This has been bubbling around in my head for weeks. Probably shouldn't have watched Pride and Prejudice three times in a row...

He frowned and looked up in irritation. "Leonard! Get the door!" A minute later he heard the knocking again. Really! Where on earth was that little homunculus? He had one job! One! Keep away visitors. He was probably down in the cellars again whining to Howard about how lonely he was. Sheldon threw down the pen and wiped his hands on a nearby towel. He stomped through the office and out to the vestibule. Again there was a knock, and his temper hit full boil. He threw it open and growled out a terse "WHAT?!"

"Don't you take that tone with me, young man!" Sheldon twitched and jumped back to let his mother in. Her driver followed with a body thrown over his shoulder. Long gold hair peeked out from beneath the hooded cloak.

Sheldon shut the doors and followed them into the drawing room. "Mother, what is this?"

Lady Cooper pointed to the chaise lounge and her driver set the body down on it before slipping from the room to drive the coach to the stables.

"Sheldon, come give your mother a kiss. I'm about to do you a huge favor." Sheldon dutifully kissed her rouged cheek and waited impatiently. He did have work to do.

"I have found you a wife." Lady Cooper rolled her eyes. "Or rather, I ran over you a wife."

Sheldon's mouth opened and closed several times as he tried to think of something to say. "I don't want a wife!"

His mother was calm as she took off her cloak. "Sheldon, this is not open for discussion. It is not optional. You are marrying this woman."

Sheldon stomped a foot. "But why?" A door opened behind them and a turbaned man entered with a silver tray. He placed the tea service on the table and bowed his way from the room.

Lady Cooper watched him go with amusement. "Still terrified of me, aren't you Rajeesh?" The Indian man squeaked and rushed back to the kitchens. Lady Cooper smiled and poured two cups of tea. Sheldon accepted one and placed it on his knee. "Mother, why?"

Lady Cooper sighed. "Because you need a wife. She needs a husband. And I hit her with my curricle earlier today. Your sister is being courted by the Prince of Belgium. A scandal would destroy her chances. Now, call that little priest from the village and get this over with."

Sheldon crossed his hands over his chest. "No."

Lady Cooper narrowed her eyes. "Yes."

Sheldon put his hands on his hips. "No."

A sigh from the lounge drew their attention. A delicate pale hand pushed off the cloak and the young woman sat up. Sheldon took in her slim ankles, tiny waist, delicate features and startling green eyes. The tip of her pink tongue darted out to wet her lips. Sheldon felt his pulse leap.

Mary looked at him shrewdly. "Fine. If you don't want her, I'll marry her to George."

Sheldon tore his eyes from the woman and glared at his mother. He quickly rose and strode over to the door. It opened to reveal his doorman, Leonard, listening at the key hole. "Send for Father Stuart. I'm getting married."