"I'm telling you, Sergio, she's perfect."

"Please", he said dismissively. "I'm not interested."

Andrés continued anyway.

"She's twenty-four, pretty, clever, she has a reputation beyond question, and she comes with an enormous dowry and a fixed yearly income."

"If she's so perfect, why isn't she already married?"

"Her parents have been holding out for the right match. Her father recently made an absolute fortune in trade and now they want their daughter to marry up."

"I don't have any money."

"They don't want money, they have plenty of money. What they want is an aristocratic connection. That's where you come in. I'm telling you, you couldn't marry a better girl."

Sergio shot his half-brother a disgruntled look.

"But I told you, Andrés, I don't want to marry at all."

He turned towards the fireplace to warm his hands. Despite the spring sunlight streaming through the windows, the big hall was still cool, and Sergio had asked for the fire to be lit. His brother leaned forward in his chair on the other side of the hearth.

"You're almost thirty, man, what are you waiting for? Time to start a family."

Sergio glanced down at the chess board on the little table in front of him – he'd been in the middle of a game when his brother came in, and he rather wanted to continue it.

"I don't want a family."

"Are you really going to spend your entire life alone?"

"I'm not alone, I have you and Tatiana and the children."

"For two visits a year."

"Which is plenty. A wife and children would interfere with my work."

Andrés waved a hand.

"You could still work, you only have to spend as much time with them as you want to."

"How about no time at all? I'm telling you, I don't want to get married."

"But this girl…"

Sergio frowned. "Why are you match-making, all of a sudden? You've never shown any interest in my love life before."

In fact, why was his brother here at all? He generally didn't come down to the country except for their regular arranged family visits at Christmas and in the summer – if Sergio wanted to see his brother at any other time, he had to make the trip to town. And yet here Andrés was, unannounced and alone, talking about marriage.

His brother cleared his throat, then said carefully:

"You know we're not rich."

"True, but we both get by."

Andrés shifted in his chair, and Sergio narrowed his eyes at him.

"What are you not telling me?"

"Well… I might not be as comfortably situated as you think I am."

"What does that mean?"

"There may be some debt."

Sergio sat up straighter, alarmed.

"What kind of debt?"

"The kind that will get me thrown in debtor's jail if I don't pay it."

"How much?" Sergio asked curtly.

His brother hesitated. "Let's just say it's… a substantial amount."

"How much?"

Andrés mentioned a number, and Sergio felt himself go pale.

"How did this happen?" he whispered. "I know your father didn't leave you much, but the settlement my father arranged for you before he died should have been enough to support you and your family, and you live rent-free in my town house."

"I may have… fallen in with some bad crowds."

"What kind of bad crowds?" Sergio said icily.

"Gambling."

Sergio gave him an outraged look, and his brother quickly continued:

"It was never much! Just little bits here and there, but it added up over the years and now I've run out my credit and they want to get paid. Soon."

"But how can I possibly pay them? I don't have that kind of money!"

"No, you don't", his brother said, giving him a sly look. "But you could have it soon…"

The pieces of the puzzle suddenly fell into place and Sergio's eyes went wide as he realized why his brother was suddenly match-making.

"You want me to marry that girl for her money? That's disgusting, Andrés."

"Why?" he shrugged. "Everybody does it. And I've met her, she really is pretty."

Sergio waved his hand. "I don't care about that. I'm not using her for her money."

"She's using you too!" Andrés said, leaning forward. "You have aristocratic connections and a good name, and she gets to be a lady. You both get something out of it. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"I still don't want the hassle of a wife and children in the house! There would be noise, and mess, and the expectation of conversation."

"A wife comes with advantages as well. She could manage your household."

"I have a housekeeper for that."

"She can keep you company."

"You're always complaining that Tatiana only wants to talk about dresses and hats."

Andrés waved a dismissive hand.

"Not all women are like that. And besides, it's nice to have someone to keep your bed warm."

Sergio stiffened.

"I'm perfectly fine with a blanket, thank you", he said with dignity.

His brother grinned. "Oh come on, Sergio, you know what I mean…"

"I'm telling you, Andrés", Sergio said heatedly. "I don't want a wife. There must be another option!"

"Of course", his brother said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "You could always sell the town house. Then me and my family could come live here with you."

Sergio froze. Andrés smiled and pushed his advantage.

