Chapter 1900: Chapter 1900

The plan was to head to the Williams residence on Maidenhaven Road for dinner. Jessica, not having anticipated an invitation, found herself in a pinch without a suitable dress for the occasion.

Fortunately, her build was similar to Hathaway's, so Hathaway generously offered her a long dress, while Briny procured shoes and hair accessories.

Once Jessica was ready, Jenkins double-checked that all the gas valves in the house were shut tight, and the entire group set off. With eight people, a single carriage would have been far too cramped, so Jenkins had hired two.

Despite the evening's many events, they arrived at the Williams' doorstep right on time. It was intended to be a simple family gathering, albeit one where Jenkins was bringing home his fiancées and a distant relative, so Robert, Mary, and Jenkins's two brothers didn't make a special point of greeting them at the door.

However, when Jenkins walked through the door with seven young women in tow, Mary—who had previously sworn she wouldn't meddle in her son's romantic affairs—looked visibly displeased. She couldn't help but think that her son becoming 'this kind of man' pointed to a grave failure in his upbringing, a failure for which she, as the mother of three boys, bore some responsibility.

Fortunately, the family were followers of the Legacy Sage, and the Church of Knowledge and Books had few rigid doctrines concerning the marital affairs of its congregation. In contrast, churches like that of the 'Mother of the Earth' or the 'Unlit Moon' demanded strict adherence to marriage contracts. Had the Williams family been followers of either, Jenkins would have faced a great deal of trouble that day.

The family dinner, on the whole, went off without a hitch. Thanks to extensive preparations, the Williams family's hospitality was impeccable. Mary had even foreseen that one table wouldn't suffice and had arranged for a second long table, ensuring there was a seat for everyone.

Throughout dinner, the conversation around the candlelit table centered on their distant relative, Sigrid Capet. It was as if the family had collectively forgotten about Jenkins and his fiancées, engrossed in discussions about the Williams family history and the delicate matter of relocating the grave of 'the other Williams' from Shire City.

Mary inquired about Sigrid's life, tactfully avoiding the topic of her being an orphan and focusing on her recent experiences. Perhaps because she had no daughter of her own, Mary grew incredibly fond of Sigrid, even extending an invitation for her to stay at their home on Maidenhaven Road. The offer, however, was gently but firmly refused.

"She's worried I'll end up like you. Honestly, as if that could ever happen."

John muttered his complaint, not at his mother, but at the fact that Jenkins was the reason he had to endure these repeated warnings.

"So, when are you planning to get married?"

His older brother, Newman, took a more detached view. Since he was living at the university, he was spared from the fallout.

"I've already decided to get married next spring. What about you, Jenkins?"

It was the first time he'd ever mentioned it to his family.

Newman Williams raised his cup to his lips, shielding his mouth so their parents wouldn't overhear the brothers' private exchange.

"That seems a bit too late. You know, John can't get married before you."

It was a Fidektri tradition: if a family had multiple sons, the eldest must marry first. While it was only a custom and not a strict rule, the Williams family was quite traditional and preferred for their three sons to marry in order of birth.

"If you choose to wait two years, then John will have to wait two years as well."

"It's fine. In two years, I still won't be twenty."

The youngest of the three brothers shook his head.

"You and Jenkins are both getting married after twenty, aren't you? I'm in no hurry."

"But they'll be in a hurry."

Newman gestured toward Mary and Robert. Mary was deep in conversation with Sigrid, while Robert was chatting with Jessica about the weather in Bel Diran this year.

"Jenkins, they won't let you wait two years."

Newman declared with conviction. He then watched as Jenkins deftly sliced his steak in two, setting aside a portion for his cat.

After dinner, the family headed out to the opera. It was there, in the privacy of their box, that Mary finally seemed to remember Jenkins's fiancées. She went down the line, inquiring about each young woman's family and profession, and presented each of them with a unique jade pendant.

She had no objection to Jenkins's fiancées, but she had plenty of objections to Jenkins himself. So, when he stepped out of the box to ask an attendant for more glasses, she seized the opportunity to speak with him again in the hallway.

Jenkins saw his younger brother, John, carefully shut the door to the box behind their mother. John shot him an encouraging thumbs-up, followed by a look that wished him the best of luck—he was going to need it.

