Simon Sterling, the second son of the late Earl of Sterndale finally arrived in London after what seemed like eternity. He had spent the last several years overseeing the family’s business connections in the Far East. He maintained the interest that his late father, the Earl of Sterndale, had held in a shipping company which Simon’s elder brother, Travis, had inherited four years ago.

Simon dismounted from his horse and stood outside the manor with his arms akimbo. He was of average height, with a wiry build. Simon had light-blond hair parted down in the middle and a boyish smile. His pale-blue eyes were round, with full lashes, his face smooth and clean-shaven, his skin lightly tanned.

The manor was just as he remembered it. Situated in the fashionable St. John district, the building was a sight to behold. Simon breathed in the warm air, redolent with the heavy fragrance of blossom. He took in the view of the lush green grass and trees, the beautiful spread of blue sky, and the sound of the trees billowing in the breeze. In the far distance, right in the middle of the field, he could see the pond he remembered all too well.

The huge manor house, which stood right in the centre of the estate, was built of stones of many different sizes and shapes. Simon remembered how he used to kill time by counting the stones and noting the different colours. He stopped, however, when he realized it was no use—he would never be able to count them all. However many there were, and whatever shape and size, in the end, they all came together nicely.

“My lord.” Andrews, the butler, welcomed Simon with a smile and a bow. “It is good to have you back.”

“It’s great to be back, Andrews.” Simon beamed at the man.

“Lord Sterling is in his dressing room,” Andrews announced.

Simon followed Andrews, heading to his brother’s chambers. He had not seen him in years, and Simon could already feel the excitement flowing through his body.

Travis froze when Andrews announced Simon’s presence. He stared at him with his mouth ajar, and brought both hands to his hips, slowly breaking into a smile.

You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Simon noted, chuckling.

Travis approached him, laughing too. “I might as well have! What’s it been? Four years since I last set eyes on you?”

They hugged, patting each other’s backs as they rocked back and forth. Simon felt at peace, finally home with his family. He could at last take a rest from business and find new interests.

“Father?” Simon heard a girl saying softly. He turned around to see a little girl standing in front of him, about four or five years old. 

“Good morning, sir,” she greeted him in a high-pitched voice, looking sorry to have interrupted the conversation.

Simon smiled and squatted by her side. “Well, good morning to you too. What’s your name, pretty lady?”

“My name is Emma,” she answered. “Are you my uncle?”

“I am,” Simon said, chuckling. “Aren’t you quick-witted? I’m Simon Sterling, your father’s charming younger brother. I reckon the last time I saw you, you were merely an infant.”

“I haven’t seen you at all, Uncle Simon,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Father talks about you all the time. He says you’re travelling around the world on business.”

Simon chuckled, finding Emma adorable. “Emma, I’m to blame for being absent, let me apologize. But I got you something. . .”

Simon watched her, while reaching into his pocket to pull out his gift for Emma. “Here,” he said. “I hope you like it.”

“Whoa!” Emma gushed. “A pink ribbon! Father, look.”

“Do you like it?” Simon asked.

Emma nodded, skipping away excitedly without saying another word.

“Simon, my darling!”

Simon’s face lit up; he would recognise the voice of his loving mother anywhere. He turned around and watched the Dowager Countess of Sterndale, Lady Matilda, and the Countess of Sterndale, Travis’ wife, Lady Charlotte, hurry into the room. 

Simon couldn’t hide his surprise at seeing Charlotte was heavily pregnant. Matilda had her arms spread as she approached Simon, beaming. Simon couldn’t mask his amusement. He chuckled, spreading his arms too.

“Mother.” He embraced Matilda, resting his head on her shoulder and taking in the smell of her perfume. He hadn’t seen his mother in so long, he didn’t want the hug to end. “Oh, how much I’ve missed you.”

Matilda patted his back gently. “I’ve missed you too, my darling son.”

“Let me see you.” Matilda pulled away from the hug and assessed his face. 

“You look as radiant as ever, Mother,” Simon noted, pecking her on the forehead. “I trust you have been well?”

“Indeed, my dear. You look rested.”

“Simon!” Charlotte chimed in, smiling too.

Simon turned away from Matilda and returned Charlotte’s smile “My lady. Look at you, Charlotte.”

“Oh, well, we’ll have another baby in the family any moment now.”

“Well, I’m glad to have returned, then,” Simon said. “I’m happy I’ll be here to witness the birth of my second niece or nephew.”

“Your journey must have been tiring,” Matilda interjected. “You only arrived moments ago. Come, my dearest. You must be thirsty. I’ll ring for a drink.”

Matilda said she was merely ringing for a drink, but in the matter of twenty minutes, she had arranged for a late lunch. She practically dragged Simon to the main dining room and sat him down, together with the entire family. It was amazing how quickly the meal had appeared in such a short time.

“Oh, since you’re here already,” Matilda started, placing her teacup down, “Simon, I wish you to accompany me to the Countess of Davenshire’s soirée tomorrow. It’s perfect timing.”

Simon sighed, smiling. “Mother, I only arrived minutes ago. I was hoping I could rest tomorrow, and possibly the next day too.”

“Oh, don’t say no to me,” Matilda begged. “I get lonely at these gatherings, and you’re the best of company.”

Travis laughed, shaking his head. “It’s a trap, Simon. Mother wants to start playing matchmaker for you this Season as soon as possible.”

“Don’t discourage him,” Matilda rasped at him. “Simon, I really would love your company. I always feel I look better on your arm.”

“Fine, Mother.” Simon succumbed. “I’ll come with you to your soirée. It’s been a while since I attended one, anyway.”

