Prologue
Michael Lawrence greedily opened the top letter that sat on his desk. He saw John Yeats’s name on the envelope and knew immediately what it was. He had asked Mr. Yeats, who was his man of business, to keep in close correspondence about a certain artifact he wished to add to his collection. As an aficionado of ancient Greek artifacts, he was always keen to acquire more. One especially had eluded him of late, and he was eager to hear word of it.
He pulled out the letter, his hands trembling as his excitement mounted. He had been searching for this artifact, which was an exquisite vase, still in excellent condition, for many years. He had spent a small fortune tracking it down but had had no luck. That was, until now. The very first line of the letter delivered the news to the duke of Strawbridge: the vase had been found.
He paused in his reading, picturing it in his collection, displayed prominently for all to see as a testament to his wealth and taste. He imagined the envy of his peers, the admiration of his guests, and the satisfaction of knowing that he possessed something so rare and valuable. He took great pride in his collection of artifacts, which was worth nearly thirteen thousand pounds. He didn’t exactly flaunt his wealth with such a collection. However, he wasn’t ashamed to admit his expenditure on the pieces when showing it to people.
However, the next line of the letter sent the duke’s heart crashing.
I’m afraid that the vase won’t be so easily acquired, however. I have made multiple inquiries regarding this piece, and I’ve made many rather generous offers for it. But I was informed by the earl’s man of business that many other collectors have made much higher offers, and yet the earl rejects each one. Lord Tockenham seems quite determined to keep the vase for himself.
Michael muttered a curse under his breath. He had authorized Mr. Yeats to make any offer necessary to win him the vase. If the man was telling him that higher offers than his own had been declined, he believed that was truly the case. And thus, even if he tripled the highest offer, he suspected that the earl wouldn’t budge.
He knew it would not be easy for him to acquire the vase, but he wasn’t willing to give up his dreams of acquiring it. He decided that he would just have to come up with a creative plan to get his hands on it. Michael had coveted the vase for too many years to give up on it. Especially when he knew that it would be a valuable addition to his collection. He began reading, determined to find some way to change the earl’s mind.
But as he continued to read, his hopes began to sink once more. Mr. Yeats advised against Michael making a direct offer. He said that it could backfire and result in the vase becoming even more difficult to obtain. Michael shook his head, puzzled over the whole affair. It seemed that the earl was particularly stubborn, at least when it came to the vase in question, and he couldn’t understand the idea.
He understood how important a man’s collection was to him. What he couldn’t understand was why the earl would be so attached to one single vase. Even Michael himself thought that, sooner or later, he might consider selling pieces from his own collection. So, why would the earl reject tens of thousands of pounds for one single piece?
However, as Michael read on, he learned that there was a way to gain an advantage in the situation. According to Mr. Yeats, the Earl was in financial trouble. He had apparently incurred some gambling debts that he was desperate to hide from his family. He had also made some unwise business investments, which were crippling what little money he had left. He was in a terrible financial bind, especially with the addition of upcoming expenses for his young son’s education and his youngest daughter’s debutante season. In short, he was in dire need of money. Mr. Yeats suggested that the earl might be willing to part with something he valued, such as his eldest daughter's hand in marriage, in exchange for it.
Michael considered tossing aside the letter. It seemed rather extreme to find himself with a wife, just for the sake of even the most precious of artifacts. To end up married for a vase seemed ridiculous. As badly as he wanted the vase, he knew there were other artifacts in the world that were of much greater value, and likely wouldn’t warrant him marrying someone’s daughter to get it. Still, the allure of the vase called to him, and he couldn’t help but to continue reading.
Mr. Yeats went on to say that the daughter in question was Lady Lydia Townsend. At age nineteen, she was the eldest daughter of the earl. Mr. Yeats said that Lady Lydia had been out for two seasons, and was yet to find herself wed to, or courting, any gentlemen in the ton. The man said that it was his personal belief that the young lady’s lack of suitors was due to her reputation of being a bluestocking.
