Loreliee

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

"Actual Cockroaches?" Adrian grinned at Azariah, trying to imagine her eating insects in the middle of the market place. As far as food was concerned, she shouldn't have an issue being a countess. Part of her noble duty was to savour dishes from renowned international cooks and Adrian was more than certain that she wouldn't mind this obligation.

"What could possibly interest you about me? I am a simple British man," Adrian replied, tilting his head to the side. Simplicity might not actually apply to him nor his future beloved, but she could have been betrothed to a duke or Prince as well. Compared to them, Adrian considered himself quite frugal.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

She wouldn't appreciate a ton of the changes that awaited her. And running her own business was a luxury of her past. How long would it take for her to figure it out? Her role in this whole spectacle? Adrian couldn't quite believe that she hadn't even looked up his name just to get to know her future husband and gather information about him. Such as his alleged affair with the married Countess of Devonshire.

"Oh darling, your life is far from what normal people would perceive as boring. And it is doomed to become even more attractive to the public eye." He said with a wink. From the corner of his eye he registered the approaching waiter, who then continued to put appetisers on the table. "Poached Salmon with Honey-Mustard sauce as your hors d'ouvre. Bon appétit," he said with a convincing French accent. Adrian thanked him politely and refocused his attention on Azariah. "I completely forgot to enquire about possible allergies. I hope you don't mind salmon, do you?"

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

A property management firm? That wasn't Adrian's idea of being discreet. No, he had to generate his income without drawing too much attention to himself. And being the boss of a property management firm was simply impossible. People would question his motives and possibly his title, calling him greedy and manipulative. Unlike the royal family, he couldn't directly use the public. And even worse - neither could his future wife. As an American heiress, she would be of use to him, but as the Countess of Summershire, she was expected to attend social events and proclaim her love for charity. Nobody would even listen to her business proposals, apart from him. All her suggestions would turn to his. Azariah did not have a single clue what she got herself into.

"We will talk about your visions later," Adrian replied curtly. "For now I would rather focus on your talents, likes and dislikes. Tell me about yourself, how you have lived your life so far and your plans for the future."

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

"No children, liberties for the both of us." Adrian concluded, raising his glass of champagne. "To us. May our marriage be short and glorious" With a smile he gulped the drink and put it back on the table, waving for the waiter to come. "As tempting as the foods on the menu sound, we would like to try something else. As our lives are full of surprises, the date shall be no less. Please, indulge us with your chef's masterpieces of his own choice."
Turning back to Azariah, Adrian folded his hands on the table. "And you should indulge me with your stories. How has England treated you so far? Albeit you are American, you must surely have come across some similarities. After all we share history." He could barely hide his smug smile. And soon you will be part of it.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

Her American accent was refreshing to listen to, full of life and energy. At the same time she exuded a calm confidence he found more than intriguing. Azariah was a breath of fresh air in this ancient building, so much he had to admit.
"Then we have a deal", Adrian agreed and considered shaking her hand for a second, but decided against it. She might believe that he was a businessman, however he knew better to not act like one. The lives of most aristocrats contradicted any cunning business schemes. Nonetheless she did have a point. As much as Adrian enjoyed his noble freedom, he also intended to keep it - forever. She was the first change to begin with.

And probably, only probably, she could actually be more valuable to him than he thought. What if she could actually help him with his financial means AND secure his position in the future? He did not plan to give up the parties he enjoyed, nor could he afford to spend less money on social festivities in general, but for the first time he considered using his position. Why had he never thought about it? Celebrating and at the same time discreetly obliging the other nobles to pay for it. And that was just the beginning.

Azariah's presence woke a passion in Adrian, he did not even know he possessed.
"Now that you say it, I am sure that we will form a brilliant team, you and me," Adrian said, seeing her with different eyes.
"But it is not me who we should worry about. After all, you will play a big part in this as well. For the moment you might underestimate your future role in this society, however any mention of the American public will no longer be of any relevance on this soil. If you are keen on your fortune, you will have to learn from the best. Fortunately, the very best is sitting right in front of you."

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

How should he explain to her that him showing up late was out of tradition and not a lack of manners without telling her that he was the Earl of Summershire? He decided that silence would suffice his intentions. It would give her the false impression of being in the right and dampen the situation. No matter the consequences, he made sure that this evening would not even come remotely close to a disaster.

Whilst she was discussing their shared future, Adrian, unobtrusively analyzed her body language. After all the secret emails and messages they were finally sitting opposite each other. Almost unbelievable, but not too good to be true. To his astonishment, she didn't bother with small-talk but preferred to come straight to the point. No false flattery or compliments. She did not even pay attention to his dear watch. Her eyes were directed at his face and her hands rested in her lap. Ironically, she reminded him of his own mother when she had one of her angry moments. Forthright, but still managing to couch her words in polite terms.

"I am not going to pretend that my intentions are honourable." Adrian cleared his throat. "On the contrary, my sole object of interest is your fortune." There, said it. "The last few months have been less profitable and now it is my duty to save my enterprise from bankruptcy - or even complete ruin."
He leaned towards her, as if he was about to let her in on something. "Dear Azariah, your threats fall on deaf ears. Do you actually believe the public court would interfere in our affairs'? Trust me, they know me and they know better than to meddle in things that ought not to be meddled in."
Sitting back, he gave the waiter a small gesture to fill their glasses with champagne, his eyes still resting on Azariah's face.
"Now tell me, how do you plan to make this, I mean, - us work?"

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

After he had entered the room, Adrian noticed two things: Firstly, that Azariah lived up to his expectations, as she was even more beautiful in reallife than on the photos. Especially in this revealing dress. Secondly, that she was upset.
"Because surely, someone with the slightest smattering of manners would have let me know he would be so late."
Okay, upset was an understatement. Furious described it better. Not the reaction he had hoped for, but rage was easier to deal with than disappointment. It could have been worse.

"Lovely to see you Azariah. I wouldn't necessarily call our situation a cellular disruption. It is more like a whirlwind marriage out of a bad film. Why don't we sit down and have a drink?" Taking a few slow steps forward, Adrian pulled one of the chairs back and looked at her in anticipation.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

Adrian was late. On purpose. As a noble, he had the privilege to be the last person to enter a festivity. It was even expected of him. As his future wife, Azariah should rather accept her fate and get used to it. Not for a second did he bother to contemplate whether she could consider his behaviour as an affront. Construe his lateness as a lack of dedication. No. After all, he had organised this dinner.

"You are looking handsome and powerful as always", reassured him one of his closer butlers, who was about to open the door to the dining room.
"What would I do without you Carl", Adrian replied. He checked the time on his Jaeger-Lecoutre watch and mentally prepared himself to set foot in the saloon. Was he nervous? He couldn't tell. His whole life had revolved around him being as confident as possible in any scenario. Timidity was an alien concept to him. This whole marriage is the reason for my sweaty palms. What else could it be?

Straightening himself, Adrian gave his butler a subtle nod and entered the room.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

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

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

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