One word turns into a war
Why is it the smallest things that tear us down?
My world's nothing when you don't
I'm not here without a shield
Can't go back now

Both hands, tied behind my back with nothing
Oh no, these times when we climb so fast to fall again
Why we gotta fall for it now

I never meant to start a war
You know I never wanna hurt you
Don't even know what we're fighting for ~ Jordan Sparks. (Battlefield)

I know I can love you much better than this,
It's better this way.

Prologue

She was already so thoroughly compromised that she knew that even if they were successful in rescuing her sister from the clutches of his brother, that the family was already going to be ruined. At least Sarah could claim that she loved Alan Junior and that was why she ran off with him to Gretna Green, but there would be no such excuse for Elizabeth. For while she knew the truth about the Viscount Quartermaine, and The Honorable Jason Quartermaine did as well, she knew that the vicious tongues of the ton would wag harder against her than her sister. Even if they could prove that the only reason the viscount had absconded with Sarah was because he was in debt up to this eyebrows and since Lord Quartermaine, the Earl of Morgan, was still alive and healthy and the viscount did not have control of his inheritance so he needed the dowry of a wealthy bride, it would not matter. The viscount had played the game of the ton, and there was no questioning his parentage as he looked like both the earl and his wife.

Jason Quartermaine was the younger son, and there were rumors that he may or may not be Lord Quartermaine's son. Although there were more rumors that he was indeed Lord Quartermaine's son, but he was not birthed by the countess. While the family firmly stood behind him in public, there would those amongst the finest families who would always view him with suspicion and therefore had never allowed him to dance with their daughters, let alone court them. The viscount would be chided for eloping to Scotland, but people would stand behind him and not his brother who would say that the viscount had eloped with Baron Jeffrey Webber's eldest daughter only because the second one proved too shrewd for his tricks and he realized that it was Sarah who was easily duped into believing he was in love with her while all he wanted was her dowry of twenty thousand pounds.

It wouldn't matter that Elizabeth had traveled with a maid inside the carriage at all times and a footman on top of the coach and that the only reason she had agreed to travel with Jason was because he was worried about her sister. She would be seen as a tainted woman now. For while the youngest daughter of Lord Webber had made her curtsey to the Queen and was in the middle of her debut season, there was enough gossip about her to make matchmaking mamas and proprietary fathers steer their sons away from her. The rumors of her parentage were quieter than Jason's, but they were there. Combined with her forthright manner and refusal to play the games of the ton, she was secretly labeled a hoyden and many a wager had been made in the betting books of Whites and other gentlemen's clubs that she would end her first season without a match and the only way she ever would receive an offer of marriage was when a financially strapped family deigned to accept the wild daughter of a baron with an enticing estate that allowed him to settle generously on his daughters.

Sometimes Elizabeth wondered why she was even bothering to risk her reputation on this crusade. She and her sister had never been close, and when the viscount had transferred his attention from Elizabeth onto Sarah, her older sister hadn't believed her when she said that the man was not to be trusted. There was something unsettling about him, something proprietary in his behavior, and decidedly improper in his manner of address. Sarah had only scoffed and said that Lizzie was jealous that Viscount Quartermaine had seen Sarah and withdrew his affection from her. It was not Sarah's fault that Elizabeth had not been able to hold onto a man, but Sarah had no intention of letting him go.

Which was why that even if they did manage to overtake the viscount's carriage, or arrive in Gretna Green in time to stop the wedding, there was little chance that Sarah would not agree to go forward with the wedding. And Elizabeth knew that there was little hope of her father being too angry to acknowledge the elopement and not release Sarah's dowry. While the couple had traveled to Scotland and married without the baron's consent, he would not bring further shame to the family by now acknowledging the wedding once it had taken place. A.J. would get enough money to pay off his immediate debts and then be in full control of the remainder of Sarah's dowry. Elizabeth had heard enough in the past two days of constant travel about the other man's evil propensities to shudder for the life her sister would be subjected to.

And that did not even begin to take into account what would further happen to her family's name based on her actions. Her mother and father would no doubt forgive Sarah, but she would be scolded and have untold vitriol unleashed on her for running off with a man she was not connected to. She'd probably be exiled. Perhaps she should just stay in Scotland. Surely she could find work as a governess or a companion and stay in the cold wilds of Scotland; it wasn't like her family would ever welcome her home again.

"You should try to rest."

She jerked her head and ceased staring unseeingly out of the window and gazed at the man across from her. Her maid was asleep on the seat beside her and so they could converse without censoring themselves for fear of what the servant might further spread about this trip.

"You have not slept much," Jason stated. "You should try to sleep."

"I cannot," she admitted on a soft whisper. "I fear we have little chance of success. Your brother and my sister had too great of a start on us and each time we stop and change horses we hear how they were hours ahead of us. They are not stopping for the night either, and by the time we reach Gretna Green, I fear they will already be wed. Then what will happen to me?"

It was the first time she allowed herself to be pitiable, and as she turned back to the darkened view outside the window to hide her tears, she felt a soft square of cotton pressed into her hand as he gave her his handkerchief.

By the time they reached Scotland, A.J. and Sarah could have already been wed...but the wedding had not taken place. The intended bridegroom was nowhere to be found, and all they found was a pitiful Sarah sitting in an inn with her luggage at her feet and her eyes red from crying. Apparently, the viscount had attempted certain liberties with her sister before they had reached Scotland and she had resisted. With each passing hour, he continued to try to convince her, and she admitted she became disgusted by his behavior. But by that time she had already allowed enough to transpire between them that she knew her reputation was in tatters. When they finally arrived in Gretna Green and A.J. had first wanted to spend time in a room above stairs instead of heading straight for a reverend, Sarah had finally had enough.

A.J. swore he would not wed such a frigid woman even with her twenty thousand. He did not like her enough to tie himself to her, no matter how great the inducement of her dowry. Surely there had to be another way to escape his debts, and he left. Sarah clung to Elizabeth and wailed, wondering what she would do now. She tried to be comforting and calm her older sister, but when Sarah began to insinuate that this was somehow all Elizabeth's fault, any empathy she had fled. She pulled away and looked at her sister in disgust.

"I do not know what we are going to do, Sarah," she stated coldly. "For I will be in the same situation you are in, but you don't see me carrying on like a fishmonger's wife."

"Perhaps I can help," Jason said, stepping into the private parlor he had arranged for the sisters once they arrived at the inn. "My father will be forced to deal with A.J. after this. I have spoken to my brother's carriage driver that he left behind and the man was able to provide me with a sketch of my brother's activities and just who my brother is in debt to. The person will not rest until he is paid, and my father will be forced to cover his debts in order not to lose the family estate. There is no way the Dowager Countess will allow this indiscretion to be covered up. I do not believe my brother will be disinherited, but there is, unfortunately, a likely chance that Sonny Corinthos will order my brother killed as a lesson to those who borrow and do not pay him back. I..."

He looked down in embarrassment and Sarah quickly surmised what he was not saying. "You would be Viscount."

"Yes," he nodded, then cautioned, "But perhaps not. However, perhaps if you return from Scotland married to the son of an earl, it might help take the sting out of the censure your family will feel."

He approached the pair and Sarah straightened in her chair, throwing her shoulders back and Elizabeth half expected her to pinch her cheeks as she simpered a smile at Jason. However, her sister's features fell into bitter jealously and anger when The Honorable Jason Quartermaine stopped, turned and bowed to Elizabeth.

"Miss Elizabeth," he stated. "Will you marry me?"

Part 1

She had to be crazy. She had to be. She'd always been wild, the unacceptable daughter of Lord Webber, and even if she returned home married her reputation would not change much. For while it was well known amongst the ton that Viscount Quartermaine had been paying considerable attention to The Honorable Sarah Webber after having flirted briefly with Elizabeth, the same could not be said for The Honorable Jason Quartermaine. He had paid scant attention to Elizabeth, and while she knew that they had once danced together, she could not remember exactly when or where.

