Thread: Levirate (Google and skittish_butterfly)

For Joshua this was an exceptionally awkward exchange, he knew that it was the right thing to do, he knew that it was of course the will of the lord that it be done, but at the same time he knew that his daughter was still grieving and he wanted to find the right words to comfort her. He hadn't been a perfect father, he knew that, but he had tried. After the death of her mother he knew that he had been a little withdrawn, perhaps a part of him had blamed her for what had happened though he had also blamed himself... he wasn't a perfect man and he regretted how things had gone. A grieving single father had not been the best man to raise a daughter but he had tried. Arranging her marriage to Jacob in the first place had been an attempt to ensure she would have a good life, he had met the young man through some associates a few years before and been impressed by his drive and ambition. Perhaps an arranged marriage was considered unfashionable these days but his own marriage had been arranged through the Faith and though it had not always been perfect they had quickly come to love each other. Rory had perhaps been the more romantic choice but he was gone now... and he wanted to make sure his daughter would be well cared for. For Jacob this entire experience was taking far too long. It was amazing how he had managed to keep control for so fucking long but now he was so close to getting what was already his but he was having trouble remaining silent for even a moment longer. He heard the First Elder droning on and on, hardly able to keep from yawning as the mans tone always brought the temptation of sleep. Still he focused on Constance and her reaction to what she was reading and hearing, it looked as though she was having a hard time restraining her anger and that made this all the more enjoyable for Jacob. Of course it didn't last, when she finished reading about the ceremony she looked at him, clearly thinking that this would be something downright simple for her and maybe even something that she might enjoy but the look on Jacob's face didn't change even slightly, did she think that he was going to give her up. He had spoken this over with Joshua and the Elders of course, it had been a long and delicate conversation where he had been careful not to seem too eager for what was coming. He had spoken of the obligation that he felt, the desire to carry on his family line and of course ensure that his beloved but estranged brother's wife was well cared for and was returned to the faith. Oh they had swallowed it all hook line and sinker... a few more moments patience and he would have her all to himself. Her words though, oh she had a sharp tongue before but now it seemed that young Constance had had sharpened it a great deal, the smirk on Jacob's face quickly twisted into a sneer as his eyes narrowed, how dare she speak to him like that. Oh she would regret each and every word soon enough, he had been dreaming of how he would make her suffer and this was going to be the day of reckoning for her. He managed to recover faster then Joshua or the First Elder did, putting on a mask of shock to mark the looks on their faces. Constance... He spoke slowly as though recovering from shock when in truth he was just working to restrain his anger for a little while longer. You have this all wrong. I know that things between my brother and I because a little strained in the past few years and there is nothing that I regret more then that. There is no one in the world who I cared for more then my brother, he has been my only family since my parents died ten years ago... A moments pause, as though choking up when in truth he was working to keep the act up though it seemed that he had convinced at least two people because both the Elder and Joshua both looked a little bit moved by his words, taken from the shock and awe at the way Constance had spoken to him to a moments sympathy and understanding. Now was the time, his eyes locked on Constance's own because he wanted to savor every moment of this, wanted her to understand just what trouble she was in. First Elder, my brother has passed away, leaving behind a wife and no child. In order to ensure the continuation of his line and the well being of his bride I shall take Constance as my wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her. The words were archaic and sounded a little odd even though he had practiced them several times to ensure there would be no mistake when the time came but he had spoken them and that was all that would be needed in order to ensure that she would be married to him. His moment of triumph, the patience of years had payed off and with Constance having agreed to to go through with the ceremony, swearing on his brothers grave in fact, there would be no backing out of it. He couldn't keep the smile from his face, he couldn't hide his joy in that moment, had she not seen this coming? And of course the complete lack of reaction from Joshua and the Elder made it rather clear they had expected it, in fact the Elder only nodded with a small smile on his face and Joshua looked relived, as though afraid his daughters outburst might have been enough to keep Jacob from going through with what had discussed.