3

Ian

I hated that Count Sunde only got charged with aggravated assault and his sons with simple assault. I understood that it was what the prosecution could prove easily, and anything else would cause Mabel more distress than help.

Andgetting the conviction or plea was most important to humiliate them into hiding at their estate instead of bothering Mabel again… But I really just hated how unfair life was and that her family was so horrid.

But they took the deals and received smaller sentences which meant Mabel didn't have to sit through trials and be subjected to more upset. She didn't have to take the time when she wanted to move forward and focus on her business.

She saw it as a win.

Especially when her family left the capital and made it clear they wouldn't be returning for the next season. Probably so they didn't come into contact with the Matthias family, but I didn't care. I wanted them out of her life.

My life took me back to my own territory for a few weeks which I was unhappy about. Colin came with and was a wreck about leaving Kathy in the capital with Mabel, but that woman would give her life to protect his sister.

And we both knew it. Also, that she would not let Kathy get into any sort of trouble or become the subject of rumors.

On the contrary, Kathy was finally engaged in studying and more than being spoiled and frivolous. I didn't even blame her given how she had no mother figure and an absent father. No real parental figure besides her brother left for her… We all had issues.

I still adored her like a younger cousin.

"Kathy asked to go riding with an older mixed group and Mabel would not allow it," I told Colin. "Whitney says it was amusing to watch Mabel say that if Kathy would behave like a child then she would not act like a friend and explain why she denied her request and would simply turn Kathy over her knee."

Colin slowly looked up from what he was reading and blinked at me. "And how did that go?"

"According to Whitney, Kathy apologized and asked Mabel what she knew," I answered.

"That woman has magic," Colin whispered, shaking his head but then frowned. "Why did she deny it?"

I didn't know the answer either, reading ahead, not hiding my shock when I saw it. "Apparently, the year Mabel married, one of the group's older brothers came to dinner with Daniel Matthias and told a story how those outings are perfect to ruin a woman from wealth and into forced marriages. He did just that when the family would not agree and they were quickly wed, which made him a fortune."

"I have never heard of such a thing," Colin muttered.

"That was Mabel's point," I sighed. "That it's always something covered up, but she knew of at least three instances that could be tied directly to those Sunday coed rides. If there's a good enough reason for people to look the other way or suddenly fall behind, two are left alone without chaperones. She heard a woman speak about her guilt but said she'd had no choice."

"How horrible. I must thank her for worrying about Kathy," Colin whispered. "I had no idea. Goddess above, I could have let her walk right into a trap."

Yes, because we would have done a lot to protect Kathy.

And that made her the best way to get at us… Mostly me.

"After Kathy apologized, Mabel offered to chaperone a riding outing with several young ladies, saying my knights would escort them and keep them safe," I told Colin. "And the mothers were welcome to join if they wished while the younger women talked. Funny because Mabel is closer to their age but would be put in with the mothers."

"True, but a very kind offer given how busy Mabel is. You were right that she was the best choice. She's very diligent and honorable." He snorted and signed something before flipping a page. "How she came from that family and survived the viper's nest of the Matthiases is a miracle of the goddess for sure."

"Yes, it is," I agreed. More than you know, Colin. I read the rest of the letter and appreciated all of the updates from Whitney except learning that Mabel and Andre were becoming closer.

I didn't want to hear that. Yes, I wanted to know what was going on, but I didn't want that to be the truth.

I snickered at the next few letters. "Several more nobles write asking where they can get this new lotion to help with arthritis and aches that I am stockpiling and hiding. I love the moment they are told to keep a secret no one knows how to."

"The woman is very intelligent. She definitely knows how to market and work people. I would not have thought to do such a stealthy campaign like that. Most would have done samples on opening day or something. Are you going to tell them you had early access to some Transformative products?"

"I am going to do whatever Mabel tells me to do when we arrive back to the capital."

He snickered but then did a double take. "Smitten looks good on you, Ian."

"Enough of your stupid," I grumbled, only making him laugh.

A few days later, it was time for me to return to the capital and Colin was staying as he normally did… But without Kathy.

"I will send you daily updates. You know she's safe with Mabel and more so when I am there," I reminded him.

"I know, I know, and it's time for her to build her own life," he mumbled, giving a fake chuckle. "Daily updates are ridiculous, Ian."

Yes, but he still wanted them. "Three times a week, I insist."

The grateful look he gave me for offering and not teasing him for being too much was nice. At least he'd let go of some of what he'd normally tease me about for the time being.

The travel back was more tedious than normal because I was in a rush to see Mabel now that I could. I used the excuse of the letter from Colin to Kathy to go right to her house instead of my own.

I hadn't expected to arrive to find deliveries and people around her front gate.

