#baron!reader

You resisted the urge to fiddle with your gloves, waiting in the main foyer for Susannah.

She was taking longer than you expected to get ready, but perhaps that was to be expected. She had accepted the deal Lord Riley had made and thus for this deal to work, she had to pretend to impress him so well that he'd want to start courting her. This was not only because she had to fool the ton, but she also had to fool your mother.

"One might think you're the one who had to impress suitors," Mama said, her voice biting as she stared at you being fidgety. She slapped your hands down until they stopped fiddling with your gloves, her hands not being kind to you in her actions. "Stop it. You're the man of the house, the Baron. You can't go acting like you're a child who has no clue what you're doing."

You nodded in agreement, deciding to tightly clasp your hands behind your back so you no longer fiddle with the gloves. The seconds seemed to tick slowly, your impatience growing as you all waited for Susannah.

Susannah finally came down the stairs, wearing this gorgeous red-lilac gown adorned with gold beads, her gloves matching the gown. Around her neck was a gold necklace that surely must've cost more than anything you were wearing, Susannah having chosen something that was an eye-catcher to draw Lord Riley in.

You had been conversing with the lord for the past week via letters and learned red and lilac were his favorite colors, so you had been sure to tell Susannah so she could buy a dress Lord Riley would love. You had to sell this ruse, for it to work, which meant she had to make his breath hitch.

A small red rose was clipped to the breast of your tailcoat, as you had been unable to resist adding one of Lord Riley's colors to your outfit.

Mama looked at Susannah with pride, her smile genuine when it came to her daughters. "Look at you, a gem in the making. All the lords will be fawning over you," she said, helping Susannah down the last few steps.

"Lord {Last Name}, the carriage is ready for you," the footman of the carriage said, having come inside to tell you.

"Shall we?" You asked your family, gesturing for them to lead. You stepped aside so your mother could lead Susannah outside.

You were the last one out of the house, the footmen closing the doors behind you. Walking to the carriage, you tried to steel your nerves, hoping this ruse worked.

The journey to the ball was silent, with no one wanting to talk and break it by saying something potentially awkward. Even your mother ignored Susannah's fidgeting so she didn't have to be the first one to speak.

All too soon, the carriage stopped at the manor hosting the ball and you got out with your family following.

Since you were the man of the house, you looped your arm with Susannah's, leading her up the steps and inside the manor. You followed the procession of guests who had come just a few moments before your family did, following them to the ballroom.

Susannah had done so well dressing up nicely that when you two entered, all eyes were on her. She didn't buckle under all the attention, keeping her head high like she wasn't internally screaming with nerves.

It helped that you led her around like you had so much experience showing off your debutante sister. You made your way to the king and the queen were lounging around, waiting in line with Susannah to greet the pair of royals.

The line went quickly and when you two finished greeting the royals, you let her mingle. You didn't go far, knowing that suitors would soon flock to her and you didn't want her to become overwhelmed.

You watched on, watching her talk to her friends while sometimes engaging in conversations with suitors. You saw that your mother was pleased, her eyes twinkling as she watched Susannah as well.

The man you were waiting for arrived, Lord Riley's cane clacking against the ballroom floor being heard before you saw him. All eyes turned onto him, seeing him walk inside the ballroom with his head held high.

He was wearing your favorite color and he looked so handsome in it, your breath catching in your throat as he walked towards the king and queen with a determined stride. With him needing to greet the royals first, it gave you time to walk over to Susannah and wait for him to come to her when he was done.

Your heart was fluttering and you had to remind yourself that Lord Riley was here for your sister, not you. Or well, he was pretending to be here for your sister.

Lord Riley finished greeting the royals and immediately turned towards where you and Susannah were just milling about, waiting for him. His strides remained confident as he walked over, giving a subtle glance over at you and Susannah.

You were pleased when he seemed to have a sparkle in his eye when he caught the red rose attached to the breast of your tailcoat. He seemed to like it very much, exactly as you had wanted him to.