Simon saw the look of excitement on his mother’s face and was satisfied. As long as she was happy, he was too. It was time to get accustomed again to London, since he had been gone a good while.

***

The colours of spring; Simon particularly loved it when the rain drummed on the roof, the earthy smell of wet soil after the rain, and the cool air it left behind. He loved the sound of the wind rustling through the trees; it had such a calming effect on him.

Simon rode his horse through Hyde Park, basking in the fresh, vibrant atmosphere. He’d missed the green grass of England while he was abroad, and appreciated the beauty of the park. The sun was beautiful, shining down on the park and warming everything below. It was a bright, refreshing day.

There were couples talking in the open. A few other people were having picnics on the grass since the weather was perfect for it. Others mounted canopies in designated areas of the park and sat beneath them, enjoying themselves. There were a lot of mothers and daughters, groups of gentlemen, all enjoying the scenery in their own way. Sets of ladies were also strolling along, giggling.

Simon rode towards the tall trees bordering the park. He brought his horse to a halt and dismounted. After a quick stretch, he strolled to stand near the water’s edge of the Serpentine River.

“Where are the ducks?”

Simon remembered the ducks well; watching their antics had always been the best part about coming to the park years ago. Watching them waddle about, going in and out of the water, was comical. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed that they weren’t there today. There were a few people seated close to the river, enjoying its shining beauty, as it stretched away, meandering in the wide, serpentine arcs from which it got its name.

“I just had this feeling in my stomach that I would find you here.”

Simon turned around and found Travis standing by his side. Travis was dressed rather formally for a morning stroll. He always wore his hair slicked back, with neatly shaven sideburns, and a thin moustache on his upper lip.

“Did you follow me here?”

“Of course not.” Travis scoffed. “I, too, have a habit of taking a ride first thing in the morning. It helps to clear my head.”

“Well, that’s good,” Simon noted, glancing at the water. “This is one reason I’m so glad to be back in London; I’ve missed this river.”

“I could have guessed that,” Travis replied. “You used to come here for the ducks. I reckon I’ve never met a man as fascinated by ducks as you.”

Simon laughed quietly. “I’m not fascinated by them. I just liked to feed them.”

“Well, perhaps that’s why they seem to have left. Perhaps there was no one left to feed them.”

“That can’t be true,”

Travis took two steps forward and stood by Simon’s side. “Simon, I’m curious. . .”

His statement caught Simon’s attention. Simon tilted his head to the side and arched his eyebrows. “What might you be curious about, Brother?”

“You,” he stated bluntly. “I came here to clear my head. Apparently, working on ledgers for a prolonged period of time has a certain befuddling impact on one. That’s why I came to the park. Did you come here to clear your head too, Simon?”

“Well . . . yes. You could say that.”

“Are you considering staying here in London permanently?” Travis asked.

“When did you start reading minds, Travis?” Simon asked. “First, you follow me here, then you read my very thoughts.”

Travis shook his head. “I did not follow you here, Simon. But that is beside the point. Simon, I really think you should consider making London your permanent residence. This might sound selfish, but I don’t want to have to keep worrying about where you are. I want you to settle down in one place. Preferably here.”

Simon bit back a smile. That was the exact reason he had decided to take a stroll; he’d needed to clear his head and think. Seeing Travis and his family all together, seemingly so happy, had reminded Simon that he could have the same kind of future. He could stop being a bachelor and find a match. Someone to settle down with. He’d woken up that morning with so many conflicting thoughts running through his brain that he’d decided the best thing would be to go riding through the park.

“Well, who is going to oversee the business in the Far East?”

“We can get someone, hire a manager, someone who actually lives there to oversee it and report back to you.”

Simon sighed. “I don’t know, Travis.”

“Simon, you cannot be a bachelor forever.”

“I know,” Simon groaned. “Let me ask you this . . . are you happy, Travis?”

“Extremely,” his brother answered. “Of course, the title comes with responsibilities, but I wouldn’t trade my life with Charlotte for anything.”

“I remember when you first met Charlotte, the day you told me you’d found her—the woman you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.”

“I remember that day. I also remember being a little bit drunk.”

Simon laughed. “A little. But I’d like that too, so I’m thinking about it. I don’t know yet . . . but I just want you to know that I also have it in mind.”

“Fair enough. Just. . . You being far from home makes me think of how Father passed away and I—”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Travis,” Simon assured him, placing an arm across his brother’s shoulder.

“I do. Father’s illness was sudden. We didn’t even know . . . couldn’t do a thing. It scares me that something like that can happen in the blink of an eye. I don’t want to blink, and the next second . . . I’m worried about you, Simon.”

“No need! Come on, I’m not a child.”

“You are to me.”

Simon scoffed. “Travis, I’m twenty-six years old. You already have a child to worry about. Two soon, counting the one in Charlotte’s belly.”

“Well, hopefully, sometime in the near future, you will have one too. And, as much as I will always encourage you to find a match this Season, be careful with Mother.”

“Oh.” Simon sucked in his teeth. “You don’t have to tell me, Brother.”

Travis chuckled. “She can be a little . . . much. So, decide for yourself, all right? Use your intuition.”

“I always do,” Simon said. “Speaking of Mother, I should return home and prepare for this soirée tonight.”

“All right. We’ll go together.”

Remounting their horses, they turned back toward the manor, managing a small race along the way, which Travis won. Simon laughed more than he had done in a while, feeling exhilarated. The ride was a much-needed respite, and he was glad to have had a talk with Travis.