Adrian

"I can and I will NOT marry her." Adrian knew he sounded like a foolish child. "After all, I am the EARL of bloody Summershire."
"Which is why you are marrying her in the first place, my lord", Lord Melbourne replied. Even now in his late sixties his everlasting frown in combination with his tall, skeletal figure and walrus moustache made him the perfect fit for a Victorian librarian or politician. He had decided to become the one and only advisor of the Earl of Summershire instead. Just like his father, his grandfather and their fathers before him. In some way, he was no less a prisoner of the current circumstances than Adrian himself.
"I know, I know. But what if she is - less appealing?" Adrian paced about his bedroom, believing that the steady movement alone could save him from his fate. His mother had refused to show him a single painting, not to mention a photograph of his future 'beloved'. 'To keep the whole procedure as innocent as possible' had been her justification. He did not know her name nor her interests. Everything he did know about her was through Lord Melbourne, which was barely anything to begin with. She was supposed to be an American heiress, well-known in her country and prosperous enough to convince his mother to arrange a marriage between this American girl and her only son.
"From what I have heard she must be wonderfully beautiful, my lord. And I am more than certain that you both will get along just splendidly", Lord Melbourne said with a sly smile.
Adrian gave him a short, less enthusiastic nod. "Only time will tell."

“Look, you have to be married to touch your inheritance, and let’s face it, maybe getting out of the country wouldn’t be a bad thing. There is all those... stories about you.” Jameson Carrollton the family lawyer pointed out as Azariah paced his office in irritation. “You could try to fight this in court but the rules of the trust are pretty iron clad. I know I wrote them.”

“So you want me to what!? Just pack up my entire life move to another country and marry a stranger. Fucking beautiful!” She snarled turning toward him. “Fine! But don’t expect me to be happy about this!”

She stormed out of the office and headed to her car. She picked up her phone and reached out the only way she could... via e-mail.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Is this for real?

Dear Adrian,

Please tell me your mother and my Lawyer got high and this is some elaborate joke?

Azariah

She sent the e-mail and headed out hoping to get home and start figuring a way out of this mess.

Adrian

After two hours of exciting marriage talks, (which mostly consisted of Lord Melbourne mentioning the significance of the dowry that came with it), Melbourne declared that he had other 'important' plans for the rest of the day, which obviously did not involve Adrian. The earl himself subtly raised an eyebrow. Such as flirting with my mother. As far as he was aware of, both were born in the same decade and Melbourne did not put any effort into concealing his fondness for the old lady. Probably the reason why they got along so "splendidly". Not that he had ever dared to ask his dear mother.

Melbourne murmured an excuse and left the room, whilst Adrian sat down on one of the comfy chairs. A unicum designed by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, which his late aunt had given him. Absentmindedly, he took his phone out of his pocket and started to scroll through the news, without actually reading them. He continued to check his Whatsapp messages, hoped for new Twitter scandals and almost missed the unusual Email, that covered the upper part of his screen. Only the subject managed to catch his attention. "Is this for real?" Well, this basically sums up my whole life, he thought to himself. At the same time, it sounded ... refreshingly different. Something he wasn't used to. Who would send him a message in ...American? He touched his screen to open the rest of the mail and read it within seconds. Over and over again. Azariah... It was a name he had never heard before, but that wasn't his main concern. Which git had access to his private details and, most of all, why? There was only one way to find out.

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Is this for real?

My dearest Azariah,

It seems to be the truth. My advisor himself believes in this alliance and that it will 'be beneficial for the both of us.' Marvellous, isn't it? Please tell me if you know more.

Adrian

Azariah had headed straight home, she was still fuming. This entire situation was beyond messed up. Her parents had both died a couple years ago, and she knew her fortune was in a trust, but she had been under the impression she would have access to it when she turned 21. She was mistaken, it turned out there were conditions to her trust. The first being that until the trust was signed over and under her control, she would be on a severely restricted income, and allowed to live in the family home, but the only way to get her trust under her complete control would be to marry, and the sooner the better. Right now everything was being managed for her, and she had very little in the way of say in her own life.

She had flopped down on her sofa and tried to relax when she got home, but it was no use. She checked her phone obsessively looking for a reply to her e-mail. She had forgotten all about time differences, and how things worked being across the world from each other. She finally got a response and sighed as she read.

To:Adrian
From:Azariah
Subject: re: Is This For Real?