"Lord {Last Name}, Miss {Last Name}, good evening to you both." Lord Riley greeted you two, bowing to you both as he did so.

"My Lord," you and Susannah both replied, bowing as well.

Lord Riley's brown eyes lingered on you briefly before turning to Susannah. "M'lady, you are looking marvelous tonight," he murmured, sounding sincere as he took her gloved hand and placed a kiss on it.

You had the strangest need for him to kiss your hand like he had hers. You wanted his attention, despite how improper it would be to have it during the ball.

Susannah grew flustered at the compliment and hastily searched for a compliment to give to the lord, complimenting his cane. The conversation was a little awkward, but she was handling it wonderfully.

You kept standing by your sister's side until Lord Riley asked her for a dance. You secretly wished you could dance with him, but you settled for watching him dance with Susannah.

Even with his limp, Lord Riley was dancing gracefully, leading Susannah well through the dance as the music played. Each step was a brushstroke to a larger masterpiece, one that played out through your eyes in real-time.

They were standing at a respectable distance as they danced, but each dance was always intimate in its own way. The eye contact that was held, the gentle grips of each other's hands, and their respective touches on each other's bodies (hers on his shoulders and his on her waist). You knew from experience of dancing with other ladies that he could see the subtle flecks in her iris, he could see her makeup up close and personal.

God, you wished you could see the flecks of color in his eyes, hold his hand and shoulder. He was a masterpiece, but one that was out of reach for you to see.

The dance, finally, ended and they pulled away.

Susannah got pulled into another dance with another lord, but as if they had thought of how to pull this ruse off together, none of her other dances had the same chemistry as hers and Lord Riley's did. Everyone who wasn't dancing was quickly murmuring about how well Susannah and Lord Riley clicked, how it was like sparks had ignited as soon they had met.

You were too busy watching your mother brag to her friends about her daughter managing to catch the eye of an earl to notice Lord Riley sliding up to you and taking in the image of you.

"Are you wishing that I had danced with you?" he asked, his voice a low murmur which quickly made you aware of his presence beside you. He stared at you beneath hooded eyes, his gaze steady as you turned to face him.

"Is it wrong of me to indeed wish we had danced together?" you asked in return, your hands feeling sweaty beneath your gloves as you stared into his eyes.

It felt wrong to even admit that you had wished to dance with him, but at this moment, you felt so safe with him. You felt like you could say anything and he wouldn't judge you.

Lord Riley's face brightened as his lips pulled into a smile, making his scarred face look more handsome. "I too wish we could've danced," he admitted freely once he made sure no one else was nearby. His lips parted as he continued to stare at you. "Forgive me for being so bold, but you draw me in like no other. It was very hard to keep my eyes on your sister while dancing when all they wanted was to look upon you."

Your heart skipped a beat and you had to hide a smile, knowing that you'd be beaming too much that others would become curious. You couldn't believe your ears, but perhaps you shouldn't have been surprised.

You hadn't just taken up the offer of Lord Riley being Susannah's suitor, but also the offer of you two being... friends. You had bonded over your mutual attraction to men and he had often written about his desires for you in the letters you two exchanged.

You weren't in the place to express your desires for him yet, but you had let him know that his doing so wasn't unwelcoming for you.

You wetted your dry lips with your tongue, trying to wet your dry mouth. "I draw you in?" you asked, unable to help yourself from wanting to know more.

"I long to be beside you exactly as I am now, the two of us so close," Lord Riley answered, his free hand that wasn't holding his cane twitching with the need to touch you. He groaned softly, forcing himself to place his hand behind his back. "If we were in my manor, I wouldn't hesitate to draw you closer to me. To give you the dance we both wish to have."

"Perhaps one day," you said too quickly for your liking. Your heart was pounding in your chest, a warmth filling your body as you thought about the two of you dancing with no eyes upon you two. "Perhaps I could come over one day and we can have that dance."

"I'd love that."

