Page 19 of Two of a Kind
“You might want to summon a real smile for your guests and your fiancé. You know how people like to see a happy bride,” he said.
“Yes, Papa,” she replied.
Those two words had become her sole response to him over the past weeks. He had ignored her pleadings to refuse Guy’s suit, telling her that it was a sensible marriage and that her future husband would make a fine politician. She was destined to follow in the footsteps of her mother and sister, so she should do as they had done and accept her lot.
Her father dragged her back into her bedroom and shut the door behind him, the familiar twitch of his mouth telling her that he was not the least bit happy. “You had better learn to fix your smile more naturally to your face if you are going to help Guy with his career. The sort of men you will be expected to grace with your sexual charms do not care for shy, simpering misses. They want a confident woman who knows how to please a man. Once you are married, you will have to earn your keep.”
Leah blinked as realization dawned. Her own sire had refused her entreaty to call off the betrothal because he knew full well what Guy had in mind for his daughter. She had always known her father didn’t love her, but now she understood that he saw her as nothing more than a pawn. A piece which could be moved about the board in the never-ending game of chess that was English politics.
She attempted a smile, but it faltered. Her father leaned in close.
“I shall give you this piece of advice Leah. Things will go easier for you with your husband if you learn comply.”
He offered her his arm, and after she took it, he led her out of the room. They descended the stairs, with Leah carefully watching her every step. The hem and train of her cream silk gown was long. Guy had given clear instructions as to the exact color and length of gown Leah should wear for their betrothal party. It was elegant and beautiful; its fabric hugged her soft curves. A happily betrothed young woman would have felt like a princess in it, but Leah couldn’t care less for the extravagant gown.
At the bottom of the stairs, Guy waited for her. “Ah, such a wonderous sight.”
Her father took hold of Leah’s hand and placed it in Guy’s. She was already as good as married.
Hot tears stung her eyes as Guy leaned over and placed the briefest of kisses on her cheek. The prospect of becoming his wife filled her with heartbreaking pain. She would never love Guy. Her darkest fear was that she would soon have reason to loathe him.
“Our guests have begun to arrive,” he said.
Much as her father demanded it of her, Leah was unable to summon a real smile. As Guy led her out to meet the family and friends who had gathered to wish them both congratulations, her lips remained in a tight line.
As soon as she set foot into the reception room, her gaze found James. He was standing next to Caroline. He appeared deep in thought. She stared at him for a moment, silently praying he would look up and see her.
When their gazes did finally meet, he closed his eyes for an instant and shook his head. He looked away. Without thinking, she clutched at Guy’s arm for support.
“Don’t be nervous, Leah. Just remember that in the very near future, I will expect you to charm powerful men and bring them under your control. Take this as the time to hone those special skills, my love. As soon as we are married, I will begin your education in the art of seduction. There are many men in this room I plan for you to fuck,” Guy whispered.
At his words, a single tear began to trickle down Leah’s cheek. She was doomed to live her worst nightmare.
Chapter Thirteen
Getting out of London and heading to Derbyshire would solve some of James’s problems, at least for the time being. By going to Newhall Castle with Caroline and Francis, he could find respite from the constant noise about Guy and Leah’s wedding. He would be away from his father and the questions about what he had planned for his future. But most of all, it would allow him to slip away, meet up with the two Tims, and paint.
“Poor girl,” sighed Caroline.
“What do you mean?” he replied, stirring from his plans.
Caroline tilted her head in the direction of the grand staircase. James moved in order to get a better look, and what he saw filled him with dismay.
Leah and Guy were standing at the bottom of the staircase, her hand placed stiffly on his arm. She wore a tight, forced smile. When hers and James’s gazes met; he was filled with pity. Pity which quickly coalesced into anger. He fisted his hands as he tore his gaze from her.
If only I could beat someone to a bloody pulp.
When he turned back to look at her once more, Leah had a hand lifted to her face. She brushed something away, and he knew in his heart that it had been a tear.
A sharp pain tore at James’s chest. If he didn’t know better, he would have sworn he had just been stabbed.
Guy didn’t appear to have noticed Leah’s distress. He gave her a cold smile and pulled her closer to him in what could only be interpreted as an open display of possession. James wanted to seize his longtime friend by the throat and shake him violently.
The rest of the gathered guests had an entirely different reaction to the arrival of the newly engaged couple. A ripple of applause and soft gushes of “Look at her tears of happiness,” and “What a wonderful couple they will make,” were heard in the room.
He had to give Leah her dues. She blinked back her tears and went to greet her guests. She was already learning to control her emotions in public.
How long will it be until nothing of your true self remains?
