Page 15 of The Lovers (Echoes from the Past #1)

“Thank you, my lord,” Elise whispered. There was a lump in her throat that made it difficult to speak. Elise wondered what her mother would have made of this match. And how well had Lord Asher known her mother? As far as Elise knew, the two never came in contact.

“Please, call me Edward. We are to be man and wife, after all. And speaking of that,” he smiled broadly as he extracted a heavy cabochon ruby ring from his pocket, “please accept this token of my affection and commitment. I expect you must be feeling a bit anxious, but we will be very happy. I promise you that,” Edward said, laying his hand over his heart.

“I have every intention of being the model husband, a husband you can grow to love and respect.”

Elise stared at her hand as he slid the heavy ring onto her finger. She had to squeeze her fingers to keep the ring from sliding off.

“There now, it’s official. I suspect you’d like a tour of your future home, but the servants are going about their chores.

Best not to disturb them,” he added dismissively.

“You’ll have all the time in the world to explore once we are wed.

Now, I hate to rush you, but I must attend to His Majesty this morning. ”

Lord Asher slipped the cloak over Elise’s shoulders and maneuvered her toward the parlor door, the interview clearly over. “Take good care of my bride, Hugh,” he said with forced cheer as he clapped Hugh on the shoulder in a gesture of familiarity.

“I will see you in church, my sweet.” Lord Asher bent over Elise’s hand and kissed it lingeringly before gesturing to the servant, who sprang to attention and opened the door.

“Good day to you both.”

Elise followed her father back toward the riverbank.

She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but it wasn’t this strange, impersonal tête-à-tête.

Lord Asher seemed eager to be rid of them, and despite his pretty words, she felt he had absolutely no interest in her.

She was young and innocent, to be sure, but she could always tell when a man found her attractive.

She’d seen the look of desire in Gavin’s eyes, and there had been a few others who expressed their admiration.

Lord Asher barely looked at her. Why the sudden decision to ask for her hand in marriage?

“Father, did Lord Asher know mother well?” Elise asked as they approached the river.

Hugh shrugged. “I don’t believe they ever met,” Hugh replied. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason.”

“That’s a handsome ring your intended has given you,” Hugh said as he took Elise’s hand and appraised the ring.

It was large and awkward, and it made Elise’s hand feel heavy.

She pulled on her glove, but it bulged beneath the leather, making her hand look disfigured.

It was an expensive piece of jewelry, but Elise didn’t care for it one bit .

Elise remained silent throughout the crossing but could hold her dismay back no longer once they climbed into the waiting carriage. “Father, I don’t understand,” she exclaimed. “Why does Lord Asher want to marry me? Surely, he doesn’t love me.”

That na?ve statement brought a hiss of annoyance from her father, who tore his gaze away from the window and stared hard at his daughter. “Really, Elise,” he said with derision. “Who said anything about love?”

“Well, why else, then? I know you owe him a great deal of money, but why would he want me to offset the debt? He hardly knows me.”

Elise could see her father striving for patience as he considered his answer. His eyes softened as he took in her flushed face and anxious eyes. He loved her, she knew that, but he’d always been a bit gruff when it came to expressing his feelings.

“Elise,” he began, “your mother and I had a happy union, and perhaps seeing our affection for each other has—shall we say—distorted your expectations of marriage somewhat. Few men of Lord Asher’s class marry for love.

They choose suitable women who will provide them with heirs to the estate.

If they want love, they take a mistress. ”

“But I’m not suitable,” Elise countered. “I bring no noble title or wealth to the table. I’m just a simple girl.”

“You bring youth and beauty, which is what I think Lord Asher desires at this stage of his life. He not only has a title but the ear of the king. He also has tremendous wealth; he doesn’t need your money.

Perhaps a simple girl is all he wants, not one of the painted ladies of the court who change lovers like they change gowns,” her father suggested with a pained expression on his face.

“You mean he wants an unspoiled, unworldly virgin. ”

“Don’t be vulgar, Elise,” Hugh retorted as the carriage pulled up to the house.

“Every man desires a virgin, and it’s his right as a husband to expect one.

You should be pleased that a man of Lord Asher’s stature has chosen you for his bride.

Now, I’ll hear no more about this. You will marry Edward Asher next week, and you will be happy to do so. ”

With that, Hugh descended from the carriage and walked away, his shoulders straight and his gait purposeful.

Elise stared at her father’s back, suddenly resentful.

She’d never known him to be harsh, but then again, she’d never really questioned his judgment before.

If she had hoped to gain sympathy or understanding, she now knew that she wouldn’t get either.

Her father had already said goodbye to her in his heart. She was no longer his to love.