“Aidan Sutton!” My father cheerfully announced his presence when he entered the reception room.

“Janine, please serve us some green tea and a lemon tart, will you?” I heard my mother's hushed whisper.

At first I hesitated, gathering the courage to face the guest seated inside the adjacent room. “Good afternoon, Lord Sutton,” I curtsied.

“Lady Ashlyn, I thought we already agreed, please call me Aidan,” he smiled kindly.

“Aidan,” I repeated while biting down on my lower lip to prevent it from trembling.

I caught my mother’s wondering look. I knew she was over the moon about this. She and my father adored the Suttons.

“How is your father, Aidan?” Papa asked him before giving him a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Is he holding up?”

“Well, he-” Aidan was interrupted by Janine who served us tea and a deliciously-smelling dessert. “-Truth to be told, he is quite unwell. He has been unwell ever since he took a fall off his horse last summer.”

“What a terrible misfortune,” Mama added sadly, sympathetically shaking her head.

“I am sorry to hear that, Son.” Papa nodded solemnly. After a short moment of silence, he loudly cleared his throat “So, you took a liking to our daughter?” He smiled, but his eyes held an unmistakable tinge of sternness.

“Seeing all the bouquets, I believe I am not the only one,” Aidan took a bite of a lemon tart while looking about the flower-filled space. “But yes, I find her kindhearted and beautiful.”

“So you are looking for a wife?” My mother went straight to the point.

“Mama…” I muttered with an utter embarrassment. I heard my sister stiffle a snort. She gazed at his Lordship as if he was indeed a Prince Charming, an inhumanly being that was about to ascend right into the Heavenly Gates.

Mama raised her chin. Her eyes darkened as she spoke. “Well, we have to know if the gentleman has good intentions, don’t we?”

“Oh dear,” Jane giggled, causing Mama to glare at her.

“I most certainly do, Lady Caldwell,” Aidan's eyes met mine before he once more focused on his almost emptied plate. I prayed for the butterflies to come and overflow my belly or at least a sign of interest, but nothing happened. He was the perfect choice for my future husband, so perhaps I will learn how to like him in time. But if I wanted to secure the marriage I needed to appear like a good and attentive wife.

It was quite a relief when my eccentric aunt burst into the room.

“Ah! You are already gathered! Lord Aidan!” She shamelessly and flirtatiously batted her eyelashes at him, not caring that we all saw right through her act.

Mama simply stared at her, her mouth hanging open at her outrageous behavior.

Aidan’s cheeks reddened when his gaze darted to aunt’s breasts, his otherwise restrained behavior faltering when his eyes slowly traced the outline of her generous bosom. His green irises glazed with emotion I couldn’t quite place nor explain.

The air in the small room suddenly thickened, morphing into a very unpleasant ambiance. Jane looked at me, grimacing her small mouth with disgust. “That’s an awful Prince Charming,” she whispered as she leaned closer to me.

“Shall we go then?” Aunt Abby stood up and greedily grasped Lord Aidan under his arm.

“Lord Caldwell, Lady Caldwell, it was a pleasure seeing you again,” Aidan politely lowered his head before he led my aunt out of the reception room. He was definitely not the one to complain at the fact how tightly she was pressing her body against his.

“Is he here for me or aunt Abby...?” I turned to my mother when our guests safely disappeared out of the sight.

“Oh … I …” She shook her head in disbelief. “I certainly didn’t expect this. Darling?”

My father was just as amazed. His mouth helplessly opened and closed, before he shook his head. “You’ll see how the day progresses, don’t write him off just yet.”

“Good luck,” my sister smirked, “You will definitely need it.”

With one last glance over my shoulder I followed my coquette of an aunt and Lord Aiden to his carriage.

And one thing I was absolutely positive about - it certainly wasn’t carved out of pumpkin.

The carriage bounced along the cobblestone road, slowly making its way toward the park. My aunt Abigail sat next to Lord Aidan, clutching his hand for her dear life and giggling every time the carriage jumped. She was sending him flirtatious and adoring looks, all the while pressing her over-exposed breasts against his arm. And he most definitely wasn’t immune to her charms.

I sat alone, right opposite of them, watching the unfolding scene with revulsion. Now I realized why my mother loathed my aunt. It wasn’t just the plain fact that she was stingy, she was also incredibly inconsiderate. It was painfully obvious why she so eagerly agreed to chaperone me. Deciding to ignore the pair, I much rather focused on the beautiful environment. It was a delightful sunny day for a stroll with lush green tress and colorful flowers soaking in the warmth of the sun rays.

The carriage finally came to a halt when we arrived at the main park entrance.

Lord Aiden offered his hand to my aunt, his face nothing but wide smiles.

Oh, please don’t mind me, I shall manage myself. He released the doors upon my aunt's exit, it surface almost smacking against my face.

I exited the carriage, glancing around in awe. I visited Hyde Park many times before, but it was quite a while ago since we moved to Sussex. My father took me when I was little. I still remembered all the beautiful rose bushes. I couldn’t deny the fact that I absolutely adored the gifts of nature.

Lord Aidan took out the picnic basket and led us toward the meadow next to the marvelous, glistening lake. He stretched the blanket over the slightly damp grass. “Ladies, you may sit now.”

I didn’t want to waste my time sitting down when there were so many fascinating places to explore. However, it would be quite rude to run away after he so kindly called on me. I folded my legs underneath me, careful not to expose my skin and sat down next to aunt Abby.

“So lovely, My Lord,” she chirped before placing her hand on top of his. “Was this your idea?”

“Of course,” he proudly beamed at her, completely ignoring the fact that I was sitting next to them.

“Well, I must say that I am very impressed,” her hand flew to his vest before greedily sliding over his chest.

“Oh please, it’s hardly anything special, My Lady,” he licked his lips and leaned forward to gain a better view of her bosom. The move was hardly considered to be discrete.

I jerked my head away from them, suddenly feeling disturbingly nauseated.