Chapter 2
“You wanted to see me, Father?” William Armitage stepped into the study, already stiffening in the tense atmosphere. His dark hair was combed to the side in a thick wave that framed his face. He had already donned his riding clothes before breakfast when the butler had come with a summons.
Looking up, his father sniffed importantly and bristled his salt and pepper mustache that matched his short-cropped hair. “Yes, there is a matter that I wish to discuss with you.” He gestured to one of the leather armchairs in front of the desk.
Closing the distance between them reluctantly, William took a seat and braced himself for whatever business venture his father was bound to thrust upon him.
It had become commonplace in the past few years for the duke to rope his son into his business schemes, forcing his ways on a reluctant William.
A small fire crackled behind the grate surrounding the hearth despite the warmth of the season. The duke’s health had not always been great, but William had noticed a steady decline in his father’s pallor, and an increase in the frequency of his coughs.
Sniffing again, his father dabbed at his nose with a crisp, white handkerchief. “You are to be married to Lady Charlotte Pembroke. Her father is the Earl of Westbrook. This marriage will be advantageous for both of our families. A special license has been obtained to move matters along.”
William’s body stiffened as he gripped the armrest on his chair until his knuckles turned white. “You know my stance on marriage, Father. I do not need a wife.” He retained his composure despite the muscle that jumped in his jaw.
His father’s features darkened, highlighting the paleness of his skin.
“Yes, I am aware of your hatred toward the institution of marriage. Be that as it may, your duty to this family remains the same. You will sire an heir and raise him to be duke after you when my time comes to an end.” He coughed into his hand, sniffing again before bristling his mustache.
“And what of my decision in the matter? Should marriage not be built on love rather than obligation?” He asked stiffly, fighting back the urge to raise his voice.
It didn’t seem fair to him that he was born into a world where he had little to no say.
His father tilted his head to the side, regarding William curiously. “I will say it again—our family is in need of an heir, as well as an advantageous alliance. The Pembroke family can offer us both. Love has nothing to do with the matter.”
“Father, if you would just…”
“No,” his father’s words were final and sharp. “The matter has been settled. You will marry Lady Charlotte Pembroke in fourteen days. The two of you will grow accustomed to one another in time.”
“And what of the lady in question? Has she agreed to the match?” His mind filled with images of a young lady being forced to spend the rest of her life as his wife. Was she a reticent young woman with just as many reservations as he harbored, or was she a willing participant?
“It does not matter what she thinks; her father has agreed to the matter,” his father barked at him in a hoarse voice.
Cracking his knuckles, William let go of the armrests before coming to his feet. “As you say, Father, the matter has been settled. Now, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.” He turned on his heels and headed from the room, resenting the sound of his father’s coughing.
Why now?
He seethed with anger as he made his way down the hall. Things in his life weren’t perfect, but they followed a carefully honed path that kept his demanding father at bay.
He had reluctantly taken on one of his father’s courtesy titles as the Earl of Ashford but taking a wife would mean going against his beliefs. Why could a man not stay single at the age of thirty?
It seemed ludicrous to him that complete strangers should be forced to join their lives just because that was what everyone expected of them.
Love is impractical.
The thought echoed in the back of his mind, resonating in his chest until his anger began to subside. He didn’t believe in love or the consequences that followed any sort of emotional attachments.
Making his way from the study, he pushed the uncomfortable thoughts aside.
The grand staircase leading to the bottom of the house was deserted as William decided to take a ride. At least while riding, he could make his own decisions.
I shall not end up like my uncle Henry.
***
Grosvenor Square was packed with people milling about when William spotted his oldest friend from a distance. He and Captain Theodore Blackwell had served together in the Napoleonic wars some years prior. They now shared a bond that had been forged in battle.
Dismounting his horse, William took the reins and led his gray stallion through the crowd.
People stopped to glare at him as they stepped out of the way, but he pushed forward, ignoring their scathing looks.
“My Lord, I was not expecting to see you this afternoon, it is a fine coincidence. I thought I would take a stroll and enjoy the scenery. Did you have the same idea?” Theodore raised an eyebrow, flicking his head to the side to rid himself of a few tendrils of sandy blonde hair.
“Neither was I, but things do not always work out as we intend them to. I can assure you that a leisurely stroll was the last thing on my mind.” He bit back sharply, eliciting a questioning look from his friend who always enjoyed a lazy stroll on any given day.
Leaning back against an iron fence that overlooked the middle of the square, Theodore shot him a questioning look. “Have you and your father had another falling out?” His sharp features lightened as he bowed to a few ladies in passing.
“There was no time for a falling out. There was not even time for a discussion. My future was decided for me, and I am to be married,” William grumbled as he came to a stop beside his friend, reins in hand.
Turning around, Theodore let out a low whistle. “That is quite the turn of events. Who is the lucky lady who has been offered up as sacrifice for what I am assuming is one of your father’s grand schemes?”
Casting his gaze toward the ladies and men promenading around the square, William sighed. “Lady Charlotte Pembroke. I cannot say that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting her, but her father is the Earl of Westbrook and presumably someone important enough to tempt my father into an alliance.”
“Lady Charlotte…” Theodore seemed thoughtful as he once again lounged against the iron fence, his light brown eyes looking past William as he crossed his black riding boots at the ankles. “I have not met her, but I do know of her. She is quite the talk of the ton, not in the way you would think.”
“Why does your tone make me believe that I will not be thrilled with the match?” William asked as he raised an eyebrow.
