"Why wasn't I told about this sooner?! Had I known she was coming, I would've been more prepared!" the Earl fumed.

He clambered down the stairs with Riff right behind him.

"We just received the telegram only a few moments ago, sir. I'm afraid the wire is running a bit slow today."

"It doesn't matter anymore—Katherine always makes a sudden appearance and today is no different."

They reached the bottom and began walking through the drawing room and the music room towards the front of the mansion.

"Just make sure that a guest room is prepared, the maids are ready, and there are plenty of cucumber sandwiches. Lord knows what happened the last time she came and there were none."

"Right away, sir."

A black carriage soon rolled up in front of the Hargreaves estate, and the horses neighed as they were pulled to a stop. A footman jumped down from the back and proceeded to open the door. Cain emerged as his distant cousin Katherine was helped down and he went over to greet her.

"You're looking as beautiful as ever, my dear." He kissed her hand as she let out a rich laugh.

"Oh don't go on like that, Cain."

"Do you have no faith in my sincerity?"

"Never have, never will," she chuckled, her dark brown curls bouncing around her neck. "But there's someone I want you to meet. Come on out, Lily!"

A beautiful blonde girl stepped out from the darkness of the carriage and into the bright light, squinting her eyes to see better. The first thing she saw was the big, beautiful mansion that looked as old as time itself, and the young lady was filled with a desire to explore every room. Then she lay eyes on the Earl and was taken aback by his youth and his golden green stare.

"This is my friend Liliana. I promised to take her around once we were done with school, and here we are!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the Earl greeted as he kissed her hand.

"I hope it truly is, my lord."

He stared for a moment before resuming his role as host. "Won't you both come inside? Things have changed since you were last here, Katherine."

They followed him up the stairs and through the massive front doors, with servants dragging their luggage behind them. Lily almost gasped at the luxury of the place, and looked around in awe as if she were in Buckingham Palace. The Earl noticed her wonder and wore something between a smirk and a smile on his face.

This place has been in my family since the time of Prince Edward. Would you like me to show you around?"

"Do you not consider it your home?" the blonde beauty innocently asked.

"I beg your pardon?"

"It's just that you said 'place' instead of 'house' or 'home', so you make it sound like a museum instead of a home."

"I apologize then if I sound bored or unthrilled."

"Not at all, my lord. I'm just—saying things I shouldn't." Lily meekly bowed her head.

"Oh Lily, you don't have to apologize to Cain. He can be a bit uptight around strangers." Katherine intervened and let out a hearty laugh.

Then the master and his guests continued to walk through the mansion.

A few hours later . . .

After enjoying a light supper in the large dining hall, Lily decided to retire early due to fatigue from the trip. She bid her friend and host a good night, and was shown to her room by Riff. Katherine and Cain went into the living room, where a lovely fire was now blazing. Cain sat in a plush armchair staring into the flames for a few silent moments, before Katherine came to stand behind his chair and started a conversation.

"So . . . what do you think?"

"About what? Your surprise visit?"

"No, Cain—about Lily."

Katherine was smiling as she went to sit on a couch that faced the fire at an angle. She waited for her cousin's response.

"I shouldn't be expected to form an opinion about a girl I just met. Are you trying to be a matchmaker, Katherine?"

"Not for you, Cain, for me."

A moment of silence passed.

"I'm sorry to say this, but despite her interesting outbursts, she looks like a born and bred traditionalist, and I don't think she'll ever be ready to love you as more than a friend."

"You could've at least lied to me," Katherine stated in a hurt tone of voice.

"I despise lies in any shape or form," Cain replied, thinking back to his father's organization and all of their evil schemes.

"Well, there goes that. I was hoping to become closer on this trip, especially because I've never even told Lily about my preferences when it comes to partners."

"True companions are hard to come by." The Earl looked behind him at Riff, and gestured for his glass of wine. "I hope you find yours someday, Katherine."

"So do I," she murmured as she let out a sigh. Both resumed gazing into the fire, as if the answers to their dilemmas lay inside.

Hi all!

I know I should be working on my other fics, but this one popped into my head and was practically begging to be written! At least I pumped out three chapters at once, so please forgive me! Especially since I always do OOC stuff, but at least this one's in third person! Trying something new here, folks. Keep your fingers crossed . . .