"Yes, wouldn't that be nice? Me and Tatiana and your six nieces and nephews, always here."

Sergio frowned. "Seven."

"Pardon?"

"You have seven children, Andrés."

His brother blinked. "Since when?"

"Since Tatiana gave birth again three months ago."

"Well yes, little Robbie makes six. There's Andrew, Rose, Nathaniel, Winston and Elizabeth."

"You're forgetting Delia."

"Right!" Andrés said, slapping his knee. "She's so quiet, you barely notice she's there. Unlike the other five…"

"Six."

"… they're real rascals. Running around the house, setting up a racket at all hours of the day and night, dragging in mud, getting into your study and messing up your papers…"

"Fine, fine!" Sergio said hastily. "You paint a vivid picture."

"Believe me, Sergio, marrying a nice girl and having two or three quiet, well-behaved children of your own would be preferable for everyone. And her dowry really is enormous, it would erase our debt immediately and there would still be plenty left over to upgrade your lifestyle a little."

"What do you mean 'our' debt?" Sergio grumbled. "This is your debt, why do I have to pay for it?"

His brother nodded soberly. "You're right, of course. This is my problem and I shouldn't expect you to solve it for me. But you know I have no way of finding that kind of money, and if I don't… well, it's a one-way trip to prison for me. Is that what you want?"

"No", Sergio said quietly. "No, of course not." He ran a tired hand over his eyes. "But I still really dislike the idea of having to marry."

"Well", Andrés said, reaching forward and moving the chess pieces on the board on the little table between them. "Life is like chess. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a piece…" He bumped Sergio's knight off the board. "…to win another." He held up the white queen.

"But I don't see what I'm winning by making this sacrifice."

"Why don't you at least meetthe girl? Maybe you'll like her."

"And maybe pigs will fly", Sergio mumbled, but his brother ignored him.

"I've been talking to her father, and her parents are very keen on making the match, but they insist that their daughter has a say as well."

"As she should", Sergio said drily.

"Quite", his brother nodded. "A lot depends on this, Sergio, so at least try to make a good impression tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes", his brother said lightly. "They're having a soiree tomorrow and we're both invited. I took the liberty of accepting."

He groaned. "Oh, perfect."

"I'm telling you, this is the best solution all around."

"I suppose", Sergio said, heaving a big sigh of resignation. "Well, what's the name of this girl?"

"Raquel", Andrés said. "Raquel Murillo."

…

"Sergio Marquina", her mother said. "Lord Sergio Marquina."

"We met his brother", her sister supplied. "Well, his half-brother, really. Lord De Fonollosa, you remember him, we saw him in town at the Pembertons' Winter's Ball in December."

"Yes, I remember him", Raquel said. "Rather arrogant, wasn't he? I didn't know his brother lives this close by. How come we've never met him at a ball?"

"He doesn't frequent balls", her mother said.

"Why not?"

"I've heard he likes to keep to himself", Laura shrugged. "And maybe he wasn't looking for a wife."

"That's not a bad thing", her mother said quickly. "A lot of men wait until they're a little older before settling down."

Raquel nodded. "So what kind of person is he? Is he like his brother?"

"I've heard they're nothing alike", her mother assured her.

"Apparently he's quite handsome", Laura smiled.

"What about his character?"

"He's very respectable", her mother said. "We've made inquiries, and there are no rumors about him at all. He has no known vices, and he only goes into town to visit his family every once in a while. He's quite the scholar."

Raquel raised an eyebrow.

"Mother, stop, you're making him sound almost too exciting."

Her mother squeezed her hand.

"Sweetheart, I know it might not sound very thrilling, but it's better to have a dull and trustworthy husband than one who gambles or drinks his money away."

"Or who goes around fathering bastards on the chambermaids", Laura muttered.

"Laura!" Marivi chided her daughter, but Raquel could see that really she agreed.

"But just imagine, Raquel", her sister sighed, her eyes sparkling. "To marry an actual lord. You'll associate with all the gentry in the county and be Lady Marquina. Wouldn't that be splendid?"

Raquel couldn't say she cared too much about that, and there was something that bothered her.

"Why is he interested in me, though? Why isn't he courting some lady of his own rank? He's as poor as a church mouse, isn't he?"

