Page 18 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“I – I thank you.” A little uncertain as to what she ought to do or say, Abigail made to rise from her chair only for the gentleman to gesture for her to remain where she was.
“Please, do not trouble yourself. I shall say nothing more other than to pray blessing upon your marriage, whenever it should come.” Inclining his head, he made to turn away, only for Abigail to call out after him.
“Your name, good sir? You did not give it and I should be glad to know who I am to thank for such kind words.”
The gentleman smiled but Abigail found herself shivering lightly, for it was not a pleasant smile. Rather, it was the smile of a gentleman who had something more behind such kind words and Abigail did not like to see it.
“Earl Drover,” he answered, rising from his bow. “It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Townsend.” With a nod to Lady Chesterton – no doubt someone he was already acquainted with, Lord Drover turned his attention back to Abigail, his smile lingering still. “Might I wish you both a very pleasant evening.”
With that, he walked away and though Lady Chesterton smiled and cooed over Lord Chesterton’s manners and kindness, Abigail kept her thoughts to herself. There was something about him which troubled her, something about that greeting that said there was more to his intentions than he had shown.
And Abigail remained entirely wary of him.
Chapter Nine
“Lord and Lady Townsend are here.
Arthur looked up at his butler. “And is Miss Townsend with them also?”
“Yes, my lord. I have them sitting in the drawing room. Your own mother and sister are present also. Captain Harrington has come to call and I have asked him to join the others, though if you wished him to depart then - ”
With a shake of his head, Arthur rose from his chair. “I will join themallmomentarily.”
Waiting until the butler had left, Arthur walked to the other side of the room and looked in the mirror at himself, already despising the reflected image he saw there. The harsh lines of his scars running across one side of his face looked even more jagged than usual in the brilliant morning sunshine and Arthur turned away quickly, unable to bear even another moment of looking at himself. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and drew in a steadiness to himself. Yes, he was going to speak with Lady Townsend and Miss Townsend as regarded the upcoming marriage but there was no need to feel any such nervousness or the like. After all, the difficulty was over for him. He did not need to find himself a bride, did not have to worry about what young lady might look past his scars and consider him as her future husband. That was no longer something he had to evenconsider! The news of their engagement had already run through thetonand given that the contract was now due to be signed, there was nothing else for them to do other than to begin to consider the wedding.
“Miss Townsend will be my wife,” he told himself aloud, walking to the door. “I do not need to care what she will think of my scars. She has already accepted me and thus, all will be well.”
Striding out into the hallway, he marched towards the drawing room only to pause at the sound of laughter echoing out towards him. A frown knotting his forehead as he pushed the door open, all the more surprised to see his own sister and Miss Townsend sitting together, their heads close as they talked excitedly, while Lady Townsend and his own mother laughed aloud at something as yet unknown. Captain Harrington was sitting by the window, seemingly preoccupied with his own thoughts and Lord Townsend was pouring himself a brandy from Arthur’s own carafe and as Arthur came a little further into the room, smiled and then proceeded to pour a second glass.
Arthur gritted his teeth. Lord Townsend had not even thought to ask whether or not he might help himself to this brandy but instead hadchosen to do so without even a second thought and the laughter was a little grating. This was meant to be a serious moment, a sober endeavour where they would formally sign their contract and the marriage would then be brought into view. It was not the time for all things jovial.
“Good afternoon.” Looking around the room, he waited until the noise and the laughter had come to a close before clearing his throat, lifting his chin and looking directly at Lord Townsend. “Shall we proceed?”
“I have poured you a glass so we might celebrate this moment!” With a grin, Lord Townsend held him the glass and Arthur took it without a word though he did not smile. “Do you have the contract?”
Arthur nodded and walking across the room, pulled at the bell. It was a signal for the footman to enter with both the contract and the ink and quills and, within a few minutes, that very thing was brought in on a gleaming silver tray. A silence fell across the room and for the first time, Arthur looked to where his betrothed sat.
Miss Townsend did not appear to be particularly happy. She was not smiling, she was not looking up expectantly but rather there seemed to be a frown attempting to pull at her forehead though, no doubt, she was fighting to hide it. Her lip caught between her teeth and Arthur’s brow furrowed. She had assured him that this was what she wanted, what she had agreed to but all the same, he could tell from her expression that she was not overly pleased. A streak of worry ran across his heart but he dashed it away quickly, pulling his gaze from Miss Townsend and making his way across the room to where Lord Townsend had already sat down with the contract in his hand.
“I think you will find everything is in hand,” he said, choosing not to look at Miss Townsend as he spoke. “The engagement will stand from the signing of this contract and your debts will be signed off the day after my marriage to your daughter.”
“After?” Lord Townsend looked up sharply. “Why afterwards?”
“Because I want to make certain that I will gain what I expect to gain,” Arthur replied, firmly. “I am a gentleman of my word and unfortunately, I am not certain I can say the same for you.”
There came a few gasps at this from the ladies in the room but Arthur merely lifted an eyebrow just as Lord Townsend harrumphed and looked back at the contract.
“You cannot say such things!” Lady Townsend’s exclamation forced him to look around. “My husband can be trusted!”
“I do not think so,” Arthur replied, firmly, even though Lady Townsend’s face went sheet white at his boldness. “A gentleman who has lost a good deal of his fortune through playing cards and making foolish choices in his gambling habits is not a gentleman that I can trust. Therefore, the wedding comesfirstand the debts paid off thereafter.”
There now came a few moments of silence, only for it to be broken by Lady Townsend.
“You – you told me that this was solely about your failed investments!” she cried, half rising out of her chair. “That the boats sank to the bottom of the sea floor and took your money with it.”
“Whichistrue,!” Lord Townsend protested, immediately. “I did not think to explain other, unnecessary debts to you, my dear, for fear that it would upset you all the more.”
Waving a hand before Lady Townsend could explode into whatever it was she clearly wanted to say next to her husband, Arthur brought them both to a stop. “If you are satisfied with the contract, Lord Townsend, then might we sign it? I would rather that there was no delay.”