The rest of the ball wasn't as exciting as the beginning of it was and you could tell your family were slowly starting to get tired, especially Susannah who had been dancing with lords left and right for most of the night. You had stayed next to Lord Riley for most of it and so you bid him goodnight, giving him one last look before going to gather your siblings and mother.

As all of you got into your carriage and left the ball, you couldn't help but think about the next time you could meet Lord Riley. You hoped it be somewhere more private, so you two could touch each other freely.

You could only hope this arrangement wasn't found out. It'd be a shame to never see Lord Riley again.

Flower banner made by @/dollywons and reblog & mdni dividers made by @/cafekitsune

🗡Yup, you were Zemo's little brother. Zemo thought you were dead along with the rest of your family.

🗡You met Bucky and Sam when you were working for SHIELD.

🗡At the time, they didn't know that you were related to Zemo.

🗡The three of you got along with you pretty quickly, and both of them developed feelings for you.

Sam and Bucky Fighting Over You Would Include:

🗡Them coming to know you have nothing to do with your brother's shenanigans since you did try to stop him.

🗡Bucky being iffy about your relation with Zemo, but still being protective of you when it comes to him.

🗡Sam also being protective of you when it comes to Zemo, only for Zemo to comment on how he should worry more about himself (in that weird, suspicious way).

🗡Sam mentioning how you seem more 'well-behaved' than your brother, only for Bucky to comment saying Sam needs work on his behavior (and then gets hit in the shoulder by Sam).

🗡Bucky offering you extra protection only for Sam to bud in and say he could offer you better protection, mentioning his wings and Redwing (and then Bucky threatening to break Redwing lmao)

🗡Sam wrapping his arm around your shoulder only for Bucky to squeeze in between you two and tell Sam to give you more space.

🗡Bucky offering to show you around, only for Sam to comment on how he would get you guys lost and how he would have to use Redwing to track you guys down.

🗡The both of trying to take the last seat next to you. (And then they end up kind of sitting on ontop of each other lmao).

🗡Sam and Bucky sometimes trying to show off but then end up failing (and then Zemo comments on how 'you can't look cool if you try too hard').

🗡Bucky and Sam sitting at either side of you, and then glaring at each other over your shoulders.

🗡Bucky and Sam literally getting into an agurement over you.

"You can't just go marrying another Baron," your mother said to your sister, Susannah. She sounded exhausted with her, having to repeat this several times ever since your father died. "We need more respect in the ton now that your father is gone, so you need to marry up. You need marry…an Earl. An Earl will help us with the debts your bastard father left us."

Susannah pouted at your mother, but the pouting didn’t last long as your mother glared at her. “Mama, please. I understand why not a baron, but an Earl? What difference is there between an Earl and a Viscount? A Viscount can make us financially stable,” she complained.

Your mother tutted at her, really displeased that Susannah seemed to have her head in the clouds with how often your mother had told why her betrothed couldn't be a Viscount. "Foolish girl, look up from your books and pay attention from time to time. The reason why not a Viscount is because Earls are guaranteed to have enough money for our debts and we will gain so much more respect if you snag an Earl instead of a Viscount."

You tapped your foot, wondering why you had been called here if your mother was just going to ignore you and berate your sister. You stood up, instinctively smoothing out your coat as you did so.

"Mama, I have paperwork to get to, please excuse me."

You moved to leave, but your mother wasn't having it.

"There's nothing more important than ensuring your sister gets married to a reputable man," your mother answered, giving you a withering look. She was pleased when you sat back down, continuing now that she knew you were listening. "Perhaps, while you stood near the walls during balls, you've noticed anyone who is a good suitor for your sister. You need to do more in this situation than be Susannah's chaperone. I can't do everything here."

"I hear mostly of scandals, Mama." You tried your best not to shift beneath her gaze, knowing she wouldn't like you showing the slightest hint of fear. "Most of the men I hear about are not men Susannah should be with, considering their rakish reputations. But I can certainly make more of an effort to find suitable men for her," you added, wanting to appease her.

