Marie-Fey was still staring at Zaydan like he was insane when the journey was near completion.

She stared from a distance though, in case his idiocy was contagious, and successfully avoided him until the final night when he managed to corner her at the bow of the ship where she'd just finished talking to Raaji about making port in the morning.

Apprently when Zaydan chose to corner someone, he took it literally, sneaking up on Marie-Fey when her back was turned, facing the sea, her attention on the last letter Sophia had sent her before she'd left, reading in the lamplight and distracted.

And then Zaydan clamped his hands on the railing on either side of her, pressed in against her back and she automatically stepped back and ground her heel into his foot.

"OW!" he shrieked, jolting back as Marie-Fey glared at him over her shoulder.

"We must work on your understanding of boundaries," she snapped as he flexed his abused foot. "If you're so close my skirts are bent out of their perfect circle, you are too close. Stay out of my space!"

"But your skirts are huge!"

"So is my personal bubble."

"Lady Fey—"

"Bubble."

Zaydan sighed in annoyance but stepped back and Marie-Fey's skirts bounced back into place and only then did she turn to him and lean back against the bow – the movement pushing the stiff petticoats of her skirts forwards, expanding the barrier.

Zaydan clearly noticed that as he glared down at her dress.

"What do you want?"

"You still haven't answered me yet."

"About what?"

"Let's play pretend."

"Let's not," Marie-Fey said, frowning at him, "I'm really questioning your intelligence."

"I'm extremely intelligent or you wouldn't give me the time of day."

Marie-Fey pursed her lips.

"Come on, Lady Fey, just for a few weeks. No one will know."

Marie-Fey choked at that. "People most certainly will know! You have friends there. And there's the small matter of Zaafira."

"Zaafira will keep our secret."

"I believe that as much as I trust Zaafira."

"Well I trust her."

"Did I mention you have terrible taste in friends?"

"You made a comment. Come on, Lady Fey," he said, stepping forwards until he was at the very edge of her bubble. "No one knows my brother here. People barely know me, I was only here for the duration of my university career and, as I said, most of my friends are scattered across the world for work. It'll be fine, I promise."

"I don't believe you. This will all go wrong. Someone will figure out this mad ploy and then I'll be even more humiliated than if I just went in alone. I can handle this, just fine. I'm used to him not being here. I don't need protection or help."

Zaydan looked down at her for a moment, then leant back. He considered her for a long moment, then smiled.

"I don't think you need protection or help," he said, "I think you have everything well handled, as you always do. But it's fun to fool the world sometimes."

Marie-Fey narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you know of fooling the world?"

Zaydan grinned. "Those secrets are for me and my wife," he said and Marie-Fey glared at him.

"I'm not 'marrying' you," she said, "Not even for a couple of weeks."

Zaydan clamped his hand to his chest like she'd shot him. "Lord, woman! You just broke my heart with that rejection! You need to let a man down gently! We have fragile egos!"

Marie-Fey couldn't hold back the snort as she shook her head. "Your ego is fine," she said, folding her arms, "You're made of sterner stuff than that."

"True. So, the answer's no?"

"The answer is no."

"Well," he said with a dramatic shrug, "The option will be there should you change your mind."

"I'm sure I won't."

"I'm sure you won't as well but it could have been fun."

