Baylor observed Belle’s reaction to him talking about Maisie and their childhood attentively. He felt there was an unspoken understanding about his sister shared with Belle. Her question about his father prompted him to reflect, it seemed Belle pressed him a bit on something she might have noticed was a more emotional and vulnerable topic, his father. Well, she did not press him, she even said he did not have to talk, but even in those words he heard an underlying desire to learn more. And quite frankly, Baylor, affected by the port, and everything going through his mind surrounding his father, he wanted to share some things with her at least.
“My late father,” Baylor began, his tone carrying a mix of emotions, mostly somberness, “His business was well respected and therefore he was considered an upstanding member of our community.” there was a massive however coming. He hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, “but well, he had his complexities and life was not always easy. Yet, he did have his moments of wisdom and warmth, and he did the best he could in his own way. Let’s just say his influence was a mixture of challenges and valuable life lessons.” He did not want too speak too negatively of his father, he had been a young widower. He suddenly had been forced to deal with his own emotions surrounding the death of his wife, responsibilities of keeping up the family business, as well as taking care of two children age 10 and 3 mostly by himself. Plus, his father did not have a true father figure himself for most of his life. “It’s heartwarming to hear about the strong bond in your family, Mademoiselle Fleur.” he said as he gave her a smile, “I wish I had been blessed with such. Even if Maisie is most dear to my heart.”
He pondered for a second surrounding his inquire if he desired to be like his father, “It’s true that many sons aspire to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, to emulate their strengths and learn from their experiences. My father was indeed a businessman, but his path wasn’t always easy, and it had its share of complications. I do respect his business acumen, but our relationship was complex. My focus has been on finding my own way in life, following the principles and values I believe in, while also learning from his successes and challenges.” he answered quite truthfully. He did not want to be like his father, in fact there were many ways in which he wanted to be the opposite of his father had been. He had respect however how his father had grown the family business and had a very calculated mind, much like Baylor himself. There were certainly things about his father that inspired him, but he would never want to become like his father.
He gave her a small nod as she talked about how being protective is in the nature of siblings. “Indeed, family bonds run deep, and the desire to protect and care for one’s siblings is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s a responsibility and a privilege that I take very seriously. Maisie is my sister, and I truly want nothing but the best for her.” It caught him by surprise a little as Belle switched around the roles and focused on how Maisie worried about him. Even if he knew Belle did not desire an answer to that question relating happiness, it made him reflect on it. There were certainly moments of happiness in his life. When he was in Scotland, the way he felt riding a horse, those quaint moments with his sister, even time spent with some of his friends brought him happiness. But if he truly was happy in his soul, he did not believe he was. He realised himself he was too damaged for that, too damaged by the early loss of his mom, too damaged having been bullied as a child, too damaged by his father, too damaged trying to figure life out now as Earl everything was his responsibility, too damaged trying to figure himself out, and what he wanted, balancing that with the expectations of society. The way he was damaged at his core, that contributed to him being scared of love. No lady would want him if they knew the way his soul had been scarred.
“Life can indeed be quite complex, and it often presents us with unexpected challenges and tragedies. It’s a test of our resilience and strength. As for how much one can endure, well, I believe that’s a deeply personal journey. Each person’s threshold for facing adversity varies, and it’s often surprising what individuals can withstand when tested.” he reflected on himself as he said so, he had managed to pull through, do the right thing for him and his sister in the challenging times. He did not want to let all the hardships he had faced defeat him.
“You are correct, Lady Priti Mehta was one of the debutantes at the Queen’s Introductions. It’s been a pleasure to host her family.” It truly was a pleasure. Since his father had passed, and Baylor had made the decision to cut down on staff as only two people living in the house did not need as much support anymore, the estate had been empty. With the arrival of the siblings, the estate felt more alive once again. Yet, it had been quite a recent change and there was still a lot to learn about the siblings.
He gave her a nod, agreeing with her sentiment, “You make a valid point, Mademoiselle Fleur. Love is indeed a complex and multifaceted emotion, and it can have a profound impact on individuals. While it can offer comfort and solace, it’s not a universal panacea for all of life’s challenges.” he gave her a faint smile “Love, as passionate and intense as it can be, often clouds our judgment and leads to decisions driven by emotion rather than reason. For someone who values logic and rationality, the unpredictability of love can indeed be a source of concern. It’s a double-edged sword, capable of great joy but also immense turmoil.” he was relief someone seemed to at least somewhat understand his views on love. It was something he desired, yet, something he wished to block out. Emotions, in his opinion, just complicated matters.
He thoughtfully replied to her dilemma, with a more reserved and logical tone, saying, “Mademoiselle Fleur, while I understand that deep love can be a driving force in people’s lives, I must admit that I lean toward the more practical and measured side of such matters. I believe that one’s purpose and responsibility in life extend beyond any single emotion, even love. I would strive to live a life that is meaningful, not solely for myself but also for the responsibilities and duties I carry as an Earl.”
He might continue, “As for the idea of dying for love, it’s a noble notion, but I would hope to make choices that promote life, growth, and well-being for both myself and those I care about. Ultimately, it’s the actions and sacrifices we make in the name of love that define the depth of our feelings, rather than a willingness to die for it. Love should enhance our lives and those around us, not diminish them. I believe love has the power to inspire us to do extraordinary things, but it should never be at the expense of one’s own well-being and identity.”
Baylor could not help but chuckle a bit at her sudden change of topic to his horses, “My, my, that is quite a change of topics.” Baylor was appreciative of the change in conversation to something more practical and light-hearted however. “Indeed, I take great pride in our horse breeding. I’d be delighted to introduce you to our stables and give you the opportunity to test the horses. It would be an honor to share that part of our family heritage with you.” Truth be told, he felt a touch embarrassed at the idea of showing Belle the stables. Everything about her screamed she was used to luxury and glamour, while the Rutherford stables were certainly not shabby, he was not quite sure if it would be up to her standards. “May I inquire whether you have any affinity for the equestrian arts? Horses and riding have always held a particular place in my heart, and I’m eager to discover if our inclinations align in this regard.”
@Kristi - Belle
@Littlefeets - Maisie (mentioned, seems she is quite the topic in their conversation, lol. Sorry!)
@Caticorn - Priti (mentioned)
@raviola - Nikhil (very briefly mentioned)