Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 109

"It's not real," Keller added in a rush as she saw my worried expression, assuring me.

I cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable. "Why are you even thinking about this? Colton's not that old and..." I shrugged. I mean, really! This was getting ridiculous.

So then the dowager told me that the Cuttings held tradition very seriously (literally) and it had been that way since around the early eighteenth century. They were given a certain age to marry. Now the current generation was next in line to get engaged and/or married at a rather young but legal age because, if they didn't, most especially the men, they would lose their inheritance and deal with public humiliation. Imagine Prince William being taught to rule a country someday, then it was all stripped away. That was a good example here.

The Cutting men grew up with titles and worked hard to be who they were supposed to be with the title they had, that it would be an insane bomb to their pride and egos if they'd be stripped off the right to it.

Michael, Lady Cutting continued to say, had been in that position. That was why he escaped to America; but then he met Keller and it wasn't the fairytale I thought it was back when I heard news about two students from St. George's back in San Ricardo, a neighbouring town of Evia.

"We were disastrous!" Keller admitted, but there was a smile on her face. "So anyway, Grandmama practically blackmailed and coerced us into participating. We agreed for different reasons, and pretended to show everyone in England that Michael and I were in love but...we hated one another. Until Michael no longer did, and started to really like me."

And then all was history.

That was actually a really nice but insane story. I didn't know the dowager was that capable of manipulation! Staring at her from the side, I grew very afraid and nervous, so I said, "But this is weird. I barely know your nephew, and I have a boyfriend."

"Bah!" Lady Cutting waved her hand and sniffed indignantly. "Are you sure you even have one?"

Why do people keep saying that?

"I do!" I said hotly.

"Then he will understand that you're doing this for a great cause and to help someone out. Colton has been a very good marquess who has helped with humanitarian endeavours alongside George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie, and since we have noble bloods, we do work alongside the royal family with the same, my dear. And Colton is a very good businessman. If he loses his title, he wouldn't be able to have the power to influence others."

Somehow, she seemed wrong on that score. Colton Cutting struck me as the type of person who would still be successful with or without his title. He looked like a hard-worker and was serious about his tasks.

Keller began to laugh so loud I had to whack her back with my palm. "He said that?" she managed to choke out.

"Yeah," I grumbled. "More or less."

Lady C thumped her cane, which got our attention. "I assure you, Olivia, that Colton will not think that of you again once he knows I am behind all this."

At my round eyes and slightly parted lips she actually rolled her eyes and fluttered her fingers, making my lips twitch and Keller shake with mirth beside me.

"Believe her, seriously," Keller chuckled, elbowing me playfully. "Cole wouldn't blame you if he knew this woman's scheming for the greater good again."

"I certainly have never failed," Lady Cutting snapped, sniffing. "And mark my words when I say this will leave the ladies wanting him more." Her blue eyes swivelled toward me with remarkable alacrity, almost smugly. "Certainly that will leave you desirable, too, catching the sight of one of the richest bachelors in Britain."