A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks

Chapter 4

 

 

A bit of socialising was exactly what Richard needed to get out of his own head. He glanced at his friend, who didn't seem all that interested in the activity ahead, but then again, what really ever engaged Nicholas?

 

 

 

"You can at least put on a smile," Richard remarked, patting his horse as it grazed beneath him.

 

 

 

They were on their way to meet with the rest of the riding party. They had agreed to join some days ago; Nicholas would probably say that he was coerced into it, but Richard knew the man just needed a little push to get him to leave the security of his home and take part in social activities again.

 

 

 

The man had become a mere shadow of his former self when Marianne betrayed him, leaving him for another. But Richard had begun to see more and more of his old friend as time passed.

 

 

 

"I'll put on a smile once we're with the others," said Nicholas. "Until then, this is what you're going to get."

 

 

 

Richard chuckled but didn't say anything else. Nicholas had left his house, and that was good enough.

 

 

 

"So, will you tell me what is bothering you, or will you continue to act like it doesn't exist?" Nicholas asked after a while.

 

 

 

Tell his best friend that he had kissed Elizabeth's sister? Richard could hardly say it out loud to himself! How was he going to confide in his friend?

 

 

 

"Nothing is wrong," he lied.

 

 

 

"Who are you trying to convince: me or yourself?"

 

 

 

Richard wasn’t always fond of his friend’s perceptiveness. "Mind your own business."

 

 

 

Nicholas chuckled, taking no offence. "Fine, fine. If you do not wish to release your mind from whatever binds it—so tightly that you almost took the wrong turn at least three times—then fine. Suit yourself."

 

 

 

True to his word, Nicholas did not press him as they continued on, but Richard could almost hear his friend thinking.

 

 

 

"It's rather embarrassing," he eventually confessed.

 

 

 

Nicholas glanced at him, then settled his gaze ahead once again. "You've done embarrassing things before, but you've always shared them with me. What did you do this time that you hesitate to confide in me?"

 

 

 

"Something that I cannot get out of my head no matter how hard I try."

 

 

 

It had been days since the ball, and Richard had tried to put the kiss behind him as best as he could, but his mind kept playing it over and over again. What surprised him the most was his lack of disgust and shame. Yes, he was embarrassed to admit that he had kissed her, but he certainly wasn't remorseful of it. Quite frankly, that brief moment had taken him aback in more ways than one, leaving him with many unanswered questions, most of which Richard would never voice out loud.

 

 

 

"Do you promise not to laugh when I tell you what happened?"

 

 

 

"How can I not laugh if it's amusing?" Nicholas asked. "That would be like telling a river to flow upwards when it is naturally inclined to flow downwards."

 

 

 

There was already a dull light of mirth in the man's dark eyes, and Richard hadn't even told his story yet. That didn't make him feel any better.

 

 

 

"I do not feel like being laughed at right now. It's the last thing I need."

 

 

 

Nicholas shut down the glint, replacing it with a question. "Is it that bad?"

 

 

 

"That depends on how you look at it. Will I survive it? Yes. Has it made my life more complicated? Probably."

 

 

 

"That sounds serious. You don't do well bottling up everything, Richard. Just tell me what is wrong and I'll do my best to offer advice…if it's needed."

 

 

 

"Oh, it most certainly is. I should have probably come to you before, but I was trying to deal with it on my own." Richard laughed harshly, shaking his blond curls. "I'm on my way to see a woman that I'm no longer sure how to behave around her. This is going to be one awkward riding party."

 

 

 

"This has something to do with Elizabeth, doesn't it?" Nicholas asked. "You never did tell me if you went through with your plan. You simply disappeared, and I assumed that you had gone to see Elizabeth, but she was still in the ballroom when you left. What did you do?"

 

 

 

Richard always wondered why Elizabeth had not gone to the garden when she had agreed to it. He partly assumed she had gotten cold feet at the last minute, but the other part believed she had been interrupted along the way.

 

 

 

"I was supposed to meet her, but she never came."

 

 

 

"She was with her parents, from what I recall," said Nicholas. "I doubt she could have gotten away from them to meet you."

 

 

 

Richard hadn't known that because he had left soon after the incident with Sophia. He had been too shocked to stay and face Elizabeth or Sophia. There was only so much a man could take.

 

 

 

"Well, I wish she had come to see me. I wouldn't have made such a big mistake if she had been where we agreed to meet. Instead..."

 

 

 

Richard found that he couldn't say it. Would Nicholas even believe him? The kiss had certainly been stranger than fiction.

 

 

 

"Instead, what?" Nicholas pressed.

 

 

 

Richard hung his head, shaking it. He just couldn't get it out of his mouth. Remembering it was one thing, but confessing it was quite another.

 

 

 

"Just tell me," Nicholas urged. "The sooner you do it, the better you'll feel. You've probably convinced yourself that it's worse than it really is."

