In this scenario, as in many, Thomas was content to be smiling arm candy. He knew the names of all of the important people present. Eloise, Regis, and Miranda were all important people, both to Taelian, and in general, so Thomas had committed their names, faces, titles, holdings, and other basic facts about them to memory. It was a simple way to ensure one did not commit a faux pas; he was surprised more people did not bother to make the effort. Then, there was Wendell, who needed no introduction. While Taelian and Wendell seemed to reconcile, Thomas let his eyes slide down and to the side. He didn't dare look away or turn, as that would be an actual snub and he meant the man no insult, but it hurt to see him thawing toward Taelian on this temperate, sunny day, when he'd had nothing but scorn and invective for Thomas since the incident.
Not that Thomas blamed him, entirely -- it was Wendell's prerogative to decide what happened next as the injured party, and he'd made his decision. Or at least, Thomas had thought this was the case, until he was approached by the man himself. Despite himself, he tensed up a bit. He knew Wendell wouldn't hit him. If nothing else, he and Taelian were about to be wed, so if he demanded some kind of satisfaction for what he'd done, Thomas would be within his rights to name Taelian as a champion in his stead, and Wendell knew Taelian too well to gamble that the man wouldn't put him in the ground over Thomas, if it came to it. He was already getting divorced, after all. It quickly became apparent that wasn't what the gentleman had in mind, however. He was wearing long black boots with enough heel that he looked impossibly tall from Thomas' vantage point, a fine black suit with charcoal pinstripes, a white silk shirt and a red pocket square as the sole pop of color. The effect was dramatic, and to Thomas' eyes made it look almost like an artful interpretation of being shot through the heart. He didn't need to wonder if that was on purpose; it was Wendell, and the man did not do anything by accident.
"Thomas," he said in his deep, resonant voice, the kind that despite himself, Thomas wanted to listen to, "may I have a word?"
Thomas threw a quick glance to Taelian who looked at him and gave a little shrug. So this wasn't something Wendell had been put up to, presumably. "Ah, of course, Lord Venger. I shall follow you."
As they walked away from the rest of the wedding party, Wendell said, "in less than two hours, you shall be a Lord yourself. Do you think such formality is really so required?" He seemed to be in good humor, but a good mood could sour quickly if one was uncautious.
So Thomas was nothing but polite in his reply. "I would never wish to cause you further offense, my Lord Venger. My rank has no bearing on my desire not to offend you, and so I will address you by your title until you give me leave to do otherwise."
Wendell stopped, and stretched out an arm, clasping Thomas by the shoulder. "I give you leave to do otherwise," he said, still smiling. "I have a bit of a proposition for you, Thomas. To be blunt: you've won, and I've lost. When the sun sets, you will be married to Latham, who is clearly ascendant in Lorien's social set, even if he has some eccentric habits," he said with a bit of a nod to Thomas, "and a penchant for assaulting Celebrants. You will have access to whatever titles or wealth he brings to bear, as well as the man himself, and all the love he can provide. I will have what I walked in to the marriage with, and nothing more. My reputation will be damaged by my association with Latham, and by the scandals that ended it. I will have a difficult time remarrying, and if I do, it will likely be to a man who is nowhere near the caliber of your affianced."
Thomas nodded. "I agree, my Lord. This more than explains any animus you may bear toward me, even if I had not given you personal insult by ransacking your estate. Why then, do you sound as though you are trying to hold in a joyful song?"
"Because," Wendell said, "recently, I realized it does not have to be so. If I am willing to forgive Latham for bringing you to our estate and precipitating the events that caused this current nastiness, I can forgive you for your part in them. And if I can forgive both of you, I can quite clearly see an alternative path forward."
"And," pressed Thomas, "can you forgive me, my Lord, for that insult?"
Wendell sighed. "I -- find it hard to admit to how much it hurt me, to have someone I'd grown fond of stab me in the back with no warning and seemingly no remorse. You were doing it to send a message to my husband, I understand, but you failed to consider me in this action at all. That stung."
Thomas nodded. He'd realized that in hurting Taelian, he was hurting Wendell too, but he'd realized it far too late. Hearing that it had actually bothered the man, and that he'd felt the nascent bond between them too just made it worse. He remained silent, letting Wendell continue.
"Nonetheless," the Lord said after a few beats, "I think it would be churlish of me to forgive Latham and not forgive you, especially because according to my soon-to-be ex-husband, you are making every effort to atone and better yourself. It's frightening for me, to try to trust someone again who hurt me enormously once, but I am willing to do so." He offered his hand, and Thomas gladly shook it.
"I still intend to pay off my debt to you, my Lord." Thomas said. "I have not forgotten that you fed, housed, and clothed me, and I will give you what you are owed."
"While as a matter of principle, that will not be necessary, I would be lying if I said I would not appreciate that," Wendell replied. "Even in the context of what I am about to put forth for your consideration."
"Which is... what, exactly?" Thomas asked, as Wendell bent to one knee, and presented a pin. "Ah -- Lord Venger, this is some kind of joke, surely?"
Wendell shook his head. "No, it isn't. Thomas, I'd like you to marry me. Join House Venger as a Lord. Nothing in Lorien's laws prevent it, and it's unusual but not unheard of. There's no need for me and Latham to be divorced, because you can simply join our household. Please say yes, Ser," he continued, planting a kiss on Thomas' hand, "and help me secure a life of happiness and growth for my house, instead of stagnation and dissipation."
For once in his his life, Thomas wasn't sure what to say, so he decided to prevaricate: "I assume, of course, you have talked this over with Taelian?"
Wendell shook his head. "It's your acceptance I need more, I think. Do think on it, will you? Hopefully soon, as I believe I am to be divorced within the hour, although if you need more time, I am happy to postpone the dissolution of my marriage for a time that would better suit you." Incredibly, the man was being sincere. Or at least he sounded sincere.
Thomas, too dumbfounded to respond articulately, looked desperately in Taelian's direction and pitched his voice a bit louder. "I think it would be best if I discussed this with my husband-to-be before making any definitive decision, but it is an intriguing proposal nonetheless, and I don't disfavor it at present."
