History

Edgar John Edevane knew exactly what he wanted in life: wealth, prosperity, and purpose. His father had no doubts about his own place in the world, nor did his grandfather before him. Being a viscount was a birthright that was not to be taken lightly. Just because it was given did not mean it could be treated carelessly. No, it came with responsibilities, an honor to fulfill, tenants to care for, and a lineage to continue. To be a Marquess was more than a title—it was to be a leader of society, a living example of how the ton should behave.

Throughout his childhood, his father was both hero and mentor. Every word the man spoke was as sacred as those uttered by a priest in the name of God. Unsurprisingly, before Edgar was even born, he had already been betrothed to a lady from a prosperous and noble family. As always, he was expected to follow his father's commands without complaint. However, something happened that no one anticipated. Edgar fell in love with another lady, a woman whose name he kept secret. For the first time in his life, he refused to follow anything but his heart. But fate was not kind. Both he and his love were trapped by their families’ influence, power, and expectations. Forced to fulfill their duties, she was taken away—to where, he never knew—while he was pushed into marriage with threats looming over him. Edgar had never hated anyone before, but Georgia became the bane of his existence.

It took them a long time to have any children, as Edgar was too disgusted with himself and with her. When he was finally assured of having enough sons, he severed any remaining ties with his wife. He did not even share the same air she breathed if he could avoid it.

Edmund Edevane was born on a cold evening in the gargantuan estate owned by his father. His birth was not the product of love but of duty—a fact his father wasted no time in making clear. From the moment Edmund could understand words, his father’s reminders were relentless. Afterward, Elijah was born. It was said that the Marquess had an agreement: three sons, then he could stop having offspring. However, the third attempt did not prove successful, as dear Emma was born. Perhaps his lordship was not pleased, but her mother, who had always wanted a girl, sighed in relief. Her relief only grew when, after Emma, two more beautiful girls were born. The procreation only ceased with the arrival of sweet Eric.

Emma's childhood was not an uncommon one. Her father only gave any time of his day to his firstborn, out of duty, while the rest of his children were left in the care of their mother and nanny—a situation that most of them did not mind at all. Unlike other brothers, Elijah did not resent the lack of future responsibilities, especially when he saw the weight of the world seemingly rest on Edmund’s shoulders after each private lesson with the Viscount. Fortunately, their mother’s love was more than enough. Georgia found contentment and, with time, even true happiness in her children. Every waking moment of her day was dedicated to them. She made sure no one felt less important than the others, giving them equal time and attention. Emma, somehow, always found herself helping her.

She didn’t really know her father, as the man only appeared when a scolding was necessary or when he needed to deliver a lengthy speech on duty, responsibility, and expectations. Nevertheless, childhood was bliss. During that magical time when one is neither woman nor man, just a child, Emma followed her older brothers everywhere. She rode with them, practiced fencing with sticks, and returned home covered in mud in a way a future lady probably shouldn't have. She played every day and discovered a passion for painting. Her childish landscapes, offered as gifts to her mother, soon blossomed into one of her many talents.

When the time for Eton came for Edmund, and then for Elijah, Emma took the opportunity to become closer to her sisters. Eleanor was both a dream and a nightmare. A lover of gossip but also of forthrightness, the young lady never seemed to find the line between a mild lack of manners and plain, simple rudeness. On the other hand, Elena was the picture of a true angel with malicious intentions, her pranks on Eric growing worse each time. Emma became the caregiver of them all, minding Eleanor's tongue for her and helping Elena out of trouble—or better yet, helping Eric get his revenge. When Edmund and Elijah returned for the summer holidays, they always tried to teach her whatever they had been learning at Eton, while she told them all about her private tutoring and lessons with the governess.

Life went on like that, with her brothers always serving as the masculine figures the Marquess never was. They taught her to ride so well that she could gallop at full speed on a steed. They taught her to defend herself with a sword through fencing, although it was impossible to convince them to let her handle a gun.

Her first season "on the market" went well, but thanks to the Viscount’s lack of interest, Emma did not rush herself into marriage prospects. Instead, she accepted callers with grace and politeness. That is, until her father’s sudden passing. Hunting can be dangerous, and accidents can happen. The Viscount made it home alive but only long enough to speak with his firstborn before slipping away. Nobody knows what happened behind those closed doors—only that Edmund was never the same. The heir became a replica of what his father had been, though at least he was present in Emma’s life. However, his presence was perhaps not in the way she would have liked, as he seemed to have made it his life's goal to marry off each sibling as quickly as possible.