Adrian,
All I know is that my parents decided that I can't have my trust fund until I am married, so apparently someone got the brilliant idea to buy me a husband. Apparently, you are the one." She wrote. "So um... any ideas, on what the hell we should do about this? Because I'm pretty sure arranged marriages went out with the Tudors."

She sent the email and got up. She headed to her room. She was going to have a big glass of wine and a very very hot bath.

Adrian

"So um... any ideas, on what the hell we should do about this?" Adrian couldn't hide the smirk on his face, as he started to become increasingly amused by the situation. Whether she truly was his future bride or not was still his mystery to solve, but he admired her utter bluntness. Nobody had ever talked to him the way she dared to. Most people either ran after him or avoided him altogether. There was no inbetween. Then, a thought occured to Adrian. What if she genuinenly did not know about him? What if she wasn't motivated by his title? Without hesitating any further, he replied to her mail.

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: re: Is This For Real?

To my ears this sounds like an upcoming Hollywood film, haha. At least I would definitely watch it... Anyways, I am glad that you are messaging me, Azariah. A lovely name you have there. For the moment all we can do is wait and wonder. At least this is what everyone expect us to do, what we should do. I have never liked restrictions such as the word should. And neither do you, am I right? We have to prevent this marriage at all costs. Do you know more about your imminent flight to England?

Adrian

P.S. : Arranged marriages never truly went out of fashion. The former Princess of Wales, aka. Diana is the best example for it.

After he had sent the mail, Adrian opened his internet browser and typed 'Azariah USA' into the search field.

She had been soaking in the bath when her phone pinged to let her know she had another message. She reached over the side of the bath and dried her hands off before reaching for her phone. She read his message a couple of times, a smile on her lips. She leaned back against the small water proof pillow and typed out her response.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Re Is this for real?

Adrian,

Thanks, I got my name for my birthday! ;) This is totally NOT a Hollywood blockbuster, this is some cheesy made for TV on the Hallmark Channel movie. Cheesy as hell, and totally formulaic in how it is supposed to work. You are correct, I have never been one for SHOULD. It' not something I have ever been a fan of. I know I am supposed to be leaving at the end of the week with a flight from Newark (NJ) to Hethrow. The exact date and time I am not sure, but what confuses me is isn't there a lot of paperwork involved in an international marriage? I haven't applied for a Fiance Visa, or anything like that, so shouldn't that put a stop to it? We could just fail the immigration interview and let the government cancel the wedding right?

Azariah

PS. Look how well THAT worked for her.

She hit send, and pulled the plug with her toes letting the water drain as she started to google international marriages.

When he did his search, there would be a lot of results she was sure, but she would absolutely pop up. Tabloid stories of her being attached to different celebrities, or the rumors of her drug problem. She was a favorite target for photos given that she was worth billions, or would be if she could ever get her hands on the money her parents had left for her.

Adrian

Was that her casually chatting with George Clooney whilst sitting on a bench in L.A.? And on the next photograph she was without a doubt hugging Adam Levine. Adrian exhaled loudly, before he scrolled through more Google pictures. In his world, beautiful women were no rarity, but Azariah's looks went beyond a pleasant face. On every single shot her smile radiated joy and self-confidence, her eyes playing with the camera. And even her posture was flawless. This woman knew how to carry herself and ensure her long legs and blonde mane were the center of attention, whilst still managing to make it look effortless. Despite her young age she acted like a professional. She must have been born like this. Gifted by God or Mother Nature. Even the ladies I know do not posssess a fraction of her aura. Another few photographs popped up, showing her holding a cup of tea in an extravagant café in Paris and another one petting pandas in China. Always dressed for the occasion, clearly without having to worry about the cost of her glamorous lifestlye. Surely her many friends helped with that as well. However, as many celebrities as she seemed to be acquainted with, she did not share a 'past' with any of them. Only vague assumptions, but no bulletproof footage. No naked photos on a yacht or smooching with a big name. Just Azariah discovering all the places the world had to offer.

Adrian bit his lip, knowing that she exceeded his expectations. It was no coincidence, his mother had chosen the wealthiest and at the same time most discreet candidate for him. On one occasion Melbourne had mentioned Azariah's virginity, but after having seen these photographs, Adrian couldn't believe a word. (Not that he had ever cared about this particular prospect.) She might fool the world with her pictures, but not him. There was a catch to everything and now he was determinted to find it. Somewhere in the depths of the internet he hoped to detect a scandal that was convincing enough to stop this marriage. His mother wouldn't accept a 'bacheloress' with a dubious reputation and neither would the rest of the noble clan. Relieved at the thought, he pondered his words carefully. In the end, a prevented marriage would suit both parties, wouldn't it?

