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Maximilian is a clever old fox. He's gambling on a match, so that he can provide a loan and perhaps escape paying a dowry, which does not have the same need to be payed back. His terms may not be the best, but your options are few and far between. You shake hands with Maximilian and agree to meet his daughter. He smiles a bit too wide to be genuine and accepts your hand. "Excellent my friend! I will speak to my wife and see that Isabella is ready to begin courting. We may need some time to prepare, so feel free to return to the estate I provided you and I will send a man to fetch you when we are ready." With that you say your goodbyes and return home, anxious for the results of this potentially fateful rendez-vous.

When you return home, your lover Yahima waits for you with dinner ready. You are feeling quite hungry after the ride, and sit down happily to eat with her. You take a seat at your table and bring a candle for light, and she sits opposite to you. You often talk to Yahima about your problems in a rather long-winded fashion. Her Spanish is getting better, but not enough to be anywhere near fluent. Still, she patiently sits back as you unload the stresses of your day, often making little noises or gestures of sympathy or comfort. You've become quite attached to her, and her position in you life is a cause of no little anxiety when it comes to Isabella. "So", you say to Yahima, not expecting any real understanding, "I might be getting married soon. It depends, but it's a strong possibility. I doubt she would approve of us" you say, looking into her face. She smiles back sweetly, but says nothing. "I don't want to part from you Yahima. But on the other hand, I cam here for a purpose, and this may be the only way." You feel the corners of your mouth pull down involuntarily, and you see her become upset too. She reaches a hand out to touch your arm, and you take it in your other hand gratefully.

Two days later, one of Max's men comes to your estate early in the morning. You ready yourself expediently, but thoroughly. You have to make a good impression, and will be of course wearing your best. The ride is uneventful and you companion not given to conversation, but at least you make it to town at a quick clip. Walking through the now-familiar doors, Maximilian greets you again. "Welcome my young friend! Isabella will be out shortly. Oh, do I hear her now?" he says a bit theatrically. He turns to look up the flight of stone stairs and there you see a young maiden in a fine, frilly dress. In terms of looks she is of the typical variety for Spanish noble girls, though you had spent too little time around them for your taste when you were actually in Spain. Her hair is black and straight, going midway down her back from what you can see. Her skin is a rather light olive color from spending time indoors. The girl's face is round and rather pretty, though perhaps in a way that some might find too generic. Her figure is full and healthy, with a bit of well-fed plump her family's rank can provide, but her body is not **** in any way. She descends the stairs with practiced grace, attempting a coquettish smile that came off as more one of girlish mischief. "Isabella," your potential father-in-law says grandly,"this handsome young man is Alfonso Delgado. Besides being one of my closest and dearest friends, he is an up-and-coming nobleman here in Hispaniola. Perhaps you would like to make his acquaintance?" She smiles placidly. "Oh, most certainly father" she says, and you detect a bit of sarcasm in her delivery. "Very good my dear. Please, enjoy your chat" he says, leading her over to you before departing from the spacious common room.

It's not exactly private, given the lack of doors in the open-air building, and any nobleman worth his salt keeps a servant or two eavesdropping at all times. Still, it's better than nothing. You sit with Isabella on a comfortable piece of furniture and start to talk.