Hello my dears. I would like to thank rainystv for the lovely review. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.

So here is the next chapter, sorry it has taken so long, but I have been moving house and I'm about to start a new job so everything has been a bit crazy for me. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.


Dean and Sam Winchester climbed out of the hired hack outside of a tall townhouse in the centre of Mayfair and couldn't quite believe their eyes. They had asked Castiel to find them accommodation that would be suitable for them in London, but this was not what they had expected. When he had given them the address he had conveniently forgotten to mention who the house belonged to, only offering them rooms in the place he was staying. It did not take Sam long to realise whose house they were visiting, though Dean did not catch on until the butler opened the door and they were greeted not by their friend, but his brother.

"Welcome to my humble abode Winchesters. Please feel free to make yourselves at home, Michaelson here will show you to your rooms. Once settled join me in the study, if you wish." Gabriel said, not being able to hide the smirk on his lips at Dean's awe struck look. What did he except? He was a Marquess, and a future duke, did he think he lived in a hovel?

"Thank you, my lord. It is most gracious of you to allow us to stay." Sam said, quickly covering for Dean's lack of word with a smile and a bob of his head to the man who was so far above his own station. He had not seen much of Gabriel the last time, and only spoken with him when in a group, this was the first time he had addressed the future duke directly. But he had had the right schooling to know how to act among those of high ton. He had been educated at Eton and Cambridge after all, even if it was on a scholarship.

"Any friend of Castiel's is welcome in my home, Captain." Gabriel replied with sincerity. He meant every word of it. He wanted these men to feel comfortable here. They had risked their lives for his brother, and had become his friends. That meant more to him than anything else in his mind.

"Thank you." Sam responded before grabbing his brother's arm and forcefully pulling him after the butler as he made his way to the stairs. Because he knew if he didn't Dean would have still been standing there with his jaw dropped open at the home they had just entered.

"I think Dean-o was a little in awe, are you sure this is a good idea, Cassie?" Gabriel asked the shadow in the corner when the two men had gone out of sight. Though in truth what he meant was, was his brother sure it had been a good idea that he greet them alone.

"It will be fine Gabriel. Trust me." Castiel responded with an enigmatic smile. He knew that both Sam and Dean had seen him in the shadows, just as he knew Dean had wondered why he had taken a step back and let Gabriel greet them alone. But he knew better than most that servants talked. He wanted every house in Mayfair to know it was the Marquess of Dare who had greeted the Winchesters into his home. It would give them a greater standing in the circles they were about to enter. But then he also knew his brother was as aware of this as him, Gabriel's concern was more for the private behaviour of Dean. Something Castiel could rectify easily enough.

"Always." Gabriel replied, he would always trust his brother. With that he turned towards his study, leaving Castiel to do as he pleased. Which they both knew would be to go up and greet his friends.


It was some time later before the three former military men joined Gabriel in the study. Once they all had glasses of the best French brandy in hand Gabriel spoke.

"I have managed to gain you the most prestigious of invites. You are to dine with our mother and father tomorrow night."

"We're to dine with the Duke and Duchess?" Dean spluttered not sure what he had expected, but that certainly wasn't it. He was here only to support Lady Penelope, not to make nice with Gabriel's relations. Though even as he thought that he realised they were Cas' relations as well. But he just couldn't see his friend as the son of a Duke. They had been through too much together to be able to put him that position in society.

"Did you really think you wouldn't? Trust me Dean-o, you are going to be meeting a lot more dukes and duchesses during this session. Better get used to it. They all want to meet you."

"Why?" dean asked frowning. There was nothing special about him, so why did they want to meet him?

"Because you're a war hero, and because Cassie is your friend. Any chance to get closer to my possible heir and all that." Gabriel replied with a casual wave of his hand. As if that explained everything, and in all honesty to him and Castiel it did.

"The whole point of this season Gabriel is to rectify that matter. I would prefer you do it post hence." Castiel responded in a dry tone. He did not want to be hounded by the ladies of the ton because they thought he might someday become the Duke. He had heard enough horror stories from Gabriel about that to know he never wanted to be in his brother's position.