Your mother smiled, but it was a harsh smile that would fade quickly if you didn’t do what you said. “Good, I’m glad I can count on you, {Name}.”

She then turned back to Susannah, dismissing you with a wave.

You didn’t hesitate to get up once more and to finally leave the drawing room, knowing that if you had stayed, she would’ve dragged you back into the conversation. And you did really have paperwork to do.

Once you got to your study—it was actually your late father's but it was now yours since you were a baron—, you sat down with a sigh. You had so much to do ever since your father died and your mother just kept piling things onto your plate. You didn't know when you would get to finding Susannah a suitor, but you'd have to make time.

The day passed by and you had busied yourself with paperwork, telling your mother you'll skip out on eating dinner with them since you were going to go to the gentleman's club in search of a suitor for Susannah. Your mother was happy, so she let you go.

Going by carriage, you arrived at the gentleman's club you've been a member of since you were of age to do so.

It wasn't the most lavish and expensive gentleman's club in the ton, but it was enough for you. And it was enough for some earls too, which would help in seeing who was an eligible suitor.

"My Lord Baron!" The man who owned the gentleman's club, Edgard Shakerley, said as you stepped inside the club. He greeted you warmly, despite not knowing you that well. "I'm glad to see you here again, Lord {Name}. We've missed you and we're sorry for your loss."

You merely smiled in greeting, not liking the way everyone seemed to extend their condolences every single time they saw you. You made your way to the main room of the club, sitting down after getting a drink.

Thankfully, the very small group of friends you had made while being a member of the gentlemen's club were also there and you sat with them. They knew better than to offer their condolences, instead asking about how your workload was.

"I have so many people to write back to and so many payments to do, it's exhausting," you complained, happy to have people to talk to. You lounged in your chair, oblivious to everyone except your friends. "And on top of all of that, my mother is tasking me with the job of finding a good enough suitor for Susannah. Which is why I came here, hoping to find someone reputable. An Earl."

One of your friends, a Viscount named Griffith Yorke, perked up at that. "A reputable Earl, you say? I have just the man in mind, and he's coming this way."

Before you could persuade him not to call out to his friend, Griffith had done so with no prompting.

"My Lord Earl! It's so good to see you! Come, Lord Riley. Sit with us."

You turned your head to look at the man Griffith was talking to, seeing a huge, scarred man who was walking with a cane. You knew this man, but mostly everyone did.

He had brown hair and brown eyes that were haunted, his stature tall and built. He filled out his clothes wonderfully and moved gracefully even with the limp he had gotten five years ago after returning home wounded from the war. His cane was made of oak wood, its shine lost due to years of the earl using it, his clothes perfect even as he moved.

Despite being upset at your friend calling the earl over, you couldn't help but agree that Lord Earl Riley was an honorable man. He was involved in no scandal that you had ever heard of and all that the gossip the ton spread about him were just of them hoping he'd take a wife soon. There were no rumors of debts he piled up or rumors of him having premarital sex with debauched women.

He was just a regular man, who simply was not one to socialize much. He seemed a lot like you in that regard.

"Everyone, this is Lord Simon Riley," Griffith said, gesturing to Lord Riley when the lord had stopped in front of the group.

Everyone greeted the earl and introduced themselves in turn, a chair being pulled up for him. You ended up sitting side by side as everyone else asked the earl how he was and what he was doing at the gentlemen's club.

Somehow, though you expect it was Griffith's doing, you end up sitting with just Lord Riley an hour later. Everyone gave some excuse or the other for needing to leave, bidding you both goodnight. Griffith was the last one to leave and he whispered something in Lord Riley's ear before leaving.

You stared at the bottom of your fourth glass, feeling the buzz of the alcohol. "I need a suitor," you blurted out, more inebriated than you thought you were. You cleared your throat, still not looking Lord Riley in the eyes but you looked up in his general direction. "My sister, Susannah, needs a suitor. A reputable one and an Earl."

