Sitting in Mr. Perry's cottage, Antoinette felt strangely at home. It was small, and a little crowded and the maid, Lauren, was also the housekeeper and in charge of hiring people to handle the horses and garden. But it was also stripped of all the pretentiousness and presentation of the large manors and mansions Antoinette frequented. It was cute and the fire burned warmly and everything was distinctly personal. This house was not decorated for anyone but Mr. Perry himself.

After a glass of wine, Antoinette felt sufficiently refreshed to recount the day's details to Mr. Perry.

Mr. Perry, as she ended, simply shook his head, finished his own wine, and poured himself another glass of wine. “I suppose Sir Dodge is off the table for you, then?”

Antoinette hesitated. “I suppose he ought to be, oughtn't he?”

“Antoinette, he assaulted you. He insulted your decency. You may be a little careless, a little rebellious... but the man treated you like, pardon my language, a common tart.” Mr. Perry sipped from what would be his third glass of wine.

“I know, but the only way I can convince my parents to drop any suitor is by proving he is not worth my or their time,” she replied.

“I am pretty confident that if your parents knew what he did, he would no longer be an option,” Mr. Perry insisted.

“I know... it's just that... He does meet all my other requirements for a husband,” she said with a sighed. “And nobody else so far does.”

“What requirements would those be?” Mr. Perry asked.

Antoinette blushed. “You will think me dreadfully shallow.”

“Probably,” Mr. Perry replied with a smile, “but I still wish to know.”

“Well... he ought to be romantic, outgoing, brave and... pretty wealthy. Wealthy enough to support my family if they required my help.” She avoided Mr. Perry's eye contact as she confessed to this.

“Hum, no wonder I was not a viable candidate,” Mr. Perry remarked.

“Well, I do not suppose your requirements are any less shallow,” Antoinette replied. “Everything sounds shallow when you are not speaking of a specific person.”

“That is most true,” Mr. Perry agreed. “I dream of a wife who is quiet, gentle... who can spend her afternoons relaxing with me and tending to the home.”

“And yet you were considering me?” Antoinette laughed a little.

“With my options as they are now, I would consider anything with a spare ring finger and a pulse,” Mr. Perry said quietly, looking into his wine glass.

“Now, do not be that way. You will meet your woman. And I will meet my man. Our fairytale romances. We simply have to... kiss a few ugly frogs before we get there,” Antoinette said.

“I suppose so.” Mr. Perry smiled. “It feels good to talk about these things.”

Antoinette nodded. “It does.”

“But you must return home now, or else your parents will worry,” he concluded.

Antoinette nodded again. “Thank you for having me.”

“Any time you need someone to talk to. It is not as though either of us would pass these secrets on,” Mr. Perry said, finishing his wine and offering a hand to help Antoinette stand. “Will you be happy to walk back home?”

Antoinette nodded. “I know the way.”

“You do not wish anyone to escort you?”

She shook her head. “I shall be fine.”

She could tell from his expression that he was already worried about her, but he did not protest as she took her lantern and walked off into the night.

* * *

Antoinette had not intended to, but the next night she found herself sneaking away yet again. It was just so... so relieving to be able to spend time with someone who did not have high expectations of her, who did not chastise her for being unladylike, who did not consider her an item to be bought.

“Back so soon? Has Sir Dodge made another attempt at your dignity?” Mr. Perry asked as soon as he saw it was her. She realized that the more she got to know him, the more open and relaxed he became.

“No, I have not seen him today,” Antoinette replied, “but I shall see him tomorrow.”

“Come in and let's have a glass of wine,” Mr. Perry said with a slight, knowing laugh.

Antoinette followed him in and found the same chair she had sat in last time, collapsing back into it like she used to do as a kid. “I simply have no clue what to do about him,” she began.

“Stop seeing him,” Mr. Perry replied.

“But he is such a good choice,” Antoinette insisted. “He is young, wealthy, romantic... He would make my family very happy.”

