Mike arrived at Hild Estate in a state of silent torment.
Baron Hild, his wife, the three young ladies, and a string of servants were already waiting at the door.
"Oh, Mike!" Susan exclaimed, dragging out her words as she rushed over to embrace him. Her pregnancy wasn't showing much yet, so she could still hug him tightly without any hindrance. Mike caught her, only to be poked in the face by one of her hair ornaments.
"My dear lady, my cousin, you are more beautiful than ever," Mike said with a sly smile, earning a playful pinch from Susan. Baron Hild approached to shake hands warmly, while the three young ladies stood behind him, waiting to speak.
"Oh!" Anna, the youngest at fourteen, suddenly exclaimed. Though not yet of age to enter society, she was already looking quite grown up.
Mike turned back to find Luther had already alighted from the carriage, standing behind him with the help of a servant. Seeing Mike turn, Luther flashed a charming smile.
He truly is handsome, Mike thought. No wonder Anna was so taken aback.
Mike was quickly ushered to his guest room by Susan, who, having been the lady of the estate for many years, was adept at handling all sorts of situations.
Mike chatted with Baron Hild for a while, covering general topics. The baron soon excused himself to attend to business in his study, much to Mike's relief. Interacting with someone of his father's generation as an equal was always a bit uncomfortable.
At dinner, Susan subtly inquired about Luther's background. Upon learning that he would inherit an estate yielding an annual income of two thousand pounds, she beamed with delight. The baron exchanged a helpless glance with Mike, who could only smile in response.
The eldest daughter, Jennifer, was nineteen, and the second daughter, Vivian, seventeen. Both were already in society, seeking suitable husbands. Anna, at fourteen, would soon follow. The cost of dresses alone was substantial, especially for Jennifer and Vivian. Re-wearing old gowns at social events was a mark of shame, and attending more events increased their chances of meeting eligible young men. Thus, the Hilds bit the bullet and spent the money.
Though the Hild Estate generated significant income, the expenses were enormous—food, clothing, housing, maintenance of the castle, and upholding the noble facade by entertaining guests and hosting large gatherings. Susan had even dismissed Anna's governess to save a few pounds.
Mike had once covered the cost of several dresses for his nieces, knowing well the burden on Susan. Despite Baron Hild setting aside five hundred pounds each for Jennifer and Vivian, this sum was insufficient to secure a husband with a title and land. Susan had even asked Mike to introduce potential suitors. "I don't mind if they like men," Susan had said, holding Mike's hand, her face resolute in the candlelight. "As long as they can provide a good life and respect my daughters as wives."
Mike could only sigh. Despite not being married, he didn't know many like himself and felt awkward explaining this to Susan. "It's not that dire yet. If I find suitable young men, I will introduce them to Jennifer and Vivian," he gently reassured her.
Ladies often had a much harder time than gentlemen; otherwise, Susan wouldn't have married Baron Hild. Finding a young, handsome man with a secure inheritance was indeed rare.
Luther and Mike stayed on at Hild Estate.
The estate frequently hosted small gatherings where Jennifer and Vivian would play piano and sing, earning polite applause and comments from the gentlemen. Among the regular attendees was a young gentleman named Andrew, the son of a judge, who was madly in love with Vivian.
Susan was somewhat approving of Andrew. She told Mike, "I'm less worried about Vivian. She's beautiful and smart. She'll find a good husband."
"Are you referring to Andrew?" Mike asked.
Susan remained silent for a moment, not nodding.
"Andrew is young, wealthy, and madly in love with Vivian. What more could you ask for?" Mike inquired.
Susan sighed. "Andrew is wonderful except for the lack of a title. Until he proposes to Vivian, I can't relax."
"Don't worry. Andrew loves Vivian deeply. I'll talk to him," Mike comforted her.
After the gathering, Mike approached Andrew to ask if he truly loved Vivian. This was something Susan couldn't do, nor was it fitting for Baron Hild.
Andrew replied, "Sir, to be honest, I've already proposed to Miss Hild."
Mike was a bit surprised. "I'm sorry, were you rejected?"
Andrew smiled shyly. "Not exactly. Lady Hild's pregnancy led Miss Hild to ask that I wait until after the birth to propose again, to avoid worrying her mother."
Mike understood a bit of the young ladies' thoughts. Though Vivian favored Andrew, she wanted to see if someone better might come along, thus delaying his proposal. It was a way to keep her options open.
Mike relayed this to Susan, who, reassured, stopped worrying about the matter.
With Vivian's situation settled, Susan turned her attention to matching Luther with Jennifer. Luther, with a sprained ankle, was still mobile but preferred to sit and converse. Jennifer, who had a love for literature, found a like-minded discussion partner in Luther.
Jennifer, as the eldest daughter, had been given high expectations from birth. Though a girl, she was well-read, a fact that once made Susan proud but now caused her concern. Jennifer's extensive reading had seemingly dampened her interest in marriage. At nineteen, she had yet to receive a proposal.
Jennifer, however, was Mike's favorite niece.
Her birth held special significance for Mike, pulling him from the depths of despair and beginning a new chapter in his life. He remembered the feeling of holding the tiny, fragile baby in his arms, a life that needed protection and nurturing to survive.
This stirred a sense of paternal responsibility and pride within him.
So he personally taught her many things, holding her on his lap and reading to her.
He wished to give her the best of everything. Jennifer, his little princess, his niece, his salvation.
If it were Luther...