Page 16 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
She shook her head. “Please, do not let anything prevent us from moving to engagement, Lord Crestwood,” she said, her voice breathy and trembling with emotion. “I do not refuse this. I do not step back from it or seek a way to be free of it. I have said that I will marry you and thus, I shall.”
Watching her, Arthur found himself wanting to protest, wanting to ask what it was that was so upsetting for her but finding his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. Confused by his own emotions, by his own uncertainty, Arthur merely nodded and, walking to the door, opened it and held it for her. Miss Townsend walked through it quickly, making her way back to the drawing room without his guidance and as he watched her, Arthur’s frown continued to grow. Was he doing the right thing in forcing this engagement upon Miss Townsend? Should he step back from it? Or should he do as she asked and continue on with their engagement, despite her tears?
Chapter Eight
Abigail’s heart leapt as she caught sight of Lady Chesterton and, ignoring the restraining hand of her mother on her arm, rushed across the room and slipped her arm through her friend’s. “How glad I am to see you here this evening.”
“As I am you. I have been concerned for you.” Lady Chesterton searched Abigail’s face, her face a little pale. “What has happened as regards your father and Lord Crestwood?”
With a small sigh, Abigail shook her head. “I am engaged.”
“What do you mean, you are engaged?” Lady Chesterton turned and grasped both of Abigail’s hands in her own. “You are engaged to Lord Crestwood?”
“A little more quietly, if you will,” Abigail begged, pulling her hand away from Lady Chesterton’s so they might walk arm in arm again. “Yes, I am engaged to Lord Crestwood.”
Lady Chesterton shuddered. “To the Beast of Crestwood Hall.”
Abigail closed her eyes briefly and let out a slow breath. “Yes. Though I do very much hope he isnotas dark tempered as he seems. Do you know that he spoke with me not two days ago and stated that I was not to expect any sort of tenderness from him? That he views this as nothing more than a transactional relationship?”
“I see.” The concern that blossomed in Lady Chesterton’s eyes made Abigail’s heart squeeze, though some of the pain and sadness she carried within it began to fade. “But you are still to marry him?”
Abigail nodded. “Do you know that he asked me such a thing himself?”
Lady Chesterton frowned. “What do you mean?”
“He said he would not continue on with our engagement if I did not wish it,” Abigail said, still a little surprised that Lord Crestwood had been considerate enough to do such a thing. “I do admit to being a little surprised that he thought to speak to me about it all. I thought him akin to my father, making decision without once considering me.”
“That is good,” Lady Chesterton agreed, quietly, “though did you not tell him the truth? I would have thought that, had you done so, you would not now find yourself engaged.”
The heaviness in Abigail’s heart grew as she sighed and shook her head. “I had no choice, Harriet,” she admitted, as the ball began in earnest, with the first dance bringing both gentlemen and ladies to the center of the room. “My father is in debt and it seems now that this engagement is only coming about so that my father can be free of that burden.” Seeing her friend’s confusion, Abigail gave her a small, wrysmile. “Lord Crestwood will pay my father’s debts and in exchange, I will be given as his wife, expected to produce both the heir and the spare.”
“But that is truly dreadful!” Lady Chesterton exclaimed, though Abigail could not help but agree with her. “You are not merely an object to be bartered and sold! How could your father suggest such a thing?”
“Evidently, it was my mother,” Abigail answered, softly. “But I have not told Charlotte the truth so please, do not say a word to her.”
Lady Chesterton’s eyes rounded in understanding.“Thatis why you have agreed to this, is it not? So that Charlotte can be spared from the embarrassment of having a father heavily laden with debts?”
“It is so that she can have a successful Season that will lead to a happy match,” Abigail conceded. “However, I do recognise that my future is a little better being married than remaining as a spinster. At least there is the hope of having children. And his mother and sister are very pleasing.”
Lady Chesterton sighed and pressed Abigail’s hand again. “I would have much preferred you to have found a gentleman who considered you to be the most wonderful, most beautiful, most brilliant of creatures for that, my dear friend, is what you are.”
Abigail smiled. “Thank you, my friend. I do very much value our friendship and the support you offer me. It is my only joy at the present moment!”
“I can hardly believe that!” Lady Chesterton exclaimed, only for a lady to step directly into their path, forcing them both to come to a sudden stop. Abigail looked back into the face of an older lady who she did not recognize, though Lady Chesterton seemed to, given the way she inclined her head.
“Good evening. How nice to see you this evening.”
The lady did not look to Lady Chesterton, however, but turned her attention solely to Abigail who looked back into two narrowed eyes and cheeks which burned red.
“Are you Miss Abigail Townsend?”
“I am.” A little confused, Abigail darted a glance to Harriet, who quickly obliged.
“Miss Abigail Townsend, might I introduce Lady Templeton?”
“Good evening.” With a smile, Abigail dropped into a curtsy, still confused as to why the lady had not only walked into their path but had also practically gritted out those words towards her. “I am always glad to make a new acquaintance.”
“You are engaged to the Earl of Crestwood?” Lady Templeton’s face had flushed all the hotter, her eyes narrowing as though Abigail had done some great evil.
