Regency Romance: The Rake's Fake Marriage (Historical Arranged Marriage Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance)

by Sarah Thorn

  ''I'm not who you think I am.'' She looked at him for a reaction; there wasn't one. ''I'm not an Earl's goddaughter.''

  ''Who the hell cares.''

  ''I'm not a member of high society or the aristocracy, I'm the daughter of a merchant trader.''

  William's face turned white. He was in love with her, and he didn't care where she was from, or even if she had any money or not. If it was Megan versus the estate, there was only one winner, Megan. But he thought of his family. He'd promised to find a woman of wealth and pedigree.

  ''William, say something,'' Megan said anxiously. ''If you don't want me now, just tell me, and I will leave.''

  ''Would you leave me so easily?'' he asked bitterly.

  ''No, I don't mean it like that. I have deceived you. What I mean is I would understand if you no longer wanted to....''

  ''Stop. Stop talking now. I want you like I have never wanted anyone or anything in my entire life.'' He threw his crop against the fence in frustration and one of the horses jumped nervously. ''Give me a moment to think.'' He leaned against the fence and stared across the empty field. Megan didn't know whether to touch him or keep her distance. She could see he was shocked. She decided to keep her distance and fight back her tears.

  ''Why did you lead us to believe you were from the upper classes?'' he asked after an age.

  ''My father. He's a snob, a social climber. I mean he's really a very nice man, but he thinks he deserves to mix with the upper classes. I suppose he thinks that because he is so enormously wealthy.''

  ''And he was using you to get his foot in the door.''

  ''Yes.'' She rubbed a hand over her golden hair and decided to take his hand. ''William, I'm sorry. I didn't know I would fall in love with you. I thought I would perhaps meet a few gentlemen who would invite my father and me to tea and leave the rest to my father. I never wanted to hurt you.''

  ''I'm sure you didn't. But you have,'' he said sending an arrow through her heart. There is only one saving grace, he thought. She is extremely rich. ''Megan I love you, and this won't diminish my love for you. But you must know that members of my class can't marry beneath them.''

  ''Yes,'' Megan said as her tears began to flow.

  ''Please, don't cry,'' he said handing her his handkerchief. ''I will talk to my brother. All is not lost.'' She took his words and clung to them. There was still a glimmer of hope.

  They rode slowly back to Hamilton Hall. When they arrived, Megan had hoped that William would invite her inside, but he turned to her. ''I think it's best if you return home. I'll arrange a carriage.''

  *****

  Francis and Maria sat in the library and drank tea. ''I wonder what he wants to talk to us about?'' Francis said.

  ''I think he's found a young lady he desires. I know he was very interested in one particular woman at the ball. I believe she's the goddaughter of the Earl of Wells.''

  ''The Earl of Wells? Is there an Earl of Wells?'' Francis looked bemused. ''Ah at last William, where have you been?''

  ''Thinking,'' he replied.

  ''Then tell us your news,'' Maria said enthusiastically.

  ''I am in love.''

  Maria jumped up and clapped. ''I knew it. I knew the ball was a good idea.''

  ''Sit down my dear, let's hear the whole story,'' Francis said.

  ''I am in love with a very fine lady from an extremely rich family.'' William had decided to tell Francis the positive points first, in the hope the effect of the bad news he was going to deliver would be diminished.

  ''Splendid,'' Francis said looking at Maria warmly.

  ''But.....''

  ''Ah, of course, there's a problem,'' Francis interjected. ''You know William where you're concerned, there's always a problem. Nothing in your life is simple.''

  William was surprised at Francis' tone. He knew Francis was under enormous pressure, but he'd never spoken to him like that before. ''She's a merchant’s daughter,'' he said as quickly as possible to get it out of the way.

  ''She's what?'' Francis cried. ''I thought you told me she was the daughter of an Earl,'' he said, glaring at Maria.

  ''That's what they told me,'' Maria complained.

  ''There is a story to it,'' William said.

  ''Then tell us, we're very anxious to know what it could possibly be,'' Francis said sarcastically.

