Romancing an Arrogant Demigod: London Mythos, #2

Chapter 1

August 11, 1817

Bryce Stirling, the third Earl of Winterthorne, crossed his arms over his chest as he stared out the window at the English countryside. Summerfield was only a day's ride outside of London, but that wasn't the point. I don't see why we have to go. He turned and pinned his great-great-great many times over grandmother with a look that cowed most people. The Duchess of Ceres, however, looked bored with his complaints. Complaints, he regretted, he hadn't desisted from since she first informed him that he was accompanying her to a wedding for people he didn't know. Honestly, he didn't understand why he was to be dragged into the country against his will.

Of course, his great-grandmother wasn't some fragile old lady he must appease out of family obligation and good manners. No, the Duchess of Ceres was none other than the goddess Demeter, and according to London society, she was his aunt. This was because she looked younger than his own mother in appearance, with her unblemished skin, auburn hair and bright, assessing green eyes.

I am unsure why you are being so difficult about this. Ione is your cousin—

"Distant cousin, Bryce corrected her, ignoring the glare he received for not letting her finish the sentence. I didn't grow up with her. I have never even met her."

It is rare anyone who knows the truth of your heritage does more than pass through London. It would do you well to have an acquaintance you can talk to about it. If only you could come to Olympus… Demeter frowned. This was a common complaint. Zeus had long ago closed the gates to outsiders, including members of their own pantheon who hadn't been present in that realm at the time the mystical lock had been set into place. Being part-god, Bryce should have been able to pay a call on his other ancestral home on occasion once he'd unlocked his god-powers, but alas…he never would be provided such a chance. Not like he could miss something he'd never experienced. Somehow, the thought of never seeing Olympus didn't bother him in the least.

I don't need to talk to anyone about it. Why would he? Being a demigod had rewards, sure, but it wasn't like it had become some horrible burden he couldn't stand. He was young yet, five and twenty, and he had a lifetime to make the most of having…abilities.

Ione's sisters will be present. Well, at least a dozen of them. Not all were able to make it due to other obligations.

At this, Bryce snorted. What obligation did a mermaid have? I'm sure sea nymphs are quite lovely, but I don't particularly want to fret about being drowned by one. It was their way, after all. That Captain Harlow was marrying one who had shunned that part of her upbringing was a fluke of their kind and nothing more. He wished the man luck with that.

Demeter nodded. That's my blood in your veins having you worry so much. You want to stay on solid ground, and the sea seems off limits to you. She smoothed out the pale green skirts of her gown with its silvery lace and beadwork. That, and the fear of being ripped away and tricked the way that horrid son of—

He quirked an eyebrow.

Clearing her throat, Demeter continued in a calmer voice, What I mean to say is…Persephone's plight has become an inherent anxiety within the bloodline. Perhaps that is my fault as well. She shrugged and glanced at the ceiling as though seeking its forgiveness for her overreaction all those centuries ago when his great Aunt Persephone and Uncle Hades shook the pantheon with their marriage. Demeter never forgave Hades. If he hadn't tricked her with that pomegranate…

Not wanting to go down this route with her again—because once she started a rant about Hades, she could go on for days—he brought the subject back to the nereids she wanted to matchmake him with. Breathing would be off limits to me if I so much as looked twice at one of those nymphs. Not to mention, his powers were rooted in the earth, and he didn't intend to remove himself from his source of power.

Ah, well. It doesn't mean you cannot have a good time and get to know Ione and Captain Harlow. You need more friends in London you don't have to hide your nature from. As I said, it will be good for you.

He supposed she had a point though he didn't have to like it. Bryce would have preferred meeting them in London. Had apparently attended a recent ball where both were present, and Demeter didn't think it prudent to introduce them then, for gods knew what reason. It could have saved him this bloody pointless carriage ride.

They remained silent for the remainder of the journey, which did not last overlong. After helping Demeter out of the carriage, he turned and faced Summerfield Manor. It was quaint, despite belonging to a viscount. Captain Harlow often resided there alone—according to rumor—as the viscount and viscountess, along with their other three children, preferred the hustle and bustle of London. The topiaries and shrubberies had been neatly tended, but it became quickly apparent whoever maintained the grounds did not possess much imagination when it came to creating a grand garden worthy of visitors.

