After a quaint breakfast, we load into the carriage and prepare for the journey to the Hereford estate. My heart drums against my ribcage as we approach my childhood home, and fourteen figures standing at the entrance gate eagerly awaiting our arrival. Each face held happiness and excitement. No doubt it was due to the news of the recent engagement announcement. My smile widens at the sight of my sisters, Simone & Sienna. They had sent me the most letters during my time away, and when we were back home for holiday, we spent all of our time trading stories and gossip. The carriage stops, and the happy couple exit the carriage and greet our parents. When I emerge behind them, I face my sisters. Their bright smiles turn on me and I know that we are all feeling the same. Happiness. Excitement. Longing. Relief. Unfortunately, my mother finds it agreeable to coordinate our family which means my siblings are standing in a line by age and I am forced to wait for my chance to embrace the beloved twins. 

        First up is my second eldest brother Simon and his wife of two years. Simon pulls me into a hug, and our mother frowns to show she finds this action most unagreeable. Simon’s very pregnant bride, Isabelle, however, smiles seemingly amused at my brothers improper behavior. Second is the first set of twins Silas and Selim. Silas seems to have grown taller since I saw him last and his bride, Charlotte, has grown as well. He dress shows a growing belly of her own. The Viscountess must be overjoyed to gloat over her two new grandchildren soon coming to Hereford estate to her friends at her daily social high teas. Selim, and his new bride Olivia, are so indulged in each other that they barely spare me a second glance. So I move on to the last, and perhaps my favorite brother, Sebastian and his bride Aileen. They both embrace me in a short hug that earns us yet another disapproving glance from the Viscountess. The twins and I squeal in excitement and smile in a very unladylike manor. 

        When I reach my parents I throw my arms around my father and enjoy being engulfed in his embrace. I had missed him dearly, and looked forward to hunting with him this season as I always had. My mother pushed through giving in to the lack of etiquette and joining my father in enveloping me in a suffocating hug, and my heart warms. I have truly missed this. Missed them. I didn’t know how much until I saw each of their faces. I pull away from my parents to look around at my family, and I am almost overwhelmed to see so much love sprawled out in front of me. My stomach churns, and I can’t help wondering if finding happiness the way each of them did would be possible for me. The thought disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared. I was determined to find someone. Though I am not suited to the tastes of men in this era. I was too outspoken and innovative for their tastes. They would not accept me as a wife, and my dreams would be locked in a box. I would be utterly miserable if I picked the wrong man. I would rather try than to give up completely. There was someone for everyone, and I was sure I would find him.      “However, my darling girl. We agreed that you would enter the season as a proper lady, and search for a suitable match for a husband, or we will pick someone for you. So I suggest you take this seriously, otherwise, after careful consideration, your mother’s statement earlier will come true.” He speaks firmly.

        “Alright. You may choose a suitor for me if I fail to find one, but if I do not wish to marry him you must respect my decision.” I smirk back.

        “Absolutely not.” My mother says plainly as she pours herself a glass of wine.

        “Very well. I suppose I shall ruin myself with the tales of last night's encounters.” I confidently sit on the maroon couch and smile at my mother.

        My mother dramatically slams the glass down on the table. Spilling wine everywhere in the process. “Last night's encounters?” She glares at me and I hold her gaze, never blinking.

        “At the bed and breakfast. I spent the better part of the night with the Duke of Hamilton. He was another guest, and…” My mother cuts me off.

        “The Duke of Hamilton? Have you gone mad?” She laughs heartily. “I can tell when you are spouting lies Sabine, but fine have it your way. I will pay your game. I will not have you make up lies to iron yourself and the reputation of this family.” She scoffs and calls for a servant to clean the wine from the floor.

        My father pulls my mother into an embrace and whispers lightly in her ear. They smile at each other and nod simultaneously. 

        “You may decline ten suitors. Five of them will be your choice and five of them will be who your father and I chose. After that you must marry who we choose for you.” She crosses her arms and waits expectantly.

         It would give me time to find someone. I hope so. I mull it over for a while. Finally satisfied with the arrangement, at the moment, I smile. “You know me so well, mother. I think it is an agreeable arrangement.”

        “You are very cunning dear, but there will come a day where your wit will fail you and you will give in.” She sips her freshly poured glass of wine to hide the smile forming on her face.

        “On that day Mother, I shall hold a grand ball in your honor.” The room erupts in laughter as the tension finally evaporates from the room.

        “Come my darlings! You must tell me all about Paris, AND your engagement of course. Just imagine, I shall have TWO weddings at the end of the season.” My mother throws her eyes in my direction as she enters the house.

        I sigh to hold my composer as we follow her through the threshold. “Two weddings?”

        She beams at me. “Well I may have shown a few of your portraits to some eligible gentlemen, and an offer has been made.”

        I gasp loudly. “Mother, we had an agreement. I am to pick my own husband.”

        She stops and gracefully turns to me. “Yes we had an agreement, but this is an auspicious match…”

        “No! I will not hear of it. If I am forced to marry then I will choose as we have agreed upon.” I turn and hurriedly move into the parlor. 

        She races after me. “You foolish child! This is a great opportunity for you. You will marry him if I say and you will be happy about it!”

        I scoff and scream back. “I certainly will not. How can I be happy when you would be forcing me into a marriage with a complete stranger! I will NOT agree to it! You can not make me.”

        “Watch your tone Sabine. You have no say in the matter, and you will do as I say!” She moves closer to me and calmly takes my arms in her hands. “I am doing this for your own good.”

        Everyone is watching silently on edge, and I feel my stomach churn at her words. Tears prick at the brims of my eyes, but I inhale a deep breath and shove her hands away, planting my feet firmly on the ground ready to disown the Viscountess and her barbaric marriage offer. “If you think I will back down just because you declare it my dear Viscountess, you are sorely mistaken!”

       “Enough!” My father’s voice booms as he marches into the parlor, and everyone winces in fear and respect. “No one is getting married without my approval. No offer has been made to my beloved Amelia, so there will be no wedding. My darling Rose, your mother and I will uphold our agreement.”

        Relief washes over me and I quickly run into my fathers arms. “Thank you papa.” I pull away and smile. Then his face forms into a sly smirk. Uh-oh, not good.