“Let us just say that many a man has attempted to court her, but none have succeeded. Truth be told, she is quite beautiful, but her defiance, high-spirited nature, and fierce independence make her quite formidable.” Theodore turned to look at him with a pitying gaze.
“My word, you make her sound like a wild mare. Surely, she cannot be that untamable?” William felt intrigued by the description despite his reservations.
“While I would not go as far as comparing her to a horse, her reputation with suitors does precede her. I would be careful if I were you, William. Women like Lady Charlotte Pembroke can be quite temperamental if not managed with a firm hand. I heard the rumors of her father looking for an advantageous match, I just didn’t realize that it would be you he chose.
” Theodore shook his head, relief flooding his eyes that it wasn’t him in the situation.
Reaching up to soothe his stallion, William stroked the beast’s thick neck.
“Whether she is delightful or not, my father has made up his mind. I am to marry within a fortnight. Apparently, a special license has been obtained for the union.” He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of his future pressing down on him.
Why could things not have remained as they were?
Theodore’s eyes filled with compassion as he cleared his throat and stood up straight.
“I know how you feel regarding marriage and love. This cannot be an easy situation for you to accept, but perhaps it is not all bad. Rumors are often not worth the paper they are printed on. Nor should one always trust the lips from which they flow. Perhaps Lady Charlotte Pembroke is not t as fierce as they say.”
William’s mind wandered as his friend prattled on. It had been years since he had made up his mind not to marry. Love was just as impractical as the institutions that implemented them. His uncle had died with a broken heart, and he had vowed never to suffer the same fate.
“William?” Theodore’s voice drew him back to the present as William shook off the thoughts of his uncle.
“Yes?” William asked, petting the horse’s neck a few more times.
Looking him over curiously, Theodore ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “I asked if you wanted to get a drink at White’s. You look like you could use a stiff glass of brandy.”
“No, I do not think it a wise idea. I need to clear my head before I face my father again. Perhaps a ride in Kensington Gardens will do,” he said stiffly, resenting the thought of facing his father again.
There was not much else he could do about the situation except reluctantly come to terms with the arrangement.
Clapping him on the shoulder, Theodore attempted to cheer him up. “Chin up, as they say, it might not be the worst of arrangements. They say the lady in question has a sharp tongue and is not easily impressed, but she might have a hidden quality or two.”
His words irritated William, who had spent years cultivating a life of peace and control. Had his father even considered her character when mercilessly choosing him a wife? It irritated him more than he cared to admit.
Of all the women in London, his father had to find the one who showed the utmost disregard for the way things were supposed to be.
“I care not for her qualities nor her beauty; what troubles me are her expectations. I refuse to become like my uncle, who was destroyed by a marriage denied. I swore a long time ago that I would never become the kind of man who buried passion beneath obligation, yet here I am.” Anger flared in his chest again as he thought of his father’s pale face and the sacrifices he would have to make.
His uncle Henry had died a broken man in the end, and the memories of that time plagued him day and night, yet he tried to keep them at bay as best he could.
What would have happened if his uncle had gotten the marriage he had desired instead of the heartache that had led to his untimely demise? Was taking a gamble on a woman he had never even laid eyes upon truly worth the risk?
Worries flashed across his mind. What did she look like? What would her voice sound like, and most of all, what would happen if she became someone he cherished? The thought of losing himself for the love of a woman was far more daunting than he cared to admit.
“I cannot say that I blame you for feeling that way, but I will say this: What happened with your uncle Henry was very unfortunate, but you are not him. You are not in love with anyone as far as I know.”
“And what if she is in love with someone else and is being forced into marriage against her will?” William lifted his head, looking into his friend’s eyes in a rare moment of vulnerability.
“Then perhaps you can win her heart, but I will venture that it is unlikely that she is. A woman with such strong reservations and views would not have allowed herself to be forced into marriage when her heart belonged to another,” Theodore said honestly.
“You have formed quite strong opinions about a lady you presume to have never met.” William’s begrudging doubt returned for a moment as the vulnerability he displayed quickly retreated.
Laughing heartily, Theodore shook his head.
“Call it intuition after fighting in a war for many years. War and marriage are the same; the battlefield may differ, and your opponent may be fairer, but the fight is the same. One must keep a sharp mind at all times. What I am trying to say is that you and Lady Charlotte Pembroke may very well be kindred spirits. I am certain there is more to her story than just a fiery indifference to marriage.”
Regarding his friend curiously, William angled his head to the side. “And what of you? You speak of marriage and courtship as if you know all the rules, but where is your fair bride? Are you loitering in Grosvenor Square in the hopes of bumping into her?”
His laughter softened as Theodore looked at his boots.
“No, my old friend, such things are not meant for the likes of me. I was not born into privilege like you were. If there is a woman out there for me, she must be willing to struggle through the trenches alongside me. She must be of noble character and graceful qualities that can withstand the hardships of life.”
“And you doubt her existence?” William grew increasingly curious about the man who had fought at his side for so many years. He was grateful for a distraction from his own difficulties.
Pushing himself off the iron fence, Theodore dusted off his hands before straightening his navy riding coat.
“If she does exist, she has done a fine job of hiding from me.” He shook his head almost sadly, but more reluctantly than anything else.
“It matters not what I feel, but what you are going to do. You can either accept the situation reluctantly or tackle the opportunity with both hands and make the best of it.”
“And how do you suppose I do that?” William asked bitterly as his friend walked past him in the direction of White’s.
Calling over his shoulder, Theodore waved a hand dismissively in the air. “Meet her, William. Meet the lady and make the best of the situation from there. If she opposes you, humor her!”