Obviously it was this year since it was her debut season and she could not have danced with him otherwise, but Elizabeth could not remember much about their time together. She had put her focus into fending off the attentions of his elder brother when the viscount began attending to her at balls and calling on her. She had never trusted him, had never liked the way his words were a little too nuanced while not seeming to raise ire or suspicion, and she certainly had not liked how his glanced lingered a little too long on the neckline of her gown or his hand held her for a moment longer than was proper. And she certainly hadn't liked when his lips went above her glove to brush across her wrist during a moment on the balcony at Sir Luke's house when Viscount Quartermaine had found and cornered her alone.

It was after that that he withdrew his attentions from her and transferred them to Sarah. She was certain that he would go to her father and show the proof of her slap upon his face, and then things would have been bad. Just the knowledge that they'd been alone on the balcony could have been damaging to her reputation, and she had never fully understood why the viscount had not used the moment to his advantage and pressed his suit.

She had learned from his brother that the viscount had not wanted the scandal himself. Their parents, the Earl and Countess of Morgan, would have been angered and the viscount was still too fearful of his father to risk openly incurring his wrath. Of course, he thought he'd have an easier time with Sarah and be able to whisk her speedily to a fashionable wedding wherein he'd receive control of her dowry. He had not counted on the vanity of Sarah who liked the thought of having her sister's old beau for herself, and being able to show him off among her set. That she, the daughter of a baron, lowest of the peers, should capture the son of an earl, a viscount which would make her a countess one day, was not something she was willing to let go to waste.

Sarah wanted outings to the opera and theatre, though she cared for neither. The point was to be seen on the arm of a viscount and have it be wagged about on the tongues of the finest that they were courting. Carriage rides in Hyde Park during the height of fashionable hours, walks through Kew Gardens and excursions to Vauxhall Gardens were a must. She wanted her triumph to reign for weeks, even months, and then and only then would she have agreed to a proposal which would lead to a wedding at the end of the season. The viscount was forced to play her game because she was his easiest chance of escaping his pressing debts.

However, Sonny Corinthos, seedy denizen of London's underworld, was not inclined to wait that long for his money. He began pressing the oldest Quartermaine brother, even making a few threats against the Dowager Countess when the viscount was dragging his feet. Feeling pressed, and finally moved to protect his grandmother, although protecting his name and reputation were probably the greater inducements, he convinced Sarah of his pressing love for her and that he simply could not wait another moment to make her his bride. He had no connection to the Archbishop of Canterbury by which to gain a special license and he simply could not wait the three weeks for the banns to be read in their parish churches. Moved by his flattery, Sarah had agreed and left in the middle of the night for the Scottish border.

That she had left the note for Elizabeth was just another part of her sister's digs against her. Sarah never rose before noon when they were in town, and often did not see her parents until afternoon tea - if they were in the house - and sometimes not until dinner when they dined in preparation for their evening's entertainment. Sarah could have easily had her maid cover for her, but she had deliberately informed her sister, knowing that when the truth was discovered, Elizabeth would be in trouble with their parents for not informing them sooner, even though Sarah had begged her younger sister not to say anything. She wanted to surprise her parents by writing to them and signing her name Viscountess Quartermaine.

Distraught and unsure of how best to deal with the situation, Elizabeth had escaped the house with her maid and a footman to take a walk in the park across the street in the hopes of gaining some clarity. Instead, the Quartermaine carriage, bearing their crest, rounded the corner and Jason Quartermaine had descended the steps before the liveried servants could open the door. He had discovered his brother's plans and had raced to the Webber house hoping he was not too late. One look at Elizabeth's face told him he was, and he vowed to help her recover her sister. Without packing, without writing a note to her parents, Elizabeth climbed into the carriage with her maid Nadine while the footman, Francis, insisted upon riding on top of the carriage.

Their presence, though, would not protect Elizabeth's reputation; which was why she was standing in her room at the inn contemplating going through with the insane idea of marrying Jason Quartermaine. She wasn't sure if it would save her reputation entirely - nothing would do that - but in spite of her doubts she was definitely considering going through with the plan simply because it would remove her from her sister's presence. Sarah was decidedly not happy that Jason had asked Elizabeth to marry him instead of her.

"It really should be me, Lizzie," Sarah said peevishly as she watched from the corner while Nadine readied a gown Jason had purchased for her. He said that no one should have to marry in a rumpled gown they'd worn for several days in a row. Sarah had declared that Elizabeth could not wear one of hers, as if that would some how stop the wedding.

"I am the oldest," her sister continued on, "and by rights I should be the first to marry. I still cannot believe that Mother and Father let you debut when I had not married yet. It damaged my chances and made me look as if I was unmarriageable. I am only two years older than you, certainly not on the shelf, but that is how men perceived me when my sister came out."

"I know, Sarah," she murmured tiredly in reply. "I heard all your protestations while my dress was being created, and I heard it at least once a week until Viscount Quartermaine began to shower his attention on you. Our entire circle heard it for your friends were not discretionary in repeating your bitter ire. It was why the viscount singled you out. He believed you would be easy prey since you were desperately throwing yourself at men this season. Why, you threw yourself at Lucas Spencer, the son of a mere knight, simply because of your jealousy over my coming out."

"Well at least there is no question that he is truly his father's son," Sarah sniped, standing up and advancing on Elizabeth cattily.

"Give us a moment, Nadine," Elizabeth asked and when her maid finished fastening her dress she nodded and stepped back. Turning to face her sister she said, "If you are so bothered by the rumors surrounding the Quartermaine family, then why did you accept Lord Quartermaine's attentions? You are a hypocrite, Sarah, and jealousy does not become you. You are the one who brought shame and scandal on our family by rushing off to Gretna Green."

When her sister started to speak she raised her finger and continued on so as to not let Sarah spew more of her venom. "You deliberately left a note for me in the hopes that I would get into trouble. We are not confidantes, we do not share secrets...you share those with Allison Barrington. Why would you leave a note for me telling me you eloped with Viscount Quartermaine unless you hoped that I would receive the larger portion of our parents' wrath? I raced after you hoping to stop you from making a mistake, but you don't care about that."

Shaking her head she placed her hands on her hips. "If it was not for the fact that the viscount proved exactly what kind of amoral man he was and decided that he did not want to be married to you even despite your twenty thousand pounds, you would be married to a man who frequents brothels, who seduces married women and who is in debt to a very dangerous man who threatened the life of his grandmother all in an attempt to get the viscount to pay his debts. You did not believe me when I said that Viscount Quartermaine was no gentleman, you were having too much fun crowing over the fact that you were now being courted by him and saying how I could not hold onto a man. The rumors surrounding his family did not matter then; it is only now that Mr. Quartermaine offered for me that is he unacceptable. If he had offered for you, you would not care."

"You always have been a petty and vindictive sister," Sarah spat at her.

"I believe you are confusing me for yourself," she shook her head. "There will be scandal surrounding my marriage, I know that. But how much more scandal will there be if both of us return to London unwed? Do you think your flight from Town will have escaped notice? Who knows where Viscount Quartermaine went after he abandoned you here. Do you think he will give a care to your reputation? You traveled alone with him; I had Nadine and Francis accompanying me. The viscount is a known gambler and rake and you will be seen as the foolish daughter of a lesser peer who ran off with him and because he is a future earl he will be excused his behavior. Where is your excuse? It may not be much, but at least my marriage will bring some measure to mitigate the gossip that will follow us. We shall all have to abandon the season and retreat to the country, you may never live down the scandal to your name, but all you care about is that I am marrying before you."

"That is why Jason should marry me," her sister insisted. "I shall be ruined; if he marries me I will be saved."

"Perhaps you should have thought about that before you fled with the viscount," Elizabeth stated.

"You are selfish," Sarah cried, her hand flashing out to strike Elizabeth's cheek. "We could easily say that Jason was secretly pining for me and that he followed after us because he did not want his brother to marry me. He stopped the wedding, professed his love and we took advantage of the local and wed."

"And we could just as easily say that I became mesmerized by your sister during our travels to Scotland," Jason stated as he stepped into the room. Nadine stood behind him, anxiously wringing her hands and Elizabeth realized she had not even noticed her maid slipping from the room. "I will never say this in public, but why would I want my brother's castoff, Miss Webber?"

Sarah paled and he advanced further. "Let me make something perfectly clear from this moment forward. Your family may abandon you, society will scorn you for a while, and you may never marry, and whether I provide any assistance to you in the future will depend entirely on the approval of my wife. But no amount of her good will shall ever induce me to give you so much as a farthing if you strike her again or continue to harangue her for your folly."

