Chapter 4
The frown on Lea’s brow deepened. “So, who will your heir be? Or will you eventually leave Brathellae to a nephew or niece if, after all, Mary has two?
Dave hadn’t gotten to thinking that far ahead. His sole goal had been rescuing Brathellae from being auctioned off to settle his sister’s doing all the things in the world to make him a responsible husband. Marrying to save the estate was a big enough step; siring an heir was a giant leap he wasn’t sure he was ready to even consider. Yet. He gave one of his carefully rationed smiles. “I don’t suppose you’d like to help me with that?”
Her cheeks burned a fire engine red, and her plump, rosy lips flattened to a thin, disapproving line. She rolled her eyes in exaggeration and even shook her head, like it was the most absurd thing to do. “No way in hell, I'll help you with that.” Her tone was as starchy as a prim and proper schoolteacher’s.
“Only joking.” It was no joking matter, but he refused to think about having a child. Hadn’t he done enough damage to his own sister’s children? Matheo was a force to be reckoned with and an angel at the same time; he couldn't even say no to the sweet little devil who called him Uncle Davie.
Lea shifted her gaze, but Dave noticed her small white teeth resumed their savaging of her lower lip. “I need to get back to help Aunt Elsie with something.” Her voice was not much more than a mumble.
“I need your final answer, Lea. Tonight, if possible. There are legal documents to arrange before we—”
“I’ll see you tonight. At dinner.”
Dave nodded in agreement. “It’s a date.”
It'd been a heck of a long time since he’d had one of those.
Lea sat with her great-aunt at the Brathellae kitchen table half an hour later with a pot of tea and freshly baked cupcakes.
“Dear, you’re not eating,” the old woman said, pushing the tiered chocolate cake stand closer. “Is something on your mind?”
Lea took a cake from the stand and peeled the polka-dotted paper case off the cupcake. “I’m not sure how to tell you this," she began.
Her great-aunt paused in the action of sipping her tea, her light blue gaze wide with interest. “You’ve met someone?”
Lea just resisted the impulse to roll her eyes. “No. It’s a little more complicated than that.”
“Complicated?”
Lea took a deep breath and added, “Dave’s asked me to marry him!”
“What?” Her great-aunt’s cup gave a tiny rattle as she placed it back in its saucer. "I don't know what to say. I mean, what was your answer?’”
Lea wasn’t sure what to make of her great-aunt’s mild expression. “Aren’t you surprised he proposed to me?”
The old woman smiled and reached for the teapot, topping up both of their cups with the rich brew. She placed the teapot back on its heat protector before responding. “Not one bit surprised. The man is charming, rich, and kind. What not to like, dear? And he is Borthman. You’ll be a good wife for him. He is loyal, steady, and stable. I like him.” She peered at Lea over the top of her bifocals. “You said yes, didn’t you?”
“Aunt—”
“Come on, dear. I know you've been crushing on the man since his sister’s wedding. Everyone here in the neighbourhood knew that.”
"Jesus..." Lea nibbled at one side of her mouth. “I’m still deciding."
Aunt Elsie sat back in her chair, lifted the little milk jug to pour some into her tea, and then set the jug back down on the table. “You’d be mad to refuse, my girl. He’s a good man. A bit on the quiet side, but you don’t want a husband who talks more than he listens. He’ll take good care of you.”
“Why are you—”
“I like him, he is nice to the dog, nice to me, nice to everyone.”
“Except me…”
“He is nice to you, dear. You just can't see it.”
“Whatever,” Lea said, breaking off a piece of cupcake with her fingers. “He only wants to stay married for a year to secure the estate. If he doesn’t marry within three months, his sister will sell Brathellae.” She put the small portion of cake in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed, continuing to gauge her great-aunt’s reaction.
Aunt Elsie stirred her tea into a small whirlpool, glancing at her again. “I know about the old man’s will and Mary’s ideals of his brother's marriage. He told me before he died. And Mary called me about it.”
“What?” Lea frowned. “And you didn’t try to change their mind?’
Aunt Elsie sighed and picked up her cup again. “There isn’t a person alive or dead who could change that man’s mind. Angus was frustrated about the castle, and Mary wanted her brother to settle down because she knew he hadn’t moved on from losing that woman. Sure, he has casual lovers occasionally, but his grandfather wanted him to settle down and do the right thing by Brathellae. If marrying you is the only way Dave can see fit to do it, then so be it. You love this place, and you love him."
“But—”
“There is no but here, Lea. This is you doing the best thing. Dave is a nice fella; what not to like?” She made a toast of her last words by taking a sip of her tea.
“Excuse me.” Lea gave a choked laugh. “Yes, he was, but—there are a lot of stakes here. And…I fear—”
“That you fall in love with him?”
Lea sighed, “Not like that!”
Aunt Elsie arched her eyebrows. “Are you sure?”
Growing up, Lea idolised the old man; she knew he was doing this for the better of the manu. And she knew that Dave had been a romantic fantasy that any teenage girl would have drooled over. But it was a bit of a leap to describe her feelings now as love, or at least that sort of love. Although... that tiny secret smouldering coal inside her was still there, waiting, waiting, waiting for enough oxygen to fan it into life.
Lea looked down at the cake crumbs on her plate and expelled a long breath. “It wouldn’t matter how I felt about him. It’s not going to be a proper marriage.” She pushed the crumbs into a neat pile and then glanced back at her great-aunt. “It will be on paper only.”
Aunt Elsie’s eyes began to twinkle, like they were auditioning for a new constellation in the northern hemisphere. “Of course it will.”
Lea gave an eye roll and stood to take her plate, cup, and saucer to the sink. Her great-aunt was suffering a massive delusion if she thought Dave would be remotely interested in sleeping with her. She had seen photos of Dave’s casual lovers. She had seen his fiancée Susannah in the stunningly beautiful and unscarred flesh.
How could she ever hope to compete with that?