Page 3 of A Marriage is Arranged
The Earl had duly sent a letter to Mrs. Grey requesting an interview with her daughter. Receiving an answer in the affirmative, at the appointed time he presented himself at their home about twenty miles outside London.
It was a fine spring day and he rode his favorite hunter, a huge animal who tossed his glossy head and who no one but his lordship could control. Louise, looking surreptitiously from behind the long velvet drapes of the drawing room windows saw him arrive. She couldn’t really see his face, but on horseback, straight-backed and effortlessly holding the spirited horse in check, a curly beaver hat on his head and a many-caped cloak over his broad shoulders, he looked immensely powerful.
The butler showed him into the drawing room a few minutes later, announcing sonorously, “The Earl of Shrewsbury, Madam.”
Both mother and daughter rose. The Earl hesitated and then went to Mrs. Grey and bowed over her hand.
“Gareth Wandsworth, Ma’am,” he said in a cold, hard voice. “You will forgive my riding attire, but I thought this interview had best be accomplished as rapidly as possible.”
It was clear he had come on his horse because that’s exactly what suited him. He wouldn’t keep the animal waiting in the keen wind blowing that afternoon, and it gave him an excuse for a speedy departure. In other words, they were both being subjected to his rapid judgement. But after a first astonished glance at him, Louise kept her eyes lowered.
For the Earl of Shrewsbury literally took her breath away. He exuded an enormous sense of power. He looked as if he was sure of what he wanted, and equally sure he would get it. He was not overly tall, but his shoulders and chest were very broad. His tailor had done his best to confine them within the limits of his well-cut coat, but nothing could disguise the muscle beneath.
His general appearance was that of a perfect gentleman. His hair was swept forward into what she later learned was the classic Brutus cut made popular by Beau Brummel. His top boots, now somewhat dusty from the ride, were cut so close to his muscular legs, she wondered fleetingly how he got them off. But his few words on entering had already shown his manners were not good, and she had seen at once that he was not handsome. In fact his features were downright ugly. His complexion was swarthy and his very dark eyes were overhung by heavy eyebrows that almost met in the center. His hooked nose was the most prominent feature of his face, between lean cheeks with two lines that ran down to the sides of his narrow-lipped mouth and his decided chin. He looked almost angry.
Mrs. Grey sank into a curtsey and replied more graciously than the Earl’s manners warranted.
“You are welcome here, my lord,” she said, “no matter how you appear or how long you are able to stay.”
Then rising, she said, “May I make my daughter, Louise Grey, known to you?”
She led him to where Louise was standing. At his approach, her heart began beating so furiously she was sure both her companions could hear it. She curtseyed in such mental confusion she didn’t know whether she had made it too shallow or too low. This nicety had been the object of much instruction at the Young Ladies’ Academy she had attended, but now, when she most needed them, the lessons deserted her.
She realized that nothing in her life had prepared her for this moment. She had been told repeatedly not to put herself forward, not to be unbecomingly bold, not to put her own desires first. As a result, she had never even asked herself what she really wanted. But suddenly, and with complete clarity, she knew. She wanted the Earl of Shrewsbury.
For his part, he beheld a woman with no style or beauty. She was too short and too thin. Her complexion was sallow, her neck too short and her brow too low. Her appearance was not aided by the tight braid that hung down her back. Her ugly brown gown was lamentable. Even five years ago, it could never have been fashionable.
Louise’s mother had urged her to wear something else. “You have the new sprigged muslin gown! It brings out the blue in your eyes. Don’t you want him to see you looking your best?” she had cried when she had seen her daughter descending the stairs earlier in the afternoon. “Besides, it cost me all of twenty pounds. If now is not the occasion for wearing it, I don’t know what is.”
“No, mama, he should see me as I am. I would not want to mislead him. I am not a beauty, and it’s best he know it.”