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Re Is this for real?

Azariah,

The end of the week is in no less than three days. Has your lawyer applied for a Visa for you? Not that this would be legal in the first place, but with sufficient financial means he might have done anything, really.
I should go and ask my mum, she has probably asked the Queen herself to deliver your new British passport to you. Who knows, I wouldn't be suprised.

Adrian

Pleased with himself, he continued with his research about her. Azariah on a trip through the deserts of Australia, Azariah reading the newspaper whilst taking a bath in the Dead Sea, Azariah... unconscious after a night out? Barely blinking, Adrian scanned the article, convinced that he struck gold.

Azariah had found a lot of information on international marriages, and the difficulties of getting visas. She sent several texts to her lawyer trying to find out what was going on with the passports and visas. She received a text back in short order that it had all been sorted, and that she would be given her papers when she got her plane ticket. She growled with frustration because she was not getting any information. She paced her room holding a glass of wine as she tried to come up with a plan. Her phone pinged again and she looked down at the message.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Re: Is this for real?

Adrian,
I have been told that all has been sorted for my Visa, and my Indefinite leave release. It is my understanding that your mother was instrumental in getting the proper paperwork taken care of. I am certain that I will be leaving in a day or so. My Lawyer was asking if I was packed. Where would you recommend I book a room in London while we figure this mess out? I don't want the hassle of trying to find a flat for a month, it is not worth the headache for me.

Azariah

Azariah knew about some of the stories out there, she even knew about the suspicions that she had been passed out after partying. The truth behind that story was much less interesting. She had actually been on an exploratory trip with George and his wife Amal learning about some of the human rights issues that Amal represented through her practice. She had caught some kind of illness over seas, and had collapsed during a gala. She had a glass of wine in her hand when she did, and the paparazzi had a field day. She of course had the medical records to back up the truth, but she didn't bother to fight it in the court of public opinion. She had taken her licks, apologized for the chaos her collapse caused and had moved on with her life. Yes, she enjoyed partying, but never to excess. She had a drink or two and that was it. She was generally a good girl, and no one actually saw so much of what she did behind the scenes, she let people think what they wanted, because it did not affect her in anyway.

Adrian

Disappointed by his findings, or rather the lack of it, Adrian shut the Google browser and shaked his head in utter disbelief. Even the best stories about Azariah did not seem... truthful. They were meaningless. Unsubstantial. Unfavourable photos that didn't emphasise a possible dark side to her. For a few seconds Adrian had actually believed the tabloid story and contemplated calling Melbourne, but abandoned this plan as soon as he had watched an interview, which featured other celebrities describing Azariah's fit of dizziness as a cause of her illness after a trip. In spite of her fame, Azariah remained down-to-earth, making her even more likeable. And probably relatable to ordinary people. After all she was a commoner, her money did not come with blue blood. Not that it had any impact on her as an eligible partner nowadays. Meghan Markle represented just one of the many renowned examples. And a small, almost nonexistent part of Adrian was glad about it. He couldn't explain why, as he was a passionate advocate of noble prerogatives (not a surprise), but she awakened his curiousity in everything common.

Adrian mulled over the limited options he had, deciding that a marriage might not be as horrible as it had sounded just an hour ago. Frankly, he needed her dowry more than she needed his title. And on top of that, they could still settle for divorce afterwards, couldn't they? The innocuous procedure was uncomplicated and assured him to be able to pay his debts and lavish lifestlye. Nobody expected him to be her forever loving husband and Azariah herself had certainly no interest in fulfilling her duties as his wife. His wife. The sheer thought of it forced him to sit upright in his chair.

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Re: Is this for real?

Azariah,

Everything has been sorted already? It almost sounds like they know of our intentions to thwart their plans. Regarding the news, I assume that I will meet you soon. Have they also told you that we are only allowed to see each other on our wedding way? I have almost forgotten that I am 25 by now.

PS. I recommend you the Lanesborough, a former countryhouse, that has been converted to a hotel. (Several reviews endorse my suggestion and the photographs are stunning.)

Adrian

Adrian stood up from his chair and left the room to find his mother, the Dowager Countess. At the same time he wondered if Azariah had any clue about her future match. It was conceivable, unless she already knew about him, that she was busy looking up British people named 'Adrian'. Sooner or later she might come across his name and then - then what? What would she think of him? And why did it even matter? Did it matter to him? Shaking his head, Adrian decided to postpone his speculations until he had talked to his mother.

