The Fall of Prejudice

It had been a non-eventful fortnight since Gerard and Frank had been married. They spent most of the day together, barring the afternoons, when Gerard would excuse himself and do some work.

It was during these times when Frank would busy himself with letters to his friends and family back home. He knew that once Michael returned home, he would be able to spend the time practicing the piano.

It was a particularly cold and windy day when Frank received a rather short letter from his brother. Frank could see from the postage that James had taken the time to hire a personal messenger so it would arrive within the week. Knowing the letter held something of great importance, Frank opened it eagerly.

My dear brother,

It is with a heavy heart that I give you the news of Iero Lodge. Our dear sister, Madeline, has run off with a militia man of no name and very little importance. The silly girl was stolen away in the night, leaving nothing but a note affirming out worst fears.

She says she is following love but I know very well that this will not be a happy union. Our best hope is that the man comes to his senses and returns her before the town knows, otherwise she will be forced into matrimony with this scoundrel.

Father and I ride out at day break to recover the two. Your friend, Bob, was at the house when the news was delivered. He is to join us.

Mother’s nerves have reached a breaking point. I must now go tend to her but I knew that you, brother, needed to know what has become of our sister.

I will wright as soon as I have any news.

God speed,
James

Frank’s eyes blurred from tears, he stared at the letter, not believed its contents. His foolish sister was not only hindering her own chances at finding a suitable match but also James’. Even the Way family name would be sullied by association.

The Ways. How was Frank supposed to tell Gerard of what his sister has done? A knot formed in Frank’s stomach as he thought about the look on Gerard’s face when he would learn that the man he married, who was already so far below him, was dragging him even further because of his relations.

There was a brief moment when Frank debated not telling Gerard of his sister’s actions. The sensible side of his brain told him this was a bad idea since Mr. Toro and Michael were still in town and would hear it. These things could never be swept under the rug the way a family might wish.

In Frank’s heart, he also knew that Gerard was the only chance his sister had in being saved. As much as Frank loved his father, James, and Bob, he knew that there was no was they could afford to pay for the secrets the situation called for.

This would ruin Frank and Gerard’s relationship. But Frank had no choice in the matter. He would have to sacrifice the happiness he was beginning to find in his marriage in order to save his brother and sister from destitution. It was his duty to do whatever he had to do in order to keep the Way name from being dragged through the mud.

Resolute in his decision, Frank made his way to the library, no longer having any difficulty in finding it. He nocked on the door to hear the familiar call from his husband within.

He opened the door to see the familiar sight of Gerard at work behind his desk. Without looking up, Gerard addressed him. “Done with your correspondence already, my dear? Come to sit and read a book?”

It was at the end of his question that Gerard looked up with a small smile on his face. This, however, did not last long as his face dropped as soon as he saw Frank’s tear stained cheeks and swollen eyes.

He stood up immediately and closed the gap between the two men with few long strides. “Frank, whatever is the matter?”

Without saying a word, Frank handed Gerard the letter. Gerard waited a moment before looking at the letter as he searched Frank’s eyes for any indication of what the letter held.

Reading the letter, Gerard sat on the couch to the side of him, leaving Frank standing there, waiting for a reaction. It was not until Gerard folded the letter and placed it into his breast pocket that Frank sat down next to him.

Gerard angled is knees enough so that he was facing the smaller man next to him. He raised a hand and placed it softly under Frank’s jaw.

“I will ride out at first light to join the search party. I know you would wish to go home to comfort your mother but I fear that that would only draw attention to the situation, it must look as if I am leaving on usual business. The more secrecy we can keep the better. Michael will be arriving within the week so he will be here soon to keep you company. Is this okay?”

Frank looked down and nodded, wiping his cheeks with the back of his hand as new tears threatened to spill over. “I am so sorry, Gerard. She is my sister and you are the one who has to deal with the consequences. I fear that this may tarnish your name.”

Gerard looked shocked and a little taken back by the apology. “When I married you, I promised to be there in good time and in bad. We have a lot of good times ahead of us, my love, but we will have to weather the bad first. And fuck the name. You and your happiness are more important to me that what some people in London think of my family.”

Frank smiled slightly before leaning into Gerard, placing his face in the crook of his neck. Gerard wrapped both arms around Frank and kissed the top of his head. “Come, dear, let us go have a good dinner and then we shall sit by the fire and speak no more of this unsettling topic until I leave tomorrow.”