 

 

 

"I kissed Sophia."

 

 

 

Was it just him, or did the entire world suddenly go quiet? Richard couldn't hear anything but the ringing thunder in his ears. He realised was his blood pumping through his body.

 

 

 

"You what?" asked Nicholas.

 

 

 

"You heard me. I kissed Sophia."

 

 

 

Richard actually felt well enough to raise his head and look his friend in the eyes. He soon wished he hadn't. Nicholas' face was a mixture of horror and fascination and perhaps a little disbelief. There wasn't a bit of humour in his strong features.

 

 

 

"You're not pulling my leg, are you?" the man questioned.

 

 

 

"Why would I ever admit such a thing to anyone? No one I know would put themselves in such a stressful situation."

 

 

 

"What the devil were you thinking?" Nicholas suddenly roared. "Elizabeth's sister? You certainly know how to make your life difficult."

 

 

 

"You don't need to tell me that," Richard said miserably. "My conscience has had a field day, but it wasn't on purpose. I mistook her for Elizabeth. It was dark outside, and I didn't expect anyone else to be there. If you had looked at Sophia in the dark, even you might have been fooled. They're a similar build, colour, hair, and face shape. It wasn't a difficult mistake to make."

 

 

 

Richard shrugged, urging his horse onwards. The worst thing about the entire ordeal was how he had felt when he had kissed Sophia. It had not been the same as with Elizabeth, it had been more...Richard didn't know how to put it into words.

 

 

 

No! He didn't want to think about what the kiss had meant to him because it was nothing but a bit of a bump in his life. He would get over it soon enough. He had to.

 

 

 

"How did Sophia react?" Nicholas asked quietly.

 

 

 

"How do you think? She gasped as if I had purposefully stolen her virtue and ran off faster than I've seen most people run—men included."

 

 

 

Richard had been too surprised to admire how nimble she had been. She reminded him of a large cat, not a house cat, but a leopard or tiger. No woman had ever made him think that before. Richard shook the thought away and focused on the house coming into view. They were near their destination, and he was no closer to feeling less guilty about kissing Elizabeth's sister.

 

 

 

Perhaps he was making this a bigger deal than he needed to, but he'd have to be a lizard to not feel embarrassed about it. Richard didn't even want to imagine what Sophia thought of him. He did know for sure that the woman would never tell her younger sister about what happened between them. It wasn't big enough to cause a rift in their relationship.

 

 

 

I do not want to be the reason why they start fighting or worse. If Elizabeth hates me for it, then so be it. But breaking a sisterly bond is not something I wish to do.

 

 

 

"We'll need to tread carefully here," said Nicholas. "We don't know what's going through Sophia's head right now. I believe she'll keep this to herself to avoid unnecessary drama, or her conscience might be too strong, and she informs her sister and parents."

 

 

 

Richard's eyes widened. "Her parents? Surely, she wouldn't do such a thing—that would prove disastrous!"

 

 

 

"Precisely my point. I do not think she has, but we don't know Sophia well enough to make assumptions. We'll just have to see how Elizabeth reacts around you."

 

 

 

Richard would rather not, but he didn't have any other choice.

 

 

 

About an hour later, he found himself beside the woman in question. Richard was having trouble being himself and said the first thing that popped into his mind.

 

 

 

"Where is your sister?"

 

 

 

The question startled him more than it did Elizabeth, who looked at him with a confused expression.

 

 

 

"My sister?"

 

 

 

Why did he bring up Sophia? Why? What was he doing thinking about the plain and socially awkward woman? His question defied logic.

 

 

 

Did it? a smooth voice asked. Richard shut down that thought, imagining himself slamming down a huge rock and squashing the unwelcome voice.

 

 

 

"I know that she's usually with you," said Richard, pouring on the charm. "You need someone to guard such beauty."

 

 

 

That was more like him. Richard sat up a little straighter as some of his confidence returned to him, allowing him to flash a smile that drove women to distraction. It hit its target true and through, bringing forth a blush on Elizabeth's creamy skin. She truly was a stunning sight to behold.

 

 

 

"I have come with my mother," she explained. "Sophia wasn't feeling well and has remained at home. I'm glad, or I would not have been able to speak with you as I wish to. I'm sorry that I couldn't meet you the other night. Mama chose the wrong moment to introduce me to some of her friends."

 

 

 

Considering that he had kissed her sister, this was a small thing to forgive. "Do not pay it any mind, Elizabeth. There are always other opportunities."

 

 

 

As soon as he had said it, Richard realised that he didn't mean it. He wasn't sure if he wanted to chance another secret meeting with Elizabeth. Sophia was on her guard and would keep an even closer eye on her sister. It was amazing that she wasn't on this trip, but it wasn't surprising either. The woman was probably avoiding him for the time being. Smart of her.

