"A cold word from a cold man sends shivers throughout my body but my heart remains warm." Sonya Watson, The Tide Breaker

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Chapter Three

"Do not speak unless you are spoken to," Annaliese's mother instructed as they approached Cassidy House.

"And then do not say anything too intelligent when he does speak to you. None of that arithmetic nonsense. A gentleman does not like to be corrected by a woman," her father added.

"Do not forget to smile," Jane continued. "You can be quite pretty if you smile, Annaliese. You need to attract this man."

Her mother had nearly given her a compliment. Annaliese resisted raising her eyebrows. Annaliese sat in between her sisters in their small carriage. It was cramped and uncomfortable and she could not wait to stretch her legs. Unfortunately, when she did stretch her legs it would mean that she had arrived and her fiancé was on the other side of a door.

Jane leaned forward and pinched Annaliese's cheeks. Hard. Annaliese winced but did not complain. "You need colour, Annaliese," she murmured. "You look dreadful."

"That must be it," Julian muttered as he looked out of the window. "Cassidy House."

Annaliese and her sisters all turned to look out of the window. They were, indeed, approaching a stately home.

The large, redbrick Tudor mansion was imposing. On any given day, if she were merely touring the county, Annaliese would have been excited to view such a house. But to her, in this moment, it looked like a prison. Her prison.

The Dawsons were travelling down a long, wide, gravel driveway. On either side of the driveway were expansive lawns and manicured gardens that concealed areas of the garden. Annaliese wondered just how large the grounds were. What did his children need a mother for if they had such a garden to play in?

The house itself, while imposing, was very impressive and beautiful. There appeared to be several sections to the house, and there were at least a dozen chimneys all puffing out smoke. The windows were large and white, and ivy was growing up the sides of the building sporadically.

"What I would have given to have had a house like this," muttered Jane as she stared at the house in awe. Jane was never one to conceal her desire for a more expensive lifestyle.

Julian merely rolled his eyes.

"If this is to be your house then you are lucky, Annaliese," Eleanor said excitedly. Annaliese adored her sister's naivety. The house could be a shack for all she cared, she was still being promised to a man that she had never met, and she could not refuse him even after they met.

"You must invite Eleanor and me to stay often, Annaliese," Isabella added. Isabella seemed just as excited and as in awe of the house as the rest of her family. Annaliese was doing this for Isabella more than anyone. For if she did refuse, it would be sixteen-year-old Isabella marrying the baronet.

"Annaliese will be inviting us all to stay often, Isabella," Jane interjected, giving Annaliese a warning glance. "The minute you are married you will be the mistress of this house, Annaliese. That means that you will control the house, the household, and your husband. Once you have control of your husband, you will then have access to his ledger." Julian barely acknowledged the fact that his wife had practically insulted him.

On the bright side, Annaliese only had a small amount of time left where she had to listen to her mother. Jane wanted Annaliese to have control of Sir Matthew Cassidy, no doubt for her own financial gain. Annaliese would not allow Jane to steal from the Cassidy family. She had already bankrupted her own family. "Why would I want to access his ledger?" asked Annaliese nonchalantly.

Jane huffed and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Annaliese, it is lucky that you are pretty because you are as dim as a snuffed candle," she snapped. "You want access to his ledger so that you can see how he spends his money. He has promised to support us, but I doubt it will be more than your father's pathetic income. Just take ten pounds from him every so often and write it in as a mere household expense. It will add up and it will help your family."

Annaliese's eyes widened. Was her mother seriously asking her to pilfer money from the man that would be paying for their lifestyle? Her eyes narrowed. "But that would be dishonest, Mama."

"Just like your father was when he lied to me about his income when we married, and now here we are," retorted Jane.

Annaliese and her sisters had heard this argument a thousand times before. Jane had married Julian under the impression that his father was a wealthy banker, when in actual fact, Julian's father worked for a wealthy banker. Jane had not been impressed once she found out the truth. Their marriage had been sour and tense ever since. Coming together to betroth Annaliese to the baronet had been the first thing that they had agreed on in months.

"I never lied," Julian grumbled. "You assumed."

Jane ignored him. "Alright, we are coming to a stop. Be quiet and smile, Annaliese," she huffed. She pinched Annaliese's cheeks again and mumbled something about the blood draining from her face far too quickly.

"Do smile," Isabella whispered in Annaliese's ear, "but be yourself. You are lovely, and I am sure he will be a gentleman. He is going to adore you."

Any reception had to be better than how her parents made her feel on a daily basis. Once the carriage completely stopped, Annaliese felt her stomach drop as her nerves increased. It was natural to be nervous in the presence of a gentleman, was it not? Let alone a gentleman she was engaged to. She had never even spoken to a man that was not her father nor her vicar. Her parents always spoke for her.

A few moments later, the door to the carriage was opened and a footman dressed in crisp livery greeted them as he assembled the steps for them.

Julian climbed down from the carriage first and held out an obligatory hand to help his wife. Annaliese climbed out next, followed by Isabella and Eleanor.

The sunshine was warm and Annaliese could hear birds chirping from neighbouring trees. The grounds and scenery really were picturesque and tranquil. Perhaps she could be happy here.

The front doors to the house were already open and the Cassidy household were lining up before them all.

Even before the Dawsons had to let go of their staff, they never had that many servants. She supposed it took quite a few hands to keep such a house spotless.