"Well", her mother said carefully, "of course your father has inquired into his finances. They are solid, but he is far from rich. Perhaps he would like his heirs to be a little more comfortable."

Raquel pulled a face, and her mother hastened to continue:

"I know that's not the most romantic thing, sweetheart, and of course if you don't like each other, there will be no talk of marriage whatsoever. But perhaps you do like each other, and then there's no reason why the arrangement can't be beneficial in multiple ways, both to you and to him."

Raquel sighed. She wasn't so naïve as to think that her considerable dowry made no difference to her suitors, but it still wasn't a pleasant thought that men were primarily interested in her for her money.

"And then there's the fact", her mother continued, "that both our families have Spanish ancestry. I don't know if it matters to Lord Marquina, but I know it would mean a lot to your father."

"You're so lucky", Laura grumbled. "You get courted by a lord, while I had to settle for a wool merchant."

Marivi gave her a sharp look. "Don't act like we forced you to marry, Laura, George was an excellent match at the time and you chose him yourself. He's a dutiful husband to you and you want for nothing, so don't be ungrateful."

"And anyway", Raquel said, "we'll have to see about the courting. Maybe he won't like me."

"Perhaps if you tried to be a little less outspoken, dear…" her mother said carefully, but Raquel shook her head and said calmly:

"No, Mother, I don't want a husband who can't stand it if his wife has an opinion."

"Better prepare for spinsterhood, then", Laura mumbled.

Raquel laughed, but said: "I'm sure there are men who won't mind."

While her mother and sister started discussing this, Raquel let her thoughts wander. Despite her having turned down all suitors so far, she really would like to get married soon. It wasn't that marriage and children held such an appeal to her, but as long as she was unmarried, she was stuck in her father's house, and as much as she loved her parents, she felt ready to start her own life. Once she found a husband, she'd be able to go out unchaperoned, talk to whomever she wanted, travel abroad and meet interesting people. If her husband was modern and open-minded enough, he might even allow her to join societies or run a charity or two – and that was exactly the kind of husband she hoped to find.

That brought her to Lord Marquina. At least he would be different from the merchant sons who'd been courting her until now, showing off their new-found wealth at every available opportunity, swaggering around and boasting loudly, all flash and no substance. If he was a scholar as her mother said, then she supposed she could at least expect a decent conversation. She knew her parents had been hoping to make a good match for her, and she was well aware how pleased they would be if she married an actual lord, and one with Spanish roots and an impeccable reputation as well. In fact, aside from sounding a little dull, he seemed rather perfect, and she allowed herself to be cautiously optimistic.

"Anyway", her mother said, snapping her out of her reverie, "Lord Marquina will be at our soiree tomorrow."

"Alright", she said. "I look forward to meeting him."

…

They got out of the carriage at sunset and stepped into the well-lit portico of the Murillo country home. A footman took their coats at the door, and inside the hall, Mr. and Mrs. Murillo waited to greet them. Sergio was feeling distinctly uncomfortable as he looked around the crowded room, where servants in impeccable uniform were maneuvering between men and women in all their finery, drinking, laughing, conversing with friends and acquaintances. Usually, he avoided these kinds of things like the plague, but it was the only proper way to meet Miss Murillo, so he supposed he'd just have to endure this night. He was grateful that this wasn't a ball, at least, just a soiree with conversation and music. He didn't want to disappoint his brother… after the death of his parents, Andrés had always taken care of his younger brother, and Sergio felt like he owed it to him to try his hardest to make this plan work. It really would be the most elegant solution to their troubles, even if it did mean that he'd be stuck with a woman in the house for the rest of his life. He squared his shoulders. Alright. Time to try and win the queen.

…

Laura pointed them out the moment they walked through the door: two handsome men in their thirties, both well-dressed, one of them exuding confidence and flair, the other looking ill at ease and awkward.

"That's him", Laura whispered, and Raquel gave him a closer look. His hair was unfashionably long and wavy, but she rather liked that, and she liked his dark eyes as well. He seemed out of place in the crowded hall – she could easily imagine him behind a desk or in a library, much more comfortable with books than with people. He looked so uncomfortable that she felt rather sorry for him – she wished she could go over and just talk to him, but she would have to wait to be introduced to him, and even then she couldn't talk to him without a chaperone. Luckily, they had already met his brother before, and as a married woman, Laura could chaperone her sister in the conversation. So when Lord De Fonollosa spotted them, he nudged his brother and came over to them with a broad smile.

