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preferred to cohabitate with other happily unmarried gentlemen, but that also felt rather optimistic when he was not at all on cordial terms with his desired fellow bachelor. “My dear Aunt Mathilda, I really don’t think that I’m suited for marriage.”
    “We’ve discussed this before, Fitzhenry, and I am certain that a sensible-minded young lady would be able to take you in hand and make a proper husband of you, not to mention the trouble of your limited income.”
    “I live perfectly well on my income,” Lord Loxley interjected, and promptly regretted his interjection when Lady Mathilda Loxley gave him a withering look.
    “I intend for you to marry Miss Sarah Meriwether,” said Lady Mathilda Loxley. “Her family is quite comfortably situated and I have heard that on all counts she is an eminently sensible young woman. One hopes she might return a bit of respectability to Loxley Manor.”
    “I suppose it doesn’t matter if I like Miss Sarah Meriwether,” Lord Loxley said, having never met the young lady in question and certain that he very much did not wish to marry her.
    “No,” said Lady Mathilda Loxley. “It does not.”
    Lord Loxley flushed indignantly, feeling very much like a child. “Am I to meet Miss Meriwether before the wedding?”
    “Don’t be glib, Fitzhenry, it doesn’t suit you. I am having the Meriwethers to dinner at my home next Saturday. I expect that you will attend, and I expect that you will be well-mannered.”
    Still quite high-colored, Lord Loxley stared fixedly at his tea. “Yes, Aunt Mathilda.”
    “Good,” Lady Mathilda Loxley nodded once, considering the matter settled. “Now, provide your updates regarding the management of the estate.”
    “In rentals and income for April, 34 pounds, 5 shillings,” Lord Loxley recited, back stiff and jaw tight with humiliation as he reported to her on the management of his estate. She listened, questioned his judgement, and criticized liberally.
    When at last the ordeal was finished, Lady Mathilda Loxley took her leave.
    Mr. Rochester stood in silence at Lord Loxley’s side until they could see through the window that her carriage was driving away.
    “Why do you let her do that to you?” Mr. Rochester demanded.
    “Because I must,” Lord Loxley said, remaining tensely in his chair. Mr. Rochester’s indignation on his behalf was doing nothing to ameliorate his embarrassment. “The estate is hers. While I retain the Loxley title, I reside here only by my aunt’s grace. She allows me the management of it, and to use the income from the estate toward my own upkeep. My parents left to me a trust with interest of a mere fifty pounds a year, and they lived here, as I do, by her grace. She is not, as you can see, very impressed by my management of the estate, but this arrangement saves her the trouble of managing it or providing for my upkeep, and allows me to maintain a measure of dignity. At least, it must be said, when she isn’t visiting .”
    “You report to her like a schoolboy.”
    “What would you have me do?” Lord Loxley asked, his color high as he rose to his feet. “I don’t wish to discuss it.”
    “I would think you might at least choose your own wife ,” Mr. Rochester commented icily.
    “I do not want a wife. How shall I choose a woman, from Miss Meriwether to Princess Charlotte, if I do not want any of them?” I want you , Lord Loxley thought hopelessly.
    “It isn’t my place to say,” Mr. Rochester said, closing off behind the excuse of valet once again.
    “No,” Lord Loxley agreed. “Even as my friend, Mr. Rochester, this isn’t your concern.”
    Angry and upset, Lord Loxley turned and left the room.

Chapter 4
    T he following Saturday , Lord Loxley and Mr. Rochester went to Lady Mathilda Loxley’s estate for dinner.
    Lord Loxley arranged for Mr. Egby to serve as coachman, which allowed Mr. Rochester to ride in the cabin with Lord Loxley, and would further free Mr. Rochester to follow Lord Loxley