Page 8 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
Arthur could barely believe what he was hearing. Here was this gentleman, hardly known to him, offering up his daughter as Arthur’s bride when they were not even properly acquainted. “I think you are a little presumptuous, Lord Townsend.”
The gentleman did not deny it. Rather, he spread his arms out wide and then let them fall to his sides. “I will not pretend that I want the best for my daughter and her marrying a gentleman of high title and good standing is the very best.”
“Though she would, no doubt, be the cause of many whispers and have to bear a great deal of gossip,” Arthur reminded him, though the gentleman only shrugged. “You would have no difficulty with that?”Wait a moment. Am I beginning to consider this idea as viable?
“I would not. As I have said, I want what is best for my daughter and given that her other alternative is to become a spinster, I think becoming your bride would be a good deal better for her.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes. “And in exchange, you wish for me to do what, exactly?”
Lord Townsend looked away. “As I said,” he replied, his voice a little quieter now, “I am a gentleman with many debts.”
“Debts you wish me to remove from you the moment I marry your daughter.”
When Lord Townsend did not answer but continued to look away, Arthur scowled darkly, his brows furrowing. “And might I ask if your daughter is aware of this? If she knows what you intend for her?”
“She knows nothing,” came the reply. “But she will do as she is told. After all, it is not as though she has any other choice.”
Arthur closed his eyes. There was so much he felt, so much he wanted to say and yet the words stuck in his throat as he shook his head.
“You do not think it is a good suggestion.”
“I do not.” Arthur opened his eyes and looked back at Lord Townsend. “In fact, I – ”
“Isabella is… oh! Forgive me, I did not know we had company!”
Gritting his teeth in frustration for he had just now been about to rid himself of Lord Townsend’s company, Arthur was forced then to make the introductions. “Mother, might I present the Viscount Townsend. Viscount Townsend, my mother, Lady Crestwood.”
“How pleasant to see that my son has company,” Lady Crestwood smiled, though Arthur’s gut twisted at the way Lord Townsend grinned back in return. “What is it that you have come to speak with him about, might I ask?”
Arthur had expected Lord Townsend to pause and to hold back the truth but, much to his surprise, the gentleman simply spoke the truth without even a flicker of hesitation.
“I thought to come and propose an agreement between your son and myself, Lady Crestwood. I have debts which I am struggling to clear and your son requires a wife. I have a daughter who is the kindest of creatures and though quiet, would be an excellent bride for your son. I was hoping that we might make an arrangement whereby he would marry my daughter in – ”
“In exchange for his paying of your debts.” There was a slight hardness to Lady Crestwood’s tone and Arthur looked at her a little surprised, wondering if his mother was a little irritated with Lord Townsend’s forward manner or if she found the whole idea unsettling. “Well, that is certainly something for Lord Crestwood to consider.”
Arthur’s eyes flew to his mother’s and Lady Crestwood offered him a small smile, though there was still a flicker of what he took to be concern in her eyes.
“I thank you, consideration is all that I ask for.” Lord Townsend bowed low, relief in his voice. “You are very good to even listen to me, Lord Crestwood. I thank you for that and I shall take my leave of you now.”
“Oh, but when is the meeting to take place?”
Arthur frowned at his mother’s question, a little irritated now given that he had just been about to have Lord Townsend removed from his company. “What meeting, Mother?”
“Between you and Lord Townsend’s daughter,” she said, as Arthur’s eyebrows lifted high. “After all, you cannot make a decision unless you have met the young lady, can you?”
Arthur did not know what to say. He had not expected his mother to even consider the prospect of such an agreement and yet here she was, telling him that it seemed, to her mind at least, to be a good idea to pursue!
“Oh yes, that would be a wise thing to do, would it not?” Lord Townsend practically beamed at Lady Crestwood and Arthur’s stomach dropped, a bitter taste in his mouth. “Shall we say at the ball tomorrow evening? You will be in attendance, I assume? Lord and Lady Lavington’s ball?”
Clearing his throat, Arthur threw a desperate look to his mother but she was already nodding, clearly more than contented with the idea. “Yes, I suppose I shall be,” he agreed, a little heavily. “I had every intention of being present, at least.”
“Wonderful! Then I shall make sure to introduce Abigail to you there. Good day, Lady Crestwood, Lord Crestwood. I am truly delighted at the prospect of a connection between our two families.
I am sure you are.Scowling, Arthur ran one hand over his face as he turned away, hearing the door open for Lord Townsend to exit the room. No doubt the gentleman was simply relieved at the idea that his debts would be paid and he would rid himself of an unwanted daughter all at the same time! Though that would require Arthur to agree to it all and at this juncture, he was not certain he would do so.
“Well, that was certainly an interesting conversation!” With a broad smile, his mother came towards him, tilting her head a little. “You do not look pleased, however.”
“That is because I am not pleased!” Arthur exclaimed, his brows furrowing. “How could I be so? After all, having to marry a young lady so that her father can be free from debts is hardly a pleasant circumstance.”
