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 them all momentarily."

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 even consider ! The news of their engagement had already run through the ton and 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 had chosen 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 comes first and 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."

"Which is true,!" 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."

"I – I need another few moments."

For the first time since he had walked into the room, Arthur looked back at Captain Harrington, wondering if his friend had, as yet, looked away from the window to take note of the proceedings. He had done, Arthur saw, though he was shooting a rather dark look back at Arthur. Could it be that he was simply fatigued? Or had he hoped to call upon Arthur when no-one else was present… or when Isabella herself might be his only company?" Arthur let his gaze go to his sister as though somehow, she might be taking note of his thoughts but she was busy whispering something to Miss Townsend. The young lady did not look in the least bit more contented or joyous and Arthur frowned, only to look again at Lord Townsend as he came to the end of the contract.

"Everything seems to be in order," Lord Townsend remarked, his hand reaching for the quill. "Very soon, we shall have the wedding between yourself and my daughter, Miss Abigail Townsend, and all shall be quite well."

Without so much as a look to Miss Townsend, Arthur noted, Lord Townsend dipped the quill in the ink and then signed the contract. His eyes caught how her shoulders dropped and how she lowered her head, though not a single word of complaint came from her lips. His gut twisted, concern threading through his veins as he looked back at her a little more steadily, ignoring Lord Townsend's triumphant exclamation as he completed his signing.

"Miss Townsend, might you join us?"

The lady's head lifted and she looked back into his eyes without flinching, surprise in her green eyes. "My lord?"

"Might you join me for a moment?" he asked again, going across the room towards her and holding out one hand. "If you would?"

Her hand reaching for his was a little tentative and when he grasped it, he felt how she trembled. It did not come from fear, he hoped, but he was glad, at least, that she walked with him across the room without hesitation.

"I want to ask you whether or not you are in agreement with this," he said, keeping his voice as quiet as he could so as not to be overheard by everyone in the room. "This involves you and your opinion should be sought."

Her eyes flared but before she could speak, her father rose and set one hand on her shoulder. "Of course she agrees! What other choice does she have?"

Miss Townsend's cheeks flooded with color and her eyes closed.

"Lord Townsend, if you please." His voice firm, Arthur realized that he was still holding Miss Townsend's hand and, with that realization, he squeezed her fingers gently, hoping for a response. Opening her eyes, Miss Townsend offered him a small smile, and then nodded.

"Yes, of course. I consent."

"I told you," Lord Townsend boomed, ignoring the way his daughter winced. "Now, let us proceed, Lord Crestwood."

Arthur bent his head forward and looked straight into Miss Townsend's eyes. A hint of vanilla rose to assail his senses and he caught his breath, his heart kicking hard in his chest. "You recall and understand all I spoke with you about before?" he asked, as she nodded. "Then are you still quite contented for all of this to take place?" Knowing that she would be entering a marriage where he could not and would not offer her any sort of affection, Arthur held her gaze steadily, ignoring the sudden thundering of his heart until, finally, she nodded.

"I agree to it all," she whispered, though there came a glistening into her eyes that concerned Arthur greatly. "There is nothing I do not consent to."

Despite the way his heart turned over, despite the way his stomach clenched and his concern grew to furious heights, Arthur nodded, released her hand and went to sign the contract. Miss Townsend made her way back to sit by Isabella and Arthur dipped his quill into the ink and, without giving himself time to think, scratched his name onto the bottom of the contract.

It was done. He was engaged to Miss Townsend and in a little over a month, would find himself a married man.

The room erupted in cheers and Arthur turned, making his way directly across the room so he might pick up his brandy. Throwing it back, he swallowed it in one gulp, letting fire erupt in his chest and chase away all the emotions which threatened to overwhelm him. Ever since the war, he had done an excellent job of pushing down everything he felt, of hiding what his true emotions were. It was easier to live a life without them, where he was staid and severe rather than letting his emotions affect him.

Captain Harrington came to join him. "My congratulations."

Arthur managed a wry smile. "I am uncertain as to whether you are truly pleased for me or if you are somewhat concerned."

"Might I not be both?" Captain Harrington's gaze travelled across the room rather than looking back at Arthur. "To my mind, a marriage ought not to be a business transaction. Rather it ought to be solemnly deliberated, with the hearts, minds and affections of those involved truly and carefully considered."

With a curt nod acknowledging, at least, that his friend had his own perspective on such thing, Arthur too looked across the room and saw how Isabella smiled, though her gaze was not on him. Rather, she was smiling at Captain Harrington.

"You do not have any difficulties such as I, however," he grunted, as the Captain's attention snapped back to him. "Your face is not marred nor marked as mine is."

"That means nothing, as you know I have said to you many a time," came the reply. "A man's appearance does not have any bearing on his character. Character is what is important, my friend. I do hope you will treat Miss Townsend with all the respect, affection and consideration she deserves."

Arthur drew himself up. "I will be entirely respectful."

"Ah, but will you be affectionate? Will you be considerate?" The Captain tilted his head. "She will be married to a gentleman she barely knows, settled into a new estate and a new home and without her own sister by her side. Your mother and sister will, no doubt, make her feel very welcome but what about when they depart? No doubt your sister will marry soon and your mother will take the Dower House. You cannot truly think that Miss Townsend – who will soon be Lady Crestwood – will be contented with sitting in your manor house without company and affection?"