Michael chuckled. It was highly irregular for the women of the ton to be educated, beyond in the skills of music and dance, and how to be a dutiful wife to a nobleman. He could believe that such a woman would struggle to find a husband. Most gentlemen didn’t want a woman who indulged in books, knowledge and education beyond childhood. Mr. Yeats also mentioned that Lady Lydia had an absurd passion for educating the masses.
Michael sighed. Lower class women served as governesses and teachers to young children. He had never known a woman of noble birth to have any interest in learning and teaching in any capacity. He found it odd that any daughter of an earl would even consider taking up such a hobby. Surely, she understood what it would do to her future prospects for marriage. Michael himself didn’t know if he would ever want such a wife. A woman who was educated and could think for herself might prove to be problematic.
Michael’s man of business closed the letter by mentioning again that it might be advantageous for Michael to offer for Lady Lydia’s hand. Michael folded the letter, turning it over in his hands as he thought. It was a wild reach, to be sure. There was no guarantee that the earl wouldn’t eventually be persuaded to take a monetary offer for the vase, especially if he was in dire need of money, as Mr. Yeats had said. But Michael also knew there was no guarantee that the earl would bend. And even if he did, it could take many more months, or even years. He wasn’t prepared to wait that long. Not now that he was so close to the possession he prized so dearly.
The duke considered the proposal. He still had no desire for a wife, and even less so, knowing she was strangely obsessed with education. However, if it meant obtaining the vase, perhaps, it was worth entertaining the idea. Mr. Yeats’s advice seemed quite sound. Michael trusted him to not misguide him. He was certainly paying him handsomely to not do such a thing. Perhaps, the suggestion to offer for Lady Lydia’s hand was, indeed, the best plan.
But what would he do with such a lively, independently thinking wife? He supposed that he could find ways to let her know to stay out of his way. Perhaps, he could even encourage her to do so by catering a bit to her little hobby. He rationalized that he could simply ignore his wife and carry on with his own pursuits, while she focused on her own interests. And if she happened to have some money of her own, all the better. It might not be so bad to have a wife who wished to do some kind of work, albeit in education, after all.
There was one thing that held Michael back, however. Even though he could live with or without a wife, there were ethical implications. Lady Lydia was a woman, a human being. And what he would essentially be doing was using her as a bargaining chip for material gain.
It wouldn’t just be a one- or two-day commitment. He wasn’t offering to take up her time for a short period to appease her father and coax him into selling the vase. It was the rest of Lady Lydia’s life at stake. She would be married to him until death parted them. And all for the sake of Michael obtaining a vase. What would people think of him for doing such a thing?
Again, Michael thought of her bluestocking ways. She clearly had her own objectives in life, and he was certain that he would never get in the way of those. She wasn’t likely to ever have any other offers for her hand. And he could help her in her ventures by way of finances, if and when she should need it. That, to Michael, made it a fair deal. At the very least, it was an avenue worth investigating for him.
With a sense of determination, and more than a little excitement, Michael sat down to compose a letter to the Earl of Tockenham. He had a plan, and he was ready to put it into action. He took a minute to choose his words, then began writing…
Dear Lord Tockenham,
My name is Michael Lawrence, and I am the duke of Strawbridge. We have never formally met, but it has come to my attention that you have an item in which I am very interested in. I was also made aware that you are in something of a bind, and I was touched by your situation. I believe that I have a mutually beneficial proposal. It is that very proposal that led to me writing to you now.
I understand that your eldest daughter, Lady Lydia, is not yet wed. From what I understand, she is a lovely young lady, though tragically, has not yet had any offers for her hand. I would change that, if you would allow me. All I ask, in exchange for a traditional dowry, is a certain Greek vase, which I understand you prize dearly. With your agreement to the deal, not only would I offer for Lady Lydia’s hand, but I would also be willing to ease any potential financial burdens you currently have.
I make this offer with the utmost sincerity. Please, consider the suggestion. You can reach me at the address written on this envelope.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Michael Lawrence, Duke of Strawbridge
Michael read over the letter, pondering whether it was worded in such a way that would make the earl reject the notion. When he was satisfied that he had done the best he could, he retrieved a fresh envelope from his desk drawer and sealed up the letter. Then, he summoned the butler to have it sent to post. He sat back in his chair with a sigh. He hoped he was making the right decision.