Oddly enough Azariah had considered Googling the man and then immediately decided against it. She really didn't care, it wasn't as if she were actually going to marry the man. She had packed several suitcases of clothes, and left instructions on what would or would not be packed and shipped should she be stuck in London longer than she anticipated. She had just finished setting everything by the door when she received another e-mail. She opened it and read. She moved to her desk where she immediately searched for the place he had mentioned. She was grinning to herself as she composed a reply.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: re Is this for real?

Adrian,

I had not been informed of that particular detail no, and as I am sure you are aware, I am not a fan. I have taken your advice and booked TWO rooms at Lanesborough. It is certainly very... pastel LOL I did request the rooms on the same floor but not adjoining. I also requested that neither be so... PINK. I have made reservations for an evening meal in three days. I chose the onsite restaurant at 8pm. I read that is the preferred time to eat as opposed to a much earlier 5-7 here in the States, of course that also varies by location and lifestyle. If 8 does not work for you, please feel free to change the reservation and let me know via e-mail. I look forward to sitting down with you and finding a solution that works for both of us. We should be able to think of something. We seem to be intelligent beings and if nothing else, we can always go with the tried and true "I do not consent to this marriage" at the altar. Or who knows, we may discover that we find each other tolerable and can go ahead with this farce for a few months and then quietly file for divorce.

Azariah

She sent the e-mail, and then sent her lawyer a text telling him she had booked Hotel rooms, and was ready to leave when ready. She made it sound as though she was resigned to making this happen. She was informed that her flight out would happen the next day. She was ready to meet him and figure out their next steps.

Adrian

"Dear son. I didn't presume you would arrive during tea time." The Dowager countess scrutinized his outfit, a plain polo shirt coupled with a pair of beige-coloured trousers. "And you look... modern."
Adrian knew that modern meant unsuitable for someone whose every privilege originated from the deeds of his predecessors. And therefore his mother expected him to dress just like his grandfather. (His grandfather, who had claimed to have fought the German threat in both world wars, despite never having set foot on the battlefield. The medals and rewards were benefits of his title, not actual proof of his military service.)
"My pleasure to see you, too, mum", Adrian retorted and gave her a brief kiss on the cheek. Unlike himself, his mother was dressed to the nines in her Edwardian-esque dress. Slowly, she put down her afternoon tea and asked her two guests, young girls, presumably ladies, to leave the room for a short period of time. Adrian watched them giggle and bat their eyelashes at him, before following his mother's plea.

"No wonder people compare our life to Downtown Abbey", Adrian realised whilst looking over the impressive drawing room, as if he saw it for the first time. Without waiting for his mother's permission to sit down in his own house, he settled himself in the sofa opposite to her.
The Countess sneered. "Are you trying to say that I am comparable to the old Lady Grantham?"
"Not at all. I was just complementing your arrangement of the furnishings. But wasn't Lady Grantham just a great, witty character?"
Ignoring his comment, his mother clutched her hands in her lap and tilted her head to the side. "Why are you here?"
"We both know why I am here. To talk about us."
"Us? We haven't had a mother-son conversation in years."
"No, not us. Azariah and me."
"Oh, you are already an item?"
Adrian closed his eyes for a second, before shaking his head. "No, of course we're not", he said with vehemence.
"Then why do you know her name?" The countess impercebtibly raised her eyebrows.
"Melbourne has told me", Adrian lied. "And it is not like she isn't famous enough to be known." He gave her an awkward smile, hoping that she wouldn't call his advisor. She didn't.

"Then tell me, what is it that you need to know? Your wedding will be soon and everything has been sorted out, you shouldn't have to worry about it anymore."
Adrian stifled dissent. "Well, does she know my name for instance? Does she know who I am?"
"Who you are? A wonderful British gentleman looking for a well-mannered and well-educated bride, what else would she need to know? As long as she pay- I mean plays her part, everyhing will be fine. Your title will only help with persuading her to stay."
"Thank you, mother." Adrian knew everything he needed to know. He gave his mother a respectful nod and then left the drawing room. On his way out, he couldn't resist to pause next to the girls, who were patiently waiting in front of the door. "By the way ladies, you are more than welcome to try the delicious tea in my private rooms later." Leaving the chuckling girls behind, he headed back to his rooms, deciding to take a shower before his guests would show up.

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Re: Is this for real?

