Chapter 1

 

'Papa, is it really necessary that I meet with Jonathan?!' Georgina spoke whilst sulking.

'Georgina, do not be so rude and ungrateful; you should be thanking your father for making great efforts to set you up with such a good match', her mother cut in scolding her, 'you are of marriageable age now and we must all see to it that you pair up with someone suitable'.

'Well, I never asked to be paired up, that is not what I want, I care nothing for marriage especially to a stranger I know nothing about. Why can't I just be left alone?!' Georgina stood her ground.

'You have some very ridiculous notions; you must get married - what else is there for you to do? Don't think your father and I sent you to that finishing school to come back here and sit around idly with your head in the clouds daydreaming. Please, Mr Mortimer, speak to your daughter, I can feel a migraine coming on with all my growing nerves!' Georgina's mother spoke as she fanned herself and tried not to panic.

'Your mother is right, Georgina, it is a good option for you to be married; my mind would then be at rest knowing that when I depart from this world that you have a good husband beside you. And Jonathan is indeed a good match for you and not a stranger to this family as you are making out. Jonathan's family have been great friends of ours for years. His father is an earl, and so will Jonathan be when he inherits both the title and the estate that comes along with it after his father passes. You cannot deny the obvious benefit of such a match between our two families. You, at the same time, being my only child and the heiress to my estate.'