Your father meant well, he really did. And he begged you to trust him when he had insisted that he found a good man for you to marry. It was in your father’s ailing health that you not only agreed to the marriage. And you’d also agreed to travelling to your future husband’s country—England.

When you had arrived, your future husband was gone on business. The staff had reassured you that you would be treated as a guest of honour and with the upmost respect and dignity. In your stay while waiting for your future husband to come back, you’d made yourself familiar with what the estate had to offer.

The library brought you comfort, it was your safe space. You had come here often, as often as you could to clear your head. As you’re in the library today, reading on a chaise set up, you feel something crawling upon you. A sharp squeal and shriek leaves you when you realize it’s a spider crawling up your leg.

Your hands immediately start wiping at your thigh as you stand hoping to brush it off. Once it’s gone, you’re caught off guard again when you hear husky laughter. It comes from the entrance of the library, and the source is your future husband.

You stare at him from the back corner of the library with a book in your hands, clutching it to your chest. You didn’t expect to see him here, a skilled man with a tactical knowledge that earned him a place of wealth and power.

Just weeks ago your father mentioned that you would be set up to marry him. John Price was an infamous soldier in Britain—and his feats earned him wealth and land titles. He was a good man, according to your father, well off but still grounded, and he would give you a good life.

Days ago you’d been informed; only now were you meeting him. And you’d embarrassed yourself by being frightened of an insect.

“Hello…” you mumbled, your eyes flitting over him. You didn’t expect to see him here in the library, your safe space and a place of comfort.