A/N: Even shorter chapter because I need sleep.

TheRanger'sDaughter: Nope. No 100% pairings yet in this generation. Let the ships commence.

AER: In concur.

Raider: Welcome home!

RedRebel: Oh? Nice! I'm leaving Thursday...but the pizza is awesome!

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

"Three dances," Grandma Cassandra instructed. "Girls outside the ages of sixteen and twenty-five don't count."

Reese sighed. His parents had recruited his grandmother to give him this mandate.

"Also, avoid engaged or married ladies. Three waltzes with soon-to-be-Princess Lorelei won't count."

Reese nodded. "I get it. Three single women who could potentially become my girlfriend."

"We're not pressuring you to find a future bride, Reese. We're pressuring you to have some fun."

"It's hard to relax enough to have fun at places everyone is watching you."

Grandma Cassandra gave him a sympathetic look. "I know," she admitted. "I know you hate being compared to Hazen, but…"

"Please don't."

"I was going to talk about his great-uncle, Ranger Halt."

Reese fell quiet. "Ranger Halt?"

Grandma Cassandra nodded. "And his grandmother, Lady Lina."

"Lady Lina…"

"Yes, Lady Lina. Both of them had the Hibernian throne for the taking, but neither took it."

Reese raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I can give it up?"

"No. I'm staying that if you give it up, you best make damn sure it's left in good hands."

Reese stared at his grandmother. She'd just cursed, something she'd never done in his presence before.

"Halt left it to Sean," Cassandra went on. "Lina did the same. When Sean needed an heir, Lina encouraged her oldest daughter to go. Scout didn't want it at first either, but look at how wonderful she is. You'll find your way, Reese. I'm sure of it. However, if your way leads you away from the throne, you'd best be sure our home is left in capable hands. Understood?"

"Yes. I'll make damn sure."

"Don't curse in front of ladies."

Reese smirked the moment her back was turned, mostly because he was sure she was smirking too. He sighed and surveyed the ladies around him while Elizabet danced with Lord Sean. He needed a single young lady between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five. If this were another generation he'd probably be ordered to seek someone with a title too. Who to dance with first…

Reese made a beeline for Robin O'Carrick.

Robin saw Reese heading for her out of the corner of her eye. She grinned, acted like she didn't see him, spun on her heel, and went to her father.

"Dad, may I have the father-daughter dance?"

Kane studied his daughter for several moments before nodding. Elizabet and Sean barely finished their first round before others joined in.

"Did I steal this from Anne?" Robin asked as Kane spun her.

"No," her father assured her. "She and your mother have actually already headed up for the night. Neither are much for dancing."

"Did someone go with them?" Robin asked. Her mother was fine at Castle Araluen, but this particular garden was fairly isolated and she worried about them getting lost.

"Caitlyn," Kane answered. "She took Little Lina up too. So, avoiding Reese?"

Robin smiled. She could never hide from her father. "And Hazen," she admitted. "I just…I want a break I guess. Not forever…not even for the night. I'd just like a breather I guess."

Kane nodded and spun her once more. "That's fair. What's your plan?"

"I don't know. Avoid both until they've each had a couple of dances, I guess."

"Lady Cassandra has mandated Reese dance with three girls before he's allowed to disappear."

Robin frowned. She hated being a statistic. "Perhaps I'll wait three dances then."

Kane laughed. "Don't torture him too much." The music ended. Robin's father kissed her cheek. "Have fun tonight, sweetheart. I've promised Frey and William one drink and then I'm heading up with your mother and sister."

"I will Dad," Robin promised. "No promises on Reese though."

"Good night, Robin."

Robin watched her father leave. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find herself facing none other than Prince Hazen.

"Robin, may I…"

"Not yet," Robin cut him off. She rushed towards a young nobleman's son standing nearby, baffled a young woman had turned down Prince Hazen. "Shall we?"

The poor boy took a moment to recover his nerve. "We shall," he agreed. "My lady, do I want to know why you turned down our prince? People will talk."

"I'm not a lady," Robin answered simply before pulling the nobleman and guiding his hand to her waist.