“Who was that and why were you on the back of his bike?”

I jumped and my hand flew to my throat in surprise. “Martin, gosh, warn a person before firing random questions at them would you.”

“Answer me,” he said, his voice low and growly. I’d heard that tone before and not long after Charles had stopped calling on me.

“His name is Drew and he is Lord Bingham’s new CFO. I was teaching him to ride a horse so he could participate in the upcoming hunt.”

“And you think it's perfectly okay to let him give you a ride on his bike?”

“I rode Filigree over to the Monterey stables and Lord Bingham kindly offered to keep her there while I give Drew lessons. I had no way to get back to the palace, so he offered to give me a lift.”

His lip curled as he listened to my explanation and I wasn't sure that he believed me, although everything I said was the truth. I may have omitted the part where we took the long way home and the bit about how much I liked pressing in to the firm back of Drew as we raced through the corners.

“I don't think it's appropriate for a lady of your standing to be riding on the back of a motorcycle. It's unseemly.”

“Why are you here?” I asked, not prepared to dignify him with a response.

“Mother wanted you to come for supper. You weren't answering your phone.”

I rolled my eyes. “I suppose she wants to thrust Lord Cameron on me again. Fine. Give me half an hour to change.”

I pushed him into my room so he could wait in my sitting room while I changed. I wasn't exactly overjoyed to be spending another night with my mother and Lord Cameron, but I didn't have any other pressing engagements and I doubted that telling her I had a date with a bottle of wine and the latest Zoe York novel would win me any brownie points. It was just dinner and conversation, how bad could it be?

I showered quickly and had Francesca tie my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head, we didn't have time to deal with the knots from my ride. I wore a slim pair of jeans and a silky tank. I put on my boots and a pair of long, dangly earrings. Ursula finished my makeup and then I walked out to my waiting brother. He gave me a once over and grunted.

“Do you think that is appropriate attire for dinner?”

“With a half an hour notice? You're lucky I don't go wearing sweats.”

“Fine,” he said with a sigh, “come on.”

He trudged ahead of me, his head down and shoulders hunched. Martin and I usually got along fairly well, but lately he'd been far more grumpy than I'd ever seen him. I didn't know what the problem was. Although to be fair, I hadn't asked. I did know that it couldn't be business related. He sent us all regular snapshots of the business and from what I could gather, things were going well… better than well. Martin and Joshua were prospering and I couldn't be happier for them, but it did leave me wondering why my eldest brother seemed to be walking around with a dark cloud hanging over his head.

He drove us to the house in town and I wondered if maybe that wasn't half the problem. Joshua got to escape to the estate but Martin had to stay and look after Mother while she was in the country. If I had to live with her full time I'd be a bit of a thundercloud myself. I knew I wasn't the only one that she was playing matchmaker with and my resentment softened towards him. At least I got to escape from Mother’s constant harping, he didn't.

We arrived at the house and I followed him through the door, smiling a greeting at the butler as we passed. He led me to the drawing room where mother sat with Lord Cameron idly chatting over pre-dinner drinks. Joshua was standing behind the wet bar looking like he wanted to escape out the window. They all looked up at me as I entered and Mother frowned.

“It appears I'm over dressed,” Lord Cameron said.

I noticed that the others all wore evening wear; my brothers and Lord Cameron in suits, my mother in a beaded dress with her hair perfectly coiffed.

“Oh, sorry,” I said, looking down at myself, “I've been out riding all afternoon and wasn't aware we had plans. Well, not until Martin turned up on my doorstep.”

“Really Jeanie,” Mother said, “You look like a common trollop.”

“Mother,” Martin admonished while Joshua tried to hide his shocked laughter behind his fist and a cough.

“I hardly think jeans and a top qualify as something a street walker would wear,” I said, feeling rather rebellious. I was so sick and tired of being judged and found wanting. It didn't matter what I wore or how I behaved, Mother was never happy.

“It's quite all right, Lady Beatrice,” Lord Cameron said, “I'm sure Lady Jeanette didn't mean any disrespect by it. Next time we’ll have to make sure to give her ample time to dress. I know how you ladies love to fuss over your gowns and such. One can't be expected to turn up dressed as a proper lady without the appropriate notice given.”

I wasn't quite sure if he was standing up for me or giving me a kid-glove rebuke. I liked what I was wearing. Sure, it wasn't an evening gown, but it wasn't super casual either. I could have just arrived in my jodhpurs and the t-shirt I’d been wearing earlier. Maybe I should have, I didn't think it would have garnered a worse response.

“Was Martin telling me the truth? You were on the back of some guy’s bike?”

“Not ‘some guy’,” I said, “Drew Taylor’s bike. Lord Bingham’s new CFO.”

Joshua fists clenched at his side. “He was the guy that kissed you at the wedding.”

“I would hardly call what happened between us a kiss,” I replied, “We danced at the wedding until you rudely interrupted us.”

“He had his hands all over you—”

“Yeah, it’s called dancing.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at Joshua. I was so angry, with both of them, all of them, my mother and Lord Cameron included.

“I saw him kiss you,” Joshua continued.