Part 2

The wedding passed in a blur. She recalled Sarah fuming in the corner, Nadine and Francis standing in the back of the church feeling privileged to watch, and Jason standing next to the reverend as she approached them. She knew her Bible and she knew her Book of Common Prayers and knew the words of the wedding ceremony, but until she was standing with her hand in Jason's as he pledged his troth to her, it had not entirely registered what it meant. She was no longer connected to her father; she was forever Mrs. Jason Quartermaine.

No longer was she merely the youngest child of a lowly baron, moving in fashionable circles but never truly the elite ones. Her father was a gentleman, her husband was a gentleman, but there was no mistaking that being the son of an earl gave him greater prominence. Her life, her fortune, her...her body was her husband's, and she could only hope that she had not misjudged him. She did not believe he would prove to be as unscrupulous as his brother, but aside from the conversations, hampered by the presence of her maid, they'd had in the carriage as they traveled to Scotland, she knew nothing about him. She did not even know what he did with his life since younger sons must find some form of occupation since they could not inherit the estate.

"Miss Elizabeth...excuse me," Nadine nervously cleared her throat. "Mrs. Quartermaine, will there be anything else?"

Eyes wide, she shook her head and could barely speak above a whisper. "No-no, Nadine."

"Miss Webber told me to come help her prepare for bed, but...but Mr. Quartermaine said that he wanted to hire me to be your maid and since…and since you are now my mistress I...I wished to see what your orders were," the young woman continued on nervously.

"You...you may help Sarah change out of her gown," Elizabeth said after a moment to digest all the implications in her maid's words. But she knew her sister and said, "But after that you may retire. I...I will let you know when I need you in the morning. Do...do not let Sarah declare that you need to do more for her. You...you may state that you now work for Mr. Quartermaine and if Sarah needs further assistance she should ask the innkeeper to send someone to her."

The maid nodded, a look of relief flashing briefly across her face. Then, because she was feeling anxious, Elizabeth reached out and grabbed the other woman's hands. "Nadine, please...please do not speak to my sister about... I am sure that she will ask questions and try..."

"Don't you worry, miss...mistress," Nadine smiled. "I know who I work for. Miss Webber will never hear anything about your personal life or your household from me. I doubt Francis will tell her anything since the master hired him as well. She was always orderin' him about and putting on airs with all the servants. I know where my loyalty belongs."

She dropped her head and her cheeks stained red as if she feared she had said too much, but Elizabeth couldn't help smiling. For the first time she felt like she truly had someone on her side instead of taking orders from her parents and reporting her activities to them. Sarah had always ordered the servants about with an unkind tone and too many were afraid of being dismissed without a reference to ever do anything but put up with her. Now that Nadine no longer worked for the Webber family but for Jason, she apparently felt secure in showing her loyalty to the one person in the baron's household who had never overlooked her or held her in contempt simply for being in service.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said warmly. "Do not forget what I said; you may help her change from her dress but then you are free for the rest of the evening."

"Thank you, ma'am," her maid smiled as she dropped a curtsey. "If you'll forgive me for sayin', I think I'll enjoy working for you and the master."

Then she slipped from the room and Elizabeth pulled her dressing gown tighter around herself as she was alone with her thoughts. She knew that in the other room, Jason was getting ready for bed; she simply didn't know if he meant to use the one in his room. Or come to hers. It was their wedding night and he was her husband. In the rush of preparing for the event, she hadn't had time to think about all that would come after, and now her mind could not stop.

When the soft tap sounded on her door, she spun around as if she heard gunfire and her hand went to her throat. She tried to speak, but no sound came and it was only when she heard the tap again that she could finally get her vocal chords to work. "Ye-yes?"

The door opened hesitantly and Jason, her husband, entered the room slowly. He was dressed in his breeches and shirt, but had discarded his cravat and coats. She had never seen a man so informally dressed aside from the time she came upon her brother when he returned from his fencing club. The hand at her throat clutched the top of her dressing gown convulsively as she stared at him, wondering what would happen next.

She was beautiful. It was the first thought that ran through Jason's head, and it echoed the thought he'd had of her the first time he saw her at a ball. Elizabeth Webber...Elizabeth Quartermaine was beautiful. She was also very young, and he could see that she was also very scared. He held up his hand for a moment to silently ask her to wait and then slipped back into his room. He'd forgotten to bring the bottle of wine he'd asked Francis to procure from the innkeeper.

When he stepped back into her room and closed the door, her eyes widened and she looked at him with trepidation. It was up to him to speak and lead tonight; he was just finding himself as unsettled as she was. He had certainly never planned on anything like this. He had left London furious over his brother's actions, both those that had put their family - especially their grandmother - at risk, and then for preying on an innocent young woman in an attempt to escape his folly. He had not expected anything that happened afterwards.

"Would-would you like to sit down?" he asked after clearing his throat. He gestured to the worn sofa near the fire and walked towards it first to leave space for his bride to move without feeling like he was crowding her.

He thought she would refuse at first, but instead she nodded and moved forward. She took a seat and then reached out to take the glass of wine he'd poured. Taking a sip from his own glass and a deep breath he decided that they would simply be honest with each other and speak freely. It was a trait he'd hoped they'd begin and keep for their marriage, but that was all he had for tonight to guide him. Hope.

"I...I know that you're scared," he began. "And I'm sure you're unsettled. I-I am. I have never been a husband before, and you have never been a wife. We..."

He gave her a soft smile. "We shall learn together how we shall fill those roles. I am sure you have thoughts on what is supposed to happen, based on your parents' marriage, or what society says."

Taking another sip of his drink he said, "But I do not want to have a marriage based on society's dictates. I...I want us to speak to each other, E-Elizabeth. I do not want you to fear me...I will never hurt you. I...I will not tell you I don't want you to speak; I want to know what you are thinking. How can I know what you're feeling if you don't tell me?"

"My father never wants to know what my mother thinks. He simply tells her what he feels she needs to know," she replied, speaking for the first time.

"Many marriages are like that," he agreed. "I...I hope we do not become like that. Ours is not a conventional marriage, but I...I do not want you to feel like you are slighted."

He rubbed his hand against his forehead. "I know that there will be certain expectations of us. We married in Scotland; we were alone in the carriage for days even though your maid was present. Many will believe I compromised you, just as many will believe my brother compromised your sister. We...we will be looked down upon for our actions."

"I know," she said weakly. "I...this will hurt our standing in society."

"I do not care about society," he said honestly. "The falseness of it all has never appealed to me. I know the rumors surrounding me, how some people look down upon me for potentially being born on the wrong side of the blanket when they have children of their own that they do not acknowledge because they were born to mere serving girls they took advantage of. If society wants to judge us and not accept us, it will not bother me at all. But I do not want it to affect you...or any children we may one day have. I do not want you to be shunned, or even cut direct, so I will do everything that I can to help you."

"If you did not have to worry for me, what would you do?" she wondered.

"I would retreat to my house," he told her simply.

"Your-your house?" she wondered.

"My grandmother gave me a bequest," he said, his voice softening with thoughts of Lady Lila. "Younger sons do not inherit and the estate will be A.J.'s. She didn't want me to worry for my future, so from the time I was old enough to understand she told me that the estate her father provided as part of her dowry and my grandfather assured her would always be hers, would become mine. When I graduated she arranged for me to take possession of it, provided she would always be welcome there."

He smiled as he confessed, "When she wishes to escape London and the rest of the family, she goes there instead of the dower house."

A faint smile teased Elizabeth's lips as she said, "It is obvious you both care for each other deeply."

"We do," Jason nodded immediately. "I hope to introduce you to her soon. The rest of the family may be upset and yell, but I am confident she will understand, and she will like you."

She blushed deeply and looked almost embarrassed, even as he saw longing in her eyes. He wondered if she was liked by her family, but could imagine the answer based on her sister's behavior and the few interactions he had seen between Elizabeth and her mother while in London.

"It has been a long day," he continued on, "and I am certain you wish to sleep. There are some things I wished to speak with you about first. Many will...many will believe that I seduced you...or that you wantonly threw yourself at me for they will judge you harshly for leaving with me. Many will..."

