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option. The land and property and, well, everything had been left to James’ care. And to him alone. Until he died and passed it on to his own heirs.
    The entire weight of Haldon Manor and its ten thousand acres, its tenants, its industry, all rested on his shoulders. His unwittingly steady I-will-be-responsible shoulders.
    “That’s a pity,” Linwood said slowly. “My sister turns twenty-one in less than a month and will be of age to marry without my consent. Do you think that your brother will act dishonorably given my rejection of his suit?”
    Cocking an eyebrow, James replied, “Are you asking if Arthur will convince Marianne to elope? That seems unlikely. Arthur’s sense of propriety and family obligations agrees with your own. He understands that Marianne is not for him unless you wish it.”
    It was true. Based on some time-honored sense of gentlemanly morality, Arthur couldn’t even disagree with Linwood’s assessment of him. Of course, this didn’t stop him from pining for Marianne, which left the couple in an endless limbo, not able to marry, refusing to elope but still unable to leave each other and move on. James found it ludicrous. He could not imagine giving his heart to another and then not fighting to secure a future with her.
    Linwood pondered for a moment. “I would have no objection to your brother’s suit if he were to inherit Haldon Manor.”
    “Yes, well, he is my heir currently.”
    “Indeed.” Linwood gave his ghostly hint of a smile. “Unfortunately, at this moment you look to be in good health.”
    James blinked slowly, refusing to rise to Linwood’s bait.
    Silence.
    “How fares your sister, if I may ask?” Linwood asked, changing the subject. “I understand the nature of her illness is quite serious.”
    “She is ill. Her cough worsens, but it is early yet. She might make a swift recovery. And if not, I have already begun to search out the best treatments for her. I am determined she will not remain ill for long.”
    “Well, given our mother’s recent passing, Marianne will not attend the London Season. She will observe the required full year of mourning, so she will remain at Kinningsley through mid-summer at least.” Linwood paused, glanced out the window and then back to James, his face utterly impassive. “I would ask that your sister reduce her visits until the true nature of her illness is understood. Marianne’s comfort and health are the world to me.”
    James narrowed his eyes. Georgiana and Marianne were good friends and Georgiana’s health was not precarious yet. Linwood was being needlessly petty.
    James waited to reply, allowing the smallness of Linwood’s request to hang in the room, silently condemning.
    “Georgiana will be sad to hear it,” James finally said. “She enjoys your sister’s company so. Though it is no matter. I am sure that Georgiana will be recovered and whole in no time.”
    “Of course,” Linwood intoned. But his back remained stiff, his entire demeanor saying otherwise. “Naturally, we all wish Miss Knight a speedy recovery. With my mother’s recent passing, there has already been enough death in the neighborhood.”
    James managed a faint smile. Nothing more.

Chapter 3

    Duir Cottage
    Beltane
    April 30, 2012
     
    E mme startled as her cell phone rang, the sound chirping through the growling thunder.
    “Well, how is it?” Marc’s voice sounded eager in her ear.
    Emme understood immediately. “Oh, you know, uh-mazing.” She crawled back under her blanket. An errant draft of wind caused the fire to flicker.
    Marc laughed, rich and low. “I still can’t believe they upgraded you to a BMW for the entire summer.”
    “I know, right? The poor attendant who left the tiny car in neutral with no parking brake on got an earful from his supervisor. But seriously, you should have seen it spiraling down the parking garage ramp.”
    It really had been quite the sight. The car, scraping its way along the corkscrew exit like some drunken