“Michael, I hope your brother realizes the predicament he’s put us in.”

“I think he does, Father, but…” Michael ran a hand through his hair wearily. He wished he’d insisted that Alex ride into town to tell Jeff yesterday, instead of sending a note.

Figures that Alex would be taking an ‘after dinner’ walk when their father arrived.

“Well, I know that Jim is not going to be happy about it. Thank God I could give him the excuse of needing to get here as quickly as possible, although I feel like a bit of a coward. This information shouldn’t have been imparted to him in a letter,” Jeff was pacing back and forth in the study, obviously trying to keep a level head.

That was one of the things Michael loved most about his father, he always used a logical approach to his problems.

“Father, for what it’s worth, I think you’ll like her.”

Jeff sat down wearily and looked back and forth between Kyle and Maria, both had been silent since he’d arrived.

“Maria, I know that you wanted to break the engagement as well, but I feel as though I should apologize for Alex’s behavior. To break a promise, to dishonor himself and his family…it’s just so unlike him.”

“Mr. Parker, I know that you’re upset. But, believe me when I tell you that no one owes me an apology. Alex had his reasons for doing this, and I won’t question them. I’m glad that he’s found someone he can be happy with,” Maria’s tone was almost triumphant.

Michael almost smiled, but caught himself, his Maria never backed down.

“Thank you, Maria,” Jeff said slowly, and went to put a hand on her shoulder, “but you must realize that this will not reflect well on you.”

“I don’t care what small minded people think,” Maria said haughtily. “As far as I’m concerned they can all go to-.”

“Maria, please,” Kyle broke in putting his head in his hands, “for once at least try to act like a civilized lady-.”

Kyle was interrupted by the sound of the front door slamming open and a male voice shouting.

“WHERE is that BLASTED son of mine?!?”

“ Oh s**t.” Kyle groaned.

“Oh, that’s very ‘ civilized’ language, Kyle,” Maria muttered.

Jim Valenti burst through the door of the study, quickly assessing the situation and casting glares at Jeff first, then Maria, and finally Kyle. Michael was glad to have been spared Jim’s ‘Valenti look of Death’ – he was still stinging from the one Maria had given him in the hallway the day before, when she’d found out about his ‘otherworldly’ status.

“I should have known something like this would occur under your roof.” Jim spat at Kyle.

“Father, I-.”

The General cut his son off with a wave of his hand and turned to his daughter, “I suppose you’re pleased, young lady?”

“Actually-.” Maria was also silenced with a hand wave.

“Jim. I see you got my note. Words can’t express how sorry I am,” Jeff Parker looked as apologetic as he sounded.

“Words can’t fix what’s been broken, Jeff. I promised my wife on her deathbed that Maria would marry Alex. I keep my promises.”

“General,” Alex’s voice sounded from the doorway, “my father keeps his promises too. I think you’ll need to direct those insults at me.”

Slowly Alex closed the door behind him and moved to stand in the middle of the room.

“Well, son,” Jeff said slowly, “what do you have to say for yourself?”

“That I’m sorry for the way that this happened, Father. I’m not sorry for doing it, though. Isabel and I are in love, and for reasons that are our own we needed to marry immediately. If there were any other option, believe me, I would have waited.”

“You would have waited,” Jim Valenti smirked, “but you still would have done it eventually, correct?”

“That is correct, yes,” Alex said.

“You’ve done her a grievous wrong, Alex,” The General’s expression softened a little, “I’m not unsympathetic to your feelings, no matter what you both may think - I understand that you and Maria didn’t want to marry, but promises were made.”

“I realize that, sir. Believe me, I am sorry for the effect this will have on your daughter, but I couldn’t deny my feelings. I don’t think it would have been fair to Maria if I’d married her when I was in love with another woman. And, please, try to remember - Maria and I never made any promises to anyone.”

“We certainly didn’t,” Maria rose and stood by Alex.

Jim shook his head in disgust at his daughter, “Do you really comprehend what this means?”

“Yes, and I don’t care.”

Michael had a funny feeling that Maria was about to stomp her foot, stick her tongue out, and throw a tantrum like she used to when she was younger.

For a moment the General’s expression turned softer, almost sad, “Maria, a woman who is cast off by her fiancé is ridiculed. Everyone will be laughing at you behind your back. You’re already 18, almost 19 – most girls are married by your age. You’re on the verge of becoming an old maid, and you have absolutely no prospects,” the General paused when he saw the hurt on Maria’s face, but after a moment he drew another deep breath and continued, “I love you, I don’t want to see you grow old alone - with only Kyle and me for company. You’ve never considered the favor that your mother did for you, finding you a boy close to your own age – someone who was kind, and from a good family,” now Alex and Kyle were looking pityingly at Maria

Maria drew herself up, and kept her chin high – Michael tried to keep any hint of ‘pity’ out of his glance in her direction, he knew better than anyone that she hated for people to feel sorry for her.