“It was hardly a kiss at all,” I said, the heat in my voice making it hard to keep the conversation quiet. “It never got so far as a proper kiss because you hauled him off and punched him.”

“What is going on over here?” Martin asked, stepping up to the bar where Joshua and I had faced off.

“The bike guy, it’s the same one from the wedding.”

“Oh Joshua, do grow up.”

“What guy from the wedding?” Martin asked, glaring at both of us.

“The one who kissed her.”

I huffed and turned away from the twin glares from my brothers. They were being unreasonable.

“That’s the guy you’re teaching to ride?” Martin made me face him.

“At Lord Bingham’s request,” I snapped.

“No,” Martin said.

“No?”

“No,” he reiterated shaking his head, “I won’t allow it.”

“You won’t allow it?” Disbelief was evident in my tone. “You. Won’t. Allow. It? And why exactly is it any of your business?”

“I am your guardian—”

“Are you kidding me? I am twenty-four, I don’t need a guardian. This is not the nineteenth century and I will do whatever I damn well please.”

I picked up my glass of wine and walked away from the two of them, my fury almost too much to contain. Had they always been this way? I had to admit that, yes, they had always been this way but it was me who was different. I had never openly defied them before. I would normally just bow to their demands, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to do, shoving my own feelings down deep so that my good girl reputation wasn’t ruined. Something had changed within me and I no longer wanted to just sit passively by while my life was arranged for me. Unfortunately that meant that I had to deal with confrontation, something I was not very good at. My body shook and I needed to keep two hands on the glass so I wouldn’t spill it. I was angry but I had never stood up to them like that before. Even when they scared poor Charles away I had swallowed my anger and said nothing. Oh, I always came up with the perfect retort in my head but it was usually two days later and after I had been stewing on it for a while. I had never had the nerve to spit out what I was really thinking at the exact moment I needed to say it. Now, after doing exactly that, the anger churned in my gut but was joined with anxiety creating a nauseating mix in my stomach. Fear of disappointing my family had always kept me from speaking my mind and I didn’t know what had come over me tonight. I was changing, I could see it, but whether that was a good thing or not was yet to be determined.

“Is everything all right?” Lord Cameron asked, coming to stand at my elbow.

“Just a disagreement between siblings,” I replied, trying to smile and brush it off.

“It looked rather heated.”

“They have an issue with my teaching someone to ride.”

“Who?”

“Not that it is any of your business, but Lord Bingham’s new CFO. He needs to ride in the upcoming hunt and Lord Bingham requested my help.”

“I don’t think I am comfortable with you spending so much time with a man of that ilk.”

I spun to face him, my own face a storm cloud. “You’re not comfortable? I’m not quite sure how any of it is your concern.” Wow. I was on a roll tonight. My mouth seemed to have a mind of its own.

“Lady Jeanette,” he said in a placating and irritatingly condescending tone, “If we are to marry and you are to become my viscountess, then it is very much my concern. You will be put under the microscope and all your past actions will be scrutinised. I don’t know how it is in your little country here, but the peers in London have high expectations for who I am to marry. Your behaviour needs to be above reproach.”

I had no words. Oh, I wish I had words right now. The urge to explode was great, but my mind was a complete blank.

“So far, you have behaved impeccably, but I fear that your new queen has put some rather radical ideas in your head. It will be such a relief to get you away from her and back into the polite society of London where things are much more civilised.”

I stood there, gaping at him, unable to believe the words that were coming from his mouth. The way he spoke it was as if Merveille were some backward, savage country that had yet to be tamed by the great British Empire. The man was so incredibly arrogant and the biggest snob I had ever met and I could not believe that Mother wanted me to marry him, title or not.

“I’m sorry I am such a disappointment to you,” I said, sarcasm dripping from the words.

He patted my hand. “It is all right, my dear. You still have a lot to learn before you are ready to be inflicted on the peers, but you are intelligent and I’m sure you will learn well enough under my tutelage. Up until now you have been doing well enough, but it is not enough to gain the approval of the queen.”

“I’m sorry? Approval of the queen?”

“Why yes, of course. Dear Lizzy needs to approve a marriage of a peer.”

“Lizzy? As in Queen Elizabeth? Surely she doesn’t have to approve all marriages?”

“Oh yes. According to the Marriage Act of 1772, she has the right to say no to a match that she thinks is unsuitable.”

“I believe,” I said, barely restraining my temper, “That that act was repealed in 2015 and now only applies to the first six people in line for the throne. You are not one of those six people are you, Lord Cameron?”

His mouth opened to answer, but no sound came out. Rather, he gaped at me before snapping his mouth shut and turning an interesting shade of red.

“Dinner is served,” the butler intoned and with a much lighter step, I walked away from Lord Cameron, my body jittery as disbelief coursed through me at what I had just said. I followed the butler towards the dining room, cursing my inability to keep my mouth shut tonight. First a sparring match with my brothers and now picking a fight with Lord Cameron. I needed to rein it in or I would have to face the wrath of my mother. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my roiling emotions as I stepped into the dining room. Before I could get too far, my arm was gripped by Martin.

“Lord Cameron looks like he wants to impale you,” he whispered in my ear.

