Charles gritted his teeth and reached for his glass which had - mercifully - just arrived. It was a little awkward with Miss Lestrange being the ward of her aunt and uncle while having a living older brother - which man held priority? The one who roof she lived under or the one who would traditionally have been her keeper? The safe bet was to attend to both but there still remained the question of whom first. Based on interactions thus far he thought he'd be going to Lestrange for permission to Tatiana's hand before Mr. Macnair. This man clearly had not taken the delay kindly and Charles could only kick himself in hindsight.

However, he wasn't going to apologize for it again, he wouldn't stoop to groveling.

"Rest assured I meant you no disrespect by waiting so long," would mentioning Mr. Macnair come across as respectful or would that be stepping further on Mr. Lestrange's toes? "I shan't make excuses but I will say that I do not make a habit of negligence." How much did Mr. Lestrange know about him, he wondered. "My intentions are exactly as they seem."

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