"Very well," he said, and then turned his head towards the door and called. "Brennus!"
There was a scuffling sound, too soon after Elias' words to be anything other than someone stood behind the door. The pale-haired butler who had lead the two vampires into the drawing room came to Elias' side and tried not to look blatantly suspicious. "Fetch those two up to their rooms. The ones either side of mine, if you please. Come straight back down once you've finished. I imagine they're both exhausted after tonight."
Brennus nodded and gave a small bow. "Please follow me," he said to Eleanor and Erasmus.
Moving with a steady kind of grace he took them up a grand staircase made of dark wood, through a gallery overlooking the couryard and up a set of smaller stone steps into a wide corridor with several rooms coming off it. He paused. He was a tall man, white-blond, green-eyed. His age was difficult to place, early forties, perhaps? Though he was almost certainly older, if his master was anything to go by.
"Please--" he paused, cutting himself off. As if he were about to say something he shouldn't. "Elias can be... impulsive. I don't know what game he's trying to play with you, but-- I watched him grow up, he's a far better man than his father ever was. If you can find it in your heart to have any kindness towards him, please do so. You'll find it returned to you." He spoke in a low hurried voice, then stiffened slightly, inclining his head towards them. "Your bedroom on the right, Miss Eleanor, yours on the left, Master Erasmus. If you have need of a member of staff, don't be afraid to ring. The servants quaters are on the other side of the courtyard, should you wish to go looking for us yourself. Have a good evening."
Brennus left them both stood there and headed back towards the drawing room. Elias was sat by the fire, his feet firmly planted on one of the rugs, pleased to be away from the icy flagstones.
The butler stood a little behind him. "Sir-" he said, his tone imploring.
"Brennus," Elias said, lackadaisical.
"What the hell do you think you're playing at? Did you not trust that they would have come around in time? And offering yourself in this ludicrous agreement, I can't think of anything more unwise! You have damaged your own chances at happiness all to make a theatrical statement," he paused. "Is this penance, Elias? Or are you so stupid as to harm yourself to get back at him?"
Elias stood, his brows furrowed. "Have you forgotten your station?"
Brennus shrunk back, deflating slightly. "No, Sir."
"There are strategic advantages to this. The moment those two land in the hands of another family there are people working out how to pry them away. This is something that takes more thought than just a better offer. If we fall, there's a good chance those two come with us. It makes us confusing, difficult to deal with."
"And your happiness?"
"The only person I ever truly cared for was unavailable to me. Any marriage was going to be a sham, at least this way both parties can get something they want from it."
"Sir, please. This is foolishness."
"Your disagreement is noted."
"Elias, I practically raised you, watched you grow up. Would it not do to listen to me but for a moment?"
The master of the house softened a little. "Old friend, I've made my mind up. I need your support in the interesting times ahead."
Brennus dipped his head. "Of course, sir."