I shrugged, “He was spouting some nonsense or other, and I simply corrected him.” I was proud that my voice didn’t tremble.

Martin sighed. “I don’t know what has gotten into you, Jeanie, but I really need it to stop. Play nice with Lord Cameron, please.”

He pulled a chair out to seat me and I looked up at him. Something was going on that I didn’t know about and in the past I would have just let it all play out, but now I wanted to know more. Was Lord Cameron and his presence here the reason for Martin’s perpetually bad mood? And if so, why?

Dinner dragged, although I was the only one who seemed to notice. The conversation flowed around me, but none of it interested me and Lord Cameron’s continual condescending way of speaking rubbed against me like sandpaper. The more time I spent with him, the more I disliked him. I knew the plan was for me to marry him, but I hoped that someone else would come along and save me from that fate. I couldn't bear the thought of living with that man for the rest of my life and just the passing hint that I would have to share a marriage bed with him and bear his children made me shudder.

After dinner, we retired to the parlour for more boring conversation and I was fidgety and unable to sit still. I just wanted to leave, to go back to my apartment and lose myself in a novel or a sappy movie. Mother noticed my unsettled state and shot me a glare, but even that was not enough to make me settle.

“Come for a turnabout the garden with me Jeanie,” Mother said, standing.

I stood and joined her, thankful to get out of the stuffy room and move about, even if it did mean talking to her. I knew she would lecture me about something but remaining in Lord Cameron’s presence was the worse of the two situations, so I was willing to bear the lecture in order to be away from him.

I offered her my arm and we walked out the terrace doors and down into the softly lit garden. It wasn't a large plot, but the gardens had been cunningly designed to meander, giving the illusion that they were bigger than they actually were.

When we were far enough away from the house, Mother spoke, “What is your opinion of Lord Cameron?”

I sighed, “He is a bit up himself don't you think?”

“Jeanie! Really! Must you use such vulgar vernacular?”

“I'm sorry Mother,” I mumbled, “but he is quite arrogant and the way he speaks to Martin and Joshua as if they know nothing of consequence. I find it very off putting.”

“He's a viscount,” she said as if that excused his behaviour.

“It doesn't mean he needs to be a jerk too. Lord Bingham and Prince Will are nothing like him.”

It was my mother’s turn to sigh. “You have become very strong willed since moving here,” she said as if it was a character flaw. “I think he would be good for you.”

“I know you want me to have a title, Mother, but it really is neither here nor there in my opinion. I like working in the palace and I love living in Merveille. Would it be such a terrible thing if I were to marry someone other than a peer?”

She gasped and clutched her pearls. “Don't say such a thing. You deserve a title and I intend to make sure you get one.”

“Well, then, please don't let it be at Lord Cameron’s expense. I don't know that I could bear living with the man for more than five minutes before I would be looking for something to stab him with.”

“I don't know what has come over you, Jeanie dear. What happened to the agreeable little girl who wanted to be the lady of her own manor?”

“She grew up,” I mumbled and then sighed. “Surely there is someone else more suitable? Someone who lives here in Calanais and who wouldn't mind me continuing on as lady in waiting?”

“It's not that simple,” Mother said. “Things have already been set in motion and to put a stop to them now would cause detriment to your brothers’ business.”

My gut clenched at the thought of Martin and Joshua losing everything they had been working so hard for. I knew there had to be a reason for Martin’s bad moods and this sudden push to marry me off.

“And then there is my health to think about,” Mother continued.

I stopped walking and turned to look at her. “Are you ill, Mother?”

She patted my hand and gave me a sad smile. “I'll not live forever and I really want to see you settled before I die.”

What did she mean? I knew she hadn't been quite herself lately, but surely if there were something seriously wrong, she would tell me… wouldn't she?

“I'd like to meet my grandchildren,” she said almost wistfully.

I shuddered at the thought of having Lord Cameron’s children.

“Tell me plainly, Mother, are you sick?”

“I've been to see the doctor and he has recommended I see a specialist in London, but I'm afraid to go and leave you here while you are still unattached.”

“Well, what does he think it is?”

She waved her hand, dismissing my question, “You know how those doctors are. They use words with far too many syllables and never really give you a definitive answer. I'm sure the specialist will be able to give me more answers when I see him.”

“So why the delay? I could go with you if you are afraid.”

“No dear, I wouldn't ask that of you. But I won't go until I know that you and Lord Cameron have made a commitment.”

“But why him?”

“We have a mutually beneficial arrangement and he will be good to you.”

An exasperated sigh escaped my mouth. The woman was impossible to argue with when she had made up her mind about something.

“Do the boys know?”

“About the arrangement with Lord Cameron? Of course they do, they brokered the deal.”

“No,” I said through gritted teeth, “I mean about your illness. Do the boys know you're sick?”

“No and I don't want you to tell them. They have enough to deal with as it is.”

“You will tell me if you're feeling poorly, won't you? You will let me know if there is anything I can do?”

Mother took my hands in hers and looked me in the eye. “The only thing I need you to do is marry Lord Cameron. If you can do that for me, then it will give me the peace of mind I need to survive this malady.”