A portentous hush followed as his father dropped his pen. Xavier looked upward. "So!," Falmouth was annoyed. Xavier was examining the gloss on his boots, then? You say you have finished your education? "I am out of school now. I know everything I need to know . "I guess you ought to start the Grand Tour." Not very much. Falmouth still made the error of thinking Xavier was like other young English gentlemen: quick, self-absorbed, certain the world spun around them. Xavier knew that he would have to struggle to build the society he wanted if he intended it to revolve around him. "Good." "Because it's come to my attention you've shown a talent with horses." "Every Erudian rides a horse well. My ancestors helped me to develop this gift. As Xavier knew it would, his demand on Erudian drove Falmouth into snapping, "Nonsense." You are just half Eriduian, and your bent results from being surrounded by excellent English horses. "As you say. Xavier fixed the crease of his trousers with deliberate indifference. "My wishes are that you should be in charge of my racing stables." "Those are your desires??" Xavier despised that his father could annoy him with such simplicity and without even realising what he had done. Xavier should be more than this; yet, his father, the guy who had ordered him beaten, imposed civilization on him, and nearly killed him, was brought about by a negligent marriage with Xavier 's mother. Carelessly on Falmouth 's side solely; Xavier knew his mother had adored the man who had cruelly wronged her. He almost pitied her for that, but yet missed her. His error had been not being there to hold her hand while she passed or to whisper of a son's love. Depending on your winnings, I would pay you a commission.." Falmouth thought he was caving in. Xavier nearly smiled. "Is this a test, sir, to check my worthiness?" "what do you mean?" Falmouth seemed exactly perplexed, as he surely was. "Your minions have drilled into me the wonder of your kindness in allowing me to join, despite my bastard birth, the ranks of English gentlemen.." Falmouth nodded holistically. "I have discovered that a gentleman spits on the idea of earning lucre through any kind of honest labour." Xavier had seen noblemen, young and old, lose their homes, destroy their families, migrate to the continent, or find debtors' jail instead of working. He hated them, but Falmouth was not aware of that. Xavier watched Falmouth gingerly choose his words, the first in his life. "Of course, while it's truest that most English gentlemen deliberately avoid the appearance of employment, there are those who do work because circumstances dictate it. Not the son of the Viscount Falmouth , though. As your bastard, I realize I should be even more cautious than men who were born into the ranks. I fear I have to turn down your kind offer. Xavier examined his father, knowing there were holes in Falmouth 's serenity but not seeing them. Frustration at his wishes brought a rainbow of colour into Falmouth 's chiselled cheeks. Then I will have to cut off your allowance. "As you wish. Xavier stood, happy with the interview in every sense. Without your allowance, what do you suppose you will do? You owe no money of your own. Falmouth said with intentional contempt, "Your mother's family hasn't helped you. The family of your mother has not written in years. Xavier asked, "How many years, sir?" remembering his talk with Eileen. "What? " "A stack of letters stood at your elbow when you told me of my mother's death and then of my grandfather's. Therefore, someone did write. Xavier 's voice caught the edge of resentment. "For what length of time, sir, was my family neglected?"I thought it wiser to cut your contacts with Erudian cleanly." Not a response, but it informed Xavier a lot. "A clean amputation," you might remark. "Exactly." Falmouth seemed to think Xavier approved. "Where are the letters right now?" I handed Johnson some to burn. What then? "I would want to know the situation I find myself in as I'm going back to Erudian sailing on tomorrow evening's tide." Xavier whirled at his watch. Possibly, though, not knowing is preferable. "... Eriduian?" Falmouth got up in the first spontaneous action Xavier had ever seen from him. "Where in Erudian do you want to work? There is nothing there! You are extremely mistaken. Famous for its racetracks, spas, gaming establishments, and pleasure seekers, ln Erudian I bought a castle including large stables. My horses preceded me; my hostler, my handler, has followed me. Among the bon tonne, I will lead a nice life. Falmouth walked around the desk till he stopped in front of Xavier ; his emerald eyes blazed with frigid wrath. His nose flared. "Where did you find money for horses? Traveling? About a castle? Have you been taking money from me? Holding his horses with a solid hand and a good eye for the winning action, Xavier lost control. "How would that be achieved, sir?You have gambled most of your great wealth; word is out on London streets; loan no more to the Viscount Falmouth ; this will lead to poverty. Falmouth turned his head back in surprise. Raised his hand to slap his son. Xavier stared into his eyes, his glance frigid with warning. If I were you, I would not do that. The hush that followed was protracted and loaded with shifting authority. The hand of Falmouth fell. Maybe for the first time in his life, he feared another person. "Very wise, Xavier said." Xavier 's taunting enraged his father, and Falmouth replied, "You owe me for your education," putting his face near Xavier 's. Your wear! Your Life! I insist that you abandon this ludicrous plan and go back to—“ He inhaled, and as an old memory came back to him his eyes turned a faint green. "Hold on! Still, you believe you are some sort of Erudian royal? Well, my lad, your mother was just a serving woman at my hotel when I coursed her. I instructed her to forward word should she be with child and the child be a son when I left her. Nothing till you showed up at my front door. God is aware of what transpired after I left her. She certainly portrayed herself. Xavier pushed the bile down his throat. "My grandfather wouldn't have let such a thing happen."Falmouth raised himself to his full height only to find he no longer overtopped Xavier . Wild with grudges, he shouted, "Ha! Your grandfather was just an aspirational elderly peasant. I hardly know whether you are mine. A scurrilous insult and one both knew to be false. Two men who shared just blood and bone, two individuals with undying hate for the other, stared at each other from identically colored eyes. "All the better cause I should be leaving England. Goodbye, Father. Our paths never should intersect once more. Xavier came running towards the door. Turning, he once more faced his father. "You might find yourself looking for a new butler by the way Johnson is joining me in Erduian. "Your worthless bastard." Falmouth 's comments cut right at Xavier . Xavier Stopped. grabbed hold of his unexpectedly unstable mood. "A bastard, sure. The bastard son of the most wasted man in all of England. Father, what next you will do? Falmouth hissed like a snake nearing death. Xavier walked out with a bow, yearning permanently to leave this place, but tied by his pledge to one sister and his love for the others. Bound, when he would sooner be free.