"Can't have children without a wife Cassie. Not done at all." Gabriel replied with a twinkle in his eyes as purposefully took the post hence comment completely the wrong way.

"Oh please." Dean scoffed at that. He had met enough by-blows when serving in the army to know that was complete rubbish. Nobles were forever have children out of wedlock.

"Not by the Haynes family. Be sure to remember that Major Winchester." Gabriel snapped out, the air of command in his tone letting all those present know he would not tolerate anyone disrespecting the honour of his family name. But once said he turned back to his affable self as he continued. "Now do you wish to stay in for dinner, or shall we go to Whites?"

It was soon agreed they would go to Whites, if for no other reason than showing that the Winchesters were now a package deal with the Haynes'.


Once they got there Dean soon found himself relaxing as familiar faces came to greet him and his brother, as well as some he did not know. Those were mainly the ones holding titles, heirs to greater estates, and the sort of people that Gabriel had grown up with. But they were friendly enough to him and Sam, and it didn't seem like they particularly cared for the airs and graces their stations dictated they were due. Though Dean was pretty sure that that was because they were here, among men. He could well imagine that when he saw these lords at a ball they would behave very differently.

In fact it was a nice evening up until a loud voice called out from across the room. A voice which seemed to be attached to a tall blonde man with a permanent smirk upon his lips and a look of distance in his eyes.

"Well, well if it isn't Gabriel and little old Cassie. Cousins, it has been too long."

"Or not long enough, depending on your perspective." Gabriel responded amiably looking up at the man who then proceeded to drop into the vacant chair at his side, sloughing down in a way that was uniquely his, but still managing to not spill any of the brandy in his glass.

"How you wound me. I would take offence, but that would defeat my whole purpose in coming over to greet you… and your new friends." The blonde replied cutting his eyes to Sam and Dean and taking in their clothing in a second. That was all it took for him to decide these were not people of any worth to him. They would not be rivals in his territory.

"Major Dean Winchester, Captain Samuel Winchester, meet our cousin, Lord Balthazar Grey. A wastrel of the first order, and someone I would recommend you avoid at all costs. The rest of the family do." Gabriel said, doing the introductions when Castiel stayed silent.

"Sadly it is true." Balthazar replied though the smile on his face contradicted his words.

"Oh please, that's the way you like it." Gabriel responded rolling his eyes. He knew Balthazar, they were of an age and had gone through school together. They had even run together when they had first come down, enjoying the pleasures London had to offer young noblemen. But that was a long time ago, and while Gabriel had grown up, Balthazar it seemed was a terminal child.

"Again, you are correct, my oh so clever big cousin." Balthazar agreed once more. He did enjoy these bantering sessions with his elder cousin. It was so much fun, though he did wonder if it was more so for him that the other man.

"What do you want, Balthazar?" Castiel asked deciding to end the back and forth between his bother and cousin. He knew they could continue in this vein for a while, and he could already see Dean tense at the way the man had dismissed him and his brother. He did not want his friend and family member to get into an argument. That would not go down well with the ton.

"Always so direct aren't we Castiel? But now you mention it, I hear you mama has a fine lady staying with her. I was hoping you could arrange an introduction." Balthazar answered, watching out of the corner of his eye at how his words caused Major Winchester to bristle. Hmm, was that the way the wind blew then? That was not what he had heard on the family grape vine.

Gabriel for his part didn't respond to the obvious provocation in those words. Instead he took a sip of his brandy as he decided on the right words to speak. Finding them he broke the silent tension that had followed Balthazar's sentence. Though he knew Dean had not broken it only because Castiel had laid his hand on his arm. His brother knew this fight had to be his.

"Or course, I am happy to introduce you to her. But if you are looking to offer more than a friendly welcome to the family, you are far too late."

