Chapter Text
Colin just wanted to go home to his wife. He did not see why he had to be involved in any of this. He had gone to meet his brothers for a quick drink, but everything had gone off course when it was discovered Hyacinth was missing. Hyacinth had quickly been found, and, while yes, it was not ideal that she had disobeyed Anthony and gone to meet Gareth, Gregory had been with her.
It certainly did not spell out good things for Gregory that he had assisted in Hyacinth’s scheme (or that he had lied to Benedict), but it did mean that Hyacinth had been chaperoned, and Colin certainly did not think such a fuss needed to be made. Besides, Anthony and Benedict were both present and more than capable of handling any consequences that needed to be meted out.
After Hyacinth was sent upstairs and Gregory sent to the drawing room, Anthony and Benedict had gone into Anthony’s study, and Colin saw this as the perfect moment to slip out. However, Anthony quickly noticed that Colin had not followed them, and stuck his head out of his study, and told Colin, “Come here!” Colin muttered, “It’s not as if someone has died,” but begrudgingly followed his eldest brother’s orders.
Anthony was pacing, looking as if he had aged several years in the last several hours. Benedict was leaning against Anthony’s desk looking grim.
“I have to punish her for this. I cannot let her think this is acceptable.” Anthony’s words were resolute, but his tone was not.
“And Gregory, he knows better. He is her older brother and he should never have let this happen.” When Anthony said this his tone was resolute.
Clearly Anthony saw Gregory as more to blame then Hyacinth, though Colin was not sure he agreed. “He was chaperoning them,” Colin interjected, which earned him a glower from Anthony. However, Colin felt that if he was not going to be allowed to go home, he should at least be allowed to express his opinion.
Benedict, ever the diplomat, interceded, “Gregory meant well, but he should not have let Hyacinth go at all. He should have told Mother or Anthony of her plans, and he definitely should not have lied about it. Hyacinth is an adult, but she is still our younger sister.”
“Yes, and we have a duty to protect her,” Anthony said, “and that includes not letting her escape the consequences of her actions,” Anthony added reluctantly.
“I’ll discipline Hyacinth first, and then Gregory,” Anthony said, “I don’t want to lose my resolve.”
Colin did feel for Anthony. Saying Hyacinth was an adult and actually believing it were two different matters. Colin knew that to Anthony, Hyacinth would always be the small baby he was handed when entirely too much responsibility had been put on Anthony’s shoulders when he was entirely too young.
Benedict and Eloise were close too, yes, but Hyacinth utterly worshipped Anthony; she had run to him for comfort when she had a bad dream, or for protection when Gregory was mean.
The fact that Hyacinth had completely ignored Anthony’s order to not go and see Gareth was out of character, yes, but also showed that she longed for more freedom now that she was an adult, even if Anthony was reluctant to see it.
Benedict was having the same thoughts as Colin, and he knew how difficult punishing Hyacinth would be for Anthony. Benedict would have offered to do it in Anthony’s place, but he knew Anthony would refuse, as he should. It was Anthony Hyacinth had disobeyed, and allowing Benedict to do it would undermine Anthony and be a betrayal to Hyacinth, especially because she had never been disciplined in this way before.
However, Gregory was another matter. Gregory had been disciplined in this way before, both by Anthony and by Benedict when Anthony had been away. Also, it had been Benedict that Gregory had lied to about where he was going that day. Benedict had seen Gregory as Gregory was leaving. Benedict had asked Gregory where he was off to. “Er um, going to take ride!” Gregory had replied. Benedict had been able to easily tell that Gregory was not being entirely truthful, but Benedict had figured that Gregory might be going into town for a bit of light mischief, and if it turned out to be more than that, well, that was Anthony’s problem to handle. Benedict had not at all suspected that it involved their youngest sister.
“I should discipline Gregory,” Benedict said, “I’m the one he lied to.”
Anthony agreed, and looked relieved. It was going to be difficult enough to discipline Hyacinth. Anthony had resented Benedict at times for being able to lead a more carefree life than Anthony was able to, even though logically Anthony knew Benedict had no control over being the second born son, just as Anthony had no control over being the first. However, Anthony had to admit that Benedict had an uncanny ability to step up when needed.
The first time Eloise had to be punished, Benedict said he would do it. She had lied to Benedict and snuck out (Benedict’s younger siblings really needed to learn that just because he was affable did not mean he would let them get away with serious misbehavior…only slight misbehavior…he was the second born son after all).