"I insist that you do not tamper with their flora, Bryce. The firmness in Demeter's tone snapped him out of his focus. They will certainly notice, and not everyone here is aware of Olympians in their midst."

You know I cannot always control the need to let out my magic. His already bad mood continued to worsen. He hated when she scolded him like he was still a young boy. He was a man now. His power to create and control plant life was easy enough to keep hidden when he returned home to Winterthorne with his grand conservatory and grounds, but in his London townhouse, his small garden and slip of a greenhouse could only contain so much. The earth beckoned him to seed and tend it, and Summerfield could do with some damned flowers, even if he was not the one to put them there.

As footmen escorted them inside the manor, they were quickly seen through to the other side and out a back door to a cliffside, overlooking the North Sea. Below, a patch of forest covered the way down toward the beach, which remained out of view at the moment despite the salty sea air and breeze. At least they had plenty of trees. He huffed an impatient sound under his breath. Demeter pinned him with a glare out the side of her eye, and he pretended he hadn't seen it. Instead, he focused now on the people around them.

A vicar spoke to an older gentleman, and Bryce vaguely recognized him as Viscount Summerfield. There were a lot of women lingering about with elaborate hats covering their hair, and a flash of bright violet hair caught his attention as one of the women tucked the loose curl back under a hat and out of view. Ah, the sea nymphs. They were known for their interesting coloring; many couldn't blend in well on land because of it.

It looks like we were late for the ceremony, I'm afraid. Demeter gestured to her left where a woman with golden hair and sun-kissed skin smiled lovingly at a dark-haired man who held both her hands in his as he spoke to her. Several of the nymphs fawned around them, looking curious and some even a bit envious, if their pouts gave anything away. I'm going to go say hello and will bring them over. Stay here.

Like he had anywhere else to go… But, as soon as Demeter disappeared into the crowd of nymphs, Bryce walked off in the opposite direction, taking a look around and avoiding the people as best as he could.

When nobody paid him any mind, he ducked behind the shrubberies at the edge of the manor and around the side, then blinked. A small greenhouse loomed on the edge of the trees, hidden from the front of the house by the stone wall and a cast-iron gate. Demeter would surely find him in there, but it was as good a hiding place as any for the time being.

He crossed the grounds until he reached it, then checked to see if it was locked. It opened easily. With a quick glance over his shoulder to ensure he wasn't followed, he ducked inside and shut the door. Breathing a sigh of relief, he closed his eyes and inhaled the soft, earthy aroma of leaves and fragrant flowers. He had no interest in making friends, and his fingertips tingled with the need to exert energy he couldn't let out in front of mortals.

When he opened his eyes and pivoted to look at what the greenhouse had to offer, he stared into the wide, bright blue eyes of a young woman with dark brown hair, dressed in a gown of the palest pink that matched the rosy blush on her cheeks exactly. His breath caught. Because he was surprised to find her there, or because her beauty had caused his blood to stir in a most peculiar way? An interesting debacle, indeed.

I know you, she said suddenly as she stood from the chair at the small table in the back of the greenhouse. She had been clipping dead leaves off a small lavender plant in the pot in front of her. The Earl of Winterthorne, I believe. Though we haven't been properly introduced.

He nodded, and a blond lock of hair fell into his eyes. He brushed it back into place. I am. And whom do I have the privilege of encountering in this quiet greenhouse by the sea? Oh, he was really laying it on thick, wasn't he? He'd cringe if she wasn't studying his every move as though trying to learn all his secrets.

Miss Wendelin Harlow. She curtseyed, and he wasn't sure if she was serious or mocking him. However, now that he knew who she was, her being there with him became far more interesting.

Bryce leaned back against the door and crossed his arms, giving her his most roguish smile. And what, pray tell, is the sister of the groom doing hidden away on his wedding day?

She blinked, clearly not expecting to be accused of doing such a thing even if it was true. Oh…well… She sat back down. My brothers are overprotective. She frowned at the plant in front of her and the pile of dead leaves that she'd placed beside the pot. The Duke of Shellington and I were taking a stroll along the grounds before the ceremony, and I think he tried to steal a kiss— She blushed and peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.

He didn't think she'd meant to reveal something so scandalous to him, and Bryce didn't know who the Duke of Shellington was. Had never heard of