"Make a hole, people," I exclaimed.

"Hey, wait your turn," someone called over his shoulder. "We are all here for a chance with her."

"Who?" I bit out.

The guy snorted and elbowed the man next to him. "Right, this guy is going to try and pretend he does not know how much the countess is worth. That will be his ploy. He will not get far when everyone says she's smart."

"She is much smarter than the rumors, and I know that having worked with her and helping in her divorce," I said loudly. "Now make a damn hole and stop being a nuisance."

"Your Grace, we have got this," someone said towards the front. I saw my knights who were on assignment to guard Kathy and Mabel come out and push people back so I could get through.

"What in the bloody hell is going on?" I demanded once I was inside the gate.

James was there, one of my most trusted knights who normally guarded me but I'd left to stick to Kathy so Colin felt better. He gave me a worried look. "Word got out how much the countess has."

I frowned. "It's been going around for weeks that she received a hefty divorce settlement. Why is this now suddenly front-page news that led to this?"

He scrubbed the back of his neck and glanced at the house. "After the issue with the Sunde family and the blowup at the bank, people got nosy when you weren't here."

"Why did no one tell me?" I seethed.

"We did not know. We still do not have the full story besides gifts and suitors, and every person with a shady investment opportunity started arriving yesterday afternoon. We have had all hands on deck just making sure nothing and no one bad got through. The commander knows and promised to get us answers."

I was definitely sure Andre was all over it.

Just as I would be.

Before I even went inside, I dispatched two of my knights to the information guild that I used to get me the details. I headed for the door and thanked the knight who let me right in, feeling bad that I didn't knock or wait to be let in by the owner.

I wasn't that pompous or full of myself.

"They just sat down to lunch, Your Grace," the knight informed me.

I went to the dining room and found Kathy and Mabel looking frazzled. "I apologize for letting myself in but—"

Mabel's head shot up and the relief in her eyes at seeing me made my heart race. "No, you are always welcome here. I am sorry there's such a circus—another circus—is there always just to be a circus around me?"

"This is not your fault," Kathy comforted. "They should be ashamed of how they are acting. None of this is on you."

"What exactly is happening?" I asked as I moved closer and greeted Kathy first, giving her the letter before sitting next to Mabel.

"We think it was the bank," Mabel said quietly. "People knew the divorce settlement was not small but… After the incident at the bank—some there apparently thought that my father would come take over the money. They did not understand the name change aside from the manager. When others knew the real situation—they give loans and have ties to investors who—"

"Someone there leaked information about who had control of a new untapped fortune," I finished for her. "And every second and third son who noble families will not waste a dowry on will…" I shook my head. "I am so sorry, Mabel."

"Me too," she rasped, quickly wiping her eyes. "Every time I think I know just how horrible the world can be, there's some new layer to make me hurt. I just want to stop hurting. Is that really too much to ask? For people to stop finding new ways to hurt me?"

"No, that is a very easy thing to ask that should not be such a big deal, but unfortunately the world is cruel. Even good people lose their heads. I cannot defend them, but… I have friends that are second and third sons, and what their lives can be—the world is very unforgiving to them."

Just as it was to women. That was the point I wanted to make but without saying that.

She shocked me by snorting. "Boo-hoo. They have full rights as citizens that women do not. We cannot be adults unless we have been married and normally widowed to protect our children, but even the law knew that was too sexist to write. I refuse to feel bad for them that they will not work an honest job like others assisting people when I would have bled for that chance."

Well, wasn't I just the asshole?

Normally, but I didn't mean to be.

"You are right. You are absolutely right. I am not defending them. I will say that the families can brainwash them as to their duty just as you were. You hear it all enough, and even I… It's not easy and never the only thing. All swindlers though, we can drop in the ocean with sharks."

Her lips twitched and she let out a soft chuckle. "Yes, that would be nice."

"Colin sent a nice gift that you will love to thank you for saving me from the trap of that horrid coed outing," Kathy said. "It's one of my favorite treats from right by Ian's castle. Nothing is better than the jellied candies from that shop. I'd pick them over cake."

Mabel's eyes flashed shock. "You love cake."

"I do. I would eat cake at every meal if my figure and health would allow it, but there is something so innocent about the candies that have a…"

"Nostalgia to them," I offered, nodding when she did. "Yes, I think many of us feel the same which is why that shop is so popular." I winked at Mabel. "It's also a very laborious job, so you should send samples of your wares to them so they will want to purchase."

"Yes, thank you."

I was glad when she seemed to relax a bit and was relieved when she tucked into her lunch. I thanked her for the meal and enjoyed it as well.

When it was over, I shared a look with Kathy and she nodded for me to go ahead. I followed after Mabel up to her workroom and waited until she was futzing around with something.

