AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That was before your brother made us a new enemy.”
“What new enemy?” I keep my smile in place. As much as I despise Charlotte Fraser, I can’t show the world that. I learnt the hard way that my name is the only thing that protects me. I saw Jeremiah Wood attack and try to rape my sister-in-law. I knew the only reason it wasn’t me bent over that desk, his hardness pressed against my arse, was because of who I am.
“Frank Maloney.”
My brothers try to keep me out of their business, but that I do know about. Kane killed Maloney’s son after he carved up Elena. I’ve seen the injury she has. The son deserved to die, but I don’t understand why my mother is worried about some local government official. We have more power than they do. “If you ask my opinion, Kane was very reserved in his anger towards the man. He should have gutted him.”
Charlotte clucks her tongue, disapproval crossing her face. “Frank Maloney is an incredibly powerful man. He is already squeezing businesses in retribution for what your brother did. We need alliances that will keep him off our back.”
“I am not marrying Frank Maloney.” I can’t keep the disgust out of my voice.
“I’m not suggesting you do. Maloney can’t be bought now. His anger at what Kane did is not going to be easily papered over.”
“Then what are you proposing?”
“I want you to meet Lord Huntsville.”
“No.”
“I wasn’t asking, Aurelia. This man has power and connections. Legitimate ones. He has a seat in the House of Lords. His son is best friends with the current Prime Minister.”
I snap my eyes towards my mother, feeling irritation growing inside me. “If he is so powerful and influential, why would he want his wife to be the daughter of a mobster?”
She gives me a thin smile. “Clearly you have no idea how corrupt this country is. The men in power are no better than the thugs on the street. They all have their fingers in dirty little pies that the general public would lose their little minds over. You want to know who really runs this country? It is those with the money. Men like Lord Huntsville.”
“I’m not marrying anyone. Least of all some stuffy old Lord.”
“You will come and you will meet him or I will make your life a misery.”
“You already do that.”
“Believe me, Aurelia, I have barely scratched the surface of what I can do to you.”
A shiver runs through me at her words. I have little doubt of the danger and threat my mother poses to me. Until my brothers can get me out of this situation, I have to tread carefully. So I will go along with her charade, because if I don’t, I’m scared what the outcome will be. As much disdain as I show my mother, she has the power to truly hurt me without even laying a finger on me.
With no choice, I gesture for her to show the way and trail after her. Graham follows us, careful to keep his distance but remain close enough should I need him.
Charlotte leads me into a small room off the hallway. I feel the first tendrils of fear as she shuts the door behind us, locking Graham out on the other side.
Anthony is standing by the desk, in conversation with a grey-haired man. I can’t deny he is a good-looking man for his age, but he is at least forty years older than me. My mother can’t possibly think this would be a good match.
“Ah, Lord Huntsville,” my father says, finishing his conversation. “Please meet my daughter, Aurelia Fraser.”
The older man turns to look at me, a smile crossing his face. It isn’t sinister, or lewd. There is kindness in his eyes, and I wonder if my mother has made a mistake in judging him. “Please, call me Edward.” He doesn’t reach out to touch me, as other men have when my mother has introduced them to me in the past. Instead, he just inclines his head slightly. “Miss Fraser. It is a pleasure to meet you.” His voice drips with money. I can hear his wealthy upbringing in every syllable.
“It’s nice to meet you, Edward. Has my mother discussed rings with you yet?”
Lord Huntsville looks confused. “Rings?”
My mother steps up to me, grabbing my arm and squeezing it so tight I almost cry out. I block it out and focus on the man in front of me instead. “She is on the hunt for a husband for me.” I look him up and down, taking in his expensive-looking suit and the Rolex on his wrist. “Clearly you fit the criteria.”
Lord Huntsville turns to my mother. “I think there has been a misunderstanding. I’m not in the market for a wife. Even if I was, Miss Fraser here is a little young for me.”
Charlotte laughs, but I can hear the discomfort in the sound. “The younger they are, the more easily tamed they are. And who doesn’t want a pretty young wife?”
Unease ripples through the man. “I think we have our wires crossed here.”
“You can sample her before you decide.”