"My dear Mrs. Benson, Miss Murillo, a pleasure to see you again!"

"And you, Lord De Fonollosa", Laura smiled.

"May I present my brother Sergio?"

Lord Marquina bowed with a solemn expression while Raquel and Laura made a reverence. He looks so serious, Raquel thought. She caught him glancing at her, but the moment their eyes met, he looked away, and she suppressed a smile. He's shy. I wonder what he thinks of me.

…

She was very different from what he'd expected – though he wasn't entirely sure what he'd expected. A frivolous young girl, probably, simpering and empty-headed, but instead the woman standing in front of him was observing him closely with dark, intelligent eyes, and he immediately feared that she might find him wanting. He knew he should say something witty or charming, but his mind was a blank, and he was glad when his brother jumped into the breech and started talking.

"Miss Murillo, could you tell me who made the exquisite drawing on the wall over there?"

She smiled. "That would be me, sir."

"Truly?" Andrés said. "You're an artist, then. That drawing is wonderfully executed."

He nudged Sergio, who quickly said:

"Uhm… yes… quite nice."

His brother threw him an annoyed look, but Miss Murillo smiled at him. He quickly looked down again.

"Do you have any other interests?" his brother enquired politely.

"My sister is quite accomplished", Mrs. Benson said. "She can draw, sing and embroider, her writing and French are excellent, and she's been taught to keep household accounts."

Subtle, Sergio thought, but when he glanced at Miss Murillo, he saw that she looked properly annoyed by her sister's boasting, and one thing on the list had caught his attention.

"You sing?"

"Only a little", she demurred.

"Actually", Mrs. Benson interrupted, "she has a lovely voice."

"Sergio plays the piano", Andrés said. "Quite well, in fact."

Really, could they be any more obvious about wanting this match? He felt like they were just two pawns in a game he didn't want to play. To his relief, Miss Murillo put a hand on her sister's arm and said:

"We should really go greet the Churchills, Laura. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Marquina."

"And you", Sergio said, feeling the tension leave his shoulders as Miss Murillo firmly steered her sister away from them.

His brother gave him a disgruntled look.

"You really couldn't have been a little more forthcoming than that?"

"I'm sorry Andrés", Sergio said, annoyed. "I honestly tried my best, but I really don't want to do this."

"Look", his brother said, "you don't have to do it. It's fine by me if you'd prefer to sell the town house. Would you?"

Sergio hesitated, a picture in his mind's eye of his house overrun with swarming children and a permanently disgruntled Tatiana.

"No", he said reluctantly.

"Then buck up and make an effort. You can't court a woman halfway, Sergio – either you're in or you're out."

"You're right", he sighed. "I suppose I'm in. But that still doesn't mean that I know what to say to her."

"Well, you'd better think of something, then. We'll try again later."

…

She was aware of him at the edge of her vision throughout the night as she talked to friends and acquaintances – a brooding figure: tall, silent, looking a little helpless in this social setting. He kept close to his brother and didn't say much, and she was starting to suspect that he was very dull indeed. When she and Laura were alone again at a certain point, the brothers approached them again.

"This is a wonderful soiree", Lord De Fonollosa said, and the sisters politely thanked him.

Then Raquel saw him nudge his brother, clearly encouraging him to say something. Lord Marquina cleared his throat, then directed himself towards her.

"What do you think of the abolition issue, Miss Murillo?"

Raquel raised her eyebrows in surprise, and she saw his brother shoot him an incredulous look.

"Miss Murillo doesn't want to talk about politics, Sergio!"

"Actually", Raquel said. "I feel like it's time that Mr. Wilberforce's Slave Trade Act became properly enforced within the British Empire."

She enjoyed the look of surprise on Lord De Fonollosa's face – men never expected young ladies to read the newspaper – but to his credit, Lord Marquina didn't look surprised at all. He merely nodded.

"Then we are in agreement."

"You're an abolitionist, sir?" she enquired.

"Yes, I am."

She felt rather excited. Being in favor of abolishing the slave trade was often a sign of progressive thinking in general. However, most men were only interested in abolition as a political issue, so she asked the crucial question:

"Why are you interested in abolition?"

"Because it's morally indefensible to enslave another human being."