Anthony had said he would discipline Eloise, but Benedict said he needed to do it. If Antony punished Eloise she would just resent him. It was Benedict she had lied to and whose trust she had betrayed. It had been quite unpleasant for both Benedict and Eloise, but when the punishment was over and Benedict was hugging her, Eloise had said, “You are still my favorite brother.”
Colin, as the third born son, did not think he was needed at all. Anthony would discipline Hyacinth, Benedict would discipline Gregory, and Colin would go home to his wife who rarely needed to be disciplined.
“I’m glad that this has been settled,” Colin said, “seems like I should be going home now.”
“What you need to go and do is get Gregory from the drawing room and bring him in here,” Anthony replied.
Colin muttered a few choice words, but went to do what Anthony said.
“When you are done with Gregory, feel free to give Colin a few whacks,” Anthony said to Benedict.
Benedict chuckled and replied, “With pleasure.”
Gregory looked like a man being led to the gallows when Colin brought him into the study.
“Explain what happened today, Gregory,” Anthony said, while Benedict stood behind him looking stern.
Benedict was still no match for Anthony in the glowering department, but there was something deeply unsettling about the usually affable Benedict giving you a stern look.
Colin felt bad for Gregory. Colin always hated when he was told to give an explanation. Colin had once made the unfortunate choice of expressing this to Anthony; After Anthony had told him to explain himself, Colin had replied, “Can’t you just lecture me and punish me and get this over with?”
The look on Anthony’s face after Colin had spoken had been downright menacing. Anthony had given Colin six strokes with the cane and told Colin once again to explain himself, which Colin quickly did. Anthony then strapped Colin; getting strapped after having just been given cane strokes was one of the less pleasant experiences of Colin’s life, and Colin was never again impertinent during a punishment.
Gregory, wisely, did explain what had happened that day. Hyacinth had been distraught about not seeing Gareth, and Gregory thought if he chaperoned there wouldn’t be any harm.
“You didn’t think there would be any harm to Hyacinth disobeying my order and you helping her?” Anthony asked severely.
“I didn’t think about it like that,” Gregory admitted reluctantly.
“What were you thinking about when you lied to me?” Benedict said sternly.
Gregory cringed at Benedict’s words. “I was worried if I told you the truth you would stop us, or tell Anthony,” Gregory admitted.
“So you knew what you were doing was wrong.” Anthony said.
“Yes, sir,” Gregory said, and to his credit, he did truly look chagrined.
“You lied to Benedict, so he is going to discipline you, while I speak to Hyacinth.” Anthony told Gregory.
Anthony’s tone told Gregory it was not just a verbal discussion Anthony was going to have with Hyacinth, and Gregory begged Anthony not to punish his little sister.
Anthony was impressed by Gregory’s protectiveness of Hyacinth; it was quite a change from when they were children and Gregory would try his best to torment her.
“Hyacinth will be alright, but what happened today must never happen again, do you understand me, Gregory?”
“Yes, sir,” Gregory replied.
“Good,” Anthony said, his tone again severe, “because if it does, it will not just be me or Benedict who punishes you; it will be all three of us.”
It was hard to tell who looked more horrified - Gregory or Colin. However, Gregory managed to regain is composure and reply, “Understood, sir.”
Colin, on the other hand, had not regained his composure. He was a third born son! He should not be responsible for any of this! The only person he should be responsible for punishing was Penelope.
The look of discontentment must have been clear on Colin’s face because when Gregory was not looking, Benedict gave Colin a quick, sharp slap upside the head, which earned Benedict a pout from Colin.
“Good man,” Anthony said to Gregory, “Because Benedict is punishing you, he will choose the implement. If it were up to me, you would be getting the cane, but because Benedict is nicer than me he will probably just use the strap.”
Benedict knew Anthony had never once used the cane on Gregory, and was just saying that to impress on Gregory the seriousness of the matter. Benedict also knew that Anthony was telling Benedict in a roundabout way which implement to use. Benedict would not have used the cane anyway, but it was no secret that Anthony was protective of his younger siblings, especially the youngest two, and Anthony could not help but ensure Benedict was clear on Anthony’s intentions for Gregory’s punishment, so the strap it was.
Anthony left to handle Hyacinth, and Colin looked at Benedict, “I really think it’s time for me to go home.”
“I really think it’s time for you to go and get the strap.” Benedict replied.
Colin huffed, but did as Benedict said. When Colin returned he handed the strap to Benedict with an annoyed, “Here.”
“You know, Colin,” Benedict said, “You are complaining so much that one would think you are the one being punished. Maybe after I am done with Gregory, I should give you a strapping.” This earned a laugh from Gregory and a mutinous look from Colin to Benedict.
