Sterling sat in the parlor, sipping the wine that Lucy had brought to them. Across from him sat Mr. Warren Morgan, a man who typically kept somewhat to himself. Mr. Morgan was new money, having had a stroke of luck when his wheat harvest had been one of the only ones that survived the flood the previous summer. He had used the proceeds to buy an estate just west of Northbrook which had fallen out of the line of succession years ago. It was a small keep on a relatively insignificant plot of land without many people living on it to pay him their dues. But it had kept Mr. Morgan busy for the better part of a year and, though it was well known that Mr. Morgan rarely left his home, there were rumors of constant visitors streaming in and out at all hours of the night. Despite his inclination of keeping to himself, he had begun to acquire a bit of an insidious reputation for himself if the gossip of the townsfolk and Sterling's sister was to be believed. So, what was this mysterious homebody of a man doing in Lord Sterling Huntington's parlor? He watched him suspiciously as they drank.

"So, Mr. Morgan," Lord Huntington began, setting his glass down upon the end table next to his chair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"My sister, you know, she married a Balienese," he said, setting down his glass as well, and smiling at his host somewhat awkwardly. "She's come to visit and has admonished me for my hesitance to get to know my neighbors. So I thought I would stop in for a chat."

"Well, Mr. Morgan, you're always welcome in Northbrook."

"Thank you very much, my Lord," he answered.

It was quiet for a moment, both of the men watching the other. Sterling had been waiting for his visitor to get on with the business he was truly here to conduct, as he highly doubted the man would travel so far for a simple chat, but Mr. Warren Morgan did not seem to be in any hurry so Sterling was left grasping for idle small talk.

"Are you expecting another excellent harvest this year?" he queried politely.

"Oh I do," he retorted. "In fact, I just stopped in town on my way to visit and it seems some of my new buyers intend to stay with me this coming year as well."

"That's wonderful."

"Indeed. In fact, I heard some other interesting news when I was in town this morning as well. It seems a wagon was found overturned on the northern road through the forest."

"Truly? How interesting. When was this?"

"They just discovered it two mornings ago. Very curious, indeed. You know, they found two bodies at the scene. One was a merchant. The wagon was presumably his but, oddly enough, there was no merchandise to be found."

"I imagine the brigands stole it when they upended his wagon and killed him."

"Quite possible. But the other man found dead, he wore the pin of the rebellion."

Lord Huntington paused as he always did when there was mention of the rebellion. He had known about the overturned wagon, of course, as they had found it on his land but he had never asked for details on what had transpired. This man, it seemed, had. But why?

"So the rebels attacked the man's wagon and stole his goods. But he got to one of them," Lord Huntington summarized.

"The investigators don't think so," he said. "They said it looked as if the merchant was killed from a distance with an arrow. That means there was someone else there."

Lord Huntington waved his hand dismissively. "Thieves turn on each other all the time. Sounds to me like whoever killed the merchant simply did not want to share the spoils."

Was it Lord Huntington's imagination or did Mr. Morgan seem displeased by that remark?

"Mr. Morgan," someone spoke from behind him and Lord Huntington turned to see his sister standing in the parlor doorway, smiling at their visitor. "What a pleasant surprise. I was not aware you were coming."

"I'm afraid I sent no warning," Mr. Morgan responded pleasantly, smiling brightly at his sister. Lord Huntington did not miss the look in his visitor's eyes as he continued. "Your brother and I have simply been speaking on a few matters of town."

"Speaking of business? And after you've just arrived?" Cora asked scandalously. "Surely you must be exhausted from your journey. You must desire to rest and rid yourself of the dust of the road."

"That would be wonderful."

"Lucy!" his sister called, turning to the servant. "Take Mr. Morgan to a spare bedroom so that he may rest and clean up before dinner."

"Yes, my Lady," Lucy curtsied and then bustled off down the hall with Mr. Morgan in tow. When they had gone, Cora crossed the room, took Sterling's wine glass, and downed it in one gulp.

"I need to talk with you," she said, turning to face him.

"So I expected. Turns out I need to speak with you as well."

She looked intrigued. "About?"

"Mr. Morgan as it so happens. Did I detect a hint of flirtation between the two of you?"

"Men flirt with me all the time. I flirt back when the occasion warrants it. Why?"

"Mr. Morgan wants something from me. There is no way he came to visit just for a chat. We've been sitting here for an hour and all he's managed to talk about has been the wheat harvest and that blasted wagon that overturned in the forest."

"Mrs. Harrison won't stop talking about that either," Cora said, rolling her eyes. "It's the talk of the town. Truly, nothing happens in Northbrook."

He smiled.

"What do you need from me?" she asked.

"Clearly he likes you. Use his attentions to discover his intentions. I like to know what the guests in my house want from me and Mr. Morgan is a curious man indeed."

"Lord Huntington! Are you asking me to seduce Mr. Morgan to pry information from him?"

"You already flirt with him. I'm only asking you to get something out of it."

She smiled in a way that reminded Sterling of how grateful he was that they were on the same side.

"Very well," she agreed. "But you must do something for me."

He raised a brow. "What is it?"

"Allow me to throw a ball," she began and he exhaled, shaking his head and getting to his feet. "And invite all of the loveliest maidens from across the country."

"Cora-"

"You must marry, Sterling. For the protection of the estate. You don't want it falling to Theodore, do you?"

He didn't. His younger brother had always been irresponsible. The youngest of the three of them, their mother had always doted on the boy. He had never had to learn the ways of running the estate or presenting yourself as a proper lady as his elder siblings had done. He was always given whatever he asked for, whatever he desired. And he had spent the last five years travelling the world, returning home only around the holidays to tell of his adventures and bed whatever local girls he could before he was off on another. Adventure, that is.

"Of course not," he answered.

"Then you and I must ensure that it never comes to that," she told him. "Besides, I'm not asking you to get married that very night. Just give these girls a chance. You're not going to find a wife if you aren't even looking."

He sighed. She was right. The perfect woman wasn't going to simply walk right through his front doors. And he supposed that his sister was only doing what she felt was best for him. So he resigned himself to the looming threat of an evening spent in the company of dozens of beautiful women. He nodded and waved his hand.

"Very well."

Cora squealed with delight, throwing her arms around his neck in a rare show of sisterly affection. He smiled. The only time that Cora ever showed any familial warmth was directly after she had been given exactly what she wanted. Finding a wife for him had become her latest obsession, the task that she dedicated her waking moments to. One of the things that Sterling admired most about his sister was her dedication to accomplishing any charge that she set her mind to. Unfortunately, the current charge was the matter of his marriage. She strolled happily away toward the exit of the parlor.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To do your bidding, brother," she answered. "If I'm to seduce a man, I'll need to look better than this."

He chuckled softly as she left and stood to pour himself another glass of wine. That was when he saw Douglas leaning in the doorway.

"Ah, Douglas, care for some wine?"

"Your sister is seducing a man?" he asked, a smirk on his lips. Lord Huntington smiled back, shaking his head.

"At my request," he told him. "Mr. Morgan has taken an interest in her and I am curious of him. I don't trust him."

"You have a keen sense of character, my Lord," Douglas told him. "I've heard rumors that Mr. Morgan is in league with the rebels."

"Truly?"

"Indeed. Though I wouldn't put much stock in it. It seems there's no shortage of rumors where that man is concerned."

"Even more reason not to trust him."

"With all due respect, my Lord, I don't make a habit of trusting anyone these days."

"Even me, Douglas?"

"Especially you, my Lord."

They both laughed at that.