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“Theo, it’s been too long,” he said when I sat down.
“It has, Marcus. I thought it was about time we caught up.”
“How is the season going?” he asked.
The dam broke. I told him all about the drama with Emilie. He listened, nodding along as I talked.
“Theo, I know how difficult it can be to balance the demands of honor and the pursuit of love. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that we don’t have to give up on finding love within the match.”
I leaned in, my interest piqued. “What do you mean?”
“It’s true that we may be bound by duty, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find love and happiness along the way.”
“I know that, but she’s the one I’m trying to convince.”
Marcus laughed. “Emilie may be stubborn and controlling, but that doesn’t mean she has to be that way with you. You have the power to change the dynamic of your relationship, to show her that love and duty can coexist.”
“I’ve been trying,” I said. “Just when I think she’s heard me, she runs in the opposite direction.”
“It takes time,” he said. “She has to trust you. Give her time.”
“Should I marry her?” I asked.
“Why wouldn’t you?”
“Because I know divorce isn’t an option,” I said. “I don’t want a loveless marriage.”
“I guess you have a fifty-fifty chance,” he said, smiling. “You said you’ve seen a glimmer of hope. I know marriages happen fast in our world, but there is still a chance you can fall in love. Traditionally, you would fall in love and get married, but that’s not how it works.”
I smirked. “True.”
We caught up on our lives and then it was time to go back to the house. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I returned. Apparently, Emilie was having dinner with family friends. That worked for me. I wasn’t quite ready to see her either.
I settled into a chair in front of the fireplace with a glass of very expensive scotch. In need of some perspective, I decided to call Victoria. She had always had a special eye for design and marketing, and I thought she might have some valuable insights into the property we were working on in Wales. And I was hoping she would tell me what to do. I felt like I was gambling with my future. I could keep the match and make the family and the Golden Society happy and hope there was a chance she would fall in love with me, or I could walk away and find true love.
“How’s the trip going?” she asked. “Did you see the first dump you’re supposed to fix?”
I laughed. “It’s actually not a dump at all. The property is amazing, but Emilie? She’s a challenge.”
Victoria listened attentively, her empathy evident. “Tell me more. Maybe I can help.”
I shared the plans for the property, which she seemed to be enthusiastic about. “Maybe I can whip up some ideas on how to make the property more of a tourist hotspot. With the right marketing and design, we can make it a destination people won’t want to miss.”
“That sounds incredible,” I replied, feeling a surge of optimism. “Thank you. That would be awesome. Even if I don’t go ahead with the marriage, it would be nice to give them a place to start from.”
“Things aren’t going well?” she said.
“No, things are fine.”
“You are such a terrible liar,” she said, laughing.
“I’m working on it,” I said. “It’s complicated.”
“I’m beginning to think everything about marriage is complicated,” she said, sighing. “You’re not making me very excited for my future in the season.”
“I talked with Marcus,” I told her. “He thinks I should marry her and keep my fingers crossed that she’ll eventually fall in love with me.”
“That doesn’t sound promising.”