He cleared his throat and tugged at the collar of his shirt, even though the restricting cravat was long ago discarded. "There will be many who will speculate on whether we have clandestinely been seeing each other and perhaps saying my brother ran off with your sister was all just subterfuge to cover our own misstep. Many will probably watch you for signs of being with child and look for the announcement of an early delivery."

The embarrassed blush was replaced by one of flaming mortification at the frank speech he employed. He wished he could be delicate as she deserved, but this was a matter he felt needed to be addressed to help minimize the scandal that would surround them. One day, their children would enter society and he did not want them to face obstacles because of their parents' actions. He wanted them to be free to do what they wanted and not be blocked by prejudices of the past.

"I know that tonight many will expect me to...to assert my rights as your husband," he said and she looked down, fisting her hands into her dressing gown. "But...but I wish to wait."

Now her gaze flew up to meet his. "Wh-what?"

"When it is obvious that you are not with child, or that a child was not born nine months or less after our hasty marriage, it will take the power out of their speculation," he explained. "But I also...I know you are unsettled because you do not know me. We...we do not know each other and...and maybe in time we will grow to love one other, or at least feel something beyond politeness as acquaintances. When I showed up outside your parents' house that morning we were near strangers. I...I wish for us to get to know one another...to feel comfortable before such an action is taken."

She stared at him mutely for such a length of time that he began to grow uncomfortable, wondering what she was thinking. Her words, though, gave him cause to believe that his marriage with Elizabeth would indeed be marked by honest frankness on both sides.

"It makes sense...what you suggest," she began and looked down. "I-I just need to know one thing."

"Anything," he found himself saying.

"Are you...are you going to be like your brother and visit...and visit brothels?"

Part 3

Sitting across from Sarah Webber, Jason was very tempted to throw his wife's sister out of the carriage and leave her to fend for herself. If they were near a post stop, then he might be generous enough to take her and leave her there. He would not leave Francis to protect her, she would merely have to make her own way, or find a means of supporting herself until someone in her family came to retrieve her. From the moment he and Elizabeth had descended the stairs after sharing breakfast in their room, she had done nothing but complain. She did not like her room, she did not like the food, she did not like that Jason had hired the Webber servants for his own household, she did not like that Elizabeth had suggested she get a maid from the inn to help her instead of letting her have Nadine, and that was what she had said before they left the inn.

Once they were inside the carriage, her complaints continued. And were expounded upon. She didn't understand why they did not make Nadine ride up on top of the coach with the rest of the servants but instead made her, a baron's daughter, sit beside Elizabeth's maid. She began to criticize her sister until Jason merely had to speak a reminder of his promise to her before the wedding. Silenced from her normal methods of attack, Sarah Webber then proceeded on a campaign to embarrass his wife. She began to ask about their wedding night.

She declared that Elizabeth and Jason were sitting too close together and that could only mean that they had become acquainted with each other in the physical sense, a very quick thing for two strangers. It did not register to her that the carriage was small, having been chosen so it would be lighter and faster in their flight north, and everyone was cramped inside; she was perverse, and unrefined enough, to refer to things she knew she should not speak on. Regardless of being a maiden, it was simply poor taste for anyone to refer to marital relations in such a manner.

"There's no way Mother and Father will take you back now," Sarah said with a triumphant smile. "Although why they should even if you had not done such an activity last night I do not know. Clearly you learned no refinement at school; I told them they were wasting their money sending you there."

"Perhaps they wasted their money sending you," Elizabeth replied, tilting her head slightly. Jason bit his tongue to keep from smiling at his wife's retort that his new sister did not seem to even understand.

"I am afraid you will find that your reception amongst the ton will not be as easy as you believe," Sarah continued on, spite entering her voice as she ignored Elizabeth's remark. "You have never been well-perceived and this stain on your character - for what woman so readily gives herself to a man she barely knows? - will certainly not help."

Nadine did her best to stifle her small gasp and his wife stiffened by his side. Incensed and having endured all he would tolerate from his new sister Jason leaned forward, encroaching on Sarah. "Miss Webber," he began coldly, "I urge you right now to cease speaking. You have three options; you stop speaking for the rest of the trip after you issue an apology to my wife, you ride on top of the carriage with the servants since your tongue is no better than a common fishmonger's wife, or we find the nearest post stop and secure you transport to your family. Let us not forget the real reason for our journey to Scotland."

The silence was blissful.

After Jason commanded Sarah to cease speaking, and her sister actually listened, silence had descended over the coach. Nadine looked relieved to no longer hear Sarah's petty and spiteful attacks, and did her best to be unobtrusive and quiet in the corner of her seat. Sarah huffed under her breath and shifted on her seat, often deliberately pushing at Nadine, but she said nothing. She glared at Elizabeth and Jason, but they found it easy to ignore her.

Perhaps Jason was as tired as Elizabeth and had his own eyes closed as well. Or perhaps he was able to bear someone's glares unperturbed and was staring back at Sarah in return. Her sister was stubborn, and foolish, and would not back down from a fight. For while she was certain that Jason would not actually abandon her at a post stop and leave her to find her own way back to London unescorted, Elizabeth felt that her husband would actually follow through on his threat.

If there was one thing she had learned last night in speaking to him, it was that her husband was an unfailingly honest man. He was also honorable, even while he admitted there were times he did not follow all of society's dictates. Expelling his sister-in-law from his carriage in order to protect his wife...while it surprised her that he would actually do it, she did believe he would. For after speaking so plainly to her about his past and how he would behave in their marriage, she did believe him on this.

Jason had been so quiet last night after she questioned if he would visit brothels that she began to fear he would not answer her. It was a highly unusual, and even improper, question. Regardless of being married, regardless of him claiming he wanted honesty between them, she began to doubt. Men were governed by a different set of rules, and men of society and wealth even different beyond that. A man could have a mistress, so long as he was discreet, or perhaps even visit a courtesan at the highest and most exclusive brothels, because a marriage was not for mutual pleasure. Women were to provide legitimate heirs to a man, but were not expected to enjoy the act of procreation. They were considered wanton if they did. But men were men and their needs were different; so if they sought pleasure elsewhere, it was overlooked, and even expected.

Finally, when Elizabeth was ready to offer her apology for offending him, Jason had taken a deep breath and answered. He told her that he would not dishonor her in any way, and that included visiting brothels or setting up a mistress. When she tilted her head at his words he went on to say that he did not have a mistress, nor was he a frequent visitor to brothels now. He actually blushed slightly and rubbed at his neck when he confessed that he had...experience, but that was from his youth and there was nothing that could reflect poorly on her now.

Once the embarrassing questions were over, they had moved on to a variety of other topics; one thing seemingly leading into another while they shared more about themselves and their pasts. While there was still much she did not know about her husband, he was not the stranger he had been when he placed his signet ring on her hand in lieu of a wedding band. Between the fire, the wine and the fatigue and stress of the journey, Elizabeth had found herself nodding off as he described Rosewood, his estate. She had struggled to stay awake, though, because she found she liked listening to the sound of his voice and his presence was soothing. She did not want to be alone in an unfamiliar place. As the rocking of the carriage began to lull her to sleep, a smile curved Elizabeth's lips as she remembered the sensation of her husband's arms around her as he carried her to her bed, and his immediate agreement to her plea to stay when she roused enough to fear being alone. She hoped he would be able to sleep as well on the trip, considering the sofa in her room had not been long enough to accommodate his tall frame, and thus allow him a few hours sleep last night.

In the silence of the carriage, Sarah eyed the occupants across from her and scowled in a most unladylike manner. Her sister had a smug smile on her face as she leaned into Jason Quartermaine's side like a hoyden, and he had his arm resting lightly around her, securing her to his side as he reclined in the corner of the seat. There was too much familiarity between the pair and Sarah knew that marriage had been consummated last night, even though she was not able to stay above stairs long enough to bribe a servant to see the proof on the sheets.

Although, as she watched Elizabeth and her sister's husband, she began to wonder if the marriage had been anticipated long before the trip to Scotland. Perhaps her sister's reaction to the viscount abandoning her and courting Sarah had merely been subterfuge. Her youngest sibling had seemed relieved when A.J. withdrew his attentions to her, only protesting loudly when he then began lavishing them upon Sarah. Perhaps it was not because the viscount was supposedly immoral, but because Elizabeth had been.