Marie-Fey looked down at the letter she held for a moment, before smiling slightly. "It could have been," she agreed.

~~~~~

They reached land the next morning but wouldn't reach Town until that evening, it was a long carriage right from the coast to the capital.

Marie-Fey debating on detouring to Beldon and Luka's home but Rose Castle was a little too out of the way and she had no idea if Beldon would be in residence. She decided to just get home rather than suffer Zaafira's continued complaints about how cold it was.

Eventually she personally drowned Zaafira in one of her own fur capes and blankets, stuffed her back into her carriage and had the party carry on, relieved that she couldn't hear Zaafira anymore.

How she had heard her from a different carriage, over the sound of the wheels and horses, she would never know.

Maanah and Gharam, cold from the difference in climate, were just happy to enjoy the scenery.

Marie-Fey was always happy to see the rolling hills, the neat farms, thick forests and busy towns that they passed along the way.

They stopped for lunch but Rajii had had to foresight to send the party off with a meal prepped by the ship's cook – something Zaafira and Marie-Fey's ladies would be used to eating.

They stared at Marie-Fey's meal – not sure what to make of it.

They reached the family manor before teatime and Marie-Fey almost fell into the arms of her footman as he opened her carriage for her.

"It's good to see your home, Miss," he said brightly, gripping her hand tightly as she stepped down.

"It's good to be home, Frankson," she said, smiling at him. "Is my family here?"

"Yes, Miss, all of them."

"All?" she said in surprised delight right before the large front doors blew open and one of her brothers appeared with his usual flare, deep auburn hair loose and wild around his head as his blue eyes dazzled in the cool sunlight.

"Maire-Fey!" he cheered.

"Constantine!" she cheered back, lifting her skirts and sweeping up the steps, her travelling companions gawking at the smile on her face as she threw her arms around him and he squeezed her like a teddy bear.

"About time! I'm disastrously bored whenever you leave me!"

"Hah, sure," Marie-Fey sneered as he dragged her into the house, rushing her to get her outdoor clothing handed off to a maid as he regaled her with that day's news about who said what to whom and when and where.

He only stopped when he spotted Maanah, Gharam and Zaafira appear in the entrance hall, staring around them with wide eyes.

His attention zeroed in on Maanah and she offered him a careful smile when she caught him staring.

"Company?" he asked, looking at Marie-Fey.

"My ladies, Maanah and Gharam," Marie-Fey introduced.

"Ah! I should have guessed, she speaks so highly of you in her letters," Constantine said, smiling his usual blinding smile, walking towards them and kissing both their hands before turning his attention on Zaafira.

She looked him up and down and Marie-Fey could tell she was warring between the fact that Constantine was an instantly likeable, good looking young man and that he was Marie-Fey's brother – meaning she didn't want to like him.

But everyone liked Constantine, he weaselled his way into everyone's hearts – much to the chagrin of slighted husbands and fiancés.

"That's Zaafira," Marie-Fey added.

Constantine looked at her for a moment, then his grin twisted.

"Ah, my sister has mentioned you as well," he said, kissing her hand nonetheless.

"I'm sure she has," Zaafira said coolly.

"Marie?"

Marie-Fey looked around as Antoinette's voice as her older sister appeared from one of the side rooms with their eldest brother, Valentine.

The twins smiled brightly when they saw her, hurrying over to give her tight hugs and introductions were made all over again.

"My god, there are four of them," Marie-Fey heard Zaafira muttered under her breath.

"There are six," Gharam quietly corrected.

"Good lord."

Marie-Fey almost snorted. "Where's Rosalia?"

"Here!"

Rosalia appeared at the top of the grand staircase, moving lightly but carefully with her pregnancy. Her husband, Braydon appeared soon after, following her, smiling at Marie-Fey when he saw her.

There was yet another round of greetings – during which Gharam stared at Rosalia like she'd found a fallen angel.

Finally Marie-Fey looked around.

"Where's Papa? And the monster?"

Constantine snorted. "Papa is engaged at dinner with from business associates, he didn't expect you until later tonight."

"That's alright," Marie-Fey said, waving that off.

"Bel is in the sunroom with the children," Rosalia said.