“Go pour all four of us a drink,” Benedict told Colin, “We’ll all need it after we’re done tonight.”
Gregory was dreading the strapping, but brightened after hearing Benedict say they would all have a drink. Being an adult had downsides (strapping), but it also had upsides (getting to have a drink with his brothers).
Colin went off to pour the drinks, though for the record, in case it wasn’t clear, he would much rather just have gone home to his wife.
Gregory got into position over Anthony’s desk and lowered his pants and undergarments without being told and without Benedict having to do it for him.
Benedict was relieved. The previous time he had to punish Gregory had been much more of a struggle. It was the first time Gregory had been punished by anyone other than Anthony, and Gregory had made clear his conviction that Benedict had no right. Benedict had been forced to practically manhandle Gregory over the desk and then pull his pants and undergarments down for him. The strapping had lasted longer than either had wanted, with Gregory refusing to yield until Benedict had strapped him thoroughly from just above his knees to the crest of his bottom, and Gregory was sobbing over Anthony’s desk.
Gregory had blubbered words Benedict couldn’t quite understand, and he helped Gregory up and gave him a hug. Slowly, Benedict was able to understand Gregory’s words more clearly - mostly “I’m sorry” and “Please don’t tell Anthony.”
Benedict accepted his apology, but told Gregory he would have to tell Anthony - he always briefed Anthony when Anthony returned from being away.
Gregory sobbed that Anthony would be mad at him, and hate him for not taking his punishment well. Benedict reassured him that Anthony would not be mad; Benedict had handled the matter and it was settled. “Besides,” Benedict told Gregory, “I have it on good authority that Anthony did not always take his punishments well.”
“Really?” Gregory asked, intrigued.
“Yes,” Benedict said, “but if you tell him I told you that he’ll strap me and then I’ll strap you,” Benedict said with a smirk.
Gregory laughed, “Did you always take your punishments well, Benedict?”
“Oh yes, I was always completely stoic,” Benedict said with a chuckle.
Right now, Gregory was doing his best to be stoic, and Benedict put his left hand reassuringly on Gregory’s back, “You’re doing well,” Benedict told his younger brother, “but it’s okay if you cry; I always did.”
“I thought you were always stoic,” Gregory replied with a smirk.
“Colin’s impertinence better not being rubbing off on you,” Benedict replied with a chuckle.
“Benedict, I truly am sorry,” Gregory said, his tone serious this time.
“I forgive you,” Benedict said, “Let’s get this over with.”
Gregory nodded in agreement. Benedict kept his left hand on Gregory’s back, partially for comfort and partially to hold Gregory in place; Benedict knew from hard earned experience it was practically impossible to hold your position during a strapping.
Gregory let out a hiss after the first stroke and a whimper after the second. By the third stroke tears were falling, and by the the time Benedict was done, Gregory was sobbing. Benedict put the strap on the desk and rubbed Gregory’s back, “Take as much time as you need,” Benedict told him.
Gregory’s sobbing subsided over the next several minutes, and Gregory slowly raised himself up and pulled up his pants and undergarments. Benedict pulled him into a hug and Gregory pressed his face into Benedict’s shoulder.
They stayed like that until Gregory finally pulled away. Benedict did the same with Sophie; he felt strongly that the person who had been punished should be comforted for as long as they needed.
Gregory’s eyes were watery, but the tears had completely stopped falling.
“Gregory,” Benedict said, “I’m not going to tell you that, ‘this hurts me more than you’ because I’ve been on both ends and I know that’s nonsense, but trust me when I tell you it’s not how I’d choose to spend my time. You’ll understand one day - most likely when you are married. There are some things that are duties.”
Gregory nodded. “I understand. Can we have that drink now?”
Benedict smiled, “Of course.”
Colin was waiting, rather impatiently, with the drinks, but all three of them had to wait awhile longer for Anthony.
“Is Hyacinth alright?” Gregory asked as soon as Anthony entered the room. “Yes,” Anthony replied, “I stayed with her until she fell asleep.”
“Are YOU alright?” Benedict asked his older brother.
“Yes,” Anthony replied, “but I could really use that drink.”
As he walked over to join his brothers, Anthony gave Gregory a supportive squeeze on the shoulder and pulled him into a quick hug.
They were all standing, mostly for Gregory’s benefit, and Anthony raised his glass, “To adulthood and duties, even when they are difficult.”
“Cheers!” his brothers replied.
Once Colin was finished with his drink he looked at his brothers, “NOW can I go home to my wife?”
“YES!” All three shouted in reply.