“No, you are not a beauty,” sighed her mother, “but you would look better if you would allow your hair to curl by your ears instead of wearing it in those tight bands!”
“I’m comfortable like this,” said Louise quietly. “Anyway, it can’t be for my looks that he wants me. In fact, I don’t know why he wants me at all, except for that old promise, which he surely doesn’t feel himself bound to!”
“He will want a sensible, well-bred girl,” responded her mother, unconsciously echoing the Earl’s grandmother. “And you are a perfect choice for that. You will know how to behave in society and you will not embarrass him with enacting Cheltenham tragedies if his attentions should happen to wander.”
“I see,” said Louise. And privately she thought, I am to be the wife at home while he amuses himself elsewhere. How very convenient for him.
Now faced with the man for whom this convenience was to be arranged, she made a decision. She wanted him and she would marry him. But she would be more than just a vessel for his children. It might be an arranged marriage, but she vowed there and then she would arrange it to suit herself. Her face, schooled by years of discipline, remained expressionless and plain, and although when something touched her ready sense of the ridiculous her mouth was inclined to turn up at the corners, it did not do so now. A pair of wide, intelligent blue-grey eyes was her only distinguishing feature. He caught a brief flash of them now, before she lowered her gaze.
There was a silence, then her mother said, “I shall leave you alone for a few minutes, if you don’t mind. I find I have overlooked a direction to Cook. I shall return presently.”
When the door clicked behind her mother, there was total silence. Finally, Louise found her voice.
“Won’t you sit, my lord?” she said. “You must be tired after your ride, even on such a beautiful and obviously powerful horse.”
“Oh, you saw Jupiter, did you?”
“Yes, I saw you arrive. He attracted my attention at once.”
She turned her wide gaze upon him.
Was she challenging him, telling him she understood his plan of escape? It annoyed Gareth to be so transparent.
He was going to rebuff her. She was even worse than he had imagined. When her mother had left the room he had almost decided to make his excuses and leave too. Her mouse-like demeanor and drab appearance were more than he thought he could bear, even in a complaisant wife. But the expression in those grey eyes intrigued him, so he controlled himself and said instead, “No, it’s best I stand for what I have to say, and perhaps for you to stand too.”
Without further hesitation, he continued.
“I’m sure you know of the er… promise made between our fathers. They intended us to be married. I am here to tell you I am willing to honor that promise.”
Louise wide gaze regarded him steadily.
“Thank you,” she said. “I am conscious of the honor you do me and I gratefully accept your offer.” She hesitated for a moment then said, “I promise you now that if our marriage is not a success, it will not be for lack of effort on my part.”
If the second half of the answer surprised him, he dismissed it as that of a young woman unaccustomed to the conventions of society.
“In that case,” he responded with a bow, “I believe convention requires me to reply you make me the happiest of men.”
Convention may require it, but we both know that’s a lie . The thought sprang immediately to her mind, and the corners of her mouth curled up in amusement at his obvious falsehood. Louise controlled herself and simply curtsied, holding out her hand.
The Earl saw the shadow of a smile and frowned. Was this chit making fun of him? But he bent over her hand, and straightening said, “I hope you will do me the honor of receiving me next week with my man of business. We will have settlements and er… details to discuss. I shall send you a note of the day and time.”
As she inclined her head in acquiescence, the drawing room door opened and her mother came in.
“His lordship has offered for me, mama,” said Louise baldly, “and I have accepted.”
“Oh, my dear!” cried her mother. “Please allow me to congratulate you both. I wish you very happy!”
There being no effusive acclamation from either party, Mrs. Grey said, “I hope you will stay to dine with us, my lord. En famille , you know.”
“I’m afraid I must decline. I’m expected for dinner in town,” replied their guest. “And I don’t care to leave my horse standing in the wind any longer.”
He glanced at Louise, who again swallowed a smile. Now he was sure she was mocking him. Irritated, he bowed and, without a backward glance, left them.