  ''Megan, that's the lady in question, has a father who aspires to the drawing rooms of the aristocracy, even though he is middle class. Apparently, he thinks his wealth places him adequately to do so.''

  ''It's not only about money, it's about breeding. When will these blessed people learn? If it was about money I wouldn't have married Maria, would I?'' Francis scoffed. Maria didn't know whether to feel pleased or upset.

  ''He was using his daughter to gain entry to the upper class. But she didn't know she would fall in love with me. It's not her fault.''

  ''No William, no a hundred times,'' Francis said

  ''What no?'' William replied.

  ''I know what you want me to say. You want me to agree. But I will never accept a woman from a lower class into this family.'' Maria now knew she could be pleased.

  ''Even though we need money, and she has that in abundance?''

  ''Find somebody else. There were plenty of eligible women at that ball. Why did you have to go and fall for one so unsuitable.''

  Francis got up and marched out of the room; Maria scampered after him. William remained where he was, too devastated to move. He thought back to his mother and what she would think of the situation. He loved Megan, but he had to think of his family. He would be fine if he married her, she was rich, but he knew he would have to cut all ties with Francis, and the estate would be lost.

  *****

  When Ellen didn't hear from William for more than a week, she feared the worst. A week later she was sitting with her father at the breakfast table when he put down the newspaper and looked at his daughter. It was the look on his face that caught her attention.

  ''What father?'' she said.

  He didn't speak. He sat open-mouthed, as if he'd been stung into unconsciousness. He didn't know what to do. How could he have been so cruel? So demanding. Such a bad father. His selfishness had brought this upon his daughter, and he would never be able to forgive himself. He was ashamed to think what his wife would think of him.

  ''Father, what on earth has happened?''

  ''Here,'' he said, passing her the newspaper.

  He'd been reading the announcements page. Megan began to read. As her eyes scanned the page, she found what her father had seen. Each word made her shake more uncontrollably than the last. At the end, she passed out and slipped onto the floor.

  *****

  It was five o'clock and the end of Fred and Philip's shift. They were looking forward to a pint of beer in the Steam Packet. When they got out of the ship and onto the quay, a woman was waiting for them.

  ''Which one of you is Fred?'' she asked. She was around twenty and pretty.

  ''I am,'' Fred admitted.

  ''I want to talk to you,'' she said. ''Tell him to sling his hook,'' she added, referring to Philip.

  ''See you later,'' Fred said to Philip, who idled off, more curious than he had ever been. ''What can I do for you?'' Fred asked the woman.

  ''Someone told me you haven't got a girl.''

  Fred liked the look of her, very much, but he was slightly anxious. She seemed very forthright, and the last thing he wanted was to be an oppressed husband. ''Er....yes, that's right.''

  She took a deep breath. ''I know it's not proper for a lady to ask a man, but there are a lot of girls after you, and I wanted to be the first to talk to you. I hope you don't mind me being so.........direct. I'm not usually like that.''

  Fred was calmer now she'd explained herself. He liked the sound of being chased by a lot of women, but to be fair to her she'd taken the trouble to come and speak to him, he'd give her a chance, and if she turned out to be no good he would pick one of the others. ''Thank you f
or coming to see me. I hope you're not disappointed,'' he said.

  ''No I'm not. You're very handsome.''

  ''If you like we can sit on the bench, over there,'' he pointed to the seat overlooking the harbor.

  ''Yes, that would be nice.''

  He was bowled over when he began to talk to her. She was really very pretty indeed. He learned her name was Mary, she gutted fish for a living and had her own house. They talked for an hour until it was almost dark. Fred liked her, and he decided he would see over the next few weeks whether she would be a good wife or not. He thought she would.

  ''It a beautiful view from here,'' Mary said. ''So many wonderful ships.''

  ''Yes. They sail from here to destinations all over the world.''

  ''And when they get back, you unload them.''

  ''Not all of them. Just Mr. Longhurst's ships.''

  ''Which are his?'' she asked.