Azariah,

8pm sounds good, but I have changed it to 10. Heeding my advice, the manager will arrange a private dining room for us. The discretion will save us from unsolicited photographs whilst enjoying the evening. I can also guarantee you that you will reside in the best rooms available. This will not effect your expenses in any way, as it is just a small favour I asked for.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

Adrian

Azariah had slept restlessly after she had sent her last e-mail. She didn't know why she was struggling with this so much. Adrian seemed to be quite agreeable, so she was struggling to understand why she was feeling so anxious. She showered and wrapped herself in a towel as she stood in front of the mirror. She used a hair dryer, and brush as she styled her hair into what looked like careless waves. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail letting the waves fall down her back before she dressed. She wore a pair of nice dress slacks, and a light sweater. Her makeup was applied with a light touch and she settled for a natural look. She was not going out, she was going to be flying. She finally checked her phone and smiled when she saw another e-mail. She read it and stared at the screen.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
subject: re Is this for real?

Adrian,
10 seems quite late, but I am certain I will somehow be able to fit that into my quite packed schedule when I arrive. I do appreciate you seeing to the arrangements with the Hotel. Please do not be concerned with the budget for this trip as I have made certain that there will be an appropriate amount of funds available. My Lawyer, I guess you would call him a solicitor? Or an advocate? Wait.. Solicitors work in an office and advocates go to court right? That's beside the point, My lawyer has assured me that there will be plenty of funds available. I am now, as we speak getting ready to head to the airport. I will have access to my e-mail while on the flight. I do so look forward to meeting with you. I am hoping to avoid the photographers, but I realize that for some reason people are greatly interested in what I do and where I go. To me, that is down right silly, I was lucky enough to have been born to a family that had money, that doesn't make me special, just lucky. I have been fortunate though, that it does allow me to do what I want and give me the space and the freedom to do things that make me happy.

She embedded a photo of her smiling and holding up her plane ticket and passport

I am looking forward to a chance to explore Borough Market, and enjoy some of the things to be found there. Given the wonderful mix of ethnicities in England and London in particular I cannot wait to see what new things there are to try. Perhaps you will find time to join me in this exploration? It will after all be the last time I will be able to afford to travel, and enjoy the things the world has to offer, as once we eliminate the possibility of marriage, the entire trust will be given away to various charities around the world.

Azariah

She hit send on her e-mail and gathered her things, she was ready, and now it was off to the airport to get on the flight that would change her life.

Adrian

He hadn't slept much this night, due to obvious reasons, but decided to rise early nevertheless. Seize the day. Not that he solely lived by that motto, he preferred the mysteries of the night, but the recent changes to his life made it impossible for him to escape his reality for too long. Adrian randomly chose a dark jacket out ouf his wardrobe and also took the trousers and shirt next to it. When he was younger he used to consult Lord Melbourne when getting dressed in the morning or for a special occasion, but he had grown tired of it and now did everything himself. He only allowed his butlers to assist him outside his private rooms and even Lord Melbourne could not enter without his approval.

Whilst on his way to the men's parlour, he fished his phone out of his pocket and began typing:

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Re: Is this for real?

Azariah,

I hope your flight is going well and you are as thrilled for England as I am to meet you. Unfortunately, this will not be earlier than our planned dinner in two days. I cannot afford to be seen in public, but I am more than certain that you will be fond of the market place. By the way, you are the first person who mentioned this as their first destination they want to explore. Most people opt for Madam Tussauds, the London Eye or Buckingham Palace. I hope you can use your time wisely as long as you're still single and American. And most importantly, have fun.

Adrian

He reread his message and then sent it. As a man, he couldn't resist the urge to check out her photograph again. Even with only a hint of makeup on her face she looked gorgeous and she undeniably beamed with joy. It could have been worse. Observing her selfie for one more second, he also remembered the etiquette she was supposed to follow soon. Which translated to no social media, no unprepared outings and most importantly no public opinion.

Azariah was used to flying, it was something she did with ease. She was in first class, so there was quite a bit of comfort, and there was the access to the in flight WiFi. She had been working on her laptop, She may appear to be unemployed, but she did have some say in the running of the businesses and financial assets left to her. She also had several side projects that she worked on using the money she did have access to. She received an e-mail and opened it immediately. She had been enjoying her exchanges with Adrian, and while they had no intention of marriage, she would hope that they would remain friends.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: re Is this for real?