Annaliese spotted Lady Cassidy as she exited the house and descended the dozen or so steps to where the carriage was stationary. She looked so happy to see them all, particularly Annaliese.

Annaliese and her family were wearing their finest clothes, but she still felt underdressed compared to Lady Cassidy. Annaliese did not think she had really noticed just how finely Lady Cassidy was dressed during their first meeting. Her gown was a rich, royal blue colour, and she wore several sapphires to accessorise. Her brooch alone could have probably cleared her parents' debt.

"Oh, welcome, welcome!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

Jane, Annaliese, and her sisters all curtseyed, while Julian bowed.

"Stop with that now," she ordered playfully. "We are family, or at least we are about to be."

At that moment, a well-dressed man emerged from the house. He stood at the top of the stairs with his hands behind his back and he wore an unreadable expression.

But he was handsome! He was the most handsome man that Annaliese had ever seen. No man in her acquaintance, not that there were any, could compare. His hair was dark blond, and he kept it a respectable length and combed neatly. He was very broad and lean, and although he was standing at least five feet above her, she could tell that he was a tall man, taller than her father. His jaw was strong and tense, and he looked as though he had not shaved her a few days. Annaliese wondered if he was clenching his teeth. Nevertheless, she enjoyed that ruggedness. She enjoyed everything about him.

Perhaps marrying a stranger would not be so bad after all.

Jane elbowed Annaliese in the ribs while Lady Cassidy was being distracted by her father. "Smile!" she hissed. Annaliese did her best not to clutch her side. She would surely have a bruise. That had really hurt!

But Annaliese realised that her jaw had been open awkwardly and she had been staring. She obeyed and smiled immediately.

As she looked up at her husband-to-be, Annaliese noticed that his eyes had narrowed on that of her mother. He looked displeased. Had he seen the exchange?

Nevertheless, Annaliese did her best to appear happy.

Lady Cassidy turned to look at her son. Though she could not see the expression on her face, Annaliese imagined it was one of urging as Matthew descended the steps immediately.

Annaliese had been right; he was tall. They were still standing apart, but Annaliese believed that she would only reach his collar bones if they stood next to each other. She could also closely see the colour of his eyes. They were a pure blue. They were lovely.

She felt nervous to be standing in his presence. She felt a fluttering in her stomach. It seemed that she did not need her mother to pinch her cheeks to achieve a blush.

Was it not customary to return a smile, though? Why was he not smiling at her? He looked ... displeased. Was he displeased with her?

"Matthew, this is my old school friend, Mrs Dawson," Lady Cassidy introduced. Jane put on a false smile and curtseyed respectfully. "This is her husband, Mr Dawson." Julian bowed as well. "And these are their lovely daughters," she said, gesturing to the three Dawson girls, "Miss Annaliese, Miss Isabella, and Miss Eleanor Dawson."

"Good day," he said politely, not meeting her eye. Annaliese's smile quickly faded.

Lady Cassidy seemed thoroughly disappointed in her son's lacklustre welcome. "This is Annaliese," she said tensely, her eyes flaring.

Matthew seemed to swallow. He met Annaliese's eye and smiled slightly before nodding in greeting.

Annaliese did not know how to interpret this strange meeting. He did not seem particularly pleased or charmed with her. He did not even seem happy to see her. Why on earth was he looking for a wife when he did not even seem to want one?

It then dawned on her. His mother seemed to hold considerable influence over him. Perhaps she had convinced him. She was the one sent to meet with the Dawsons after all.

Would he change his mind about their marriage? Annaliese was so confused. If he did change his mind, then that would mean that she would be free. But it also meant that her family's debt would stand and they would be destitute.

"Well," Lady Cassidy said, clapping her hands together, "now that you all have officially met, we may go inside for some refreshments. Our household," she said, gesturing to the maids and footmen behind her, "are at your beck and call and will do everything to make your stay pleasant. Come, I am sure there are conversations to be had."

As Matthew went to turn away from the party and head back up to the house, his mother cleared her throat and motioned for Matthew to join Annaliese. Annaliese's cheeks flamed red. She did not know what was more embarrassing. A man who had no interest in her, or a man who was only showing interest in her because his mother was forcing him to.

Matthew offered his arm to Annaliese without looking at her. Annaliese hesitated, naturally. She had never been in such close proximity with a man before. Her mother, however, would not have Annaliese hesitating. Jane quickly manoeuvred Annaliese into position and Annaliese looped her arm through Matthew's.

Although she felt silly and nervous, it felt strangely freeing to be led away from her parents and up towards the house. It was oddly empowering.

"Does your mother do that often?" Matthew murmured so quietly that Annaliese was unsure if he had even spoken.

"Pardon?" she whispered.

Matthew turned his head to look down at her. "I saw her elbow you in your side. You looked like you were in great pain. Does she do that often?" He still spoke so quietly, but he appeared very concerned about her. Perhaps he could care for her.

Her mother had elbowed her to remind her to smile. It had hurt, but Jane wanted Annaliese to attract Matthew. "My mother shows me affection in the only way that she is able," she replied politely.

As they crossed the threshold into Cassidy House, Matthew said, "You will be safe here, Miss Annaliese. No harm will ever come to you, I promise."

Matthew had looked her directly in the eye as he had spoken those words. He was so sincere, and she believed him instantly.