Lord Riley raised an eyebrow, drawing your attention to the jagged knife scars on his face. "I do need a wife," he said surprisingly, taking a sip of his own drink. "The debutantes keep swarming me every time marriage season comes. It'd be nice to have a reason for them to back off."

"Are…" Your throat felt like there was a rock in there and you swallowed hard, trying to get the words out of your mouth. "Are you suggesting you marry my sister?" you asked, wanting to leave no room for misunderstandings.

"That's what you want, isn't it?" Lord Riley was still holding eye contact with you, refusing to look away whereas you couldn't bear to look into his eyes for too long. "You want a suitor for your sister and I want a wife to make the other women leave me alone. It seems like a beneficial situation to the both of us to me."

You couldn't stay help yourself but reveal the entire situation, giving the earl more information than your mother probably wanted you to give a potential suitor. You talked about all of the debts your father had wracked up while he was alive, how his debtors were still wanting money despite his untimely death.

By the time you finished saying everything, you two were one of the last few lounging in the gentlemen's club, the only lights being the candles which casted a soft golden glow on your huddled figures. You both had lowered your voices, knowing that this subject shouldn't be loud for others to hear.

Lord Riley was so close to you now, his long legs brushing against yours with every small shift of his body in his chair. "I'm surprised you're not also marrying this season, since you could marry up as well and get a sizable dowry from your future wife's father," he said, but his words weren't judgmental but curious.

He was curious about you, showing you attention most high-ranking men in the ton wouldn't. It was certainly something new to have someone so popular among everyone else be willingly sitting with you for this long.

"I don't really want to marry a woman," you admitted after a while, finding the strength to do so. You were worried Lord Riley would turn you in to the authorities, but you only saw the same non-judgmental look on his face he had been sporting the entire time you talked. "I know I will have to, eventually. But I just can't fall in love with women and it feels wrong to marry one when I know it'd be a loveless marriage."

"I'm the same way," Lord Riley answered, giving you the same sincerity you gave him. He sighed, wiping away the condensation on his glass with his gloved thumb. "But most marriages are loveless at the start and to be respected, we have to hide away our true selves. Your sister… I'm sure she's an amazing woman, but I will never love her. I can, however, give her and your family financial stability and status that will allow her and you to live comfortably."

You honestly couldn't ask for a better solution to your family's financial situation, but you knew that you shouldn't solidify anything until your sister agrees. She was, after all, the one whom Lord Riley would be marrying.

You stood up suddenly, placing your glass haphazardly on the table before you. "I should go, but I will write to you with the answer to the deal you propose. I just first have to talk to Susannah about this," you said, bowing to Lord Riley. "Goodnight, my lord."

You turned to walk away, but Lord Riley's hand reached over to grip your wrist. His fingers wrapped around your wrist quite easily, leaving just a little bit of space between his fingers since you were no dainty man.

"If your sister agrees to this arrangement, perhaps we don't have to resign ourselves to being alone in our desires." His brown eyes bore into yours, his words causing shivers down your spine. "We don't even have to act on them, we can just bond over being in the same situation. Just think about it, okay? I'll settle for just seeing you because of my courting of Susannah, if that's what you want."

Your heart soared at the offer, wanting to say yes. For so long, you have hid your true self and your desires from your friends and you longed to be truthful with someone. You yearned to have someone know what you were going through, to have someone who could understand and who you could understand in return.

But the offer was not one that could be rushed. You'd need time to see if that was what you wanted or if you wanted to be professional with Lord Riley.

So you merely nodded, glad that was all the answer the man needed before he let go of your wrist. You took one last look before bidding him goodnight once more, turning on your heels afterwards and leaving.

It seemed like your family's luck was turning and there was a light at the end of the tunnel. If your sister took the offer, that is.

Flower banner made by @/dollywons and reblog & mdni dividers made by @/cafekitsune