Chapter 4 #2
“Let us say this,” Mrs. Shepherd said, “if you do not wed Miss Oakley, the entire town will know about it by morning.”
“How?”
“Because you are supposed to attend a ball tonight to celebrate your union, and everyone expects to see you both there. Happy.”
“A ball?” Mr. Shepherd exclaimed.
“That was also in the letter,” his mother said with an innocent smile.
“Is this ball the one you wrote to Tristan of a month ago?”
“Oh, no, that is another ball you must also attend—one we are hosting.”
“Heavens above,” Mr. Shepherd continued. “First a wedding, then another ball. What is next, a revelation that Miss Oakley is pregnant with my child?”
Gasps sounded about the room, horrified looks from the Shepherds and a deeply disapproving shake of his head by Mr. Berryman. Marie forced herself to remain unaffected, breathing deeply to dispel the blush threatening to creep across her cheeks.
There rotted the apple even more.
“Forgive me,” he said, seemingly aware of crossing the line of propriety. “I am simply...” He rubbed the back of his neck, ending his words with a sigh before facing Marie directly. “Miss Oakley, as this concerns the two of us more than anyone, what say you on the matter?”
Marie remained silent, thinking through whatever weighted words she chose to deliver.
In not marrying him, she would be resolving Mr. Shepherd’s dilemma but causing grief for herself and for others.
In marrying him, she would be solving Father’s problem while causing grief to one obnoxious but otherwise guiltless gentleman.
But she would not be put into the middle of all this.
“This decision lies with you, Mr. Shepherd. I have nothing more on the matter to say other than I agreed to this union beforehand and am a woman of my word.”
She expected the gentleman to pace about the room again, but all he did was raise his chin. “I am a man of my word, but no word of mine was given.”
“The letter to your mother would beg to differ,” Mr. Berryman said pointedly.
“Thank you, Mr. Berryman,” Mr. Charles Shepherd said stiffly. “Timely comment, as expected.”
“Always happy to help.”
Charles didn’t look away from the vicar, his scowl increasing.
Heavens above. What sort of man was this to create a silent battle of wills with a vicar?
And more importantly, how on earth could Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have ever thought Marie and their son could be happy together when he was so. ..childish?
She was but two years older than he was, and already, she felt as if she was looking at a young boy who was pouting at what plates of food were placed before him at the dinner table. She wasn’t happy with this arrangement either, but he would not see her whining about it like a petulant child.
“So what is it to be?” Father asked, clearly finished with the affair. “Will you fulfill your duty—though unexpected—and marry my daughter, as per our agreement with your parents? Or will you subject her to a lifetime of grief and a destroyed reputation?”
A lifetime of grief? That was a bit melodramatic. She’d be quite happy spending the next few years attempting to find another husband. But Father was right. The chances that she would be able to find a spouse now would decrease even more if Mr. Shepherd left her, essentially, at the altar.
Mr. Shepherd didn’t respond for a moment, a battle clearly raging within him. “Could we not postpone this a week or two? Allow me the opportunity to come around to the idea?”
“No,” Father responded at once. “You are expected at the ball this evening.”
He turned to his parents, his shoulders dipping slightly. “And I am to simply throw away all of my future plans from this day forward?”
“Not throw away,” his mother said gently. “But adjust them, yes.”
Mr. Shepherd took to pacing the room again. “What if I was already in love with another?”
“Are you?” Father asked gruffly.
“No. But I do have plans to attend a hunting trip with Tristan in a few days. What of that? And of my future plans to visit my friends? Am I to simply give up all of that? All of them?” He didn’t pause long enough for anyone to answer. “Of course I am. Because that is to be expected.”
No one responded. Only the fire crackled in the hearth. Slowly, Mr. Shepherd turned to face Father. He was eerily still—something Marie had not seen in him until that moment.
“Very well,” he said. “As I have very little interest in taking part in the duel I have no doubt you would challenge me to should I attempt to leave...” He stole a quick glance at Marie.
“And as I could not live with myself knowing I took any part of damaging a woman’s reputation, I will marry your daughter. ”
Both mothers in the room exchanged hidden smiles. The elder Mr. Shepherd sighed with relief. Father merely gave a firm nod. No one looked at her to see how she felt, which could only be a good thing, for she wasn’t exactly sure how to feel.
She was relieved, certainly, to not witness Father dueling their friends’ son.
She also knew some degree of calmness knowing she would not have to find a spouse in the coming years.
And yet, realizing she was to be subjected to a life with this sort of man filled her with trepidation.
The only comfort she allotted herself was the knowledge that, while he’d made his decision to keep himself alive, he’d also done so partially to help maintain her reputation.
That had to be at least partially admired.
“And you will agree to the other arrangements, as well?” Father questioned.
“What, more than marrying her?” Mr. Shepherd asked incredulously.
“Yes,” Father stated plainly.
“Very well. What arrangements?”
“That you will do everything in your power to convince others that this marriage was happily agreed upon, that you will go to the ball tonight and appear as joyous as any newly married couple, and that you will attend the bridal tour already arranged for you, beginning tomorrow.”
Mr. Shepherd’s mouth dropped open again, and he swiveled toward his parents with a look that said, “There was more?”
Mrs. Shepherd merely waved her hand in a flicking motion toward Father. “Go on, son. Go on.”
He closed his eyes, then drew a calming breath. “Very well. I agree to the arrangements.”
“All of them?” Father pressed.
“All of them.”
Tangible relief sailed about the room, everyone clearly feeling the emotion aside from Marie, for suddenly, she was overcome with sudden, palpable, undeniable disappointment.
So, she’d be marrying Mr. Charles Shepherd after all.
Pity.