Her cousin Stephen was just the right man for her, Bryony's mother insisted. A fine figure of a man—who pledged his undying love. But Bryony often thought of her absent cousin Lucas. He'd not been handsome: in fact, he'd been much too fat. Still, she thought, what fun they'd had! Bryony's brow crinkled—where was Lucas now? She sighed a deep sigh, and prepared herself to marry.