Adrian,

Thus far the flight has been quite lovely. It is of course, long, but I am enjoying the time to handle a few things. I think I really will enjoy the market place and wish you would be able to join me, but I do understand that for some, there could be challenges in last minute schedule changes. I shall endeavor to enjoy myself none the less, and of course, take lots of photos for you. It will be as though you were there the whole time. I have little to no interest in seeing the popular tourist destinations. I am sure the workmanship at Madame Toussauds is superb, but I have no desire to fight with hundreds if not thousands of others to shuffle past it. Between you and me, I see little point in seeing Buckingham Palace, again, I am certain it is a very lovely thing to see, set up exactly the way people expect, and no different than photographs available online. Truthfully, I have no desire to see the place, nor to throw support in anyway to what has historically been a very oppressive regime. The history of colonization and therefore active or passive cultural genocide is just something I have never supported. Not to say that America is innocent of those crimes, and I do not support them there either. We, as the privileged and monied, MUST stand and say these things are not ok. It's difficult, but character is what you do when no one is looking. I hope that my time here will be enjoyable and allow me to experience the very best things to come out of the UK, but that remains to be seen.

I look forward to our meeting soon. Please keep in touch!

Your Friend,
Azariah

Adrian

Adrian chocked on his whiskey, after he had read Azariah's mail. "Anything amiss, my lord?" Lord Douglas eyed him apprehensively, attempting to put an arm around his shoulder. He was not only the the oldest lord in the room, but also the only Scotsman. The others had arrived from all over England and Wales, using the 'mens night out' as an excuse to escape their dull lifes at home. The meeting today had the sole reason to entertain the lordships and celebrate being part of the inner circle.
"I have never felt better." Adrian forced a smile on his lips and stepped aside, leaving Douglas to grasp at nothing.
As if nothing had happened, the Earl added: "How is your dear sister Magdalene? Is she still pursuing horseback riding in France?" Instead of riding other things. Lord Douglas coughed slightly, still recovering from his faux pas. "Well, my sister, my sister Magdalene..." And then he started to tell him about his sister's new married life in Paris, how happy she was and what her future endeavours were. Adrian stopped listening as soon as Douglas mentioned the word 'marriage' and rather concentrated on the words Azariah had just sent him.

certain it is a very lovely thing to see, set up exactly the way people expect, and no different than photographs available online. Truthfully, I have no desire to see the place, nor to throw support in anyway to what has historically been a very oppressive regime
Oppressive regime? The Queen? Azariah would be part of the oppressive regime mentioned. And for better or worse, she would have to deal with it. As controversial as his whole life might be, Aidan had never known anything else and would definitely not wait for an American to revolutionise his world and mindset. He was dead set on showing her the perks of being noble. Never in a thousand years would he allow her to spark criticism among his servants. They would marry, as refusal was off the table, and then silently file for divorce, just like she had suggested. No changes required, his affluence secured.

Azariah had arrived at Heathrow airport, and there was a car waiting for her. She had done enough international flying that she was quite capable of adjusting her schedule ahead of time so that she was prepared to be on local time from the moment she arrived. She checked in at the Lanesborough, and slept soundly. She rose early and dressed very casually for her day at the market. She went alone, but loved the opportunity to explore without having to consider where anyone else wanted to go.

She did exactly what she said she would. She took tons of photos as she explored the Market and sent them to him as promised. The first was a photo of her squatting down with a child of about two or three who was busy feeding her candies.

The next Photo was her with flowers in her hair and the caption "They ARE edible, but I found them bitter. They look much better than they taste."

Azariah even sent a photo of her holding a skewer with what looked to be some sort of insect, and then just in case he doubted she would actually eat it the next photo was of her wrapping her lips around it and eating.

She sent a short video she had someone take of her attempting to eat with chopsticks, the stall owner was trying to show her, and she was failing miserably, but it was obvious they were both having a great time. The clip ended as the chopsticks were gently removed from her hand and replaced with a plastic children's pair that were joined at the end instead.

Feeling particularly childlike and playful after that attempt and the baby utensils, she then found a stall with candy floss shaped like flowers. She sent a photo of her taking a bite of a huge ball of sugar.

His e-mail in box was filled with photos of her enjoying herself and having fun. She was carefree and bubbling with excitement. There were more photos of her with various vendors trying all sorts of things, and she made some hilariously adorable faces when she tried something that was incredibly spicy, it was followed by a photo of her taking a large spoonful of ice cream.

The last photo she sent was her standing in a store that was literally nothing but spices. She was laughing as she held out her hand as if showcasing the entire display and then wrote "The English literally took over the entire world in search of spices, and yet...some of the most bland food ever! I think that may be the 8th great mystery of the world!"

