Chapter Fifteen

Sarah walked in the house with a smile on her face and her hand in Jonah's, who was also smiling. She hadn't let go of his hand since they had departed from Bloomsburg house and Jonah was riding the high of having her in close proximity.

"The only reason that I'm escorting you inside is to inform our mothers on the change of the wedding date. That's all." Jonah stated matter of factly, following her into the house.

"No, you're here to see if your mother is here because you miss her. No need to be shy my Lord " Sarah had been needling him for the entire ride home and he had been a good sport all along. He didn't exactly appreciate being thought of an apron hugger by his future wife but he loved the smile and the cheeky look on her face so he didn't say a word and took in the abuse like a love sick bastard. After their heart to heart, she had been all smiles and Jonah realized that her happiness was all he needed to be content.

As he followed her into the drawing room of the Sutton house, he smiled at how her hand was entwined in his, her tiny hand was magnified by his mammoth one. Even though he was looking for his mother to inform her of the change in the itinerary he just wanted to spend as much time with Sarah as he could, so as long as he was in her presence he could tolerate the light hazing. Trailing his eyes appreciatively along her frame he almost let out an appreciative moan. She was perfection. Plain and simple.

He was jolted out of his trance like state by Sarah who froze in front of him and he nearly bumped into her. Confused at the sudden action he first looked at her only to find her sweet smile gone and on her face a look of shock and dread. Frowning, he followed her gaze only to land on the Viscountess herself. It seemed like Grandmother had cut her trip short.

~

Viscountess Mable Bradford had been excited when she received news of her granddaughter's engagement but then she had been peeved when she realized that they had planned to have the wedding without her or her husband in attendance. She had packed up and travelled a ten day journey in only four days. Determined to get to the bottom of everything, she had decided not even time nor distance was going to get in her way.

Now as she stared at her granddaughter and her fiance, her irritation quickly faded into amusement. Out of all twists and turns, this was something she hadn't expected, not at all.

Sarah was going to marry the one person no one had expected. Jonah Holland was no stranger to her, she had broken up enough fights between the two in the past to know that there had been great animosity between them, but maybe it was all in the past or this was one of their games. At first Mabel had been puzzled when she had heard about the engagement to Jonah, granted she had been happy for her granddaughter but she felt like something was wrong. Something was amiss and hadn't the letter been from her daughter Amelia, she would have thought it Sarah's last ditch attempt at avoiding the inevitable. As far as she knew, those two couldn't stand each other so maybe it was all a sham.

The Viscountess had always considered herself rather intuitive and knowledgeable so she knew that she had to get to the bottom of everything come rain or shine.

Although now that she had seen the couple she could see the chemistry between the young lovers. Long gone were the menacing looks exchanged between the two, now she watched as concern filled Jonah's features as he looked at a shock filled Sarah, right before he looked at what induced the shock in the first place. Even as she broke through their shock she took note of their entwined hands. That was definitely new and it surprisingly suited them.

"Are you two going to stand there all day or are you going to come and greet me?"

Sarah was the first to recover, tightening her hold on Jonah's hand. "Grandmother, how lovely to see you. I thought you would be away for the next week or so."

Mabel raised an unamused eyebrow before saying, "I bet you'd like that very much."

Sarah was about to say no but the look on her grandmother's face was enough to silence her. Tugging Jonah along with her to sit beside her mother who happily offered them afternoon tea, she straightened her spine and faced her grandmother only to shrink back when a particular glare from the viscountess made her question all of her life decisions in one second.

Jonah noted Sarah's discomfort and finally got words to speak, "your grace, lovely to make your acquaintance as usual."

The Viscountess simply nodded before placing her tea cup o the table . "You two have quite some explaining to do. First of all, I hear that you got engaged, secondly you were planning to have the wedding without me or the Viscount in attendance." Both Sarah and Jonah had the decency to be ashamed and the Viscountess took a minute to savor the state before she continued. "As you two know, I am the matriarch of this family and I am within my right to handle all of the marital affairs of this family. I can choose to anull this engagement if I so please." It was a bluff, she was ready to play, even if to get the small modicum of satisfaction that their shocked faces brought upon her.

Twin gasps echoed in the room originating from Sarah and her mother. Jonah just looked at the Viscountess, he could tell that she was bluffing and having played poker most of his life he could see through the threat.

Sarah though was clearly not an avid poker player thus had a hard time reading her grandmother's poker face but having known the scheming woman all her life Sarah had her doubts about her grandmother's declaration. "You can't do that, I'm still under my father's patronage."

The Viscountess merely waved her hand, "I still outrank you father and I am looking out for your best interests my dear."

Sarah looked at Jonah then her mother, both of whom were silent. Amelia in shock and Jonah in contemplation.

"His father is a Duke, if he will it and it so happens that he does approve, then we are to marry."Sarah spoke in a rush to outsmart her grandmother.

The Viscountess was impressed but only just so, "Yes, but he isn't the first born son. He has the mere title of Lord and my utmost duty is to make sure that my granddaughter marries a man of good lineage and one with a title."

Sarah let out an exasperated sigh, she had known that getting her grandmother's approval was going to be hard but this was just ridiculous. She was running out of arguments but Jonah saved the day and took over, "I may not have a title but I have immense wealth and me having a title would make certain that you don't get an heir. As you can't expect your great grandson to control two estates in different corners of England."

The Viscountess was uncharacteristically lost for words then a smirk played out on her face as she said, "well played young man, well played."

Jonah let out a laugh and said, "thank you."

Sarah looked at the two for a moment, perplexed, then she caught on.

Amelia on the other hand was still staring at the two in wonder.

