However, all of that leeway would be rescinded in the work of a moment if a well-bred female of mateable age was dishonorably stripped of her virginity under his roof.
The downfall Jabon would experience would be swift, epic and lasting through countless future generations of his loins.
“I did it for you,” Ellany repeated unto Rhage.
He shook his head at the young female. “You did no such thing as I have never asked anything of you. Even when you sought me out.”
“Ellany!” her mahmen exclaimed. “Whatever did you—”
“Enough,” Jabon snapped with surprising strength.
Gone was the bon vivant. In its place was an utterly serious head of household who enjoyed his social station—and apparently wanted to retain it.
“You have disgraced my home,” he said to the Jackal. “You have mistreated an innocent of fine breeding under my roof—”
“I did no such thing!” The Jackal stepped forth, a strong figure, also of fine breeding, who knew exactly what would transpire upon him if the accusation stuck. “I have not put a hand upon her, and she knows it—”
“So ruining her body was not enough, now you must befoul her character?” Jabon slashed a hand through the air. “How dare you! You will take your leave of mine property at once, and there will be consequences to this.”
“She is lying.” The Jackal’s eyes bored into Ellany’s, who could not bear the scrutiny. As she ducked her stare, he cursed. “But yes, I shall depart at once, and ne’er return. My honor has been offended for the convenience of a social ploy that does not involve me, and I resent the implication into whatever scheme is being played out here. It has nothing to do with me.”
The gentlemale stalked out of the parlor, and as he came abreast of the mahmen and the daughter, he spoke in a low tone. “My scent is not upon her flesh, nor is it in her bed. Well you know this and so does she.”
As he inhaled, his nostrils flaring, his expression grew grimmer and his stare shifted to his host. “Did you coach the girl unto this before or after you left her garden so well plowed.”
“Get out,” Jabon said as he flushed with fury. “Get out!”
The Jackal jogged up the stairs, his back straight, his chin high.
In his absence, Rhage cursed and shook his head. “I do not believe for one moment that male did aught—”
“A word,” Jabon interjected, “if I may.”
As their host strode across the receiving area, he commanded something in a low tone unto the two females, and whatever it was, their compliance was prompt. And suspicious. In spite of the fact that a male who had supposedly done a terrible thing to them both had ascended unto the second floor, they returned upstairs as well in the wake of the apparent offender.
When Ellany looked over her shoulder, Rhage shook his head. But not at her. At the whole situation.
Jabon came forth into the parlor and shut the doors, pulling varnished panels closed. His fine clothes and natty style seemed a stage set, but then was that not what this all was about. This house, these guests, this social station of his.
“I bid you,” he said. “Listen unto the truth before you render judgment.”
Rhage scented the air around the male. All he got back was the choking bouquet of fancy oils that Jabon regularly applied unto himself. What mattered was what was upon the female, however Rhage was not going to traumatize her further by chasing after her just to smell her.
“Did you take that newling.” Rhage crossed his arms over his chest. “And do not lie unto me.”
“No, of course not.” Jabon placed his right hand upon his chest. “On my honor.”
“The Jackal’s protestation was quite clear. So was his accusation unto you.”
Darius spoke up. “And the male has been quite honorable in all my dealings with him.”
“You do not know him as I do.” Jabon walked over to the fireplace, and stared down at the white-barked birch logs that were stacked and unlit. “He is a liar. He’s lied about everything. Who he is, where he’s from, what he does.”
“And his story is what,” Rhage intoned.
“That he hails from an aristocratic line, and is here in Caldwell with all the rights and privileges thereto. But he has always refused to divulge his family colors. He is nothing but a drifter and a con male that seduced my sire into patronage—”
“Then why have him under your roof.”
“I just kicked him out,” Jabon countered with an edge.
“Because he was accused of an unthinkable violation of an innocent,” Rhage shot back. “Somehow I believe, if it had not happened the now, I would be sitting across from him at First Meal as we speak.”
“He is guilty! Am I supposed to tolerate such social disobedience and all the harms it exposes me to then?”