He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter Twenty Three - Proposals of Marriage

Dinner had been... eventful.  Nellie's blunt manner and unsubtle hints pertaining to Master Matthew as husband and herself as wife caused no end of discomfort for their guest, let alone her own family, earning her nothing but a fair scolding from her parents once Matthew had departed.  She had broken down in tears, ungracefully wailing; her parents did not wish her to be happy!  Becoming Mrs Westcott was her destiny, just Matthew was too shy to request her hand when they hadn't known each other that long.  But it was love, I tell you, love!

Cornelius honestly believed that he would not hear from Matthew again and felt a faint disappointment from such thoughts.  All the following day, he ignored the nagging ache in his heart, but not even his precious music boxes could keep the feeling at bay.  He did not see his sister and she did not come to see him, but he heard from the maid, who was gossiping in the garden beneath his open window that the girl looked frightful, her eyes swollen and nose glowing red.  He did feel a little sorry for, but believed that she had brought it on herself.

The next day began in a manner not much better.  The family met at breakfast and included Nellie, who continuously sniffled in her grievance.  One by one, their patience snapped and they rose from their seats, leaving their half finished meals and Nellie behind.  Cornelius, being the softer hearted of the bunch left last, but his sister did not seem to care either way.  As he left the dining room, the door bell chimed and he watched their butler answer the door.

"Young Master Westcott!" He heard the butler say.  With a quick glance behind him, he noticed that Nellie was too into her personal suffering to hear the butler's remark, but that did not mean she would fail to notice for long, so he rushed to the door to intercept the men.  Uncharacteristically and just a little rudely, he pushed Matthew out of the door, grabbed his shoes and followed him out onto the street.  The butler was left standing in the hall, a look of shock upon his face as Cornelius dragged the young Master by the arm until they were out of sight of the house.  Matthew was surprised by his action, but knowing his arm was being held by his lover, he was cursing more the fashion of long layered clothing in this world's era.

"Should I inquire?" He asked, casually.  Cornelius instantly dropped his hold in shame making Matthew wish he'd held his tongue.

"I'm sorry," Cornelius apologised profusely.  "It was just... you see my sister..." he fidgeted uncomfortably.  How was he to explain without offering insult? It was simply too hard!  Was it any wonder he was not a suitable heir for his father's business?!

"Your sister?" Matthew was intelligent enough to understand that which was not said and was hopeful enough to glean even deeper meaning.  But still, Cornelius cared for his sister, he could not say what he truly thought about the girl.  "Your sister has a quite... colourful character."

Being as simple with words as Matthew was clever, Cornelius failed to understand what Matthew meant.  In fact, he took the words as a compliment and felt uncomfortable.  "If you wish to court my sister," he blurted, "you surely needn't be meeting with me.  My father would be pleased to accommodate you, I am sure."  He turned away as if to leave, only Matthew prevented him by grasping his shoulder.

"Whoever said I wish to court the girl," he asked, his words held a touch of anger, which frightened Cornelius.  He really was no good!  Matthew turned Cornelius to face him.  "I'll be honest, your sister is a fine young woman, I am sure.  But I have no interest in courting her any more than any of the ladies who throw themselves at me on a daily basis." 

The exasperated and tired look upon Matthew's face had Cornelius apologising again.  "I'm sorry!"

"It is alright," Matthew sighed, feeling pained that he had scared the other man.  "You needn't apologise.  It simply frustrates me that I am like the fox of the hunt.  Every young maiden and their doting mothers, even my parents and acquaintances are so interested in tying me down in the name of matrimony.  It is overwhelming at times.  I simply did not wish that of you as well."