"Excellent, let's go there. Tea," Marie-Fey instructed to one of the maids before the group walked through the house – Zaafira and the ladies staring around them – until they reached the doors to the sunroom and opened the doors.

Beldon was sprawled unceremoniously on one of the sofas, looking like death becomes him.

Luka was on the floor, his head propped up against Beldon's sofa, and Rosalia's twins were currently using him as a climbing frame – the sight making Marie-Fey stop because it was not a scene she could ever imagine from Luka Rose.

The pair glanced up as the doors opened and Beldon's eyes widened.

He launched off the sofa with the lightness of a cat and flew at her, grabbing her arms.

"Marie! You're back! Thank god! Children! You must look after the children! I am not designed for children!"

He flung his arms around her and sagged against his older sister and she just rolled her eyes.

"They're exhausting."

"Yes, I know. I have a younger brother who has yet to grow up," Marie-Fey replied, heaving him off her and sweeping across the room, gathering her nephews up with ease, hugging them tightly as they cheered at the sight of her.

"Welcome home, Marie-Fey," Luka said, smoothly rising to his feet.

"You seem to be doing better as an uncle than my brother," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I believe Beldon has finally met his match," Luka said as the pair glanced back at Beldon who was eyeing Rosalia's rounded stomach suspiciously.

"Why must you have another one?" he was asking.

"Because you won't be and someone has to make up the numbers," Rosalia replied.

"Ouch," Beldon said with a laugh before spotting the newcomers.

They were staring at him – and Marie-Fey knew it had nothing to do with his ridiculous behaviour.

It was hard to do anything but stare when faced with Beldon Leigh's unfairly handsome face and dazzling smile.

"Hello," he said, joining them, "How do you do? Beldon Leigh."

The three women just gaped.

Luka and Marie-Fey glanced at each other, then did a synchronised eye-roll and Luka took the nephews back.

"Why don't you three come sit down?" Maire-Fey said to them, Beldon waving the ladies past, seemingly oblivious to their gaze as they walked towards Marie-Fey, still staring him.

"You're so annoying," Constantine muttered, glaring at Beldon.

Beldon shot him a wicked grin. "Can't imagine what you mean," he said as maids arrived with tea and treats.

The drinks were just being served when Zaydan arrived and he stopped dead in the doorway of all five of Marie-Fey's siblings, still grouped near the door, turned and looked at him.

He stared back at them, taking in their faces one at a time.

Then blinked.

"Who are you?" Antoinette asked, her tone polite, if mildly baffled.

Zaydan continued to stare at them for a moment, then his eyes flicked passed, meeting Marie-Fey's before looking back.

"You don't know?" he said, sounding genuinely surprised.

"Should we?" Valentine asked.

"Well... I'm Marie-Fey's husband," Zaydan said and Marie-Fey had a teacup in her hand and hand raising in an instant, ready to hurl it at him.

Maanah and Zaafira grabbed her before she could, wrestling her down with a hand over her mouth.

Her siblings stood with their backs to them, so they missed the scuffle but they were just staring at Zaydan.

Constantine was the one to break it, stepping forwards, titling his head to the side, circling Zaydan in a dramatic fashion, examining him from head to toe, stopping just behind his left shoulder, before banging his own into Zaydan's back, making him stumble.

"No you're not," he said with a smirk, setting his hands on his hips and eyeing Zaydan.

Zaydan caught himself, looking back at Constantine, then everyone looked at Marie-Fey who was still glaring Death at Zaydan.

"What did I tell you?" she hissed at him and Zaydan had the nerve to shrug.

"Who's the clown?" Constantine asked.

Marie-Fey released a heavy sigh. "My brother-in-law. Zaydan."

"Ohhhhh," Constantine said, looking Zaydan up and down again before shooting him an unpleasant smile. "The husband couldn't come so they sent the next worst thing, huh?"

"Con," Valentine hissed, waving him away.

Constantine gave a dramatic shrug and walked away to take a seat.

Zaydan didn't seem ruffled by Constantine's words, though he eyed all the siblings with a wariness.

Once again, Marie-Fey did yet another round of introductions – pointing in order with Valentine, Antoinette, Constantine, Rosalia and Braydon, Beldon and Luka.

Zaydan's eyes zeroed in on Beldon the second his name was said and Beldon just looked back at him, easy smile and raised eyebrow.

"So you're the famous Beldon," Zaydan said.