“But do you want a man like that in your home?” Mr. Perry asked as he poured them each a glass of wine. “To see your friends? Raise your daughters?”

“Perhaps it is simply that he could not control himself around me, due to his love for me?” Antoinette said, doubting the sentence even as she said it.

“You are a wonderful young woman, but no man acts like that only with one woman. You will need to pry him off every maid, friend, sister, and cousin you have,” Mr. Perry replied.

“That bad?” Antoinette asked, taking the offered glass and raising an eyebrow.

“Not necessarily... but he could be. And you must assume the worst case scenario,” Mr. Perry explained.

Antoinette sipped her wine thoughtfully. “But does it really undo all the good things about him?” she finally asked.

Mr. Perry shrugged. “It depends on how serious you consider the infraction, and how much you value being respected as a woman.”

“When you put it like that you make it sound as though I did something wrong,” Antoinette remarked.

Mr. Perry shook his head. “Not at all. I cannot make the choice for you. But I am simply pointing out that, were someone to ever find out that you were married to a man who had made such advances on you... many people would consider it cheapening yourself.”

“But if I wish to persuade my parents to stop considering him a suitor then they must find out what he did. They would restrict my freedoms enormously. I may not spend as much time with my suitors or... or be able to sneak out to see you,” she said.

Mr. Perry shook his head. “You must think long term. Our relationship is not leading anywhere, we both know that. So you must choose what is best for you. Even if it means these evenings end tonight.”

Antoinette pursed her lips. “Perhaps so...”

* * *

Seeing Sir Dodge again left a bad taste in her mouth, but she knew she had to do it. After all, Mr. Perry was right. She needed to think of her future, not the present. She had allowed herself to slip back to emotions and fancies once again. So what if Sir Dodge was rude and emotionally unavailable? Sweetness and emotiveness were traits that made all the difference in romance novels, but did nothing for her sister's lack of wealth, her parents' need for status, or her need to find a man to provide for her.

She tolerated the visit and made an effort to smile, laugh at his jokes, and keep the interaction as positive as possible. Her parents, none the wiser, remarked on how well the two of them suited one another, and how much their relationship could grow. Even Lucy was excited to hear she was still seeing Sir Dodge. Especially seeing as Isaac had lost interest in her and began courting another girl, leaving Lucy a little angry.

Mr. Perry's evening company was her sole comfort. Sitting back in her chair, gazing at the fire, she wondered whether this was what it would feel like to sell her soul. She would not wish it on anyone.

“You know,” she said as Mr. Perry poured their first glasses of wine for the night, “I do believe I know of someone who meets your requirements for a wife.”

“Do you?” Mr. Perry replied.”Do I meet her requirements for a husband?”

“Perhaps so, you ought to get to know her and find out. She has only just returned from boarding school, entertained but a single suitor who was a bit of a worm, and is disheartened right now, though,” Antoinette explained.

“I would give her some space if her parents would even consider me,” Mr. Perry said. “What is she like?”

“She is young and pretty. A hopeless romantic. All those years in boarding school have made her a bit of an introvert and she likes nothing more to sit home reading all day. And she is quite peaceable and kind also,” Antoinette said.

“She sounds very lovely, I would much appreciate if you would put us in contact,” Mr. Perry replied with a genuine smile.

Something about that smile made Antoinette's heart soar. He just looked so grateful, so happy, so excited... It was the best feeling in the world, and she knew from the lightness in her head and stomach that she was doing the right thing. She could possibly make her closest lady friend and her closest male friend happy all in one go. They deserved it. She only hoped that the Fitzroys would hear her out when she introduced Mr. Perry. They had never been too particular about wealth and status, but everyone had a limit of sorts. What she hoped was that Mr. Perry would come in beneath their limit.

But as she was preparing the next morning to go and visit them, so as to begin the introduction, a letter arrived which shifted her priorities somewhat. Duke Godwin was back in town.

