Albert and his father sat silently as Lord Elwood poured their drinks. They had just adjourned to the viscount’s parlor after dinner, and already Albert wanted to leave. The feeling was compounded by the odd way the viscount was looking at him. Or, rather, wasn’t looking at him.
“Thank you all for coming this evening,” he said. His voice was stilted and awkward, as though he was having to force the words from his vocal cords. “Now, I wish to discuss the matter of… of formalizing my Martha’s betrothal to Lord Billington.”
Albert glanced at his father, who looked quite uncomfortable. He looked again at his future father-in-law, who quickly looked away from him as soon as he made eye contact again. It didn’t take Albert long to understand what was wrong. The viscount was terribly disoriented by the scarring on his face.
He supposed it could be that he simply hadn’t been adequately prepared, even after his father mentioned it. But judging by how uncomfortable the earl looked. Albert wondered if his father had happened to mention it at all to the viscount.
“We are ready, Lord Elwood,” the earl said, giving the viscount what he probably thought was a chipper smile.
Albert clenched his jaw and looked away from both men. He was close to telling his father and Miss Elwood’s father that he certainly wasn’t ready, and he never would be. He busied himself with his drink, trying to ignore the prying eyes of the viscount and how they were glued only to the right side of his face.
“Very good,” Lord Elwood said, seeming glad to be able to focus on something other than Albert. “How quickly are you looking to have the wedding?”
The earl beamed, gesturing to Albert in a way that indicated pride. Somehow, that only angered Albert even more.
“My son can procure a common license tomorrow,” he said. “They can be married as soon as that license allows, if it pleases you.”
Albert sat, horrified. Not only did his father intend to marry him off to a woman he didn’t even know, but he also clearly intended to not give him a say in how and when he married her. And the viscount was nodding along, looking as though he was about to agree with the earl and consider the matter closed. Albert felt as though he was utterly invisible in the room, and his irritation washed over him in an overwhelming wave.
No,he thought, placing his drink down on the table firmly, and finding a small amount of joy in the way the viscount flinched as he did it.It is high time I take some control of my life. Even if it’s only to a minuscule degree.
“If I may,” he said in a tone that indicated that he didn’t care if he may or may not. “I’d like to present my thoughts. You see, I have more of a traditional wedding in mind.”
The viscount’s expression changed at last. He became a little less horrified, and a little more curious. He raised his eyebrows and he at last met Albert’s eyes.
“Oh?” he asked, sounding a trifle more interested than Albert had expected. “Please, continue, Lord Billington.”
Albert smiled inside. He nodded respectfully to the viscount and continued.
“Thank you, Lord Elwood,” he said. “My wish is to court Miss Elwood for three weeks before having the banns announced. Of course, I expect to behave just like a typical courting couple, with chaperoned excursions and talk of our upcoming wedding. And I would hear any additions of caveats that you might have regarding such an arrangement.”
Lord Elwood was thoughtfully silent when Albert finished speaking. He had been addressing the viscount specifically when he made the proposition. But he glanced at his father and was thrilled to see that the earl was far from pleased. In fact, Albert got the idea that, were he not so obsessed with those first impressions, he might be trying to murder Albert with his glare, right in front of the viscount.
Albert didn’t return the glare, but nor did he look sheepish or apologetic while the viscount contemplated. He met his father’s gaze with an even, serious one of his own, until the earl looked away in a quiet huff.
“I must say, that isn’t a bad idea,” Lord Elwood said, breaking the awkward silence. “The ton does tend to frown upon weddings that are incredibly rushed. And Martha might be happier if she gets the chance to get to know you before you are wed. I see merit in your request, Lord Billington. Lord Balmere, what do you say?”
Albert bit his cheek as his father looked at the viscount, surprised. He feigned the utmost innocence while his father floundered for words.
“You both make valid points,” he said, sounding like it was almost impossible to sound sincere. “I can agree to these terms.”
Albert was silently cheering as his father’s irritation clearly rose. But the viscount didn’t notice. He was smiling at Albert and offering his hand.
“Very well,” he said, nodding as Albert took his hand. “I shall speak with Martha first thing in the morning and tell her of the change of plans.”
Albert relaxed, though he knew the battle wasn’t yet won. He had bought himself some time, during which he would try his best to show Miss Elwood that she wouldn’t be happy married to a scarred gentleman. She was pretty, and she deserved far better than him. She deserved far better than being forced into any marriage. With any luck, three weeks would be plenty of time to help her come to her senses and get her father to call off the arrangement.
What if she doesn’t?Albert thought suddenly, in a voice that sounded much like his father’s.
He shook the idea away immediately. She was as unhappy about the arrangement as he was. He could see it all over her face. She might even be seeking a way out, just as he was. He had to believe that his plan would work. In his mind, the alternative simply wasn’t an option.
“I have a suggestion,” Albert said, glad that, for the moment, his fate had been postponed. “If you’d like, I could speak with your daughter and give her the news personally. I could call on her tomorrow morning, to mark the official beginning of our courtship.”
The viscount looked impressed. The earl, however, looked as though he could barely contain himself. Albert allowed himself the smallest smile, but he did his best to keep it looking sincere, at least to the viscount.
“I commend that suggestion,” he said. “And I do not necessarily object to it. I think that I should be the one to give the news to Martha first, so it doesn’t come as a complete surprise. However, I think it would be a nice idea for you to make an official offer of courtship to her. I assume that was what you meant when you mentioned it.”
Albert nodded eagerly. Truthfully, he didn’t want to call on her at all, not as early as the following day. But it looked like he had made the right decision by deciding to do it anyway.
