Page 42 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“Of course she did.” His lip curling, Lord Drover looked away. “Because she is the most loyal creature anyone might ever wish for.”
“And the most manipulative, most cunning and wily creature also.” Captain Harrington shook his head as Lord Drover practically growled athim. “Why continue in this pursuit of Lord Crestwood, though? Once Lady Clara ended the engagement, then you were able to step into his place!”
“Except Lady Templeton determined that she ought to return to Lord Crestwood. Even in my presence, she spoke of how Clara ought to beg for your acceptance of her again, Crestwood. Thetondoes not hold her in high standing due to all of the gossip she spread about you – though they are just as guilty for spreading such stories – and therefore, Lady Templeton urged Clara back towards you. And Clara determined that she would do it.”
Arthur scowled and turned away. “Well, now you may go to her and beg her to accept you as her husband, Drover,” he said, gesturing to a nearby footman. “For I do not ever want to see heroryou again.”
Captain Harrington put one hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “What is it that you intend to do?”
“I intend to ride to London in the hope that is where they have gone,” Arthur replied, as the footman came over. “And I will do whatever I can to explain to Lord Townsend what happened and, thereafter… ” Drawing in a breath, he set his shoulders and lifted his chin. “Thereafter, I will tell Miss Townsend that I am in love with her and I want never to let her go from my sight again.”
Chapter Twenty
“I do not think we should have left so hastily.”
“Please, Townsend!”
Abigail watched through dulled eyes as her mother rose from her chair, lifting her chin in the air as she spoke with a great deal more firmness in her tone than Abigail had heard before.
“Your daughter is most upset. Why then must you go on in this fashion?”
“Because I think we may have made a mistake!” Lord Townsend exclaimed, throwing one hand out towards Abigail. “At the very least, I should have spoken with Lord Crestwood. I left without doing so because of my anger but now that we have returned to London, I feel as though I was too hasty.” He gestured to the window. “We drove through this dreadful summer storm and that perhaps, in itself, is an omen.”
“Why should you have any concern, father?” Abigail threw herself out of her chair, the sorrow in her spirit suddenly turning to anger as she listened to her father speak only of himself and his concerns rather than giving her a moment of consideration – despite the fact that her mother had asked him to do that very thing. “Your debts will be paid regardless!”
Lord Townsend blinked.
“Debts?” Charlotte who, thus far had said very little, looked up at Abigail with wide eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that father decided I should marry Lord Crestwood so that, in exchange, Lord Crestwood would settle themanydebts our father has brought upon himself by his foolish gambling and ridiculous investments,” Abigail returned, as color flooded Lord Townsend’s cheeks though he did not look angry, more embarrassed at the truth being offered to Charlotte.
“What?” Charlotte got to her feet, her hands clenched. “You asked Abigail to do this, father? Why should you trade your daughter for such a thing as this?”
“It does not matter,” Abigail replied, before their father could do so. “I did it because I wanted you to have a good future, Charlotte.” Her eyes began to flood with tears as she turned to her sister, reaching out one hand to her. “And though I found Lord Crestwood to be a confusing and indeed, dark natured gentleman, over the last few weeks I have found his character to be entirely different from the one he presented and, indeed, I have felt my affection for him growing steadily.” Tears began to course down her cheeks as Charlotte too began to cry. “And now I find my heart entirely broken but all ourdearfather can think upon is himself and his own position in all of this rather than giving me, his own daughter, a modicum of consideration!”
“How can you speak to me like that?” Lord Townsend flung up his hands, his face now scarlet. “I am your father and – ”
“And is it not precisely as she says?” Abigail did not need to say a word for her mother, much to her surprise, interjected before she could even think of what to say. Lady Townsend drew closer to her husband, her eyes narrowing and her hands going to her hips. “I came to you with the thought of Abigail marrying Lord Crestwood, I will admit to that, but I neveroncethought that you would attempt to swap her for your debts being repaid! In all of this, you have never once mentioned Abigail’s feelings, have never once seemed to think to ask her about her present state of mind. Instead, you think only of yourself and it is little wonder that Abigail feels as she does. I am horrified by your selfishness, Townsend. And it is time that I spoke about such things clearly.”
Charlotte pressed Abigail’s hand as their father took a step backwards, the color fading from his face as he looked at his wife. Abigail herself could say nothing more, looking back at Lord Townsend and seeing how he fell back now that his wife’s support had faded.
“I did not know about your debts, father.” Charlotte’s voice was filled with tears. “How could you do such a thing to Abigail?”
“None of us knew the true extent of your father’s debts, Charlotte,” Lady Townsend replied, still gazing at her husband. “I did not know where they had alltrulycome from, though I do now and I am both horrified and deeply disappointed to hear of it all.”
“My dowry?” Charlotte asked, as Abigail squeezed her fingers. “What about my dowry?”
Abigail made to say that even if she had no dowry, she was sure they would find a way to improve it, only for Lord Townsend to say something so wonderful and yet so utterly shocking, weakness stole away every bit of strength from her.
“Lord Crestwood has made certain that your dowry is even better than it was, Charlotte.” Lord Townsend passed one hand over his eyes. “Though I have never taken a penny from either of your dowries, I can assure you of that.” His hand fell back to his side. “I may be something of an unfeeling fellow but I havesomeawareness of my responsibilities towards you both.”
Abigail stared at her father, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to take in what he had said. Perhaps seeing her shock, Charlotte asked the very question which was now on Abigail’s mind. “What do you mean as regards Lord Crestwood, father?”
Lord Townsend sighed. “I mean that he has taken the dowry I was to give him for Abigail and insisted that it be added toyours,Charlotte.” His gaze went to Abigail. “He does not want a penny of it.”
Abigail sat down hard, her hand loosening in her sister’s grip. What could such a thing mean? Either Lord Crestwood had decided he did not want her dowry due to his sympathy over her father’s present standing with his debts and the like, or he did not want to take it because he had true compassion, true consideration and had wanted both her and Charlotte to be happy.
The rap at the door made her jump and though they all turned to it, the butler came in at once, apologizing profusely for his haste.