“Thank goodness we received the letter today,” Lady Byrd said as she bustled about pointing servants left and right. “At least we have a few hours in which to freshen up the house, order lunch, and get you dressed. Oh, I wish we had received it earlier-”

Antoinette seized her mother's hands, forcing her to stop pacing. “Calm,” she said, “we are almost ready. You have done so well.”

“Oh, thank you, I know I have,” Lady Byrd replied. “Not to sound too immodest, of course but... At any rate, I hope that you are taking note. This is what you will be doing someday for your daughters.”

Antoinette nodded. “I am taking note, mother.” However much her idealized image of her mother had become a little tarnished over the past few weeks, Antoinette still retained a powerful respect for the woman who had birthed and raised her. “I can only hope to be as much of a woman, a wife, and a mother as you are one day.”

“You will, Antoinette, you will. You have great potential. Speaking of which, hurry and touch up your makeup. The Duke will arrive any minute now!” Lady Byrd began ushering Antoinette upstairs.

Applying her makeup, Antoinette felt her heart lift a little. If Duke Godwin were back and interested then she would be able to continue as before. No more new suitors. No more Sir Dodge. And she had kept her promise to her sister for long enough, surely? It was all going to come up roses as soon as Duke Godwin was back in the picture.

Hearing the door close heavily downstairs, she realized he had arrived. She sprayed herself with her favourite perfume, double-checked herself in the mirror, and made her way downstairs as quickly as she could without sacrificing grace.

Duke Godwin was sat in the front room with Lord and Lady Byrd, talking quietly. All were smiling, but as soon as her parents spied Antoinette they stood up and excused themselves with a bow and a curtsy, leaving only a couple of servants to act as chaperones.

“It has been some time,” Antoinette began as soon as her mother had disappeared out the door.

“Indeed it has, but I have had a lot to do.” Duke Godwin smiled. “It is fantastic to be back.”

“You have to update me,” Antoinette insisted.

“Oh, nothing serious, a charity event here, meeting other Dukes and Duchesses there, a lot of dull, formal business,” he dismissed.

“It does not sound it, I would love to know about the charity events especially, they are your forte,” she replied.

Duke Godwin laughed a little. “Very well, very well, all in good time. But what about yourself? Have you been busy? I have heard from friends that you attended the Town Gala,” he said. “Must have been a little lonely, surely?”

Antoinette shook her head. “Not at all, I wanted to catch up with an old friend, and Sir Dodge escorted me.” She felt a pang of discomfort recalling Sir Dodge's behaviour that night, but dismissed it and smiled anyway.

“Sir Dodge?” Duke Godwin asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, he is another of my suitors,” Antoinette replied.

Duke Godwin paused and gazed past her for a second, in deep thought. “I suppose you have quite a few suitors, Miss Byrd,” he concluded.

“I do, my parents like me to keep my options open. Especially seeing as I am a little old to still not be betrothed,” she explained.

“And I suppose that means that you, or your parents, could not wait until my return to make such a choice?” Duke Godwin continued.

“I suppose so, yes,” Antoinette admitted. “But you... you were not a certainty. You kept disappearing, we hardly heard from you. A lady has to keep her options open. I cannot hold a candle for you forever.”

“It is a busy time of year, your impatience is a little... unnerving,” Duke Godwin replied.

Antoinette nodded. “I understand, I truly do, but... do you not believe you are overreacting somewhat? All you need to do is prove you are better than the others, which, so long as you are home, is an easy task for you.”

Duke Godwin shook his head slowly. “Antoinette... I am not the hunter. Do not get me wrong, I enjoy a little fun and sport like any man. But I will not enter some ridiculous contest to prove my worth to you. I am a prize. And if you cannot see that I stand head and shoulders above the rest... then perhaps I ought to be considering a woman who is made for me.”

“But I...” Antoinette began, trailing off as her eyes locked with Duke Godwin's.

“I am sorry, Antoinette, but I am a man with many options. And I do not wish to marry a woman who, rightly or wrongly, considers me anything less than her best option.” He smiled in a friendly manner as he explained this… courteous even in rejection.

Antoinette smiled meekly back, but felt her heart tearing in two.