Page 21 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“I – I must confess something to you.” With a shuddering breath, Lady Townsend reached for Abigail’s hand, only to then release it just as quickly. “I should not have suggested to your father that you marry Lord Crestwood.”
Abigail blinked in surprise but again, chose not to say anything, feeling the weight of her mother’s presence and believing that there was yet more for her to say.
“It was a thought which came to me unexpectedly but in truth, I did believe that it would be for the best. It would give you a husband and a future but I did not think for even amomentthat it would be your father’s intention to exchange you for a payment of his debts.” Again, she reached for Abigail’s hand and this time, she took it in her own and squeezed her fingers gently. “I am truly sorry.”
Letting out a long sigh, Abigail looked across to her mother and saw the pain flickering in her eyes. “I am sad that you did not think to discuss this with me first, Mama. Why would you not make the suggestion to me first rather than go directly to my father?”
Her mother squeezed her eyes closed and a single tear dropped to her cheek. “Because I thought it right, she said, in a soft voice. “I thought it best to discuss it with my husband first before we spoke to you. I truly did not believe for even a moment that your father would make all of these arrangements without so much as a word to you! And when I learned about the contract and the debts I… well, I have never felt so much regret in all my life. I have now forced your hand, forced you into matrimony with a gentleman who is nothing but darkness and selfishness!”
“I do not think that Lord Crestwood is as bad as all that, Mama.” Speaking truthfully, Abigail offered her mother a small smile, sensing a small healing taking place between them. “I will not pretend that he is inclined to think solely about himself – ”
“As we both saw when there came a discussion about the wedding and how grand it ought to be.”
“Precisely, though did he not speak to me kindly thereafter?” Abigail’s smile grew as her mother nodded slowly. “And did he not give me whatever it was I wished and, in doing so, made both you, his own mother and sister very contented? I think that shows that he can be kind and considerate, though perhaps it simply requires a change in his way of thinking which, at times, can take some duration to become a quality by which one can be defined.”
Lady Townsend nodded though she looked down at her hands, her shoulders rounding.
“And I am glad that you and father shall be free of debts, and for Charlotte’s sake also,” Abigail continued, softly. “That is a good thing.”
“It is.” Lady Townsend looked back at Abigail, her eyes still glistening with tears. “Your sister does not know of the debts as yet.”
“No, she does not and I would prefer she did not know. She is already concerned enough for me and I am more than contented for her to see that I am marrying Lord Crestwood simply because I desire it.”
“You have a very generous and considerate spirit, my dear.” Pulling out a handkerchief, Lady Townsend dabbed at her eyes. “I am delighted to see it though I do not think I deserve to have such a good hearted daughter after what I have done.”
Abigail squeezed her mother’s hand. “It is quite all right, Mama.” Taking a breath, she smiled and set her shoulders. “What must be done now is we must think solely of the wedding and what is to be done as regards the preparation of it! And there must be a trousseau, yes?” As she spoke, a knot came into her stomach and she tried her best not to feel any sense of nervousness but it flooded her, nonetheless. The thought of being married, of being bride to Lord Crestwood was still an anxiety that she could not quite remove from herself. He was still very much a stranger to her, still unknown and still rather mysterious in many ways, though the kindness and consideration he had shown of late – though it had come with some encouragement from the Captain and his mother – had gladdened her heart. She had begun to fear that she might be marrying the very ilk of gentleman that was similar to her father but Lord Crestwood’s character certainly appeared to be somewhat different and that was a great relief.
A scratch at the door had her mother calling for the servant to enter and within a few minutes, the butler had come in and bowed to them both.
“Lord Crestwood has come to see his betrothed, my lady.”
Abigail rose to her feet at once for both her mother and her father had already stated to the staff that Lord Crestwood was to be shown in without delay whenever he should appear. She was not truly prepared for his arrival, however, and felt herself a little embarrassed given her rather dull morning dress and her hair pulled into a simple chignon.
Not that such a thing should matter to Lord Crestwood,she reminded herself, feeling a little foolish that she should be concerned about what the Earl of Crestwood should think of her appearance.
“Good afternoon.” The Earl bowed low as he stood before them, then sat down as they resumed their seats. “I have come to invite you all to Crestwood Hall.”
Abigail’s eyebrows lifted. “To Crestwood Hall, my lord?”
“Yes, to my estate,” he declared, as though it was quite usual for such a thing to occur. “A house party, I think. It will give us all an opportunity to know one another a little better.”
“How wonderful!” The enthusiasm in her mother’s voice was not entirely unexpected though Abigail herself remained a little subdued. “When is this to take place?”
“In a fortnight,” came the reply. “I know it is in the middle of the Season but we shall return thereafter, of course. And the wedding itself is still to be planned but mayhap some four weeks after our return, we might wed?”
Abigail swallowed. That gave her around six weeks to prepare. “Yes,” she managed to say, a little throatily. “That seems perfectly adequate.”
“Capital.” Lord Crestwood rose to his feet without having any sort of inclination to linger and speak with her a little longer. “The banns are already being arranged at this moment, so all is as it ought to be.”
“What of Lady Clara?”
It was the most foolish thing to say and the most inopportune moment to speak of it but all the same, the words were said and Abigail could not take it back. Why had she thought to say such a thing now? The meeting with Lady Templeton some days ago had almost faded from her memory but evidently, her desire for him to linger and to show even the smallest enthusiasm for her company had outweighed her good sense.
Lord Crestwood sank back into his chair. “Might I ask what you mean?”
His tone had dropped and there was a dark expression on his face, his jaw tight.
“Lady Templeton accosted me at the very same ball where our engagement was announced,” Abigail replied, choosing to continue with the conversation rather than brush it aside. After all, had not her friend encouraged her to be honest with her future husband? “She stated that there was the intention of reinstating the connection between yourself and Lady Clara.”