Sarah tried to recall the parties, dinners and balls that had occurred while she was being courted by the viscount and instead of recalling his attentions, she was trying to remember where her sister and Jason Quartermaine had been. The younger Quartermaine brother was a quiet man, and Sarah had dismissed him as inconsequential because he was merely the younger son. She heard that he had some sort of property, and was engaged in an occupation, but Sarah felt she was destined for more than being the heiress to keep a younger son in the lifestyle he felt he deserved; she was destined to marry a first son who would inherit the family estate. That a viscount and future earl was paying her attention was merely her due.

Now, she was cursing her inattention to Jason Quartermaine. Elizabeth's movements would be easily tracked once she returned to her friends and asked them to cull their memories of the past weeks and months. While her sister was plain and mousy, Sarah and her friends had always made sure to keep her movements under watch because they did not want their cutting gossip to reach her ears, or to have her become aware of their schemes and plans. She could only hope that someone had also been watching her beau's younger brother.

It would be delightful if it could be proved that her sister and her husband had been seen speaking together, or perhaps even absent at the same times, during these events. It would make it more plausible for people to believe that their affections had become engaged during that time, and that perhaps Elizabeth had favored him with her charms. For while it appeared that her sister's carriage had arrived too quickly after Sarah's ignominious arrival in Gretna Green for them to have stopped and shared an illicit moment during their travels, it would make their apparent wedding night activities all the more believable...and scandalous.

Unless the younger Quartermaine was a brute who demanded his rights. But Sarah did not believe that, for he had seemed angered at his brother's actions, although, she did admit, one truly did never know. Quiet personas often concealed scandalous natures.

A smile curved her lips as she decided that, no, it would be a much better scandal for her sister and the Quartermaine family, if it was believed that the newlywed couple had been having a liaison long before they were actually wed.

Part 4

As Elizabeth walked up the steps to her parents' house, she was grateful for her husband at her side and the supportive arm he lent her. Nadine and Francis had scurried around the corner to the back entrance for servants, and Elizabeth knew her maid would hastily pack as many belongings of her mistress as she could before Lord and Lady Webber might react angrily and declare that none of their daughter's possessions would leave their house. It would not do for Elizabeth to be completely without raiment. She doubted her family would be providing the funds for her trousseau; if Sarah's calculating gleam was any indication. So she would need what clothes she could take.

While Sarah was the one who had originally fled, she had an amazing ability for not being punished for her actions. It was somehow Elizabeth who always seemed to bear the brunt of her parents' anger, especially that of her mother. While Sarah had been quiet for the remainder of the journey back to Town, there was something in her demeanor that instantly set Elizabeth on edge. She had shared her concerns with Jason when they stopped the first night of their journey home, and he declared that he would defer to her superior knowledge of her sister. He was already predisposed to not like her based on her words to Elizabeth; so while she didn't know what her husband had planned, she sensed he was prepared for anything that might come.

The door opened and Sarah tried to push her way past Elizabeth, but Jason very subtly moved them right into her path and blocked her efforts. At the door, he bowed his head to the old butler and asked, "Are Lord and Lady Webber at home?"

"They are in the blue drawing room," he replied, looking at Elizabeth questioningly.

"Thank you, Bates," she replied. "We will see ourselves there."

Then she took the initiative and reached behind her, looping her arm through her sister's. "Come along, Sarah. Let's greet them all together. I'm sure they will be most anxious to welcome you home."

Her sister huffed and tried to remove her arm, but Elizabeth held tight and marched forward, Jason right by her side. As they neared the drawing room, a footman drew himself up straighter and glanced at the family members and the unknown gentleman. But habit had him opening the door and Elizabeth swept inside before words could be spoken.

"Close the door, Sarah," she ordered as their parents surged to their feet. While the doors weren't completely soundproof, there was no need to make it easy for the footman to collect his gossip by leaving the door open.

"Elizabeth! Sarah!" their mother exclaimed. "Where have you been?!"

"What is the meaning of your disappearance?" their father demanded. "The ton's tongues are wagging wondering where our daughters have gone. Especially since Viscount Quartermaine disappeared followed by his brother and there is supposition your disappearance was connected to theirs. While the viscount returned, his brother has yet to reappear."

Then as if finally realizing that there was someone else in the room, he looked overand his eyes widened. "Mr. Quartermaine? What is he doing here?"

"He's Lizzie's husband," Sarah said scandalously, moving quickly to her mother's side. "They married in Gretna Green and I'm sure there is no way for you to annul the marriage now, Father."

"Elizabeth!" her mother hissed angrily while her father mottled an alarming shade of red.

"Unhand my daughter and I demand you explain yourself at once, young lady," he finally commanded.

Jason firmed his shoulders and leaned forward slightly, "You will not speak to my wife in that manner...Lord Webber."

"Wife?" her mother asked, clutching her hand to her throat. Elizabeth half-expected her to suddenly declare herself faint and call for smelling salts. "Oh, we are ruined."

"Yes," Jason continued on gravely, never looking away from her father's gaze, "I fear there shall be some scandal. My marriage to your daughter cannot entirely diminish the gossip that will be said. For I am only one man and could not marry your eldest daughter, Miss Webber, after she had absconded to Scotland with my brother and was then abandoned by the viscount."

"That's not true, Mama," Sarah declared and Elizabeth could only gape at her sister. How did Sarah truly believe that she would spin this tale her way? For even if she somehow succeeded in attaching the blame solely on Elizabeth, the scandal would still taint her as well. The missteps of one person in the family were held upon the heads of all family members.

"Mrs. Quartermaine," Jason said softly and she started when she realized he was speaking to her. "I believe you still have your sister's note?"

She looked at him for a moment and then nodded her head, opening her reticule and withdrawing Sarah's letter she had retained since that fateful morning. He held out his hand and she placed it in his grasp, ignoring her father's decree to give it to him. With precise movements, her husband unfolded the note and held it before him.

Dearest Lizzie -

I know that Mama and Papa shall be disappointed when they discover I am missing today; do try your best to console. If you are capable of the act. For while you believe Viscount Quartermaine is not a man to be trusted, I know you are merely jealous that he abandoned you for me. My dearest A.J. quite loves me and declares he no longer can wait to marry me. While I would have wished to have adorned the cathedral with ribbons and flowers and have everyone witness my triumphant match, I can in no way repine that I shall hereafter be known as Viscountess Quartermaine.

If you can somehow find a way to not answer Mother and Father's questions, you can relate to me how they looked when they read my first letter to them. Perhaps you will say that I am with the Barringtons...for Amanda's parents are away for a visit to Kent. Do not disappoint me, Lizzie...although I do not know why I have hopes for that. Perhaps this one time you may truly act like my sister instead of letting your jealousies overcome you.

Sarah

Jason folded the letter and tucked it into his waistcoat pocket, her father's eyes following every movement. He let out a sigh and then said, "I discovered, through independent means, that my brother had fled London because he is in debt to a rather unscrupulous man. I knew that he had been paying court to Miss Webber, and I arrived that morning fearful that he may have thrown society's dictates off and tried to persuade her to marry him...although I even feared he may have absconded with her forcefully all in an attempt to gain access to her dowry in order to pay his debtors. When I arrived, I found your other daughter in great distress and she showed me the note. I set out after my brother with the intent of stopping them, and asked Elizabeth, along with her maid and footman, to accompany me in the hopes she would convince her sister to change her plans and then be there to escort her back to town."

He paused and then said regretfully, "Unfortunately, they had too great a lead on us. We did not stop except for as long as it took to change horses, and at every place I learned that my brother was not stopping, either. We gained on him slightly, but arrived in Scotland too late. Had my brother remained, the wedding would have already taken place."

"Had he remained?" the baron asked through clenched teeth.

Jason looked at Sarah, then back her father. "I fear my brother's motives changed and he was no longer anxious to walk your daughter immediately to the altar. He wished to...he wished to take liberties with her first and when she resisted he declared he would not have her at all, regardless of her dowry, and he returned to England."

"Oh," Elizabeth's mother gasped and clutched at Sarah's hands. "The rake."