Her photos were enough to make even the most boring person want to join her because her enjoyment was contagious even through her selfies.

She had a great time, and left the market loaded down with so many things, and websites to order more. She made her way back to the Hotel, and flopped down on her bed with a groan. There was the slight possibility that she had over done it with her culinary adventures today. She opened her phone and sent one more e-mail.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: It's a date...

Dear Adrian,

You must forgive me, but during my travels and the time differences, I have lost my ability to discern with certainty, are we meeting tonight or tomorrow?

Azariah

Adrian

Adrian had spend the last two days partying with his fellow lords, drinking whiskey and clinking glasses whenever someone shouted "God save our Queen". On one jolly evening, he even went so far as to declare that he would marry an American millionaire soon. A beautiful American heiress. Stunning through and through. If he had only refrained from showing them her travel photographs, the reactions would have been more enthusiastic ... or should he call it sympathetic?
Lord Douglas had wrinkled his nose and put his index finger on Adrian's screen. "She is delicate, my lord. But her style is too eccentric. How do you intend to tame her when everything about her screams recklessness?"
"Oh and those plush lips, I shall recommend her doctor to my wife", Lord Woodbridge chimed in.
"Not only her lips are lush. She somehow reminds me of my former mistress Sophie", another one added.
And then they all started a lenghty debate about the role of the American woman in the noble society. How she had to prove herself even more than an English woman and completely bow down to the unspoken rules of aristocracy. Had they only continued to keep themselves busy with the less controversial talk about their wives voluptuous bodies...

Adrian, who was already drunk, didn't bother to contradict their statements. Partly, because he knew that it would end badly and on the other hand because he shared most of their values. Probably not to the same extent as the older generation, but he had grown up with these men nevertheless. They were his family. Even though he couldn't choose his family, it still influenced and shaped him. However, the way they stated their opinions annoyed him. Was it necessary to be so vulgar and offensive? To an outsider the discussion must have sounded more like a dispute than an 'mature' exchange of personal views. When the fourth person commented on Azariah's 'ample bosom', Adrian had enough.
"My lords." He cleared his throat, as nobody paid attention. "Would you..." Again, the loud noise of the crowd drowned his voice. Someone chanted "God save our gracious Queen". More drinks were poured.

"EVERYBODY NOW SHUT THE FUCK UP!" 30 heads turned to Adrian. Shocked. There we go. He gave them a smug smile. "The party is over. You can discuss your business outside. Thank you."
Not waiting for their reactions, he turned around and left the parlour.

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Re: It's a date...

Our eagerly-awaited date will take place tomorrow evening. I have sent a little present to your hotel room. I'd be pleased to see you wearing it tomorrow. Sleep well,

Adrian

Azariah had sent her email asking for confirmation, and then she actually took a nap. She wasn’t much of one for napping normally but between travel, the uncertainty of the past few days and the amount of food she had eaten. She woke sometime later to find a reply to her email asking for confirmation of their dinner date.

To:Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Re: Its a date...

Adrian,

Oh Thank God! Please do not misunderstand me I am very much looking forward to meeting you, but I seemed to have misjudged my stamina for so many back to back activities. I do hope everything is alright, I haven’t heard much from you the last few days, and I have to be honest, I would have thought at least the video of my failure to master chopsticks would have gotten at least SOME reaction. I am very much looking forward to our meeting tomorrow, although I can’t think of stranger circumstances under which to meet. Although I am fairly certain that it will one day be a humorous story for you to tell your children. “Did I ever tell you the time I met with an American woman to find a way to convince your grandmother not to marry us off to each other? And that dear children is why we do not let Grandmother have more than a single glass of sherry.” I should probably sign off now and get more rest, today was a lot of fun but incredibly exhausting. I do wish you had been there, you might have enjoyed it! Rest well my friend.

Azariah

She sent the email and then forced herself to get out of the bed so that she could shower and change into her night clothes. Tomorrow would be another big day. She had lots of the city to explore before her date. She would be returning home soon and wanted to see as much as she could.

She woke the next morning, she showered and dressed again. She wore jeans, and a flowing shirt as she slipped her feet into a pair of flats. She didn't bother with makeup today other than a quick swipe of lip gloss. She put her sunglasses on her face, slipped her credit cards, ID, cell phone and keys into her pockets and headed out. The first stop on her tour of London was The pathology Museum at St. Bartholomew's. She found this kind of thing endlessly intriguing. She finished her tour and grabbed a quick snack from a street vendor as she walked the streets of London. She ended up taking a cab to Bond Street to do some shopping.

