A/N: This chapter's a bit longer than the last one. I was planning to post chapter's 3 and 4 as one big chapter, bu then it started getting really long... Anyway! Thanks to everyone who's followed/reviewed/favorite! Enjoy!

After I've returned from my morning ride, I duck quickly into the kitchen for a cup of tea before returning to my small study to read. I perch myself upon the bench of the window-seat and draw my knees up to my chest. The book's worn leather cover is soft between my hands from years of use, and in some places the ink has smeared slightly from years of reading. My mother's diary falls open in my lap and I begin to read.

March 14.

Yesterday evening I met the most wonderful man at Eleanor's birthday ball. He was certainly more handsome than any of the men back home in America. And he was delightfully kind. Being the younger of the 'maidens on display', as Eleanor and I jokingly call it, my company wasn't as desired as Eleanor's. But he came over and asked me to dance like a true gentleman. Which he is, Englishman or not. We danced for several rounds. When we tired, I invited him to see Grandmama's estate. We went walking in the gardens and when I took a slight chill, seeing as the night had grown cold, he offered me his suit coat! Then, to my surprise and utter delight, he kissed me. Kissed me! I nearly died of happiness. Even his name is wonderful… Arthur Heartfilia. He is a lord, and head of a great tea company here in London! Oh, how I wish Father would allow us to marry… That is, if Arthur asks for my hand. I wish he would. To think that I, Alexandria Blackwood, once so full of dreams, now only want this man as my husband! I do believe I love him! Oh, it is so more wonderful than any novel could tell. But I do hope he wouldn't expect me to be a quiet and obedient wife. As much as I love him, I simply couldn't do that.

A knock on the door brings me back from my mother's girlish words of passion.

"Yes?" My maid Amelia opens the door and pokes her head in.

"M'lady, your father wishes to see you in his study." I sigh and place a bookmark between the worn pages before standing and follow her down the hall to my father's study.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You wanted to see me Father?" He sets his tea cup down and motions for Sebastian to clear it away.

"Yes. Although I had thought you would take a few minutes to change before our meeting." He says distastefully, glancing down at the soaked hem of my dress. I bow my head and let a curtain of hair hide my scowl from him. "I wanted to inform you of your betrothal."

"My what?" I say in disbelief.

"Your betrothal. It would do you well to pay attention."

"To whom?!"

"The Earl Alois Trancy. A union between our two families will increase our wealth and social standing." He continues on, droning monotonously about how it is my 'duty'. My chest feels tight and clenched. An arranged marriage… Part of me wishes I'd been betrothed at birth. Then at least I could know my future. But as the youngest child, I guess everyone assumed I'd meet some lord at one of my siblings' weddings. Now though… "Emmalinn, are you listening to me?"

"Yes Father."

"You two shall remained affianced until your eighteenth birthday. The Earl is hosting a soiree at his manor tomorrow evening. You are to meet then."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said 'no'. It would do you well to pay attention." I am playing a dangerous game, denying and mocking my father in the same sentence.

"Why should I marry him?"

""Leave us, Sebastian." My father's voice is deadly calm. Sebastian bows and leaves quickly, taking what's left of my father's morning tea with him. "Repeat yourself. Now."

"Why should I marry someone I have never met, let alone know?"

"You shall marry him because I told you to. I am still the master of this house and everything in it, including you. You may play at being mistress and running the English branch of the company while I am away, but while I live I still hold that power. Rid yourself of this silly notion that you should marry for love. Love will only bring you pain." He turns his back to me, signalling the end of our argument.

"What notion?! I know love doesn't exist between members of the upper class. How can it? All we nobles do is play each other false in order to make the greatest profit we can. It's disgusting! Good day, Father." I turn to leave but my father's hand grabs my wrist and holds me firm.

"Did I say you could leave?" I meet his icy glare and remain silent. "Well, did I?" I fix my gaze on him but do not answer. Denial. The most bitter taste to him. "Answer me, girl!"

"No, you did not. I excused myself." His open hand crashes against my cheek. The force of his slap sends me rocking backwards onto my heels.

"I have had enough of your games. You are longer a child. You will learn to obey, both me and your fiancé. Obedience is the best trait a woman can possess."

"Did Mother bow to you? Did she 'obey'?" He smacks me again, harder, and I stumble backwards. My head catches on the corner of his mahogany desk and I crumple to the ground.