"Jenkins, dear, I think we need to talk."

A trip to the opera called for formal wear. Mary's tastes differed from those of the younger generation; she had chosen a dress in a color that complemented her husband's shirt, and she carried herself with an air of authority as she addressed her son.

"Alright. What about?"

He glanced sideways at the cat on his shoulder, already guessing what the topic would be.

"Let's talk about you. Why was there an extra person? A duke's daughter, no less? Why have you never mentioned this young woman before?"

Jenkins had specified the number of guests in advance to ensure there were enough tickets and sufficient food for dinner. Jessica hadn't been part of the original plan.

"It's... complicated," he began. "To put it simply, I brought Jessica home this evening, explained things to everyone else, and she decided to join us."

"You only brought her home this evening? Oh, by the Sage!"

The years had etched lines of experience onto the middle-aged woman's face, but to Mary, they were medals of honor, earned from successfully raising three fine sons. Now, she stared at her son in astonishment, an expression that quickly hardened into reproach. Dıscover more novels at ɴovelfire.net

"Jenkins, dear, I never thought you would actually become this sort of man."

From her perspective, Jenkins announcing his infidelity to his fiancées right before a family dinner, then using sweet words to smooth things over, was the very definition of a philanderer.

"No, no, I'm not that kind of person. I just... want too much."

He wanted to explain, but the words felt hollow, no different from the silver-tongued excuses she accused him of. In the end, he could only offer his own simple assessment of his character.

A hint of affection softened Mary's reproachful gaze as she looked at her second son.

"If this is the life you truly want, then I won't stop you," she said, her voice gentler now. "But you are being terribly unfair to those young women. Every one of them has parents. I might be able to accept this from my son, but can their parents truly accept their daughters being led astray by you?"

"I'm not leading them astray... alright, perhaps I am."

The denial died on his lips under his mother's stare.

"I'll sort this out."

He said, looking down at his feet.

"Just be good to them from now on."

"Of course I will. And... I know I'm in the wrong. I do. I just... I can't bring myself to let any of them go."

Seeing the look on his face, Mary finally allowed a small smile to grace her lips.

"As long as you understand that. Your father and I are quite pleased with your choices of fiancées. They are all wonderful young women—well-born, well-mannered, and well-spoken. We have no objections. So, when do you plan to marry?"

He ventured, his tone hesitant. He immediately saw the displeasure on his mother's face.

"What are you waiting for?"

Jenkins certainly couldn't admit he was waiting for Dolores to turn eighteen; the age of majority in this world was not eighteen.

"One year. At most. I want to see you married within a year. This is not negotiable. Do you have any idea how old you are? Your brother Newman marrying so late has already caused us enough heartache. And now you, after leading all these girls on, want to postpone the wedding? Do you know how much stress that puts on your father and me?

Besides, with so many of them, you need to get married soon. If you don't, and a quarrel causes one or two to leave, what will you do then?"

A mother always looks out for her own child.

She gave Jenkins no room to argue, practically forcing him to agree to marry within the year. Since his older brother Newman's wedding was set for the following spring, that meant Jenkins would have to be married by next summer.

It wasn't until the family gathering concluded and everyone had returned to the house on St. George Street that Jenkins finally relayed this development to the ladies. To his surprise, he was the only one who seemed to have a problem with it.

"Next summer? That sounds perfect."

Dolores was the most enthusiastic of all.

"My father's health is failing. He won't be able to hold on for much longer. He wants to see me married, to walk me down the aisle and place my hand in yours. So, I trust you have no objections?"

She had given him an unassailable reason, and Jenkins could hardly object. He glanced at the other women, who were all smiling warmly at her. He knew that if he voiced any protest now, he would make an enemy of them all. So, he dropped the subject, promising to begin preparations for a summer wedding as soon as his current affairs were settled.

The hour was late. Despite the unexpected addition of one more guest, the family gathering had been a resounding success, filled with warmth and harmony. Sigrid had met the few relatives she had left in the world and promised to visit often. Jenkins had introduced his fiancées to his family and received their blessing for his marriage.

He couldn't imagine anything that could possibly spoil the evening's wonderful mood.