  ''Well, most of them are at sea, but, there's that one. That's called Rambling Rose and that one. That's called, Jesus Christ.''

  ''Really?'' Mary said shocked at the name. Fred didn't reply; he was already running around the quay as fast as his short legs would carry him. ''Oh my God,'' Mary exclaimed when she saw what was happening. She followed Fred.

  ''No stop, stop,'' Fred shouted as loudly as he could. But it was too late, the woman jumped into the cold water and disappeared. Fred took off his cap, waistcoat, and boots and jumped from the quay. When he hit the water he gasped, it was colder than he'd expected. He felt around under the water for her, but nothing. When Mary arrived, he told her to go and get a life buoy.

  ''Where the hell are you?'' he said still thrashing around in the water. He took a deep breath and went under. Mary came back with a ring on the end of a long rope. She screamed when she couldn't see either of them.

  *****

  ''William, William, where are you?'' Maria shouted frantically.

  ''Here, what is it?''

  ''Francis, he's passed out and fallen down the stairs,'' she sobbed. William raced to the hallway and saw his brother lying in a horrible position. He felt for a pulse, but there was nothing.

  ''I'm afraid he's broken his neck,'' the doctors said when he arrived. ''Death would have been instant. I will have to make a report of it, and hand it to the constabulary.''

  William looked at the doctor and then at Maria, who was staring out ahead of her at nothing in particular. ''Francis has been under a lot of strain recently, could that have had something to do with it?'' he asked.

  ''It's quite possible. People react differently to the stresses of life. He is very thin; it's quite possible he was anemic and passed out. It's very unfortunate; you have my utmost sympathy,'' the doctor said. At that moment, the local clergyman arrived and took over.

  That evening the doctor came again and administered something to make Maria sleep. William sat in the library, and for the first time in his life poured himself a drink from the decanters on the mahogany sideboard. He was now in charge of the estate and all it's problems. He thought about his wife to be, Kathrine, and then his thoughts turned to Megan. Why hadn't he just left and gone to her? Why had he been so weak and listened to his brother? Katherine was a loving woman, a woman of virtue with a fine sense of humor, a woman he ought to love, but didn't. What was he doing, he, though? Now Francis was dead; he could do as he wished. But Katherine would be heartbroken. He took a sip of whiskey and felt it burn its way down to his stomach. After a few more sips, things became a little clearer.

  William drank two glasses of whiskey and fell asleep on the sofa in the library. He didn't wake up until he heard someone seemingly trying to break the front door down.

  ''My Lord, there is a gentleman at the front door who say's he wants to talk to you.''

  ''What kind of a gentleman?'' William asked the butler.

  ''Rather uncouth, a working man.''

  ''Wait, I'm coming.'' William stood up and straightened his clothing. His neck was aching and his head pounding.

  When he reached the front door, he looked at the man who wanted to see him. ''How can I help you sir?'' he asked.

  ''Are you Lord William?''

  He was, but William supposed he was now the Duke as well. ''Yes, who are you?''

  ''My name is Fred, I work for Megan Longhurst's father.''

  ''Megan,'' he exclaimed. ''Is she alright, you haven't brought bad news, have you?''

  ''No luckily, but I ought to box your ears for the way you've treated her.''

  ''I.......I don't know what you....''

  ''Oh, yes you do. Making her fall in love with you, and without telling her, getting engaged to somebody else. It's a disgrace. I'm not here to teach you a lesson, although I ought to. I'm here to take you to her.''

  ''Where is she?''

  ''In hospital. She almost died.''

  ''How? Why?''

  ''Come on, I'll tell you on the way.''

  They sat in Jeffrey's carriage and set off towards Bristol. ''Young man, I don't care whether you're a Lord, a Duke or the bloody King of England, what you have done to her is disgraceful,'' Fred said holding firmly onto William's arm. ''She loves you, and you will darn well marry her or something unpleasant will happen to you. Do you get my drift?''

  William looked at the man threatening him. ''I understand,'' he said. It wasn't Fred's well-meaning threats that made him decide. He'd decided the previous evening that he would let Katherine down, gently and beg Megan to take him back.