That was the exact right answer – she felt that it showed a kind heart and a well-developed morality, and she gave him a closer look, suddenly much more interested in him. He didn't seem inclined to elaborate, however, looking at the ground like he'd done his duty in the conversation. His brother was shaking his head, though, so she asked him:

"What's your opinion on the slave trade, Lord De Fonollosa?"

He shrugged. "I'm not that interested in politics."

"Would you say the enslavement of an entire race of people is a purely political matter though? Isn't it rather a moral question?"

"Raquel", her sister said lightly, putting a hand on her arm, "this is hardly a matter for a social occasion like this."

She shook off her sister's hand. "No, I'd like to hear Lord De Fonollosa's answer."

He grinned. "I'm not that interested in morality either. Who needs morals, really?"

"Morals are what makes us human", Lord Marquina said quietly, not taking his eyes off the ground. "Without morality, we're no different from animals."

Raquel gave him another close look. Maybe he wasn't so dull after all.

"Don't start lecturing the ladies, Sergio", Lord De Fonollosa said, then he turned to them with a disarming smile. "In the family, we call him the Professor. You'll have to excuse him."

"Actually", Raquel said, "I'm interested in what he has to say."

Lord Marquina looked up at her, surprised, but then he immediately looked down again.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, because that's all I had to say on the matter."

Raquel raised her eyebrows – that wasn't a very proper thing to say if one wished to keep the conversation going, and Lord De Fonollosa immediately intervened:

"It's been a while since my brother was in such refined company as yours, ladies, I'm afraid he's forgotten his manners."

"I'd rather have a man without manners than one without morals", Raquel said lightly, earning her an alarmed look from her sister, but Lord De Fonollosa merely laughed.

"Touché, Miss Murillo, I deserved that."

She saw Lord Marquina throw her an amused look, and she caught a glimpse of humor in his dark eyes before he looked away again. No, she mused, no, I don't think he's dull at all. He's just awkward.

At that point, people started settling down for music, so they went their separate ways and found seats so they could listen to the young ladies in the room show their proficiency on the piano. Though she kept her eyes on the performers, Raquel's thoughts were mostly on Lord Marquina and whether or not she should permit him to start courting her – if he asked, of course.

…

He couldn't keep his attention on the music – he kept glancing at her as she was listening attentively, and he considered his options. She actually seemed like an interesting person: intelligent, witty, accomplished. Unenthusiastic as he still was about the idea of marrying, he supposed she might be tolerable, at least. If he had to choose – and apparently, he did – then he guessed he'd rather have her in the house than Tatiana and the children. She appeared to be well-mannered, and she didn't seem like the kind of person to be loud or abrasive, to interfere with his work or make unreasonable demands of him. He didn't relish the idea if having to provide conversation at every meal, but it seemed like a reasonable sacrifice to make if it got his family out of debt. By the time the evening drew to a close and guests started leaving, he'd made his decision, and he had an answer ready when his brother drew him aside.

"So?" Andrés asked. "What do you think?"

He nodded. "She'll do."

His brother's eyes lit up. "You'll try courting her?"

He grimaced. "With the emphasis on 'try', but yes."

"Good man", Andrés laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Then go ask her."

He looked over to where she was talking to her sister, then took a deep breath and walked up to them, nervous. If she refused him now, he'd have to find another girl and he knew it wouldn't be easy to find another prospect with this kind of money. He hoped he'd made a good enough impression for her to at least allow him to initiate a courtship. He reached the sisters and cleared his throat, his eyes on the ground.

"My apologies Mrs. Benson, Miss Murillo. I have a… question… to ask you, or… perhaps more of a request…"

He glanced up to see their expressions – Mrs. Benson's hopeful, Miss Murillo's open and questioning, and that gave him the courage to go on:

"May I… may I call on you tomorrow?"

She gave him a long, considering look that made him fear the worst, so he said:

"We could… we could talk more about abolition."

The corners of her mouth twitched.

"I would like that. You may call tomorrow at two."

He felt a rush of relief as he bowed.

"Thank you."

He turned around and walked back towards his brother, who was grinning broadly at him. Now that the first step had been taken, he felt rather resigned to his fate. He'd made his opening move – now he just needed to play the rest of the game skillfully enough. Fine, he thought, since he had no other options, he would try – he would genuinely try – to make Miss Murillo his wife.