"I do not want to overstep, but if you are comfortable with it, I will assert myself in the situation," I said gently.

"What is there to assert yourself into?" she asked with a huff and waved towards the outside. "Let the idiots stand out there all they want. I was worried about Kathy's reputation getting dragged through the mud that men are crawling all over here, but she's already received a few letters asking if she's enjoying the stupidity of men. Let them be stupid."

Except men didn't like to be made fools of… Well, no one did, but men more than women took things to another level.

Normally, a bad level.

I was worried about someone breaking in and trying to crawl into her bed or assaulting her in her carriage to make some sort of scandal. The man with the right backing could start rumors and try to push Mabel into a corner.

She wouldn't care, but it could become a mess for her, and I couldn't stand for her to have more reasons to be upset.

"Still, you prefer calm, and I do not want the knights distracted," I pushed.

She let out a slow breath and simply stared at what was in her hands. "I will not object to you getting involved if you wish to give your knights reprieve, but I am not taking on the debt of you doing me a favor for this."

I flinched at her words. Was that really the impression I'd given her of me?

Yes. Probably yes.

"We are more than that, Mabel," I hedged. "You gave me lunch and—not everything is a transaction."

"How should I know that? When you do not even inform me that you are leaving for your territory for a few weeks and I find out from Kathy and Colin—what am I supposed to think?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I tried a few times, but I basically just stared at her moving around and getting ingredients ready. "I apologize. I thought I told you."

She shrugged. "You have no need to tell me anything. I am not worth the consideration apparently."

I moved closer and boxed her in against the table, leaning down and resting my head on her shoulder, loving how she shivered. "You are, lovely. It was my mistake. I thought—things have been too chaotic. I spent more time trying to get Colin to let go and stop hovering over Kathy, telling him she would be protected with you, that I lost sight of my other priorities."

"What priorities?"

"You," I whispered, kissing her neck. "I am sorry, Mabel. Let me make it up to you. Let's have dinner tonight and take the night off since we have been so busy. Let me treat you as I should."

"I did not think dinner dates were included in getting to know each other," she hedged.

"You go out with Kathy. We are not going to announce that we are a couple, simply spend time together. Tongues may wag, but they always do, so let them."

She took in a slow breath and let it out. "Someplace quiet might be all right. My family made another mess for me, and I do not want people to think I am hiding in shame or…"

"I will handle it and the annoyance outside so we will not worry about leaving Kathy here. Again, I apologize for not telling you I was leaving. I get… You are such a part of my life now that I thought you just knew, but that's not the same as me telling you and sharing my life with you. I will not make that mistake again."

"You make it sound so intimate," she chuckled nervously, probably understanding how her being miffed came off. "I would have been sore with Kathy as well."

No, she wouldn't have. That was clear from the blush on her cheeks.

Still, I would take the win.

Gladly.

"I will leave you to your work." I moved to the side of her and waited until she looked at me. "All of your injuries healed? You have been well? I only know what Kathy told Colin. I did not even receive a letter from you."

She flinched but then focused back on her hands. "Yes, well, you left without telling me and did not send me a letter either. I would have gladly reciprocated." She hurried on like she knew she'd won the point but didn't want to linger on it. "And yes, healed, and the doctor gave me the all-clear."

"Good, good." I leaned in and kissed her cheek again. "I will pick you up at five for dinner?"

"Yes, I can be ready by then," she agreed.

I left and headed out to the madness, glad she gave me permission to put a stop to it when I saw two more carriages arrive. I whistled loudly and jumped up on the short front wall so everyone could see me.

"The owner of this house is accepting guests by invitation only. You have been told that as you arrived, and ignoring that will not win her over. I am now making it clear that you are all being a nuisance, so disperse or we will make you."

"With all due respect, Your Grace, but I will hear that directly from the owner of this house, not you or your knights," someone bravely—or stupidly—countered. "For all we know, you could be keeping the countess under wraps and—"

"Insult my honor when it comes to the lady and I will challenge you, sir," I warned. "I am not speaking as the man taking her out to dinner tonight or this would be a much different conversation. I am speaking as a friend who does not like seeing her have to deal with this annoyance. And none of you are worthy of even being her friend when you do not listen to her wishes."

Mabel must have heard what was going on or followed after to listen. "This is why I told you to ignore the fools."

I whipped around to watch her hurry down her porch steps towards me. "They are causing a disturbance and you hate any type of circus."

"Yes, but now they are going to try and turn it around that you are holding me captive or some such nonsense and intrude further with backing for my benefit. You cannot trust people to be honorable, Your Grace. Few are."

She called it though. The guilt or anger coming off of half of the people there was enough to make my hawk agitated.