“I’ll find someone,” she said confidently, with only the slightest waiver in her voice.

Jim smiled slightly at her, but shook his head, “It’s time you woke up to the reality of this situation, no matter how beautiful you are – the men who will make you offers will be the less desirable ones. Kyle could probably buy you someone, but you deserve better than that.”

“I’ll marry her.”

Who said that?

Michael glanced around, wondering who had spoken.

As he looked at everyone in the room he noticed that they were all staring back.

Why were they all looking at him?

No. Oh no. He hadn’t. Had he?

Cover, cover, cover…she’s looking at you, they’re all looking at you…

“I-uh,” he swallowed, suddenly his throat felt like sandpaper, “you know…H-he, that is Alex, is…uh, is my brother. Aren’t I – well, isn’t that the honorable thing to do…?” he finished lamely.

Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.

Everyone seemed to process his last words slowly.

Seconds passed and no one spoke.

He thought a very stunned looking Maria would scream that he was being ridiculous, but she didn’t. She just stood there, eyes as big as saucers, mouth hanging open.

Michael expected Jim Valenti to offer a polite, but distinct refusal at any moment. The man was staring at his daughter with his head cocked to one side.

More seconds passed…

The General turned to stare at him.

Even more seconds passed…

The refusal didn’t come.

The General was simply staring at him. Staring and studying, staring and thinking…staring and smiling?

“Thank you, Michael.”

Thank you? Oh yes, ‘thank you, but no’. The polite refusal. Michael waited for the ‘but’, hoping that when the refusal was over he’d at least be able to blink again.

“That goes a long way toward rectifying this situation. With this new development, I think there might be a way to handle this with relatively little damage to anyone’s honor,” the General continued.

What was he talking about? Michael felt a heavy sense of dread settle over him.

“Jeff, I would appreciated it if we could keep Alex’s marriage a secret for now. You can send a note to the vicar, and Kyle can make certain it won’t leave this house.”

Jeff nodded, a small smile playing on his lips – he kept shooting glances at Michael that were full of ‘fatherly pride’.

“We’ll let it be known that the arrangement is over, thank goodness we never declared it officially. Alex and Isabel will immediately announce their engagement, then can be ‘married’. After that, we can announce Maria’s engagement to Michael.”

The room suddenly felt very warm, and Michael could see stars shooting into his line of vision.

“Jim, that sounds like the only way to handle it. Of course you agree, Alex?” Jeff looked at his younger son who nodded. “And you Michael?”

Michael knew he should be nodding or saying yes or something, but his body seemed to have stopped responding to anything his mind told it. Mustering all of his strength he managed some sort of a grunt.

Jim Valenti smiled widely and clapped his hands, “Well, that settles it, then. I’ll-“

“Wait, wait, wait…” Maria finally found her voice.

“Yes,” Jim challenged her, an eyebrow raised.

“One engagement is broken. I’m single for a little more than a day. Then, you’ve got me marrying someone else. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” her father replied evenly. “Do you have any objections?”

‘Here it comes,’ Michael thought. ‘She’s about to blow. Good thing, maybe everyone will be so distracted they won’t notice that I’m completely paralyzed.’

Maria didn’t explode. She looked …thoughtful.

Her father was watching her with an amused look on his face.

“I suppose not,” she said quietly.

I suppose not? Had Maria actually responded with a simple ‘ I suppose not?’

“No,” Jim said softly, giving her a knowing look, “I didn’t think you would.” He turned to Jeff, “Well, then, I’m off. Jeff, are you going back to town tonight?”

“Ah, yes, I suppose I should,” Jeff said slowly, “I’ve got an engagement party to plan.”

“We’ll ride together then.”

The General strode to Michael and held out his hand. Somehow, Michael got his arm to move about an inch, then Jim reached out and grabbed it and did the rest. Michael could have sworn that this was the happiest he’d ever seen the General, which considering everything that had happened, was surprising.

Kyle and Alex had begun a conversation with Jeff, and Maria had seated herself on the sofa.

“Son,” the General leaned in close to Michael and whispered, “I have a feeling you’re better suited to this job than Alex ever was.”

What on earth did that mean?

The General wanted his daughter to marry him? Michael Guerin, nameless foundling? That seemed absolutely ridiculous.

Valenti clapped him on the shoulder and then motion to his son, indicating that Kyle should follow him out of the room.

Jeff watched Jim leave the room, then moved to hug his son. Michael could see tears in his father’s eyes, and wasn’t surprised that Jeff didn’t speak.

“Father, I want you to come meet Isabel before you go,” Alex called to Jeff from the doorway.

Nodding, Jeff squeezed Michael’s arm, gave him one last grin, then turned to follow Alex out the door.

Michael was left alone with Maria.

His new fiancé was sitting quietly on the sofa, looking as though she were having some sort of internal conversation. Her facial expression changed every moment and she was biting her lower lip.