That cause Balthazar to snap his eyes back to Gabriel, seeing the smug smile upon his face. So the grape vine had indeed been correct. How did the Major feel about this? Watching the other man noticed he had relaxed at Gabriel's words. So not an interested party then, just a protective man. But why was he protective of Marquess of Dare's fiancée? Oh there was definitely a story there. And how he wished he could get it, but he knew none of the men here would share it with him. He would have to wait for the gossip to tell him. So instead he smirked once more as he spoke. "So the rumours are true. The great Marquess has finally found himself a bride. And there I was hoping to inherit one day."

"Why? Did you plan on killing me and Castiel in our sleep?" Gabriel asked in amusement as he raised one of his eyebrows. he knew Balthazar wasn't interested in becoming a duke, he would gain an earldom when his dad died, that would be enough for him. But he couldn't help but find entertainment in how his cousin had informed the Winchesters of his status with those few simple words.

"Nothing so drastic I assure you. But one does had to think about these things." Balthazar commented genteelly, taking a sip of his own drink as his eyes ran other who else was in the room. He had gotten what he wanted from Gabriel, now he wanted to see if there was anyone who he could help lighten the purse of with a hand or two at cards.

"If you're the one, I'm sure you do. But we both know you would run as far and as fast as you could if you ever became the Duke." Gabriel replied equally casually.

"Well there is far too much responsibility with the role. I will grant you that. But being third in line has definitely helped me associate with some… let's say interesting ladies of the ton." Balthazar responded waggling his eyebrows at the men around him just in case they hadn't got his meaning from his words.

"I'm sure. Just as I'm sure we will be seeing you at the - ball. There you will meet my lovely Lady Penelope." Gabriel said, making sure there was enough emphasis on the my that Balthazar would get the not so subtle hint that he was to keep his interactions with her completely above-board. Not that he thought he wouldn't, Balthazar did not go round deflowering respectable members of the ton, no his favourites were the young widows. But he still wanted to make sure his point got across. He did not want Balthazar making any sort of impression on Penelope, because there was no way he could ever let her marry him, even if he knew he had no right to dictate who she wanted to be with. It was best to head it off now before it ever had a chance to be an issue in his mind.

"I can't wait." Balthazar smirked, glee at Gabriel's behaviour radiating out of him as he thought of all the things he could do to wind up his cousin.

And Gabriel seeing the look in Balthazar's eyes cursed himself for that fact. He could almost see how he had taken his words as a challenge.

"Just as long as you remember she is a lady, and she is mine." He replied in a no nonsense voice as he stared into his cousins eyes, showing that he was not playing anymore. That he was serious in this, and he expected Balthazar to behave the same or face the consequences.

"Would I ever forget that?" Balthazar asked dropping his happy-go-lucky smirk in return for an honest look. He had to confess he was shocked by Gabriel's behaviour, but it seemed his cousin had finally found love. And he for one would not stand in the way of that. He would also make sure none of his other friends did either.

"For your future continued good health, I hope not." Gabriel agreed sitting back calmly finishing his drink as everyone there sat blinking at him. Because every single one of them knew he had just threaten to kill his cousin if he so much as looked at Lady Penelope wrong. And Dean had to confess, the guy had style in the way he'd done it. It also helped ease some of the worry he had still been holding at this plan. At least he knew that Gabriel would protect the lady.

And Castiel for his part was already planning on being Gabriel's second, if it ever came to that. Not that he thought it would. In fact he was pretty sure that by tomorrow afternoon every rake of the ton would know not to go near Lady Penelope Coburn. His brother was a master strategist in his own right, and this was his playing field. Here he was the supporting officer, the last line of defensive watching the back of his agent as he made his way through hostile territory. And that was a role Castiel knew he could play very well indeed. Oh yes, this could be more fun than he had thought it would be, watching as his brother manipulated the ton for his own benefit. Castiel just had to wonder what Gabriel's benefit would be. He wondered if he would realise before it was to late, the budding feelings that were starting to form between him and the lady who everyone was going to think would become his wife. And if he didn't, was Castiel going to involve himself until they did? That was a question he wasn't sure he knew the answer to right then. He would have to wait and see. And hope for the best outcome, for all involved.