Aldous held up his hands as if in surrender, for all that he was anything but.

"What Mrs. Abercrombie thinks is her own business, but I know better of you, Reuben," he assured his brother quietly. "Regardless, though, the situation is far from ideal and must be mitigated. It's my intent that by getting you out of sight and of mind, things will be allowed to blow over and unpleasantness might be put behind all parties involved."

His earnestness was plain in his expression: he loved his brother, thought his brother was getting the short end of the stick, but knew that Reuben's foolish actions could not simply be left as is. This was not intended as a punishment but a Hail Mary to save Reuben, Miss Pendergast, her extended family, November, and the Crouch Brothers from further...discomfort.

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