The door to the library opened some time later and I hastily untucked my feet from where I'd been sitting on them. "That prince of ours is a very obliging fellow," Xavier said, taking a look around as he closed the door behind him, "However I daresay I've poked my head into one too many useless rooms trying to figure out which one was the 'little library'," "Is it true?" I asked, closing the book of legends as Xavier took a seat across the reading table from me. He loosened his necktie, avoiding my gaze. "How much did Edward tell you?" he asked. I crossed my arms. "Enough to know that we're in trouble," I replied. Xavier cocked an eyebrow, well aware that I was trying to get him to reveal more than I knew by bluffing. "He said the money's gone and that he and his vile wife don't intend to help," I said, resting my face in my hands, "Oh Vee, what are we going to do?" "Well the money's not all gone," Xavier said, prying my hands apart to hold them as he leaned across the table towards me, "But you can't keep ordering new dresses as if you have an unlimited budget," "But this is my only ball gown! How am I supposed to participate in any events if I have nothing to wear?" I protested. Xavier sighed. "Perhaps you could ask Ella to order you some, if the situation really is that drastic. That is a very fine dress, I don't see why you couldn't just re-use it," he said. I snorted. "Spoken like a true male, Vee," I snapped, "If I dared set foot to a function in this dress any time in the coming weeks, I'd be ridiculed as a pauper," "Then I suppose you won't be attending any balls in the coming weeks," Xavier said, "Which brings me to the next point that Edward likely left out," "Oh?" I asked, a tiny bubble of hope blooming in my chest. "There is a solution to our problem that doesn't involve our self-absorbed brother and his horrid wife," Xavier said slowly, "But you probably won't like it very much," "What is it?" I asked, unnerved by the way Xavier was now chewing his lip in much the same way I always chewed mine when nervous. "Mother and Father want you to find a suitable husband. One with enough money to get us out of this problem," he said. The bubble of hope in my chest burst. "Vee..." I started, shaking my head. I felt like the walls of the room were creeping closer and closer, threatening to stifle me. A marriage for the sake of money, it was the stuff of nightmares. I was still shaking my head as it filled with visions of half-blind old dukes stooped with age. "I know it's objectionable, but we've run out of options now that Edward won't help," Xavier said, giving my hands a squeeze. "Why does it have to be me? Nobody would want to marry me!" I protested, squeezing his hands back, "Why can't you seduce some rich viscountess instead?" "Because I'm not a part of the Season," he replied, "And all I have to my name is a half-completed university degree. Edward stands to inherit the family's name, which means that no noble in their right mind would ever think I'd be a suitable match for their daughter," "And I'm a finishing school dropout who sneaks around dressed as a maid! How can that possibly be any more desirable!" I shot back. Xavier barked a laugh. "You're sneaking around dressed as a maid?" he asked. A grin tugged at my cheeks despite my despair. "They have the most useful service corridors here. I...borrowed an apron, so now I really look the part," I said. Xavier laughed. "All those schools and you haven't changed one bit," he mused, shaking his head with a smile, "I hope you never do," "I'll try my very best," I smiled back. But Xavier's smile died as he watched me, releasing one of my hands to fish for something in his jacket pocket. "Sadly, my opinion isn't echoed by the rest of the family," he said, pushing the envelope across the table. I looked down with a deep sense of foreboding at my mother's elegant sweeping handwriting. "They're serious about it, Libby," Xavier said, leaning back and gesturing for me to open the envelope, "Which means you should probably burn that maid outfit and start taking this a little more seriously," I slid the letter out of the envelope, my stomach seizing in knots. Elizabeth, Since you have insisted upon embroiling yourself in such a situation, you will make yourself useful to us at court. I expect you to be engaged or at the very least courting one of these men before your return home for Christmas. I looked up at Xavier. He was watching me, clearly already aware of the contents of the letter. "So I'm supposed to somehow magically seduce one of these men?" I demanded, looking down at the list, "Do you have any idea how far out of my reach men like James Amberly or Dorian Fletcher are?" "Well you clearly seem to have captivated the prince. Perhaps if you turned your charms to-" Xavier started. I shoved my chair back from the table with a growl, pacing as I crushed the letter