She took his breath away.

Maria would be his wife. But, she didn’t love him – in fact, if he married her, she would probably grow to hate him. Was it worth it? Would having her for his wife be worth enduring her hatred? He honestly didn’t know.

Her eyes settled on him, and he could see that she wasn’t happy with what she saw. She stood, and walked over to him.

“Maria-,” he was cut off by a resounding slap to his face.

***

Maria had hit Michael before, she’d punched him, kicked him, thrown things at him – but, she’d never done the ‘offended lady’ slap before. It felt very satisfying. If he wanted to look ‘disgusted’ at the idea of marrying her, then a slap was what he deserved.

“You can wipe that ‘poor me’ look off of your face,” she thumped him in the chest, “this is your fault, you can just ‘deal’ with it.”

“Of course you’re right, Miss Valenti,” he hissed, “I should have a ‘look of joy’ on my face in anticipation of a lifetime of abuse at your hands,” he was staring at her with a strange mixture of fear and anger, rubbing two fingers over his cheekbone and clenching his jaw tightly.

She slapped him on the other cheek and spun on her heel, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back around to face him.

“I’ll find a way out of this, don’t worry. Nothing’s been announced yet, I’ll find a way to set you free.”

Free? No, no, no. She wanted to marry him. More than anything. She just hated the way it was happening…but, if she let him out of the engagement she’d never have another chance. Maybe he didn’t love her now, but if she had a lifetime to work on him…Pride gone, she thought of the first thing she could say to stop him.

“Oh, yes,” her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Please, break it off. Leave me to twist in the ‘social winds’, rejected by two men in one week. Sentence me to life as an old maid.”

Before he could answer, she jerked her arm away from him and ran out of the room.

***

“Father,” Kyle said quietly as he followed the General to the stables, “don’t you think that Maria should be free to choose her own husband? I know you didn’t want the engagement broken, but it is…Can’t you just let her have the man she wants.”

Kyle was more than a little surprised when his father turned to him with a smile on his face, “I did, Kyle.”

“Um, no, I mean…” Kyle fizzled out, knowing that a fight would ensue when he made his feelings clear to his father.

“Kyle, I know what you mean. I’ve wondered for sometime at her childish antics, you know…and then tonight, I saw the look she gave him when he said it. I’ve seen that look on a woman’s face before, I know what it means.”

Kyle was confused.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s in love with Michael. Picking fights, insulting him, claiming to hate yet being in his company as much as possible…those are the symptoms of puppy love, son. I’ve always seen it, but I wrote it off as just an infatuation. Then, tonight, I saw it in her eyes – it’s more than just some young girl’s crush. Maria is in love with him.”

“What? Are you sure? If I had to name someone I would think her least likely to be in love with, I think it would be Michael.”

“This is Maria we’re talking about. If she hated him as much as she’d like everyone to think, don’t you think she would have challenged me? Threatened to run away, jump off a cliff, done anything to get out of it? Kyle, she barely made an attempt at resistance.”

“I’m not exactly convinced,” Kyle said slowly, wondering if there was any possibility that his father could be correct. “The only thing I want is for her to be happy. And, what about Michael? He was just being chivalrous, you could see by the look on his face that he never thought you’d consent.”

The General nodded his head slowly, but the smile didn’t leave his face, “I think you may be surprised at Michael’s feelings, but I can’t be sure – he’s difficult to read. I’ll tell you this, if either of them expresses an interest in ending it, and for a reason that is their own – not for the other’s sake – you come to me, and we’ll let them out of it. I don’t feel like my honor is on the line with this, until we announce it. I’ll let them end it if it’s what they really want.”

“I have your word on that?”

“Yes, but I don’t want you to tell them. You just watch for signs that they really want to end it, and like I said, a reason other than wanting to free the other.”

“All right. I’ll keep on the lookout.”

“Very well. I suppose I’ll see you at the engagement party? It should be within the next two weeks.”

“Yes, I’ll see you then.”

The General nodded and turned to mount his horse when he saw Jeff Parker come out of the house.

“Father?”

“Yes, son?”

His father hadn’t called him ‘son’ like that for years.

“Thank you. If Maria is too dumb to say it herself, I’ll do it for her.”

Jim nodded, and said gruffly, “You’re a good brother, Kyle. She’s lucky to have you.”

“She’s lucky to have to you too, sir.”

Kyle patted his father’s horse on the rump to send him on his way. His step was considerably lighter when he turned to go back to the house.

“Don’t you want to stay outside and play?”

He turned to find the owner of the voice.

“Tess?”

She stepped out from behind a tree.

“Who else?” she asked, a predatory gleam in her eye.

He held his hands up and started to back away, “Oh no. Hold on, tiger. I.Am.Worn.Out. Worn out, I tell you.”

She laughed and chased him into the house.

***