  They arrived at Bristol Infirmary two hours later. They both jumped out and walked through the large front door into a hallway with four corridors leading from it. An official looking woman asked them who they were looking for and told them the way.

  Jeffrey was able to afford a private ward for his daughter. Most other people were in wards of twelve or more. When the two men arrived at the door, Fred opened it very gently and peered inside. Jeffrey came out and looked at William.

  ''Lord Thurlington?'' Jeffrey asked.

  ''Yes. How is she?''

  ''Not very well. She tried to kill herself by drowning. She jumped from one of my ships in the harbor. Fred here saved her, he jumped in and pulled her out.''

  ''Oh my God,'' William said, putting his hand over his mouth. He felt nauseous. ''Oh my God, what have I done?''

  ''We are both at fault,'' Jeffrey said. ''And we will have to make amends.'' ''Luckily the child she's carrying is still living inside her.''

  ''What?''

  ''She's expecting a baby.''

  ''No. Oh, what a fool I've been and so cruel. Do you think she will be able to forgive me?''

  ''Do you still want her?''

  ''Yes, oh Lord, yes. I want her more than anything in the world.''

  ''Then you'd better go inside and tell her.''

  William entered the room and stood next to the bed. Megan was asleep, her hair trailing on the pillow. There were flowers on the bedside table and a small toy bear tucked under the sheets next to her. William didn't want to wake her. He pulled up a chair and sat down, his hand on hers.

  Megan opened her eyes eight hours later. When she did, the first thing she saw was William's head on the bed next to her. At some point, he'd fallen asleep and fallen forward, his head on the bed, the rest of him still in the chair. When she saw him, she put out a hand and felt his hair. She wondered why he was there. Surely he wasn't cruel enough to mount a bedside vigil and then go back to his fiancee. Or perhaps he was. He'd been cruel enough to let her read about his forthcoming marriage in the newspaper.

  He felt a rustle on top of his head and woke up. He jerked his head up suddenly and saw Megan, awake.

  ''How are you feeling?'' he said gently.

  ''Sorry,'' she said. ''I shouldn't have done what I did.''

  ''It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that you get well again.''

  ''Yes, I suppose so. Why are you here?'' she asked.

  ''I'm here to say sorry to you and to tell you that I love you and want you to marry me.''
<
br />   ''Why do you suddenly want to marry me when only a few days ago I read you were to marry another woman?''

  He sighed and didn't know where to start his explanation. ''After you told me who you really were, I went to speak to Francis, my brother, the Duke. Sorry, the late Duke.''

  ''What? Is he dead.''

  William pulled a face to force the tears back. ''Yes, he died yesterday. It was a tragic accident. He fell.''

  ''Oh you poor boy,'' Megan said. ''Go to his wife and comfort her. What are you doing here?''

  ''I cannot leave you. I wasn't strong enough to stand up to my brother. He didn't want me to marry you because you're from the middle class, and I simply let you go, just to please him.''

  ''No, a lot of it is my fault, William, we live in a time when classes are not allowed to mix. I understand.''

  ''But you tried to kill yourself and our baby. Why?''

  ''Because I couldn't bear to live without you. I couldn't bear to look at a child that every day reminded me of you. I couldn't, I sorry.'' She began to weep.

  He took her hand and pressed it to his cheek. ''I'm here for you. I will never leave you again if you'll have me. Please?''

  ''And the other woman?''

  ''I will take care of that.''

  ''We have both been unkind to each other. Very unkind, but I would like to spend the rest of my life with you and our child.''

  *****

  When Megan was well enough, she went to live with her father until William made arrangements for his brother’s funeral. She moved in with William and had a boy, an heir to the Dukedom.

  Jeffrey got his place among the aristocracy; his money saved Hamilton Hall and the estate.

  Fred and Mary married and had six children. Jeffrey rewarded Fred for his loyalty and made him quay foreman, which meant in later years he had a much easier job.

  *****

  THE END

  Thank you for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it.