Page 103 of The Unseen Hour

Orion looked back up at me, the blue in his eyes flashing dangerously.

“You didn’t say yes? This was a forced situation? Who arranged this?”

His anger was justified, as far as I was concerned. He may have spent a hundred years in the Ether unbothered by etiquette or society, but he was well aware how it worked. How it had worked in his life as well as mine. This wasn’t unheard of.

Women agreed, but not often because of love.

“It wasn’t technically forced. My mother had started pressuring me to find a husband. Truthfully, she should have done it years ago, based on my age. She’d only held off so long because she was grieving the death of my father.”

“So she’s responsible?”

I shook my head. I was explaining everything horribly.

“No. My brother Ambrose is the one who agreed to it when asked for permission. There is a man. A Marquess. Bellamy. Bellamy Bonds.”

“Marquess Bonds. I’ve not heard of the family.” His voice was still tense, but I grabbed ahold of the distraction.

“You wouldn’t have. His family moved to Emrys a couple of generations ago. In fact, I think they likely rose to prominence within a few years of your disappearance. Bellamy’s grandfather was from Tang and was a noble emissary. He married a noblewoman here and was a favorite of the king at that time, I’m told. They were granted a position and lands. Newer money in Emrys, but money for generations in Tang.”

Orion steepled his hands, placing his fingers under his chin.

“Was that the reason for your brother’s acceptance? Financial? I know you’re not a product to be purchased, but if money is what they require, then I will find a way. I know what I said about losing my estate, but I’ll fight for it if that’s the only way to gain your family’s favor.”

I shot him a glare.

“You’re right about one thing. I am not a product to be purchased. My family doesn't need money. We already possess an utterly unsensible amount. As for my family’s favor … I’d marry you without it.”

I wanted them to appreciate Orion as much as I did, but if they didn’t, I’d settle with him somewhere new. We had survived the Ether; we could survive a journey to Sez, or Mejje, or even the lost country, if we had to live in the wilderness to truly be free.

I would miss Charlotte and Thomas, and my family, but I wasn’t going to let anyone’s opinions or rules keep me from Ry.

I glowered.

“This is all about tradition and expectations. I’m too old to be unmarried, still in the house with my brother and his new wife. Bellamy means nothing to me. He’s just insufferable and persistent, and has dreadful timing. He wanted to get married before Wintertide, but I convinced him to move the ceremony. I knew I’d be gone before the actual wedding took place.”

Orion’s glare faded.

“Was he aware you didn’t really want this marriage? Did he pressure you in any way?”

“No. He’s just another self-important bore. I don’t think he had any inkling that I wouldn’t be interested. He’s awful, but mostly because it’s so dull being in his company, and he’s not a fantastic dancer, either.”

Orion laughed as he finally displayed a smile.

“Well if that’s all, then.”

“He wanted to propose during the last season, and my friend Thomas helped me by pretending to consider my hand. Thomas and I have only ever been friends,” I rushed to assure Ry, “but he was more than willing to assist me when Bellamy expressed interest. I’d hoped that would hold him off until I could enact my plan to come after my father, but at some point he realized Thomas wasn’t serious about my hand.”

“I will owe Thomas thanks.”

I sagged in relief. For once, someone wasn’t questioning my motives when I very clearly defined what Thomas was to me.

“He and Charlotte are lovely, and he really did try. Bellamy approached my brother in the fall. I would have said no outright, but it would have caused such a commotion, and I didn’t think it was necessary. I thought if I could get down here, and then return with my father⁠—”

“They’d all be too focused on his return to worry about forcing you into a marriage. Whether or not you tell your family the true story of the Ether, your father would know the truth. He could side with you and rescind his acceptance. Your family is established, and wealthy, and no protest Bellamy could make would hold water.”

I nodded.

“Precisely. As far as I am concerned, I am a free woman. I don’t feel any loyalty to Bellamy whatsoever, but I did feel you deserved to know. Are you angry?”