Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. -Maya Angelou

The Raymond's were close friends of Kentshires. Malcolm Raymond, Duke of Suffolk, and Lord Kentshire were best friends and both of them studied together in Eton and Oxford. While Lady Ida Raymond and Lady Faith Kentshire become close friends during their time as debutante.  Their family was tightly knit with each other with Luke, Seb, and Nick being inseparable.

Lucas was the only child of Lord Raymond who spent all his time with Sebastian and Nicholas. If Lucas didn't look so different from Kentshire sibling he would have definitely been mistaken as one of the brothers. They are almost the same age and are referred to as Trinity by the ton due to their common love of chasing skirts all over Britain. 

As planned, Kentshires were on the way to Raymond manor for Christmas. The coach ride to Raymond estate was dull and the weather outside didn't help, a storm was brewing outside. The entire journey was uneventful due to the absence of younger Kentshires, Nicholas, and Sebastian who keep taking digs at each other and entertaining everyone. But they already left with Lucas to save him from letting aunt Ida kill him. 

Lady Faith talked for half of the journey about the one lady or the other and the excitement of  Oliver's wedding that would soon follow. His father dozing or pretending to be asleep he would never know. William kept studying his reports and left Oliver at the mercy of his mother which left him no choice but to listen to his mother raving about perfect debutantes. He cannot wait to reach Raymond's estate and sleep off his boredom.

The dreams of respite after reaching the destination evaporated in thin air as Lady Ida ushered Oliver to help Lady Caroline with the arrangement of books in the library. It was Lady Ida and Lady Faith's desperate attempt to match-make Caro and Oliver which wasn't lost on a single person in the manor. 

"Library! I cannot believe our mother couldn't think of anything better than this," Sebastian entered the library with Nick and Luke in tow, "Where is Caro by the way?"

"She will be coming here any minute, She must be embarrassed already with the stunt mother and aunt pulled," Oliver said helplessly, "you three leave before she comes."

"Protective of your future wife already eh," Nick said picking up a book from the box," I feel sorry for all the ladies waiting for you in London."

"Get out, now," Oliver hissed. With incessant teasing on their part, they left him standing irritated.

As soon as the Trinity left Lady Caroline or Caro as everybody called her entered the library. She was the daughter of the late Earl of Humphrey. After her parents were killed in an accident when she was 13, she lived at Raymond estate as a ward of Lady Ida Raymond, her Godmother, since then.

"Good afternoon, my lord," Caroline greeted him, "I hope you had a pleasant journey."

His mother's word repeated in his head and he looked at her differently than he ever did before. Oliver noticed how beautifully she has grown since the last time he saw her. Her golden-brown hair appeared longer than he remembered.

"Quite the opposite, my lady," He said wearily.

"My lord, if you are tired please have a respite. I will tell aunt Ida and aunt Faith that you helped me with the task," She said as she walked towards the boxes laid on the floor full of books.

"That won't be very gentlemanly of me now, would it?" He asked chuckling.

"My lord, I will keep your part of work pending for you," She said smiling.

 "Now that seems like a good bargain," He said chuckling, "I cannot believe elders are trying to match-make us." 

"I cannot believe Lady Faith used such a desperate method, my lord", she said thoughtfully putting books on the shelf," but then again this is my fourth season without a marriage offer and since you are also searching for a bride it is natural they will try and match-make us." 

Her smile dropped. She saddened at the thought of still being unmarried. She cannot possibly stay at Raymond's forever as a ward of Lady Ida no matter how much they loved her as she was their own daughter. 

"I am not opposed to their idea of matchmaking us."

His words shocked her, the book slipping from her hand landing with a thud at her footsteps. She turned around to gape at the man standing in front of her gauging her reaction.

"Are you jesting, my lord?" She asked accusing, "Matter of marriage is no joke to me."

"I am not jesting, my lady, as you pointed out yourself that we both are looking for marriage prospects it would be fair if we think about each other as such, I will leave you to think about it. I will not court you without your permission, have a good day," He said with all earnestness which made Caroline think about the idea of marrying Oliver Kentshire.

He always enjoyed the company of Caroline whenever they were at Raymond estate. She never blabbered and always had something meaningful to say, the quality that was supposed to be rare among women. She was also humorous at times partaking in Nick, Seb, and Lukes jests. All in all, she was a perfect lady to consider being his wife. 

But the age difference of 12 years old between them was unsettling to both of them. It was easier to marry an unknown debutante younger than her but with her, he felt unsettled. She was merely a young woman of 20 and he was a grown man of 32. Until now he has never considered Caroline in a romantic way. She was very young but men marry women with a larger age difference than him and it was acceptable in society. He might have a chance of marrying a woman who won't bore him to death after all.

The evening at Raymond manor was a simple affair with everyone talking and enjoying themselves at intimate dinner. The only town doctor Smith's family also joined them who also had a daughter of marrying age. But instead of him, she kept glancing at William and it amused Oliver immensely. His brother comes off as intimidating to everyone, women never dared to look at him even men cowered at his intimidating look. His gaze shifted to Caroline sitting beside his mother listening attentively to his mother looking absolutely beautiful. He was starting to regret his impromptu move in the library, he should have wooed her slowly.

Everyone was lounging in the parlour chatting away as it started raining heavily. The doctor Smith and his family were unable to leave as it kept raining for hours. It was nearly midnight and everyone decided to retire for the night when a footman came rushing inside the parlour along with a bedraggled, drenched woman following them with an unconscious child in her arms.

"Doctor, " the woman said gasping," p-please, p-please s-save h-him."

Everyone jumped to their feet at once. Doctor Smith rushed to the woman taking a child in his arms. 

"My lady, will you please send hot water at once," Doctor Smith half-ordered.

"Let's take him to the chamber," Lord Suffolk said, ushering the doctor to the second landing.

"Everyone, please stay here," Luke said half running behind his father, "I will take care of everything." 

After the party was out of sight Mrs Smith spoke up.

"Do not worry, there is no need to panic. My husband is very capable, he will make sure nothing happens to the child," Mrs Smith said.

"Yes, I have faith in Dr Smith," Lady Ida said," let us have some brandy till rest join us."

When everyone was settling down Oliver's eye riveted to the woman that came like a storm, water dripping from her forming a pool of rainwater around her still gasping for air in the corner of the parlour. He started to walk up to her when Lady Faith reached her first.

"Dear child, you are drenched, Caro ring for servants to bring blankets," Lady Faith said.

"Do come near the fire, and have a sip of brandy dear," Lady Ida added.

The woman merely blinked at the people in front of her, standing like a frozen stone. A second later understanding dawn over her and she said, "Thank you, my lady, but I am fine right here."

Everyone looked dumbfounded at her odd request.

"You will catch a cold," Caroline whined.

"Who are you?" Mrs Smith asked suspiciously at the same time.

"Henrietta Murphy, my lady," The woman answered after a moment.

The horrified gasp from the mouth of Mrs Smith and Miss. Smith wasn't lost on anyone.

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