in my fist. "I haven't captivated the prince! He's a friend, nothing more, and that's only because he's one of the few decent people in this snake pit they call a Season. I won't do it, Xavier, I refuse!" I'd chucked the letter at him and he caught the wadded up ball of paper, smoothing it out and laying it on the desk. "I wish you didn't have to, Libby, I really do. But you are our last hope, especially since you've somehow maneuvered yourself into such an advantageous position by being here at court. You making a fine match would save the family, you must understand that!" he said, unable to look at me. I hated him for arguing with me, but I knew from the way the flush was rising into his face that he hated himself even more for towing the family line. "It's not fair to hinge this on me," I said, slumping back down in my chair. Xavier sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. "I tried to convince them it was a bad plan," he said, "But short of us selling houses, firing staff, and seeking employment, there is no hope," "So it really is that bad," I said, looking down at my mother's list again. "Believe me, attempting to marry you off was very much their last resort," Xavier said. I made a face. "Well I can guarantee I won't be pursuing Martin Pendleton," I said, grimacing even more, "And Dorian Fletcher? Yeurgh!" "I hear he's quite handsome," Xavier said. I kicked him under the table and he yelped. "He's a bore, they're all bores!" I said, flinging the paper down on the desk again, "The rest of my life will be spent sitting across a dinner table from a boring bore having boring children in a boring house going to boring events until I die a very boring death!" "But at least you will be bored in a proper house with a proper husband, proper food on your table and a proper dress on your back," Xavier said, reaching for my hands when he noticed that my eyes were swimming with tears again. "I've never even left the country, Vee," I said, my lip wobbling despite my best attempts to keep my tears at bay, "I wanted to do so much more with my life than get married," "We all do, Libby, and we've all made our sacrifices," he said gently. I snorted. "Everyone but Edward," I said darkly, reaching for Andrew's handkerchief that I'd stuffed into my bodice for safekeeping. "Edward has to spend the rest of his life with Edith," Xavier said, "I consider that punishment enough," "And yet here you are telling me that I have to choose from a list of the most boring men I've ever met," I pointed out. Xavier reached for the list. "Surely they're not all boring," he said, running his eyes over it. "I'll throw myself from a tower before I pursue Dorian Fletcher and Martin Pendelton is a pompous, pitiful excuse for a man," I said. "Then what of this William Weatherington? Or James Amberly?" Xavier persisted. I glared at him. "Was mother intentionally selecting the least attainable matches for me? Because I'm fairly certain I've scandalized Lord Amberly sufficiently that he'd never look twice at me in that way," I said, "And I don't know if William Weatherington even knows my name," "Then secure an introduction," Xavier said, folding the list back up and sliding it into the envelope, "And start acting like a lady," "Yes of course, whatever you say dearest brother," I simpered, "Shall I go fetch your slippers and pipe? Or shall I sit here looking pretty with my mouth shut? Oh what fun a life like this will be!" Xavier shot me a look as he stood, offering me a hand to stand. "Then perhaps the prince can help you, surely he'll know of someone rich enough to satisfy mother and exciting enough to satisfy you," Xavier said. My stomach did a somersault at the thought of asking Andrew to help me find a husband. I ran my thumb over the monogram in his handkerchief, wistfully wishing that today had never happened. "Perhaps he can," I said, feeling the heat rising into my cheeks, "Or perhaps I'll tell you all to sod off and run away to the Far East," "Then good luck and godspeed," Xavier laughed, "And please don't forget to take me with you," He pulled me in for a hug and I inhaled his familiar cologne, squeezing him harder than was necessary. "I know this isn't going to be easy," he said into my hair, "But I'm here in Highcastle now. If you need me, send word," "Perhaps I'll foil your plan and set you up with a rich American heiress of your own," I said. Xavier shuddered. "I think I have enough Vile Ediths to contend with," he said, "Especially now that the three of us are sharing the house. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Libby, and please, try to behave yourself," "I can only promise that I'll try," I said, as he smiled at me. Once he'd closed the door behind him, the clock started to chime midnight. I closed the book of legends with a sigh, staring down at the envelope on the desk. Me, a married woman. Preposterous.