"Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

William woke up with a feeling of a new beginning. The night of the ball had been a success and in spite of his stone-cold demeanor that always kept the ladies at bay, he was certain he had charmed Lady Caldwell. Now, he simply had to keep the act up and successfully stand at the altar with her. 

Lord Caldwell had made it evident he wanted William to marry his daughter and the way his daughter had swooned at his site, everything else was pretty easy.  He woke up with a broad smile which was a rare sight for the people in his estate. Everyone restrained themselves from stopping to look at their lordship who looked more handsome than ever.

His footman prepared his tea and handed him the daily Ledger. He didn't want to sour his mood by reading the feeble ways Ledger tried to sullen his family name and save their face.

His butler announced his younger brother Sebastian and Nicholas had come to visit him. His family had retired to their country home during summer to get away from the heat of the scandal while he had stubbornly stayed in London. So, it was quite a surprise his brothers were in his estate.

When he reached the parlor to greet his brother he found them conversing with his father while his mother was instructing his butler to prepare luncheon for all of them. He couldn't believe his family had planned a coup and taken over his estate without him finding out. He ought to find another estate that none of his family members will be aware of.

He had greeted all of them and his mother berated him along with his younger brother for not visiting them enough while his father simply chuckled to himself.

As they sat in the parlor, it was very obvious his parents were ecstatic with having all his children together again. Sebastian and Nicholas bantered as always and everything was happy and well in his home till his older brother and his wife joined them for luncheon. How he hated the uncomfortable silence! Everyone was aware of his disposition with their marriage and the awkwardness only increased.

"William," Oliver was the first to speak up, "How are you? How is parliament?"

"I am well. As for the parliament, they decided to not make me the president of the party. The Kentshire scandal has only started to calm down and can put the party at a disadvantage," William replied plainly. He was never the one for the sugarcoated words and he wanted them to feel remorse.

"It is their loss," Sebastian said munching on his muffin, "They should know better than that."

"There must be some way, William. I know that brain of yours has already started working on the strategy," Nicholas added.

"Indeed," William continued, "I am going to marry Lady Caldwell, daughter of the earl of Caldwell."

"What!" Nick, Seb, and his father sputtered at the same time.

"How will getting married is going to get you the presidency?" His mothers asked baffled.

"Marrying the daughter of the Earl who is one of the members of the council will certainly clear my path to success," William continued unaffected by the stares of everyone. It was a hidden barb for his brother who married a woman below his station and was ostracized by society.

"Now, you listen here William Kentshire, you will not marry for political gains. I will not allow it," His mother announced.

"Think about it son, what if Lord Caldwell finds out? What will Lady Caldwell feel when she finds out the reason you married her was for selfish gains?" His father asked.

"Lord Caldwell was the one to suggest it, father. Lady Caldwell understands the position and power she will have after she marries the Kentshire and has no opposition to the match. I believe both father and daughter are in cahoot to snag me for matrimony," He explained calmly.

"Even the stronger reason why you shouldn't marry her, brother," Nick said worriedly.

"I think William understands what he is doing Nick," Seb said. Seb was never the one that was closest to him but he was always the one to support him.

"Indeed," Oliver spoke up, "He has always been the smartest among us all. And I have faith in him that he will make the right decisions."

William was quite shocked at his older brother's words. He never expected anyone of them to understand.

"Thank you, brothers," William replied.

His parents weren't happy with him but they have always given their children the freedom to make their own decision, they had faith in each and every one of them and the power to protect them all if anything went awry. Everyone went back to their luncheon for there was nothing that could change his mind.

"How are you, my lady?" William asked Hannah, surprising not only her but everyone sitting at the table.

"I am well, my lord, thank you," Hannah said simply, she was still closed off with him and he couldn't blame her, he hadn't felt a need to make a good impression on her. 

"You look different somehow," William continued the conversation, "I take that my brother is treating you well."

William was upset about the impact her decision to stay with her brother had on his career but sitting here surrounded by his family, he felt at peace. In his heart, he knew he shouldn't blame her or his elder brother but he will need time and space to accept the reality as it was.

"Of course I am treating her well," Oliver boasted.

"Would you like some wine?" William said, ignoring Oliver when he noticed she had only a glass of water.

"Uh, no, my lord, thank you," Hannah replied, looking at Oliver. A silent conversation passing between them, they were just like his parents and the resentment in his heart lessened a bit.

After the luncheon, his family ought to return to the manor, and yet every one of them had made themselves comfortable in the parlor. While his elder brother and his wife conversed with his mother, his father and younger brother seemed to have started a competition on how to empty his cellars.

William coughed gaining the attention of everyone.

"Pardon me, I have some work and would be immensely grateful if all of you gave me some privacy and peace," He said with an irritating smile on his face.

"How can you throw us out when you have invited us for the luncheon?" Nick asked with a raised brow.

"I did no such things. You all came here uninvited," William said denying.

"Now, now, it was me who planned this," His mother spoke, "Oliver had requested the family to gather, and knowing William, I believed coming over uninvited will be the best course of action. Now, Oliver darling, let's get this over with before William pops a vein."

"Thank you, mother," Oliver stood up smiling brightly, "Thank you, everyone, for coming on such short notice." 

William greeted his teeth. He didn't even get the notice and it was his home. 

"We wanted everyone together to share the news with you," Oliver said happily, he stood up raising the glass of his wine.

"What are you doing?" Hannah asked perplexed at her husband making William chuckle.

"Making an announcement," Oliver replied dumbly while Hannah sighed hiding her face behind her hand. Oh, brother!

"What? What is the announcement?" Nick asked excitedly.

"Well, Hannah and I are going to be parents," He announced proudly which made every one of them squeal in delight. It was chaos. William resisted the urge to box Nick and Seb when they started fighting on who would be the godfather. He too congratulated the couple.

"My lord," Their butler addressed William while everyone was celebrating the news.

"Yes," He said not bothering to look away from his insane family. His parents looked like they were already aware. It was news to only the brothers. 

"I hate to interrupt, my lord, but there is a lad outside who is demanding an audience with you and is not ready to leave until he sees you. He said he works in the parliament," His butler notified.

"Very well, bring him to my office," William ordered.

He had to forcefully usher his family out who were reluctant to break from their celebration. He bid farewell to everyone and made his way to the office.

He entered his office and stopped at the doorway when it wasn't a lad but a woman in a tailcoat and trousers, her shiny ginger hair flowing on her back examining the documents on his table.

The woman must have sensed his presence and turned around before he could call his guards. This was an alarming situation and needed to be handle with care. 

"Who are you?" William asked peacefully. 

Her beautiful topaz eyes glared at him while her ginger hair flowed behind her. She looked like an enchanting warrior.

"I am Kathalina Liverpool."