Just a completely random idea that popped into my head after finding out that there were no stories about These Old Shades or The Devils Cub, the former being my favourite GH book. This certainly isn't written too well, but there needs to be more than six GH stories in this category. Do expect more TOS stories to come :)

Enjoy!

The Duke of Avon was not one to cry; but why would he? He was Justin Alastair, Santanas. Oh back in his youth he was nothing more than the devil himself, gambling, slowly driving many to suicide (and not to mention that abduction issue concerning, one Jennifer Merivale). Although there are naught but a few instances where he has, indeed, cried.

Naught may know this, and to hell to those who find out for those who go against The Duke of Avon have gone against the devil himself, or though many would warn. The night Léonie fled from his home, he spent that night sleepless, and many more on his way to finding her. Once or twice he had even wept in the privacy of his own chambers but no one, not even his dearest wife would ever know that, for back then, he had feared that she had, perhaps decided to end things, even if he was convincing others that she was safe.

The second time he had cried was when his son was born. Dominic Alastair was his pride and joy when he came into the world. He felt that his life was, indeed, complete. He had a beautiful wife whom he loved more than life itself, an heir and enough money to live comfortably. Knowing that he and Leonie had birthed such a handsome boy had caused a tear to roll down his cheek. (Unfortunately, Léonie, even with the exhaustion that had come out of childbirth, had caught it and spent the next half hour, gleefully proclaiming, "Oh! Monseigneur, you cried! Voyons, I knew it! I knew you would!"). In his forty odd years, he never once thought that he would happily settle down with a wife whom he loved and have a son for whom he would be proud of.

The next time he had cried was the day his son had wed one, Mary Challoner for he never thought his son would wed, after all he had never been serious about a single thing in his life, and to Dominic, women were nothing but a bit of fun. But alas he found love with straight-laced Mary Challoner instead of her beauty of a sister. For that he was glad. The girl was a silly git and not at all appropriate to marry his son, even if his son wasn't the most sensible person in London. Léonie, on the other hand was full of glee. "Voyons, Monseigneur, I knew Dominique would marry her for I would naught have that other silly girl, erm… Sophia! That is it. I would not have that girl marry my son for she was a…oh but I will not say the word because you would be cross with me but you shant as I won't!" she had gloated before she, too had shed some tears, her face buried in her husband's coat.

The final time Avon had cried was on his death bed, surrounded by his family. Léonie and Dominique had been beside him, his wife weeping into his chest and their son standing with his wife. His dear sister Fanny was with her son and daughter, both holding their mother as she fell into a fit of vapours. Hugh had been there, though he too was on his last leg and were soon to join their friend Merivale in death. Rupert had also been missing as he had left the world, not a year before. Unable to speak, Avon had held onto his wife's hand, allowing her to squeeze it tight as she wept. He had not wanted to leave his family behind, especially his Léonie. Many knew that Satanas had become kinder since marrying Mlle Saint-Vire but he paid no heed to their comments. They were of no interest of him.

Avon had passed on within an hour of his family gathering around him. His son had been the only one to notice the faint moisture on this pasty cheeks.