"I'm still not sure what game you both are playing at." The Viscountess pointed out as she once again picked up her tea cup and took a dainty sip.

Jonah chuckled softly, "my, whatever could you mean your grace?"

The Viscountess glared at him before saying, "the two of you absolutely hated each other as children so I find it rather suspicious that you now claim to be madly in love. Something's definitely amiss and I want to get to the bottom of it."

Sarah and Jonah shared a look before Sarah spoke, "We're not in love, that part is true but we found that we are excellent companions for each other and we make a good match." At Sarah's declaration, Amelia looked at her daughter questioningly only to school her features when Sarah glared at her. Jonah felt a pressure sit in his chest at her proclamation. She didn't love him. Not that he could blame her, their plan hadn't had anything to do with love.

"A good marriage can't thrive on mere companionship young lady." The Viscountess spoke sternly.

Sarah was undeterred, "We are not mere companions grandmother. Jonah and I have grown up together and we're good friends, sometimes rivals but all in all we care about each other deeply. I would do anything to protect him and I am sure he would for me. Out of all the suitors who have asked for my hand, he's the only one that I trust to be my husband and the father of my children. I may not love him at this moment but that doesn't mean that I don't hold him dear to my heart and that I won't love him at all."

Jonah looked at Sarah closely, feeling the pressure in his chest ease and a smile spread on his face.

The Viscountess looked at the two, "Perhaps. If you wish to get my approval then you shall follow me to our ancestral home, the Bradford estate."

"Whatever for grandmother?"

Sarah asked, her patience running out.

"You two claim to be such good companions, then you're going to have to prove it. You will reside at the Bradford estate until the wedding. I plan to keep a close eye on you, make sure that this isn't some sort of sham."

Sarah looked at Jonah, he didn't seem fazed and that was saying a lot because she was panicking, if there was anyone who was going to see through their ruse, it was one Viscountess Mable Bradford.

"We'd be delighted to join you, your grace. Although I do have to inform you that we had the wedding date moved to this Saturday."

Amelia swiveled in her chair to face Jonah, "What! Why am I hearing of this now?"

Jonah nearly winced at the glare sent his way by Lady Amelia and the Viscountess. His rush to marry his betrothed may have gone over smoothly when he informed his soon to be bride but clearly the other women in his life did not take it as swimmingly. He let out a sigh moments before he jumped out of the frying pan into the fire by saying. "I talked to Justice Darwin yesterday, there's no need to wait for any longer than necessary." Jonah watched as the glaring intensified and he had a feeling that the person who thought up the saying, if looks could kill, had once come across one of the Bradford ladies in a sourly mood.

"Well then I suggest you move quickly. Sarah your belongings have already been arranged, Lord Holland I suggest you get your affairs in order. I expect you to be there by dinner time."

The viscountess then stood and started walking out, followed by her daughter who escorted her out.

Left alone, they sat in silence until Sarah spoke, "you really don't have to come. I can find a way to distract her."

Jonah took her hand in his and brought it to his lips where he lay a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist. "I want this plan to work and the only way it will is if we manage to convince your grandmother. I take it, we can live under one roof without killing each other, Miss Sutton?"

Sarah could tell he was jesting so she played along, "only if we call a truce, Lord Holland."

Rising up and holding his hand out to her Jonah helped her up. "Then it is so. A truce until the wedding day."

Sarah corrected, "until the day after the wedding. I do not want your shenanigans to ruin my wedding. I may not be one for frills and lace but I would appreciate a good best day of my life ."

Jonah laughed and raised his hands in surrender, "alright, day after the wedding. Now I have to go get my affairs in order. I will call on you in about 3 hours, so we can start our journey."

Sarah walked him to the door where her mother was talking to the footman. She watched with a smile as he gave her one last wave before he departed.

Once the door was closed after him, Amelia pounced on her daughter, "why didn't you tell you grandmother the truth. You love him."

Sarah grabbed her mother's  hand and led her back to the drawing room before closing the door. When she was sure there was no one who could eavesdrop she turned to her mother, "I told you that in confidence mama, and if I recall correctly, I said that I think I'm falling in love. Not that I am!"

Amelia raised her hands in exasperation, "what's the difference. You'll fall in love with him sooner or later."

Sarah looked at her mother, tears in her eyes. For the first time in the past few weeks, reality crashing down on her. With sadness in her voice, she told her mother her fears. "The difference is that I don't think he loves me back. I don't want to expose my heart to him, only to have it crushed."

Amelia closed the gap between them, hugging her daughter close to her. "Oh my darling. I love you so much."

Letting Sarah out of her embrace, she spoke wiping her daughter's face of the tears that had escaped the corner of her eyes, "listen to me dear. Love is the most magical thing in the world. It can be trying and difficult at times but one thing I know for sure is that love is catching. It spreads from person to person at an alarming rate. I also know that no one can stay in your presence without loving you."

Sarah let her tears fall as she once again hugged her mother.

Deep down she was conflicted, she wished to tell her mother about the ruse but she also knew that her mother would be immensely disappointed in her. The one person who was willing to give her unending support was the one she had to keep her secret from.

So she hid her worries as tears. She knew that the next four days would be trying and difficult but she was determined to get through them. For both hers and Jonah's sakes, she had to play the part.

★

Hello my beautiful readers, I hope you enjoyed meeting the Viscountess in this chapter. I'm starting a new series called "Eternal Sinners." The first book in the series will drop soon.

Another one of my unpublished works will be dropping soon, "Saviour." For those who enjoy mafia romances. I hope you will join me through the journey, till next time. Have a beautiful week.