A vision of Miss Townsend sitting alone, tears on her cheeks, rose in Arthur's mind but he dismissed it quickly enough. "She may well have had a child by then."

The Captain immediately scoffed at this, shaking his head as though Arthur was a child who needed to be guided away from his foolish considerations. "Do not think that a child will make up for the lack of affection from her husband!" he exclaimed, setting one hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Permit yourself to be free with your affections and you might find yourself all the happier, my friend."

Before Arthur could say anything in response, before he could find a few words to throw back at him, Captain Harrington moved away from him directly and walked towards both Miss Townsend and Isabella. He greeted them both and then took Miss Townsend's hand in his, bowing over it and clearly offering her his congratulations.

A heat passed right through Arthur and he looked away, a little surprised at the response such a thing had brought him.

"It will be a beautiful wedding!" he heard Isabella say as he poured himself a second brandy. "There will be a good deal to prepare! You know that I should be glad to help with anything that you might wish to task me with, Abigail. After all, we are to be sisters!"

"Oh yes, there must be ribbons and bouquets everywhere, with perhaps – "

"I think a quiet, simple affair would be in order, do you not think?"

Arthur looked around the room as he spoke, having interrupted his own mother as she had joined in with Isabella's fervency.

"We do not require anything auspicious, certainly," he continued, having no desire for the ton 's interest to be on him all the more. "A quiet wedding ceremony, with only a handful of guests will suffice."

From the expression on both Isabella and his mother's face, Arthur quickly realized that his thoughts on the matter were not welcome. Isabella was frowning, her arms folded across her chest and his mother had closed her eyes as though she were embarrassed by him.

"Why should you not want to celebrate your marriage to Miss Townsend by a grand wedding?" Captain Harrington was the first to speak, though his tone remained easy rather than forceful or angry. "It is a very pleasant occasion, is it not? A joyous one, in fact!"

Arthur shrugged, now a little nonplussed given the strong reaction he had received from his own kin. His eyes went to Miss Townsend who, he saw, had sunk back down into her chair rather than remain standing with Captain Harrington and Isabella. "It is not something I would enjoy," he answered, a flush creeping up his neck. "A grand affair is not required."

"And what of what your bride would enjoy?" His mother's sharp, demanding tone had the heat in Arthur's chest rising up all the more quickly. "The day of your wedding does involve two persons, Crestwood and only one of them is you."

"Please, do not worry!" Lord Townsend threw up his hands and chuckled, his face wreathed in smiles – and why should he not be, Arthur considered, given that all of his debts were about to be removed from him? "My daughter will be more than contented with a quiet marriage, with only direct family present."

Lady Townsend lifted her chin. "I hardly think that – "

"This does not concern you, however," her husband interrupted, his smile becoming a little fixed now as the air grew thick with tension. "It is just as the Earl of Crestwood wants."

A sudden, overwhelming shame burned right through Arthur's chest and he closed his eyes, realizing just how distinctly selfish he had been. In stating that a banal wedding was all that was required, he had not given a single moment's consideration to Miss Townsend. Captain Harrington had spoken up against him, as had his mother and yet Lord Townsend was the only one who had agreed with Arthur. Miss Townsend was sitting quietly, clearly expecting the decision to be made for her and without her contribution.

Was that the sort of gentleman he wished to be? The sort of husband he wanted to become? The sort who ignored his wife in all things, who never once thought of her happiness or sought out her thoughts on any subject? With a sigh, Arthur lifted his head and looked directly at Miss Townsend. Though he hated the idea of having a large wedding filled with guests, he would give himself up to it if that was what Miss Townsend desired.

"Miss Townsend."

Waiting until she lifted her head and looked at him, he offered her a small if not rather tight smile. "Might I ask what it is that you desire?"

The way her eyes rounded made his heart lift. Clearly, she had not expected him to think of her in this way, had not expected him to ask her about her thoughts and now that he was doing so, she was clearly surprised.

"My daughter will – "

"Lord Townsend, if you please." Drawing himself up, Arthur threw out one hand, silencing Lord Townsend as he spoke. "What is it that you are thinking of, Miss Townsend? What sort of wedding do you desire?"

She swallowed hard and then rose to her feet, her cheeks coloring a little. "I should like to be surrounded by my friends, my family and our neighbours," she said, her voice a little shaky though her gaze was steady. "We will have it at my father's estate, I presume, and though it is a time of celebration, it is also a time for me to say farewell to all that I have known and loved since the very day I was born." Her chin wobbled but she took in a deep breath and continued. "I should be glad to have your thoughts, Lady Isabella, and yours also, Lady Crestwood, when it comes to decorations and the like. I know my own mother will be delighted to be of assistance also."

Arthur realized, in that one moment, that his wedding was not even just about himself and his bride, as his mother had said. It was about two families coming together even in this, in planning the day and all that would come with it. The light in Isabella's eyes, the hopeful smile on his mother's face and the way Lady Townsend blinked her glassy eyes told him that he could not refuse.

"Then I shall leave it all to you," he said, inclining his head. "I shall do as I am instructed and shall be contented in everything."

There came a squeal of delight from Isabella and his mother and Lady Townsend both thanked him profusely. But Arthur could only look to his betrothed, seeking out her response to what he had said – and her soft, quiet smile brought a thrill to his heart that he had never experienced before.

It both terrified and delighted him in equal measure.