"Please help me up," she said to James when she reached the wall.

I gave him a look not to dare and jumped down before easily lifting her to stand on the wall before hopping back up.

She blinked at me a moment. "You are much stronger than I'd thought. That was fun. Thank you."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Anytime, My Lady."

She snickered and focused out front. "While I appreciate all of you trying to make my acquaintance, now that it's known that my money will be mine and not managed by my family or taken over by a male relative, it's obvious that's the only reason you now care to know me. I do not wish to know any of you. Please stop annoying the knights and guards I am paying for.

"I do not want to have to pay them extra for this level of insanity because you are acting like fools. No, I will not invest in whatever scheme you have. I am not even stupid enough to think of investing without a full business proposal and accredited filings which none of the correspondences I have received even have. So if you insult my intelligence, I will not worry about my manners.

"I am a busy woman with my own business, I care not for yours. Please disperse before I contact the queen and let her know the project I am helping her with has to be delayed because of this nonsense and give her all of your names as you shouted them to the knights for an audience with me. Now, be on your way and have more honor than trying to prey on a woman. Thank you."

She turned and smiled at me, even batting her eyelashes as if to say she could handle it just fine.

I bowed to her before jumping down, lifting her, and setting her on the ground. "I apologize, My Lady. You seemed upset when I arrived and I could not let that stand."

"Yes, well, you breezed in and out so fast to not interrupt what I was doing, I realized you might have missed why or misunderstood," she admitted. She turned and waved at someone.

My eyes went wide as a few of the knights came towards us loaded with flower arrangements. Then I bit back my first reaction. "You were overwhelmed with the gifts?"

"My sitting room is a florist's shop," she drawled. "It's too much to appreciate, and I was upset they will all go to waste because of greed and trying to get at me first instead of people using their brains. I thought if you have just returned, your house wouldn't have made orders and such for you, so you could make use of them."

I honestly had no idea how that was all handled. Colin handled the budget with my house butlers, and it was all done through them. I preferred not knowing and it all just running efficiently.

But she was right. I couldn't see them making flower orders when I was out of town… Or much of them even when I was. I was fairly sure there were only a few vases that were filled in my house even when I was in town.

I thanked her, loving that the men gathered were not happy that their gifts were probably being given to another man.

I was less thrilled when she had more sent over to Andre next door and even to brighten up the police station. Fine, she was fair—she always was—but everyone wanted to feel special.

Even men.

Especially those of us born princes.

Oh geez, Andre's right, I am the most spoiled prince.

Still, I gratefully took my gifts and headed to my house to get the piles of work done that I needed. I was met with amazing news from the manager of my ink company. All of Mabel's ingenious invention was sold out. There were a few complaints from people not following the instructions and ruining whole pots of the ink.

But that was their fault and we'd warned them. They simply wanted it to be more and easier for them and cheaper and… Everything. People just wanted everything always and constantly.

Annoying, but that was life.

When it was time, I cleaned up and changed into something appropriate for dinner. The reservation had been made, and while I'd thought to stop and pick up fresh flowers for Mabel… It seemed rather silly after what happened earlier.

Mabel came out before I could even get out of the carriage and knock on the door. She looked radiant in a simple—no, elegant dress. It was a deeper green than her eyes and looked perfect with her jet-black hair. The dress had a very simple cut without hip pads or hoops that looked ridiculous to me.

It had multiple layers so it wasn't formfitting that would have been considered scandalous. That always made me roll my eyes when the amount of cleavage shown in those sorts of gowns was practically indecent. But this was just right for her and no-nonsense just as she was. The short sleeves had shoulder poofs and she was wearing gloves probably to stay warm.

"You look perfection, My Lady," I praised.

Her cheeks immediately flushed. "I am just glad to have a chance to wear one of the dresses Kathy helped me with instead of her pouting they would all hang in my wardrobe forever." She might have said it teasingly, but I saw how nervous she was. Her dress wasn't out of style, but it wasn't the typical garish dresses most of her age and station would wear.

Then again, they would probably be single as in never married, not like Mabel who was single after a divorce.

Still, I appreciated her style and was glad she wouldn't let anyone influence her into something she didn't want. It was important for her to turn over a new leaf.

Unfortunately, some people wouldn't let her forget.

"I am sorry, Your Grace, but your companion is not allowed to dine here," the manager announced as we walked through the door of the restaurant.

I blinked at him for a full minute. "Are you having a laugh? Whyever not?"

He cleared his throat and seemed flustered that I wouldn't make this easy on him. He glanced around and lowered his voice. "She is a divorcee, Your Grace. Please understand."

No, I wouldn't, and I almost exploded.

Pissant.