"Yes," the young groom nodded wearily. "I made inquiries and when I realized he was no longer in Scotland, I feared for the scandal that would befall your family. That is when I offered for your daughter Elizabeth. I know it will not quiet all talk, but I hoped that if at least one of your daughters returned home wedded, that it might mitigate some of the vicious comments that will surely be made."

"But why marry Elizabeth?" her mother asked. "Sarah is the one whose reputation was in greater risk. You should have married her. Elizabeth can fend for herself, or we can send her to relatives elsewhere. Why must Sarah face the scandal?"

"Perhaps because it is Sarah who brought the scandal on the family."

Every head pivoted towards the doorway where Elizabeth's older brother stood quietly. Elizabeth had not realized he was at home; she wondered if perhaps the butler had informed of their arrival.

"Steven," their mother said dismissively in the face of his agitation. "Surely-"

"Mother," he interrupted. "There will be scandal; there will be no escape. Our season is over. But for once in your life, place the blame where it belongs. On Sarah. Elizabeth did nothing wrong except foolishly care for a sister who would not take the same care to save her if the situations were reversed. From what I gathered since I have arrived, Sarah planned to elope with Viscount Quartermaine and Elizabeth's only fault was in caring enough about a sister to try to stop her from making a mistake and bringing shame on the family."

"She was alone with Jason while they traveled to Scotland," Sarah insisted.

"She had a maid and a footman from our family," Steven countered back, walking further into the room and looking directly at his sister until she looked away. "Can you say the same, Sarah?"

He paused and then said, "And he may be our new brother, but it is still the courteous thing to call him Mr. Quartermaine until he gives you leave to call him otherwise."

"Steven," their mother chided insistently, while plastering a false smile on her face. "This is really not the time to get into such dealings. We should not air our family grievances in front of near strangers."

"But he's not a stranger," her son replied triumphantly. "He is your daughter's husband. That means he is family. Just because he did not marry your favorite daughter and cover up her shame does not mean you can ignore him. Perhaps if you had indulged Sarah less she would not have thought it was a good joke to run off with a worthless rake and bring shame on this family."

"We had no way of knowing that Viscount Quartermaine was so very bad," the older woman shook her head.

Steven turned to look at their father appraisingly and asked, "Shall you tell her, or shall I?"

Looking at her husband, the baroness asked, "What? What does he mean?"

"I mean that when Elizabeth tried to warn Sarah, and our father, about Viscount Quartermaine's true character she was dismissed. Sarah believed she was merely jealous, and our father believed Elizabeth did not know the way of the ton since it was only her first season." Steven looked at Elizabeth and Jason, and then back to his mother. "Then I spoke to Father. I had heard rumors at Whites and my fencing club. I did not believe he was the kind of man who should be courting my sister, even Sarah. Father ignored my warnings."

With a disgusted shake of his head he said, "Like you, Mother, he was too caught up in the wonder that was the viscount. Of the great honor he was paying our family by courting Sarah. He liked that we would be linked to an earl's family. That his daughter should make such a match. He did not insist upon proper chaperones, he did not look into any of the rumors that anyone of the ton should have heard. Simply put, he did not care."

Gesturing to his two sisters he said, "And now look what has become of our family. Sarah eloped with a rake. The fact that she is not married to him is going to be known. Do you honestly think that the vicious gaggle of friends she keeps company with will keep her secret? They will turn on her as they turned on Lady Serena when she was jilted by her betrothed. Sarah claimed to be great friends with her, and then took great delight in tormenting her; cackling over her friend's betrothed being caught in a compromising position with another woman and getting the other woman with child. She did not care of the heartbreak of her friend, she only cared of the gossip she could spread and the scorn she could participate in with others."

Looking at Elizabeth, Steven's look softened. "Elizabeth has been the subject of their petty gossip as well, and I have no doubt Sarah wanted to embarrass our sister and somehow try to place all the blame and scandal upon her shoulders. Why else would she speak so inelegantly as to reference marital relations? Sarah probably believes that she can reenter society and she will not be judged for her misstep, forgetting of course, that if Elizabeth is in shame then she would share it as well. Unless she means to cut her own sister and disavow association with her."

Standing by Elizabeth's side and taking her hand, her brother said, "That is entirely unfair to Elizabeth who was only placed in a compromising position with an honorable man solely because they cared more about Sarah's reputation than she did."

Piercing a glare on their parents he declared, "Our entire family will face scorn, but it will face even more scorn if you do not curb Sarah and immediately welcome Mr. Quartermaine here to the family and openly acknowledge and sanction the marriage. For I have heard some rumblings at the club that cease the minute I walk into the room, but I have gathered enough to suspect that Viscount Quartermaine will not scruple to keep his journey with Sarah quiet. I overheard two men speaking and I believe the story the viscount intends to spread is that it was Sarah who threw herself at him and hid away in his coach when he left for a hunting trip to Scotland. When he discovered her...or more than likely tired of her meager charms, he left her behind. He will make great sport of our family, and the only way to minimize that damage is to welcome his brother as Elizabeth's husband."

Part 5

Elizabeth twisted her fingers in her lap as she sat across from Jason, the only outward sign of distress and nerves that his new wife would allow herself to make. The sounds of London drifted in through the carriage and a slight dampness crept inside as well as fog began to envelop the town. Elizabeth rubbed her hands lightly over the arms of her spencer as she looked out the windows of the carriage before dropping her hands back to her lap and her fingers immediately twining together again in a tight knot. The silence stretched between them and while he was normally one who relished the quiet stillness in company, he had learned enough of his wife to know that Elizabeth grew quiet when distressed and anxious.

That they were on their way to his parents' home was probably the source of her nerves. It was certainly the source of his.

Walking into the Webber home and facing Elizabeth's parents and older sister had been easy. Despite Baron Webber's rank and Sarah's peevishness, Jason had felt calm in the encounter. Perhaps because they were not the family that he grew up with and so they did not know how to work on him and manipulate his feelings as well as they could Elizabeth's. From the time that Jason had come to town and reluctantly participated in the Season, and then discovered his brother's interests in the well-dowered daughter of a baron, he had watched the Webber family closely and made a few inquiries in regards to them.

Nothing he had learned had particularly impressed him. The baron had an estate of some means, and was generally liked as a landlord, but he didn't exert himself. He left the management of his estate to his steward, or to his son, and did not truly know the needs of his people or address them in a manner he should. He was not an evil landlord, or a completely negligent one, it was merely that he did not make any effort. It seemed that the son was truly running the estate, but he was hampered from doing what he wanted by the fact that the baron was reluctant to implement changes he deemed too modern or that might truly benefit his tenants simply because of the initial outlay of expenses.

Baron Webber enjoyed his lifestyle, and so did his wife. They may have donated to poor houses, and volunteered at Ladies' Aid events, but it was more for show or because it was expected of them because the baron's father had begun some of the programs. Baroness Webber spoiled her oldest daughter and was neglectful of her youngest, and Jason had no doubt that was the reason A.J. had targeted Sarah after being dismissed by Elizabeth. Being the favored daughter, she would be easier prey; A.J. could also read people, and Sarah's spoilt attitude would make her eager to accept him in order to spite her sister. The baron and his wife were concerned about status and Steven Webber had accurately pegged his father in declaring the coup of a viscount courting their daughter was greater than the need for them to protect their daughter from a known rake.

Undoubtedly, had Sarah actually wed his brother, they would have sanctioned her marriage immediately. That it was Elizabeth who married had the baron threatening to withhold her dowry, even after her brother had spoken plainly to his parents and told them the consequences they would all face if they did not welcome Jason into the family. It was only after Steven dragged his father and Jason into the baron's study and frankly told the older man what would be said in regards to Sarah and the detriment it would be to their standing in society that his wife's father began to see reason.

While he did not particularly seem enthusiastic about it, he did declare - once they had returned to the ladies - that Elizabeth and her husband were to be welcomed warmly into the family and that the baroness was to host a dinner in a week to celebrate the marriage. In the mean time, he would send a notice to the Times announcing Elizabeth's marriage. The scandal would hit them and they would undoubtedly lose those they had considered friends, but they would do their best to mitigate it. The dinner would be their last evening in Town. The four Webbers would retire to their country estate the following day.

