Virtue and Vice by Kimberly Brody

day was to night.
    Chesworth made an exasperated sound as he handed the liquor-filled glass to Ram. “You know as well as I we must do all we can to find favor with Charles, now that he’s restored to the throne.” His sharp gaze grew steely. “The Beaumont family remained loyal to the monarch throughout the long years of war. Therefore, the Stuarts hold them in high favor. Yet the wars nearly bankrupted Beaumont. He’s in desperate need of funds to keep his estate running, and I hold land he is anxious to recover.” Taking a sip of the golden liquid, he smiled. “Our families have always gotten on well together.”
    “I haven’t seen the girl since she was in swaddling.”
    “Nevertheless, marriage is the perfect solution.”
    “Then why don’t you marry the girl? If her father is as desperate as you say, surely he could have no objections to marrying his precious daughter to you! You’re a bloody earl, after all, and would make his daughter a countess!”
    “Ramsay”, his father only used his full name when he was exasperated, and even now it always made him feel like a wayward boy. “Don’t be ridiculous. The girl is young enough to be my granddaughter, and while some men my age find such sport exciting, I’ve no desire to try keeping up with a girl in the fresh bloom of youth.”
    Ram opened his mouth but the Earl cut him off.
    “Besides, while marriage to me would make her a countess for a time, you are my heir, and therefore if I did happen to sire a son on her, he would never be earl. Beaumont would never accept that.”
    “He would if he’s as desperate as you claim. Father, you are giving up far too much! Coin, land, a title…and for what? Very little in return.”
    “There’s nothing as valuable as the goodwill of the King and his family, and the Beaumont’s have that in abundance. Things are changing quickly and ‘tis obvious Charles intends to reward those who fought for him and suffered by his side in exile. You have your title and will someday be earl. But what if you have more than one son? How will the younger advance without a title and the ear of the King?”
    “Money has always worked well enough in the past,” Ram said, wryly.
    “Not with this king.” Chesworth’s mouth stretched thin. “His father, Charles I, King of England by divine right, was beheaded by his own subjects, outside the Banqueting Hall he himself built. Charles may have pardoned all but a very few directly responsible for his father’s murder, but don’t convince yourself for a minute he’s ever forgotten those who didn’t try to stop what happened.”
    “This falls on you for siding with Parliament in the first place!” Ram dragged his fingers through his hair. “You should have stood with the king!”
    “So that we might have had all our holdings taken from us and ended up in prison cells, or worse, exiled in poverty like the Beaumonts?” His father snorted. “Son, someday you’ll understand the burden of representing the people of this country. I did what I felt was in the best interest of all. Sometimes one’s responsibilities prevent one from standing for a cause they believe in. I lack the luxury to be able to sacrifice myself for a greater good, not when so many depend upon me.”
    The earl settled heavily into a hard backed wooden chair, taking care not to spill his drink, motioning for Ram to take a seat in the matched chair. “I never approved of the regicide, and thankful I am I had nothing to do with that mess, else my head wouldn’t be sitting on my neck right now. All your lands would be forfeit, handed out as rewards for those who remained loyal.” He took a sip of his whisky. “Charles is a shrewd man. We are lucky enough he chose to pardon those who fought against him who were not involved with his father’s execution.” Shaking his head, he looked weary. “I don’t enjoy kissing the arse of the man I’ve opposed for so many years. Yet sometimes one must do what’s best