A house party was normally the kind of locale where one could relax, where societal standards weren't quite as strict. Isaac had decided it was the perfect locale to finally decide on a wife. As a Duke, he needed a Duchess. Sooner, rather than later, Isaac had decided. He'd hoped that one of the young ladies invited would stand out in such surrounds, or at least be more tolerable than they were during the Season, when they and their mothers were hunting for bachelors.
Because of that, Isaac wasn't particularly relaxed, despite the locale. Benedict obviously was, but Benedict wasn't the Duke. He didn't have the same duties, the same responsibilities and burdens that Isaac did. Benedict was also the biggest supporter of Isaac obtaining a wife and, hopefully, an heir soon to follow, because until that time, Benedict was the first in line for the Dukedom. Not a position he found very comfortable.
On the other side of the equation, Isaac's sister Arabella was trenchantly opposed to him marrying and had spent most of the house party further thwarting any success. Although, he'd had more than one occasion to be grateful for her interference when certain young ladies became too importuning... or shrill... or dull...
"You're not going to find a wife in the ferns." His brother's mocking grin made Isaac want to give him a facer.
"I know."
"You said that's why we came here," he waved his hand expansively, to indicate the general expanse of the Marquess of Chester's estate. "Because you wanted a wife."
"I do."
"Well, I don't think you're currently looking in the right place." Benedict's cheeky grin didn't waver as Isaac glared at him.
He was plagued with cheeky younger siblings. No proper respect for his high status either. Most days he preferred to be treated like a regular member of the family. Other days, he wished his siblings would do a little more kowtowing.
Isaac sighed. "I suppose it doesn't really matter which one I choose."
"It doesn't?" The grin faded from Benedict's face, replaced by surprise and a touch of concern.
"I need an heir. Therefore I need a Duchess. At this point, I'm not sure I care who takes that place."
His brother frowned at him. "You've been remarkably picky for someone who doesn't care."
"I'm just ready to throw in the towel," Isaac said with a grimace. "The Season is over. I'm not sure I can endure another one unwed."
This Season had been bad enough, juggling his unmarried young sister and his own search for a bride. The young misses that filled the marriage mart were not to his taste, but it seemed they only came in one flavor and he would just have to adjust his expectations. Besides, he was tired. Tired of looking, tired of feeling the burden weighing heavily on him, tired of knowing that Benedict held his breath every time Isaac went for a gallop or a hunt or anything marginally dangerous. He needed an heir, so he needed a wife, and he would prefer one that was a good example to Arabella, his hellion of a sister.
He and Benedict tried, but they weren't very good at reigning her in. Isaac had concluded that a more feminine touch was needed, as she'd calmed down after befriending some of the ton's ladies this Season, although she wasn’t a very good influence on some of them (namely her best friend the recently married Mrs. Hood). Granted, she still got into plenty of trouble, but she was actually much easier to deal with. Unfortunately, Mrs. Hood was currently in Greece with her husband, Lady Hyde was at home with her young son, and the Earl of Spencer had refused to attend the house party with his delightful wife, divesting Arabella of her bosom companions. She needed company. Female company. Female company that wasn’t distracted by their husband. Instead, he could let Arabella distract his wife from him.
Isaac nodded his head decisively. "I'll look over the herd tonight. Tomorrow I'll make a final decision and propose by sunset."
After a hesitant moment, Benedict clapped him on the shoulder. "It's your wedding," he said, but from his tone he might as well have substituted 'funeral' for wedding.
As the two brothers walked away to throw themselves back into the fray, neither of them noticed a pair of determined grey eyes peeking out from yet another set of nearby ferns, watching them go.
Book 3 in the Bridal Discipline Series, Lydia’s Penance, will be out in Winter 2016.
About the Author
About me? Right… I’m a writer, I should be able to do that, right?
I’m a happily married young woman, no kids so far, and I like tater tots, small fuzzy animals, naming my plants, hiking, reading, writing, sexy time, naked time, shirtless o’clock, anything sparkly or shiny, and weirding people out with my OCD food habits.
I believe in Happy Endings. And fairies. And Santa Claus. Because without a little magic, what’s the point of living?
I write because I must. I live in several different worlds at any given moment. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Want to know more about my other books and stories? Sign up for my newsletter? Check out https://goldeniangel.squarespace.com/ or http://goldeniangel.blogspot.com/.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed the story… and don’t forget, the best thing you can do in return for any author is to leave them feedback!
Stay sassy.
Bridal Discipline Series
Philip’s Rules
Undisciplined (Book 1.5)
Domestic Discipline Quartet
Birching His Bride
Dealing With Discipline
Punishing His Ward
Claiming His Wife
Venus Rising Quartet
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Stronghold Series
Stronghold
Taming the Tease
On His Knees
Mastering Lexie
Pieces of Stronghold
Breaking the Chain
Poker Loser Trilogy
Forced Bet
Back in the Game
Winning Hand
Poker Loser Trilogy Bundle (3 books in 1!)
Big Bad Bunnies Series
Chasing His Bunny
Gabrielle's Discipline (Bridal Discipline Book 3) Page 29