 

 

 

The day passed with Richard giving Elizabeth his undivided attention. She appeared more talkative and cheerful than usual, making up for the moments when Richard fell into silence. Elizabeth didn't notice, which served him well. She wouldn't want to know what he was thinking anyway.

 

 

 

*     *     *

 

 

 

Richard's parents were not at home when he returned. He considered taking dinner in his room, not wanting the formality of sitting at a table and having the servants stand to attention—not when he was so bothered that he could hardly hide his emotions.

 

 

 

It had been a tiring experience pretending that everything was fine between him and Elizabeth. The truth was the kiss had hung between them like a dividing line which the woman had been blissfully unaware of.

 

 

 

If she had noticed that anything was wrong, she certainly didn't give any indication of it. Had the roles been reversed, with Sophia and Elizabeth swapping places, Sophia would have undoubtedly picked up on something wrong. The woman was too observant not to.

 

 

 

"Why am I thinking about her again?" he asked himself, rubbing his tired eyes.

 

 

 

Perhaps he could skip dinner and just ask for a light meal before getting into bed. He was exhausted, after all. Not from the riding, but from trying hard to appear his usual self when he was anything but that. Guilt tended to do that to a person.

 

 

 

Trudging upstairs, Richard barely greeted the servants he met along the way, hoping they didn't think he was rude. Most masters took no care to their servant's well-being, but Richard had respect even for the lowliest of people. It didn't take a limb or organ to respect another human, but people of his class would probably differ on this. Richard had just about removed his coat and shoes when a knock drew his attention.

 

 

 

"Yes?"

 

 

 

"May I come in, my lord?" his butler asked.

 

 

 

"Of course, Cavendish."

 

 

 

The tall man entered the room, looking away from the bed as he relayed a message from Richard’s parents.

 

 

 

"The Duke and Duchess require your presence in the drawing-room this evening, my lord. May I tell them that you will be with them shortly?"

 

 

 

Richard thought about that for a moment. He didn't want to see anyone right now; his bed was beckoning to him. However, his parents usually didn't call him unless it was something important.

 

 

 

"Very well, Cavendish. Tell them I'll be down shortly. I need to get out of these dusty clothes."

 

 

 

"Of course, my lord. Forgive me for interrupting you."

 

 

 

"Pay no mind to it."

 

 

 

The butler dipped his head once before leaving Richard in peace to do a little washing up. He would have preferred some hot water sent up to his room, but the pitcher of cold water would have to do for now. Richard stripped down as far as he thought necessary, washing his face and arms before drying them with a bath sheet hanging nearby. He didn't go for his usual evening attire, hoping his parents would forgive his lack of proper clothing. He was simply too tired to bother this evening. It was enough that he didn't look like the wind has just blown him in.

 

 

 

The water had done some good with waking him up and Richard no longer felt like the sleeping dead. He didn't bother to announce his arrival in the drawing-room with a knock since it was wide open. His parents looked up from their serious conversation, their eyes worried but resigned. What was going on?

 

 

 

"Shut the door behind you, Richard," his father ordered. "I do not wish the servants to hear us."

 

 

 

Considering that the servants heard and knew everything anyway, Richard found the request strange, but he did it.

 

 

 

"Good evening, Father, Mother," he greeted, striding in and settling in an armchair. "Cavendish said you wished to see me."

 

 

 

"Yes, son. Your father, and I have important news to share with you," his mother affirmed. "I wish there was another way around this matter, but your father and I have found none."

 

 

 

The Duchess sounded like she was in the middle of the story instead of starting at the beginning.

 

 

 

"I do not follow," he confessed.

 

 

 

"Mr and Mrs Emley came to see us this afternoon," his father told him. "I must admit that I was surprised to be called upon so suddenly and without warning, but once I learned their reason, I understood the expedient nature of their coming here."

 

 

 

Hearing that Elizabeth's parents had come to see his parents had surprised Richard, but knowing that the matter they discussed with the Duke and Duchess was so important that they came without prior notice worried him. There could only be two reasons for their visit: one, they had discovered his relationship with Elizabeth and wished to discuss it; or two, they had found out about the kiss he had shared with Sophia. The latter frightened him the most.

 

 

 

Richard had to swallow several times before he could speak. "Why did they come here?"

 

 

 

"You cannot guess?" his father asked mockingly. "Do you not know what you have been up to?"

 

 

 

He had been up to many things. His father would have to be more specific than that.

 

 

 

"Tell me, Father," Richard pressed. "What has you and Mother so worried?"

 

 

 

"Other than the fact that you compromised a young woman and now have to pay for the damages? Not much."

 

 

 

Richard didn't let the panic show on his face, but he felt it tying a noose about his neck and pulling on it.

 

 

 

"What do you mean?"

