I never imagined myself here with him. I was marrying this pompous, egotistical bastard? To think that only a little while ago I had thought he was a manipulating creep…in fact he still was! How did he get me into this? To explain, I must start in the beginning.

I was staying in England for a week for Easter. Felicity would be nearby, but Ann would be back at Spence left to survive the week alone with Mrs. Nightwing, Brigid, and the servants. I would never admit it to Ann or Felicity for that matter but the real reason I was upset about leaving Spence was that I would probably not be able to see Kartik as often, because our nighttime visits had become frequent. He assured me that he would be around, and that left me some hope. The only problem was I didn't know where I would be meeting him regularly, which would probably make our visits less often. I just had to keep reminding myself, it's only one week Gemma, one week.

When I reached London, Tom picked me up at the station and got into the carriage.

"So Gemma, any more young ladies suitable for my taste?" he immediately asked when we sat down.

"You disgust me," I replied, "Do you ever think of anything other than young women of great fortune?"

"Well…I-"

"That's what I thought every time I come here that's all I get out of you and I'm sick of it."

That shut him up. After his attitude toward Ann after what Felicity, Ann and I liked to call "The Russian Heir Fiasco"; I couldn't take any more of his talk about women. He cares nothing for love, which sickens me deeply. To think that he has someone who loves him for him and all he can think about is her monetary value.

After a seemingly long carriage ride we reached the house. A maid ushered us in and then Grandmamma approached me.

"Oh Gemma, I'm so happy you were able to come!"

Why wouldn't I be able to? I think to myself. I'm already sick of her fake charm, and the week has barely begun.

"We've got some nice dinner parties to attend this week. I expect you to be on your best behavior! Of course tomorrow evening we'll be attending dinner at the Worthington's and then the next evening the Lady Denby has invited us for dinner and-"

"What!?"

"Oh dear I know it will be a little strange after your unseemly conduct over Christmastime but I've tried and put it behind me and I'm sure that however hard it may be that they have tried to forget it as well. Just try and be civil Gemma!"

Be civil? I thought. After what that vile man had done to me? I shudder to think about what horror the evening will be. But there was no arguing with Grandmamma. I was to spend another evening with Simon Middleton.