Elizabeth had been quiet after the men's return from the study, and Jason had noticed it, but was anxious to be on his way after the baron's decree to his wife and daughter. He suspected her mother had said some unflattering things, or had deliberately intended to upset Elizabeth; he did not know but it did nothing to endear his new mother to him. He knew not to press the issue and demand to know what was said because Elizabeth had grown even quieter, if possible, when they entered the carriage and Jason directed the driver to take them to Mayfair Square where the Quartermaine house was.

Perhaps he should have done, or said, something to calm his new bride, but Jason was facing his own battles at the moment. He knew that his parents would not be happy with his announcement, simply because of the way the affair was handled. And when they learned exactly why Jason had been in Scotland with Elizabeth, things would definitely not improve. Despite the best efforts of his parents, A.J. had certainly not grown into a respectable gentleman.

Sadly, that was due to their grandfather's influence in their lives. The former earl was a man obsessed with wealth, power and status. And for him, the only reason to have a second son was to have a spare in reserve should something happen to the heir; otherwise there was no use for him. A.J. was the apple of the old earl's eye, and Jason was relegated to an afterthought merely because there was already a first son. While his parents did their best to teach him and his brother good principles and respect for everyone, Jason knew they had faced a losing battle because his grandfather has spoiled A.J. and undermined their efforts. If their parents told A.J. no, the young man would merely go to their grandfather, whine, plead and flatter and soon he'd be granted everything he wished for.

The overindulgence by the earl had led A.J. to the belief that he was better than everyone, even his parents. Jason's grandfather had always been disappointed in his son because he was not ruthless enough for the old earl's tastes. Edward Quartermaine would lie, cheat and steal from his friends, and certainly from those he deemed beneath him, simply to add more money to the coffers and advance the family name. Scruples and honesty were for others, not for the Earl of Morgan. His son, Viscount Quartermaine, did not believe in such practices, much to the eternal chagrin of his father.

Jason's grandfather could also never forgive his father for the choice of his bride. It did not matter that he had sanctioned the marriage, albeit reluctantly, because the family faced potential financial ruin due to his dishonest practices, compounded by the scandalous death of his Aunt Tracy's first husband. Lady Monica was not whom he'd wanted, and he resented her presence in his life and so sought to make his son's life miserable, as if it was his sin instead of the old earl's. Jason's mother was a kind woman, but she was not a meek pushover, and stood up to the earl on several occasions. Her devotion to her husband had been scorned, and some had tried to insinuate that the couple had been unfaithful and cast aspersions on the parentage of Jason, and even his brother. His aunt had been the driving force behind some of those rumors, egged on by her father, all in the hopes of forcing her from the house and weakening Jason's father.

The earl wanted to raise A.J. in his image and quite resented his parents claiming that he was their son and insisting he step back and stop interfering. Lady Lila was sometimes able to curtail him and check his behavior, but her husband had taken great delight in indulging A.J. and sometimes even pitting father against son and brother against brother simply for his own amusements. Now that his grandfather was dead and his father was the earl, A.J. had become openly fractious and quarrelsome with his parents because they refused to indulge him as he was accustomed to.

He did not wish to be denied anything, and when the earl cut his annual stipend, A.J. turned to gambling and shady characters in London underbelly to keep him supplied with enough money. Unfortunately, the viscount did not have a head for cards any more than he had a head for the business of an estate, and he did not understand that those who would loan him money would apply such terms to the promissory notes to make it dangerous for everyone associated with him. He did not believe that they would be smart enough to cheat him because they were inferior, and so A.J. only ever won enough money to keep him hooked and anxious for more, but never enough to truly come out ahead.

His mounting debts had led to his desperate attempt to elope with a wealthy heiress, without any regards to the consequences of his actions. The fact that he had returned to London and society and was seeking to disparage Sarah Webber's reputation would not bother A.J. at all. Jason could only hope that it would bother his parents, and the dowager, as he told Elizabeth back in Gretna Green. Perhaps they would finally step in and firmly address A.J.'s problems as they had been threatening to do, but had never followed through on. Perhaps they would work even harder to rein in his wild brother, instead of turning a blind eye to the worst of his actions and hoping that he would care enough to desire to reform.

Jason personally did not hold much hope for such a scenario, and feared that the family infighting sure to begin over this scandal would reach Biblical proportions. A.J. had always accused Jason of coveting his position as the eldest son, simply because he would have resented Jason had he been born second. The viscount could never understand that Jason had accepted his status; certain that like Cain Jason sought to bring about his demise to usurp his position and status. It always made Jason cautious around his brother when A.J. spoke of Jason murdering him; because he sometimes wondered whether his brother would seek to do him harm. Jason had an estate that was not dependent upon their father, he had investments separate from the family holdings, and while Jason did not flaunt his means, he was certain A.J. was shrewd enough to know he had independent wealth. For how else would Jason have purchased a London home?

Jason did not wish his brother ill, despite not liking him. When he spoke in Scotland that A.J.'s creditors may seek to do him harm, he did not say it with hope of inheriting the earldom one day; he spoke it in fear for his brother. A.J.'s recklessness would be his downfall, and because he was not married and lacked a proper heir, the earldom would devolve to Jason. Something he was beginning to suspect his brother would do anything possible to prevent. It was a frightening thing to contemplate, but it was a growing fear.

It made him very glad he had a separate residence both in Town and in the country. Because he had now just created another target for his brother's perfidy. Jason had a bride, and only the two of them knew that she could not be with child. Jason knew that he would have to ensure that his staff knew to be on their guard for any action A.J. might take against him, or his bride. He just did not know exactly how much of a threat his brother would be, but he had a feeling he would get a clue very soon. For the carriage had just stopped turned onto Mayfair.

Part 6

Elizabeth squared her shoulders as she stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the imposing home before her. It was certainly one of the bigger homes she'd visited, her friends farther removed from the upper circles of society and not possessing such prominent residences, and it was slightly intimidating to know that she was now family to those who resided here. Jason was looking at the house with his own look of trepidation and she decided that just as he'd been strong for her when they visited her family, she now needed to be strong for him.

She touched his arm lightly and was rewarded with a grateful look and just the hint of a smile as he seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts and slip her hand easily into the crook of his arm. He stood a little taller as they ascended the stairs to the front door and Jason was about to reach out when the door opened and a tall, slender man appeared. He must have heard the carriage's arrival and was waiting for Jason to appear before the door.

"Mr. Quartermaine," he said with a bow of his head. "Welcome, sir."

He eyed Elizabeth curiously, but did not say anything. As the obvious butler of the home, he would be too ingrained in the duties of his role to inquire who she was. It was for Jason to introduce her.

"Thank you, Reginald," her husband replied. "Are my parents and grandmother at home?"

"Yes," the man replied, helping Jason with his great coat while a maid appeared to help Elizabeth out of her spencer. "They are in the Gold Drawing Room. Shall I announce you?"

"In a moment," Jason stated. "I wanted to ask you if you've seen my brother recently."

The other man hesitated just a second before replying, "Not for several weeks. I believe the viscount usually stays...elsewhere when he is in London."

"Yes," the younger man replied, his expression darkening. Then he let out a breath and said, "Reginald, I would like to introduce my wife, Elizabeth Quartermaine, daughter of Baron Jeffrey Webber."

The only reaction the butler allowed himself was a lift of his eyebrow and then he turned to Elizabeth and said, "Mrs. Quartermaine. Welcome, madam."

"Is my sister at home?" Jason wondered.

"She is in the music room with her companion," was the reply. "You know the countess has declared this time for her practice."

"Yes," he nodded. "It is probably better she is there for now. I believe it should be just us when we speak to my parents and my grandmother."

"Of course, sir," the butler stated. "Let me announce you."

He looked as if he wanted to stop the man, but in the end, they followed behind him. The house was grand and opulently decorated, more ornate than Elizabeth personally preferred but thankfully not so ostentatious as to be gaudy. The butler opened the door and stepped inside just enough to block the doorway. "Mr. and Mrs. Jason Quartermaine."

"What?" she heard a man exclaim, but then Jason was guiding her inside the room and the butler stepped back to close the door. Three people stared at them and the earl, as dark as Jason was fair, demanded, "Jason, what is the meaning of this? Reginald announced Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine?"

"Hello, Father," Jason said, his voice strained, yet firm. "Please, allow me to explain."