 

 

 

His father sighed, suddenly looking his sixty-seven years. The man was twenty years older than his wife, but his friendly and charming manner had made him seem at least ten years younger.

 

 

 

"Is it or is it not true that you kissed Miss Emley? I already know the truth, but I want to hear it from your lips."

 

 

 

Richard ran both hands through his hair, letting out a ragged breath. "It was a mistake," he confessed. "She was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

 

 

 

"That may be, but her reputation hangs in the balance," his father said. "I will not have a woman be destroyed by my own son's careless behaviour. There is only one way out of this."

 

 

 

Richard didn't want to ask the question, but he did anyway. "What would that be?"

 

 

 

The Duke looked him straight in the eyes until Richard flinched and looked away. He may be a grown man, but his father was still the head of the family.

 

 

 

"You have to marry her, Richard," his mother said, "You have to marry her and restore honour to both families. It's the only way."

 

 

 

What? Marry Sophia? Had his parents lost their minds?! "The hell I will!"

 

 

 

"Watch your words, Richard," his father warned. "I will not say it twice."

 

 

 

"But how can you marry me off to that woman?" Richard asked, hating the whine in his voice. "No one else wants her!"

 

 

 

"This is not up for discussion," his father stated. "You will marry Miss Emley as soon as we can secure a wedding day."

 

 

 

"But I prefer the other sister!" Richard said in dismay. "I do not like Sophia, Father. I like Elizabeth. I refuse to marry a woman whom people always reject."

 

 

 

Something like shame crossed his mother's face. "That is no way to talk about your future wife."

 

 

 

"My wife?" Richard bellowed. "I can hardly take care of myself! What will I do with a wife like her? I will not marry her, I tell you."

 

 

 

"Then I shall be forced to leave you penniless and order you to leave this house. No son of mine lacking in honour will inherit a single coin from this estate. Do you hear me?"

 

 

 

They would cut him off from the family coffers? That seemed unfair. Anger poured into Richard, causing him to ball his hands into tight fists.

 

 

 

"If you think that you can dangle a carrot above my head and assume that I'll do anything you tell me to, then you do not know me. Good evening."

 

 

 

Richard left the room and his parents' shouts to return immediately. He didn't listen. He simply went upstairs and packed a few things before heading to a carriage and telling the driver to take him to Nicholas' house. At least his friend would be more sympathetic. However, when he arrived at Nicholas' townhouse and explained his situation, the man was anything but sympathetic.

 

 

 

"Stay with me for a few days if you must, but you'll have to face the consequences of that night," he told Richard.

 

 

 

"What if I don't want to?"

 

 

 

Richard sounded like a petulant child. He hated it. All that he needed to do now was cross his arms and pout.

 

 

 

"That's not a choice. The worst has happened, and now you must deal with it. Do you really hate Sophia so much that you would resign her to the fate of being a loose woman? Your reputation will eventually recover, but hers won't."

 

 

 

Nicholas spoke the truth, but Richard didn't want to hear it. "Can I take my usual room? I need some sleep."

 

 

 

His friend sighed. "Yes, of course. Go ahead. I'll be down here when you're ready to talk."

 

 

 

It took nearly a week before Richard had calmed down enough to discuss his disaster. He had warred within himself while pretending to be fine on the outside, but nothing was fine. It was either he married Sophia, or he didn't.

 

 

 

He found Nicholas in his study looking over a map of England. The man had a fascination with geography and science, but not so much maths. It baffled Richard that the man put so much time into learning things that did not enrich his life in any way. Nicholas was already wealthy and educated.

 

 

 

"Can we talk?"

 

 

 

His friend looked up, setting his magnet upon the table and nodding. "Come in."

 

 

 

Richard got comfortable in an armchair, knowing Nicholas was looking at him expectantly. The man presumed Richard would do the right thing.

 

 

 

"Stop fussing in the chair so much," said Nicholas at last. "You've sat on it hundreds of times."

 

 

 

"I know. It's my mind that refuses to settle."

 

 

 

"So you haven't reached a decision?" Nicholas sounded disappointed.

 

 

 

"I have. I'm not happy about this situation and would get out of it in a heartbeat if I could, but I'm stuck with it. You're right that I could never allow a woman to have her reputation ruined because of me, so I plan to do right by her."

 

 

 

"You've decided to marry her?"

 

 

 

Richard nodded. "I don't want to, but my sense of honour is stronger than my wants right now. I'm leaving once we're done here and going home. My parents will be pleased."

 

 

 

His voice lacked emotion, but inside, Richard felt trapped and unhappy. Sophia was the last woman he would have wished to marry, but the decision had been taken out of his hands by his own foolish mistake. Now, he had to be a man and handle it accordingly. Richard didn't even want to think about what Elizabeth would say or do. Today had enough of its own woes.