She walked from store to store, enjoying her time as she shopped. She bought nothing, she wasn't really looking for anything in particular. She did try on a few gowns that would have been perfect for some of the fundraising gala's she attended from time to time, but decided against them. She was, in the back of her head planning an entirely different way of life for herself. She stayed until about 3 before she reluctantly headed back to the hotel. There was seven hours before her dinner with Adrian, but she wanted to take a nap.

She napped for a few hours, waking up around 6. She then ran a bath. She scrubbed, exfoliated, shaved, buffed and otherwise did everything she could to look her best. She got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a fluffy robe, so she could go and see what it was he had sent for her to wear. She would create her entire look this evening around whatever it was.

Adrian

"She will wear the same ring every Countess of Summershire had worn before her, including me." With a flick of her wrist Lady Summershire revealed the huge engagement ring on her annular finger, that combined the elegance of floral-shaped diamonds with gold. The latter was, according to her, "timelessly beautiful." Generation after generation had shown off the family piece and now Azariah was expected to follow into the footsteps of the ladies before her. Not an easy way to perpetuate her name.

"She will without a doubt like it. Nevertheless your unconditional acceptance of her astonishes me. You never shared the same sympathies with my former girlfriends, who were English and well - you at least KNEW them. " Adrian voiced his thoughts, knowing that he had touched a sore spot.

The Dowager Countess pursed her lips. "Well, you never brought a decent woman home in the first place. Most of them were unemployed young girls looking for a rich man to fulfill their needs. Not competent enough to be either wife nor countess. Why do you need to mention this topic now? Don't tell me you had feelings for one of them."

"Of course I had feelings for them. Mostly physical, but some went deeper. I simply think you tend to forget that some women rejected my offer to enter a serious relationship with them. Not everybody can and wants to handle notoriety."

"Good. Your new American wife is famous enough to endure the downsides of this life."

Adrian knew the conversation was over and he shouldn't try to convince his mother any further. The more information he inquired, the more she was convinced that she had made the right decision. Instead, he would focus his energy on this evening, on plotting a favourable outcome for the sake of both of them.

Back in his bedroom, Adrian decided to put a classic black suit, coupled with a tie in dark blue, on for dinner. He didn't want to give away his noble status by wearing one of his ancestors' pieces. For the moment, he enjoyed the luxury of Azariah's lack of information about his rank. As soon as her 'lawyer' would advise her about her future life, her behaviour would change. It always did. And Adrian was determined to keep her, as long as possible, oblivious. A few days of freedom, of being treated like a normal person. He wasn't a commoner and he had never contemplated giving his title to his cousin, but like everyone else he was curious. What was it like to be treated as if you are inconspicuous? Today he would find out.

To: Azariah
From: Adrian
Subject: Re: Its a date...

Azariah,

What a hilarious story that would be! Although we should meet each other in order to write it. I hope you are prepared to meet me in an hour. Don't forget to bring your souvenir.

Adrian

Azariah found the box that contained the gift he had sent. She opened it carefully, and pulled out the dress, it was beautiful. The bodice was plunging, and the skirt had a high-low cut which draped amazingly. She slipped it on, and tied the back. She had several hours before their meeting, so she decided to go all out. She sat down in front of the mirror with her combs, brushes, pins and curlers. It took her three hours before she was finally finished with her hair style. She added simple understated jewelry and the barest hints of makeup. She was feeling slightly nervous, she didn't understand why. She was meeting a friend for dinner, and then, it was over. She picked up her phone and smiled.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject Re: It's a date...

Adrian,
I am looking forward to it very much. You have incredible taste. I hope I am able to do it justice. I will see you soon!

Azariah

She drew in a deep breath as she checked the time once more. She picked up a small clutch purse, and tucked her room key, her credit card, her ID and her cell phone inside. She didn't bother with anything else. She wouldn't need it. She walked to the elevator, and pressed the button to go down. She stepped out into the lobby as she made her way toward the dining room, She was greeted immediately and shown, as promised to a private dining room. She of course was early, she detested being late. In her mind, and the way her father always operated was 'Early is on time, on time is late, and late is fired.' It was how he operated his entire life, and it stuck with her. She held her purse tightly in her hand as her eyes scanned the room. She never arranged for this type of luxury for herself, others seemed to do it for her. She was used to it, and it no longer made her uncomfortable, but it was absolutely not something she preferred.