"I should think so."

"Alan," a soft, reedy voice drew attention to the chair near the sofa where a woman with silver hair sat. "Let them come in before you begin demanding answers. The fact that Jason is here shows he has come to talk to us. Allow him the opportunity to speak."

"Yes, Mother," the older man instantly softened and his shoulders relaxed. "Please, come in, Son."

"Thank you," Jason inclined his head. "Thank you, Grandmother. It is good to see you. And you as well, Mother."

He cleared his throat and then said, "Reginald was correct when he introduced us. Please allow me to introduce my wife, Elizabeth Quartermaine. She is the daughter of Baron Jeffrey Webber and...and we were married in Scotland."

The earl's eyes darkened and before his wife could place a hand on his arm he demanded, "Eloped? You eloped with a baron's daughter?"

"It was not planned, Father," her husband said firmly, yet his voice was not angry as the earl's. "We actually traveled to Gretna Green to prevent her sister from eloping with A.J. We arrived to find that A.J. had abandoned Miss Webber and left her there, and I was trying to minimize the scandal that I knew would affect both our families when I offered for Elizabeth."

"A.J.," the Earl of Morgan hissed harshly. "So that is where he has run off to. I suppose he is now in the country to avoid Baron Webber coming after him and demanding he marry Miss Webber."

"No," Jason shook his head. "A.J. has returned to town and has begun saying that Miss Webber snuck into his coach while he was on his way to Scotland for a hunting trip. He is trying to ruin her reputation so that he may find another heiress to marry and provide him the means to repay his debts."

"Blasted!" the older man thundered. "He is in debt again?"

"Alan," the countess spoke. "It does no good to become angry with Jason. Plus, we have not even welcomed our daughter-in-law or asked her to sit down. I know you have questions; I know you are angry, but, please."

"Forgive me, my dear," he said, his tone once again softening. "Forgive me, Mother."

Then turning to Elizabeth he said, "Forgive me, Mrs. Quartermaine. I apologize. It was, you can imagine, a shock."

"Of course," she murmured, remaining rooted by Jason's side, her grip on his arm tight.

"Please have a seat," the countess encouraged them, standing and crossing the room to pull the chord in the corner.

Jason took her hand from his arm, but held it, while the arm she had been holding onto went behind her and a gentle hand settled on her back. He propelled her forward until they were by the dowager and Elizabeth saw that the chair she was sitting in actually had wheels on it. They were mostly hidden by the blanket which covered her lap. Jason went bent down and placed a kiss on his grandmother's cheek and she beamed up at him, then turned a soft, welcoming look on Elizabeth.

"Welcome, my dear girl," she said with a smile. "I am so pleased to have a new granddaughter in the family."

"Th-thank you," Elizabeth stammered out softly, dropping a respectful curtsey to the dowager countess. "It is an honor to meet you."

"No formalities needed, dear," the older woman shook her head and lifted an arthritic hand. "You may call me Grandmother if you wish. I know that it is unconventional and there is much to discuss, still, but let me congratulate you on your marriage."

Elizabeth looked to Jason, feeling lost and he gently guided her to the sofa and sat down beside her. The countess had relocated to a chair next to her husband's and they were all quiet for a moment, each regarding the other person as a maid arrived and set a tea service on a table. The countess did the honors herself after dismissing the younger woman, and handed Elizabeth the first cup after enquiring how she preferred her tea. Once everyone had drinks, she looked at her son and tilted her head to the side.

"I suppose you should start at the beginning and tell us all that happened." She shot a look at her husband and the earl stayed silent, taking a large gulp of his tea.

Jason took a breath, and then with an economy of words explained the situation. From the recent gambling debts he'd heard of, the rumors at his club that came to his attention, and watching his brother pay particular attention to Sarah. The viscount was in deep and Jason had begun to investigate, knowing that his brother was trying to avoid it coming to their father's attention, and discovered that the sum was large and Sonny Corinthos was growing impatient. There were also debts of honor among A.J.'s friends, and he was feeling pressured from many sides, including the family who had told him they would not cover his debts again after the previous times.

Letting out a breath he said, "Then there was the bet in the book."

The earl looked sharply at his son and Jason said, "I investigated the betting book at the club and there was a wager that said A.J. would marry Elizabeth's sister before the end of the season. Some wagered it would be much sooner, and then there was one that A.J. himself wrote stating that perhaps he would return from Scotland some day soon with a viscountess."

He reached over and took Elizabeth's hand and said, "I began watching A.J., knowing that Miss Webber was in jeopardy from his attentions and wondering how I could arrange an introduction to Baron Webber to warn him. My man got word that A.J. had left town in a great hurry and that he was talking of a traveling companion. I immediately set off for the Webber's house and discovered Elizabeth outside, upset to find her sister had eloped with A.J. We took her maid and footman and set out for Gretna Green ourselves, inquiring at every stop and discovering A.J.'s coach was not stopping. We arrived in Scotland too late to stop the marriage, if it would have occurred. A.J.-"

He suddenly stopped and looked at his grandmother and mother and cleared his throat. "A.J. made inappropriate requests of Miss Webber and when she would not comply, he stated he would not marry her. He left her in Scotland and returned to Town where he has now begun a process of ruining her reputation by stating she chased after him and he had his fun, but that was all."

The earl looked incensed and Elizabeth wondered whether he believed her husband or not, but it was the dowager who spoke. "The whole business was inappropriate."

"Yes, Grandmother," Jason murmured.

"And so you offered for the younger sister?" she prompted gently.

He nodded. "I knew that the Webber family would be affected by scandal and I hoped that by there being at least one marriage, that some talk might be mitigated. Elizabeth traveled with me, and although there was a maid present at all times, I knew that people would question her reputation as well."

"Why not offer for the older sister?" his mother wondered. "She would have the greater scandal attached to her name."

Elizabeth looked down, feeling the implication behind the words. Jason should not have married her; he should have at least married Sarah who was more acceptable in spite of this misstep. She felt her husband squeeze her hand and she closed her eyes hoping to stem the sting of tears.

"I would not have married Miss Webber even if Elizabeth had not been there," he stated. "Sarah Webber may be a pretty girl, but she is cruel and vicious and not at all the kind of woman I wish to be married to."

She glanced up cautiously, ready to divert her gaze again, but stopped when she saw her husband looking at her, and not his mother. When he caught her eye he smiled slightly and continued on. "I came to know Elizabeth as we traveled and I came to admire her character; her loyalty to her family even when her sister would not show her the same consideration, her bravery and her intelligence. While I know that this marriage is not conventional..."

He turned to look at the two other ladies in the room, "And I am sorry for the talk that will surround our union...I find that I cannot really regret my choice. I...I look forward to the opportunity to come to know my wife better, to deepen our connection by building on common interests and discovering new ones, and...and maybe coming to care for her as I have seen you have in your marriages."

There was silence after he finished speaking, and then he flushed slightly and cleared his throat. Elizabeth gazed at him in pure wonder, amazed at all he had said. It was not common in marriages to feel this way, it was not done to share one's thoughts and feelings - even with family, and she truly hoped that Jason honestly felt this way and was not just saying pretty words to convince his family.

"Very well done, my boy," the dowager spoke warmly, her eyes twinkling with delight at the couple. "I see now why you acted so. You were not merely being honorable."

The Countess of Morgan leaned forward and reached her hand out, brushing it over her son's arm. "I couldn't agree more."

"Yes, yes," the earl broke in gruffly. "It is all very good that Jason appears to have found himself a bride, but there is one remaining point. What are we to do with A.J.? The fact that he could so carelessly and callously act and injure Miss Webber is reprehensible, not to mention the fact that once again he has amassed debts when I told him I was done covering for him. I cannot allow him to behave so or the moment I am gone this earldom will become morally and physically bankrupt. Yet...yet, I cannot turn my back completely on my son."

Jason clenched his jaw and said, "I do not know what to tell you, Father. But I will not allow his actions to injure my new family. The Webbers are hosting a dinner to celebrate their daughter's marriage and I...I worry about what A.J. will do when he reads the announcement that will run in tomorrow's Times."

His father's face darkened into a terrible scowl and he sat back roughly in his chair and breathed out once again, "Blast! What am I to do with that boy?"