The Fall of Prejudice

Frank walked down the narrow hallway and over heard his parents arguing in his father’s study. He pressed his ear against the wooden door, trying to make out what had upset his mother this time.

“But Mr. Iero, you must pay the new tenant a visit for you well know that if you do not, we may not be acquainted with him!” His mother’s shrill voice echoed through the house as Frank wondered who the new tenant was and why his mother cared so much about the acquaintance.

“My dear, why do you dote on the topic? Who do you think this man will be to us?” Frank smiled as his father voiced his own question. At that moment, Frank’s elder brother, James, approached him and joined Frank, together they attempted to gain as much information as possible on the strange new tenant.

James was only a year older than Frank but he towered over him. He shared Frank’s hazel eyes and small nose but his hair was lighter and he had an air about him that let everyone know that he was the kinder and gentler of the brothers.

“You know that he must marry one of our sons!” his mother continued “It is said that he makes five thousand pounds a year and could save us from the destitution that will plague this family when you are in the grave!” Frank’s mother always had a flare for the dramatics but on this topic, she was correct.

As the sons of a country gentlemen, Frank and James Iero had a slightly elevated status but due to a lack of monetary funds, both sons were expected to make the most advantageous matches possible. They did have a sister named Madeline whose sixteenth birthday was just around the corner but she was quickly becoming one of the biggest flirts in Brighton and it was well known that one day she would have to rely on the generosity of her older brothers.

“Is there no point in trying to convince you, my love? Do you wish to say in your library and damn your family to a life on the street?” Mrs. Iero was quickly becoming agitated, her nerves getting the better of her. “I hate the new tenant for he drives this wedge into our family and my poor nerves cannot take it!”

“That is a shame to hear, madam,” Frank could hear the smirk in his father’s voice, “For I have already been to see the new tenant, a Mr. Toro I believe, and so there is no way you can escape the acquaintance now! And it is such bad timing for I hear he shall be at this evenings ball.”

“Oh Mr. Iero! You cruel man!” Frank knew that despite his mothers words, she was nothing but excited and thankful for her husband’s actions. His parent’s relationship had been like this all of his life, his father would tease his mother until her nerves threatened to give out but he would always come to her rescue.

He heard his mother coming towards the door but neither he nor James had time to move from their listening positions before the door was opened and both parents caught them in the act of spying. His father look amused but his mother took this chance to begin preparing her sons for the ball, telling them that this was the night to look their best for good first impressions were everything.