Taming the Rakes

9

Lily sighed, sitting between her mother and her elder sister while they discussed her suitors. Liliana felt as though she was cursed with beauty and grace; she wished she were smart and talented like Lea, or wild and free like Lucy, but she was, as her father said, a rare jewel. From her mother, she had inherited caramel skin, deep, chocolate hair, and a body the shape of an hourglass without need of a corset. From her father, she had inherited high cheek bones, a small nose, and striking, emerald eyes. Lily had been bred to be a wife; she played piano, knew how to host a dinner or a ball, and could have a chat with any other wife or even a diplomat, and not seem as though she was talking nonsense. Lea looked over the files their father had compiled, who was close to who, who had access to the High Court, who would propel their family higher.

            “I do not understand why Father has put Lord Alastair in this pile, he is nearly fifty and has no teeth. I would never do that to Lily, would you, Mother?” Lea asked, passing their mother the file with her brow furrowed. Their mother agreed, throwing it into their growing discard pile; they had already ruled out seven of the ten suitors their father had agreed to think about. “So, this leaves us with Lord Weaver, Lord Iscor, and Prince Fredrich…” Lea pondered, chewing her bottom lip thoughtfully. “Lord Weaver, while he is High Prince Sebastian’s cousin and advisor, is a bit of a bore…however, he does travel, because he is a diplomat. Lord Iscor is already a Duke, even though he is only twenty-seven, and he also lives in the Royal City as an advisor…I heard a rumor they are also making him Lord Admiral of the Navy, so he may have to go to war, which could be stressful. Prince Fredrich has not been home in many years, since he has been away at school. I will have to ask Theo if he has heard anything about him,” Lea rambled, looking between the three files quizzically.

            Lily sighed, looking down at her three potential husbands. Lily was already twenty-one, but because Lea had not been married, Lily had not been allowed to attend the Unification Festival; she would have done well there, she knew. However, Lily was also recognizable; she was often called the most beautiful young lady in Dechya. Lord Weaver had been courting her the longest, but Lily had to agree with her elder sister; he was dreadfully boring, and also rather plain looking. Lord Iscor was the Duke of one of the Provinces of the Royal City, which was impressive; Lord Admiral of the Navy was also highly impressive, and she rather liked the sound of it. Prince Fredrich did not interest her at all; he was second in line for the throne, and Lily had no interest in being a princess. “I like Lord Iscor the best of these,” Lily announced, feeling confident in her choice.

            “Good!” Their mother smiled, kissing Lily on the forehead. “Your father happens to agree, and has already invited him for dinner tonight to inform him that we have decided to accept his proposal to you. A wedding in the Royal City! Attended by the Royal Family! Oh, think of the offers that will come pouring in for Lucy!” Their mother floated out of the room, leaving the two sisters alone.

            Lily shifted uncomfortably; she and Lea had done many things together as children, but after their schooling was done they had drifted apart. “How does your husband please you, sister?” The younger asked politely.

            “Well, thank you, sister. Theo may have a reputation, but I think Rosemary and I can whip him into shape. How does news that you will be married please you?” Lea asked, equally polite and rather cold.

            Lily smiled stiffly, nodding once. “I will be able to make him love me, of that I am confident. Besides, he has good position at court, and there is no way that, at seventh in line for the throne, we will ever be in danger of becoming King and Queen. Besides, maybe I will meet a handsome court man to make up for the time my husband will spend with Mistresses.”

            “Liliana!” Lea gasped in shock, shaking her head ashamedly. “A wife must be true to her husband, a husband must be true to his needs,” The elder sister quoted dutifully, nodding her head as if she was suddenly so wise, having been married less than a full day.

            Lily scoffed. “You say that now, until you catch your precious Theo with his Harlot or Mistress.”