Everything I Do, I Do For You

Chapter 2

It had been a rough year for the bachelor Kellan Butler. The promising young boxer had started the year with a father and elder brother that would inherit the title. Consumption had taken both away from him. Now he was left with an earldom and a sister in law and niece to care for. He had never expected that he would inherit this title, so the new responsibilities that came with the title had taken away much of his leisure time. At thirty years old, he knew it was time he must take a wife, and a way to sire an heir. A bastard wouldn't do, so it was with great deliberation that he announced to his sister in law that he would soon join the marriage market.

"You really will?" Clara, his sister in law nearly spit out her soup when he announced his eligibility over dinner one night.

"It's my duty to sire an heir and settle down. Besides, a wife doesn't mean that I must stop enjoying myself."

"Well then I pray for whatever woman will have you." Clara answered. He was fortunate that he had a sister in law who was able to understand him so well. If she hadn't been so madly in love with his brother, she would have made an adequate match for him. But she had told Kellan that her heart lied with Samuel, and that she would never give it to anyone else.

He would go to London for their season. From there he could and would marry any girl that he wanted. He couldn't care much about who he married, any woman would be fine, but it would be nice if the woman he married was someone he could get along with in the least bit.

It would take at least a week for him to get from Scotland to London, so Kellan left home with two weeks to spare until the beginning of the season. He left behind enough for his sister in law and niece to get by, realizing that if this season worked out well for him, they would have to move out. They would take to Kellan's old home, where he had lived before his father and brother had passed. For Kellan, he and his new wife would move into Wexford manor, a home large enough for him to continue with his bachelor lifestyle even once married. A different woman when he wanted, smoking, fighting, whatever his heart desired.

Kissing his niece Lily goodbye, Kellan made his way into London. He made points to stop at any fine, and not so fine establishment along the way. He'd drink, fight, and do whatever pleases him all while keeping a pertinent schedule. There were a few nights where he slept in, to put the act in a delicate manner, but he would leave as soon as his wits were about him.

Being a Scotsman in England wouldn't be a large issue if Kellan kept himself well behaved. He knew it would be hard, but it was also something he knew he could do. He also knew that he could fake an English accent if he ever got in with the wrong crowd. Out of instance that was the accent he used when boxing or flirting with an already married woman. That's what had saved him at university, and he was sure that it would save him along the way.

When he wasn't engaging in bachelor like activities, he tried to imagine the woman he would marry. He hoped for someone young of course, who was quiet. Someone who would either be blissfully unaware of his escapades or too meek to speak on it. Hell, he would hope for someone pretty, and dumb. Someone who could provide him with an heir and the occasional good time. Hair and eye color didn't matter, but the satisfaction of being a complete Earl did.

It was nearly three in the morning when he finally arrived in London. He would be staying at the Wexlan family home, which had not been used since nearly five years ago when his elder brother Ewan was courting Clara. Things seemed to be much easier then, he thought fondly to his nights filled with excitement and his days filled with boozy headaches. He reassured himself by saying it didn't have to end. It would just be slightly changed.

He found the house in better shape than he expected. His father must have been paying for servants to keep the place nice and tidy on the off chance that Kellan would finally marry. He stood in the doorway and came face to face with his family portrait. His eyes stared directly into his mothers,giving off the memory of long ago held within two pools of blue.

His mother had died when he was no more than five. Ironically enough of consumption. It was then that he himself had taken down with the same illness, but by some grace of God that he had made it. From that moment on, it had just been the three Wexlan men. It was a fun, carefree life for him, and was a big part of how he lived his current life. He didn't feel that time without a mother had stunted him, if anything it showed how independent men could be. And that was something he hoped his new wife would understand.

On this big adventure however, he wished she was with him. She'd no better than anyone what made a good wife, He wouldn't share his more scandalous thoughts with her, but he figured she would be a good enough help.

"I guess you'll have to be the one to help me" he said to the painting, placing a hand on her own painted arm, "Wish me luck."