Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

O n his quest toward his sister, his gaze swept across the elegant figures twirling on the dance floor. He could not see her anywhere, and then his way was interrupted.

"Lady Hillsfolk," he greeted warmly, offering a gallant bow as he slowed. "What a pleasure to see you here tonight."

Lady Hillsfolk returned his greeting with a gracious smile, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Your Grace, it's delightful to see you as well," she replied, her voice carrying above the music. "Congratulations on your sister's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony."

"Thank you, My Lady," Andrew said, his gaze flickering to the awaiting maid. "I'm glad you could join us for the celebration."

Lady Hillsfolk's brow furrowed slightly as she regarded him with concern, sensing a hint of tension beneath his courteous demeanor. "Is everything all right, Your Grace?" she inquired, her voice laced with genuine concern.

Andrew hesitated for a moment, weighing his response carefully before offering a reassuring smile. "Yes, everything is fine, thank you for asking," he replied, his tone measured yet resolute.

Lady Hillsfolk's concern lingered, her gaze fixed on his features with a hint of apprehension. "Are you sure?" she pressed gently.

"Yes, I assure you, My Lady," he replied with forced conviction. "If you happen to see Lady Marianne, would you kindly let her know that I was looking for her?"

Lady Hillsfolk's expression softened with understanding, her features reflecting a silent acknowledgment of his unspoken concern. "Of course, Your Grace," she replied, her voice infused with empathy. "I'll be sure to pass along your message."

"Thank you, Lady Hillsfolk. Now If you will excuse me, my sister needs me," Andrew murmured, offering her a grateful smile before turning to continue his journey towards Harriet's side.

With a final nod of farewell, he resumed his course, his thoughts consumed with the task at hand as he made his way through the bustling ballroom.

"Andrew," Harriet began softly, her voice barely audible above the din of the crowd, "there is something I must speak to you about."

Andrew turned to face his sister, his brow furrowing in concern as he noted the troubled expression on her face. "What is it, Harriet?"

Harriet hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking to where James stood conversing with a group of guests. Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath and turned back to face her brother.

"Uncle James," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "He… he wishes for you to marry one of his daughters."

Andrew sighed heavily.

"Yes, I know. I tried to tell him that such a thing would never happen, but he did not listen. How did you find out?"

"He told me. Which was not a pleasant conversation, I must admit."

"On your wedding day, no less. Don't pay it any mind, I will see to it."

"I am afraid it will not be so simple. He has made it his mission to trap you in it. He has already spread the word that you are to be engaged."

"It matters not, does it? Let him say his piece. I have no other sister to marry off, and my reputation can take the hit."

"Do you think just ignoring it will solve this conundrum? I am thinking of Rose and Ruth as well, he will probably not let them enjoy the season as they should."

Andrew sighed even more heavily. "You are right. I need to get things straight before Uncle James digs an even deeper hole for himself."

Harriet nodded solemnly. But before he could take a single step, his uncle's voice cut through the air, halting him in his tracks.

"Andrew, my boy," James called out, his voice carrying across the crowded ballroom.

"So much for the element of surprise," Andrew muttered under his breath. "Uncle James," Andrew said out loud, his voice steady and composed as he addressed him, "there's a matter we need to discuss."

"Yes, Andrew?" he asked, his tone clipped and businesslike. "What is it?"

"It's about your proposal," he began, his voice faltering slightly as he struggled to articulate his thoughts. "I will not marry your daughters, Uncle."

"And why is that, dear boy?"

"They are my cousins, for one. Other nobles might find it a non-issue, but I have to say I do not agree. I have known them since they were children?—"

"It is a non-issue. If it is good enough for kings and queens?—"

"Let me finish. This is not the negotiation you seem to think, uncle. This is a courtesy on my part, to explain my refusal. I will not marry Ruth or Rose. They are too young having just come out, and again, they are my cousins. Even the notion is enough?—"

"No excuses, Andrew," James said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "You know as well as I do that this is the best course of action for all involved."

Andrew found himself stuck in a situation where he could see no way out. His uncle refused to listen to reason. He had to take action.

"Andrew, my boy, " James continued, his voice rising, causing heads to turn toward them. "I know that you may not like what I'm about to say, but it's high time you face the truth. The girls are young, yes, but they don't know what's best for them. They will have to marry eventually, and sooner rather than later."

"And I am sure they will, in time. But not to me."

"No buts, Andrew," he interjected firmly. "The fact of the matter is that you need to sire an heir, and fast. We have important business dealings on the horizon, and we can't afford to let personal matters get in the way."

Andrew felt a surge of frustration rising within him at his uncle's words. Nothing he said could get past his uncle's stubbornness. And although that did not mean he had to listen, others did. And that did not bode well. With almost the whole crowd unabashedly listening in to their conversation, something had to be done. Immediately.

It was the only solution that came to him, so Andrew blurted out the next words before he could stop himself.

"I'm engaged!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing out in the hall with startling clarity.

The grand hall fell into stunned silence as his declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap, his words reverberating through the opulent space with unexpected force. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to him, filled with a mix of shock and curiosity.

James, his usually stern countenance softened by surprise, was the first to break the silence. "Engaged?" he repeated, his voice echoing with incredulity. "To whom?"

Andrew felt a surge of panic rising within him as he scanned the sea of faces in search of a solution. His mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more frantic than the last. And then, like a beacon in the darkness, he spotted her—Marianne, standing at the edge of the crowd with her graceful form and fiery spirit.

Before he could think about it twice, he pointed to Marianne, his heart pounding in his chest. "Her," he blurted out, his voice trembling with nervous energy. "I'm engaged to Lady Marianne Carter."

Marianne's eyes widened in surprise at Andrew's sudden proclamation, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to protest, to deny the absurdity of his claim, but no words came.

Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, she could only stare at Andrew in stunned silence.