"The Famous Beldon?" Beldon copied with a grin, "I guess I am. Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sure it is," Zaydan replied.

Beldon's smile widened and he looked at Luka. "I don't think he likes me."

"Well you can't charm everyone," Luka replied from where he sat on his sofa with the children.

"Sounds like a challenge."

"I don't like how you present yourself," Zaydan said.

"How do I present myself?"

"Like you're better than everyone else."

"Maybe I am."

"But maybe you're not."

"Maybe I'm not," Beldon agreed, "You shouldn't listen to everything said about me. People like to talk."

"Indeed they do," Zaydan said and moved past, dismissing Beldon as he walked across the room to take a seat beside Zaafira.

Beldon was still for a moment, then turned a delighted grin towards Rosalia.

She raised her eyebrows at him and suppressed a smirk.

Marie-Fey just stared at Zaydan.

No one dismissed Beldon.

No one dismissed any of her siblings!

Zaydan accepted a tea from one of the maids, quietly explaining what the different little cakes were to Zaafira.

"So, where is the husband?" Beldon asked, taking a seat beside Luka, crossing his legs, knocking his knee against Luka's and sending him a grin. Luka shot him a look and Beldon's smile widened. Luka narrowed his eyes with a smile jerk of the chin, to which Beldon replied by biting his lower lip to crush the grin, tilting this head in reply. Luka rolled his eyes and looked back at Marie-Fey.

Marie-Fey waited for their silent conversation to finish – she had never figured out if they really had full conversations through nothing but gestures or if they actually somehow managed to read each other's minds, neither would surprise her.

"He couldn't make it," Marie-Fey replied when attention was back on her.

Constantine snorted. "There's a big surprise," he drawled, "When will he cease to amaze us?"

"Con," Antionette said, "His brother is right there."

"I know, I see him," Constantine replied, then looked at Marie-Fey. "So what's the plan? You're going to pretend he's really your husband so everyone stops gossiping?"

"We are most certainly not," Marie-Fey snapped, turning her glare on Zaydan, who shot her an innocent look. "I told you," she hissed.

"I was just having some fun."

"You were being a menace."

"Is there a difference?"

"You were this close to have a shard of china in your head."

"As I am every time I take tea with you."

"We didn't realise we'd have so many guests," Rosalia said, dragging their attention back to the group. "We'll have to inform the hostesses today or tomorrow, so they know to expect extra guests."

"How many events are there beside the wedding?" Marie-Fey asked.

Rosalia quickly listed off no fewer than fifteen gatherings the family would be expected to attend – between galas, assemblies, dinners, balls and tea parties, Marie-Fey didn't expect to actually have much time to catch up with her siblings.

After a moment, she looked at the others.

"You needn't attend all of these events," she said to the three ladies, "You're not used to such social events and it may well exhaust you. We won't think anything of it if you choose to bow out."

"Can we attend them though?" Gharam asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Antionette said, "I'll inform the various families right away, they'll love to meet you."

"Have you eaten yet?" Valentine asked, "Evening meal will be soon."

"No, and I am in need of dinner," Marie-Fey said, "Then I think an early night." She pointed a warning finger at Zaydan. "You, behave yourself."

Zaydan looked wounded. "What did I do?"

"Exist."

"So cruel."

"Bel, Gharam is learning piano, maybe you can sit with her while we're here."

Beldon sent Gharam a smile that made people fall in love – Gharam looked slightly dazed.

"Of course, I'd love to sit with you. We can practice tomorrow."

Zaydan glanced between Gharam and Beldon then pulled a face of distaste until Zaafira jammed her elbow into his side.

"Rosalie, do you have any spare gowns they could borrow of the dances?"

"Of course," Rosalia said, "I can't fit in any of those dresses at the moment so they have lots of chose."

"I can have some new ones brought from Rose Castle," Braydon added, "If you want some that haven't been seen before."

Marie-Fey grinned. "That would be perfect."

The distant gong rang, signalling dinner and everyone rose, filing out of the room; Antoinette engaging Zaafira in polite conversation, Constantine weaselling his way past Maanah guard and making her laugh and Rosalia drawing Gharam into easy discussion – while Zaydan and Beldon eyed each other like suspicious cats, Luka and Marie-Fey hustling them out before they started circling each other.