Chapter 465 - Teatime? (2/2)
Glancing at the tall figure of her older brother striding towards her, Georgine arches her brow and drily says, ”Well, well, the sulking old wyvern has finally emerged from its lonesome cave. To what do we owe this dubious honor?
Reginald frowns at his sister's sarcastic tone of voice that still holds a hint of chastis.e.m.e.nt. Nevertheless, he was aware of his various failings and calmly replied, ”I apologize for my absence these last few days, I have, however, been occupied with other pressing matters. And that those matters, for the time being, have been resolved and will pose no further problems.”
Georgine clearly looks unconvinced by her brother's words, but her expression softens as some relief appears in her eyes. She had been on edge ever since her brother's return from meeting with the Acolytes. And her feelings of apprehension had only worsened with Reginald's actions of shutting himself away in his study the last few days.
Still, she had not quite forgiven her brother quite yet as Georgine loftily says, ”I don't suppose that you know the reason for the Avery boy's request for tea, Reginald?”
”An apology of some sort,” Reginald murmured in reply. ”And the request to discuss another private matter.”
”I see,” Georgine slowly nodded her head in understanding. ”Well, I shall be present and chaperoning the tea the meeting, but I will allow them no more than fifteen minutes alone to discuss any matter that needs to be discussed in privacy.”
Reginald moves to turn away, when Georgine adds, ”Though Philippe Verninac did agree to our request, Reginald, you must know that he will make things as difficult as possible for us. The man bears you more than a little ill will.”
”I am acutely aware,” Reginald admitted as his eyes flashed for a moment coldly at the bloody memory. After a moment, he finally replies, ”I am aware of the damage that I caused to the maternal family of Philippe and will not argue at being held accountable for those actions by him. However, if push comes to shove, I will not be accommodating nor further patient with him.”
”I was expecting as much,” Georgine muttered, before sending another pointed glance at Reginald. ”I am to assume that it will be safe to invite the Krum's, no? Then again, the Krum Patriarch was murdered by Grindelwald, while serving as an Auror in trying to apprehend him.”
Reginald lips thin at the implications of the undertone in his sister's words. ”It will be perfectly safe to invite his son's as there will be no guests that be considered close associates of Gellert.”
”Good,” Georgine pointedly declared. ”Then I shall not worry about misplacing several invitations to certain families.”
Reginald stiffly nods his head at his younger sister dig, before preparing to depart for the gardens, when Georgine calls out to his turned back. ”And brother, with the presentation of Rowan and Severus officially into society there will be an abundance of marriage proposals. I suggest that you acquire as much information as you can to weed out their suitors and gracefully turn them down.”
”I know,” Reginald darkly grumbled under his breath, before storming away. It was not a subject that he liked to think about for the moment recalling how his last matchmaking attempt ended.
Perhaps, venting a bit, he rushed over to the gardens to find Tadbey. He would have Tadbey pick up the pace regarding the assigned punishment. Severus must be prepared, and hard labor would ensure and fulfill some of those objectives in mind. That and possible be a source of venting for Reginald not that he would admit to such a thing. No, he was above such pettiness.