by Vanessa Lee
Darren laughed, “Yes, Sir, she was. My father loved her dearly. It killed him when she passed on. I wonder if that’s when the more serious problems started to arise.”
The General nodded. “I have heard about the few bad decisions that made the man go under so quickly. All that money, gone.”
“Yes, he always seemed confident that the right opportunity was going to come along at any moment to restore our fortune to what it used to be.”
“Did you or your brother have any idea how bad things had gotten?”
Darren frowned. They knew about his failed endeavors, of course. However, it was not until their father’s will had been read, did they realize just how bad things had gotten.
“Nick was always out dealing with our various business aspects for our father. Knowing that he would take over the family fortune one day, he tried to learn everything that he could. It was likely out of embarrassment that our father kept his purse strings close to him. He and his accountant were the only ones who knew exactly how much money we had.” Darren inhaled, and exhaled in a sharp breath. “Nick and I found out on the day we buried our father that we were all but destitute.”
“A sad way to remember the dead,” the General replied.
“Yes, Sir,” Darren agreed. “I looked at it as an opportunity to begin anew. To shed the ways of polite society and make my own way in the world, by my own rules.”
“So you ventured to the Americas.”
“Yes, I settled in Massachusetts. I had a cabin, a farm, and supplies, until…” he trailed off.
A man of great knowledge and a wealth of experience in the colonies, the General replied, “Soldiers, or Natives?”
“Natives, Sir,” Darren answered. “A brutal attack one night on my property. It was over within moments, but it ended all of my desire to make my way in the colonies.”
The General nodded in agreement, “It is a land at war. The entire world is fighting to secure the Americas. It is not a safe place to build your home.”
“That is the conclusion I came to, as well. I have returned home to rejoin my brother in his efforts to build a shipping empire with Sir Linnus Campbell.”
“Ah, yes, Campbell,” the General said. “A smart businessman, indeed. I have also heard that your brother has become quite the success in a very short amount of time.”
Darren nodded. “Nick was always the one who had a mind for business.”
“And you?” the General asked.
Darren smiled, “I’ve not the mind for business and numbers that my brother does. But I am useful in many other ways and my brother has chosen to include me in his company, Campbell-Wellington Industries.”
“Good, good,” the General nodded at him. “That is an excellent income. I can see that you will be able to provide well for a wife. I assume you will be taking up residence at the Wellington Estate?”
“No, Sir,” Darren replied. “I would hate to impose on my newlywed brother and my lovely sister-in-law. I will be residing at Hawley Manor on Wellington property, not far from my brother’s Estate.”
“Very good, my boy,” the General responded. “Now, I must ask you. What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Well, Sir, it is my intention to court your daughter. In my efforts to take my place in my brother’s business and become a well-rounded and sociable businessman, I am in need of a wife.”
“And my Justine has caught your eye, eh?” the General asked.
Chuckling Darren said, “She certainly has, Sir. Although she doesn’t seem overly enthusiastic about my attentions, I might say.”
The General shook his head, “Never you mind, boy. That girl has it in her head that she can choose to marry whoever she damn well pleases, whenever she pleases,” he puffed out an indignant breath.
“Makes me mad as hell, the way she refuses absolutely every man of quality who I arrange for her to meet. Do you know that sometimes she even shakes her head, ‘No’ at me, before she even meets the man in question?”
Darren strived not to laugh. Now he understood why Justine was so adamant to refuse him. Her father was placing her under immense pressure. “You don’t say?”
“I certainly do say,” the General yelled, completely frustrated with the situation. “That girl is already nineteen years old and she is never going to pick a husband. A good, honorable husband who will take care of her when I am gone. Scares the blessed Jesus out of me, it does.”
“Well, Sir, you have my complete sympathies. I hope that I can make your problem go away. It is my intention to secure Lady Justine’s hand in marriage.”
The General brightened immediately. “That is most excellent, my boy. I would be honored if you were to be my son-in-law.” The General chuckled, “What an outstanding match this would be. My Justine, married to the brother of a Duke. A Duke who is building a shipping empire with one of the brightest businessmen of our time!”
Darren, pleased with the General’s enthusiasm, asked, “So then, I have your permission to court you daughter?”
“No, my boy,” the General said. “My daughter is a good lass. She has a heart of gold. But we cannot allow her defiance to run off yet another potential suitor. You are the best prospect that she has seen to date. Justine would be the biggest fool in the world to turn you away. We mustn’t give her the opportunity.”
Puzzled, Darren asked, “Then what are you proposing?”
“Exactly, my dear boy,” the General said with steel determination in his voice. “It is a proposal of marriage that I am offering. Will you enter into an agreement to take my daughter’s hand in marriage?”
Darren tried not give himself away. This is exactly what he had wanted. He had hoped that there would be a smaller courtship, but this was better than anything he could have anticipated. The stunning, sweet, courageous woman who stirred his blood, among other areas, would be his wife.
“It would be my greatest honor to marry your daughter, General Fletcher.”
The General hooted, “Oh, ho, my boy! You have made me the happiest father, indeed. Let us go and announce the engagement to Justine and the aunts. I’m sure my wife, Lady Serena, will want to know of our good news.”
Darren laughed openly now. “Yes, I’m sure they will be most delighted to hear our news.”
The General turned to him and said, “Now boy, you let me handle my daughter. She will fight you something fierce. That’s why we cannot allow a long engagement. You must marry my daughter as quickly as possible. Is this agreeable to you?”
Darren felt like the luckiest man on earth. He didn’t think this could not have gone any better. “Yes, it is, Sir. We are in agreement,” he held out his hand for the General to shake.
“Yes, now let us go break the news to your betrothed.”
The ladies were surprised when the General and Lord Darren came back into the drawing room. The General was positively jubilant and Lord Darren looked just as pleased.
After calling for James to refill their scotches, the General said, “Ladies, I have an announcement to make. In exactly three months’ time, Lord Darren has agreed to take Justine as his wife.”
All three women gasped in surprise. Realizing their niece’s great fortune, the aunts jumped up from their seat, clasping their hands together and smiling joyfully.
“Oh, Lord Darren, that is the most wonderful and amazing news!” said Aunt Lydia.
“Oh, how fortunate we are to be welcoming you into our family, Milord,” Aunt Penelope chimed.
“Yes, yes, we are indeed fortunate,” the General said. “Aren’t we, Justine?”
Everyone looked over to where Justine still sat in absolute shock.
“Well, girl? What have you to say?” the General asked.
Justine had felt all the blood leave her face when her father had made his announcement. Marriage to Lord Darren? She had only met the man yesterday! Had her father completely lost his mind?
“Father, how dare you!” she
said as she shot up from her chair.
“Oh, I do indeed dare, my girl!” he shouted at her. “I have stood by, as you have rejected every suitor I have placed in front of you. Well, no more!”
“Father, please be reasonable. I have only just met Lord Darren yesterday. How can you be sure that he is the best match for me, when you yourself have only just met him today?”
“Because my dear, this is a working man. He is also related to two of the most respected men in business today. He, himself, is also involved in this business. He can provide for you and he will treat you well.”
“But father, you do not know that! How do you know that he would treat me well?”
“Justine, you will listen to me know. I am your father and I, of all people, know what is best for you. This is the best offer that you are likely to receive, and you are damn well going to take it, or so help me!” he shouted, his face becoming a bright, cherry-red.
Feeling faint, her entire world spinning around, Justine fell back into her chair. She couldn’t believe this was happening. How could her father betray her like this and basically give her away?
Lord Darren asked the General to accompany Justine on a walk. The General agreed.
Justine felt Lord Darren kneel on one knee by her chair. He held out his hand to her, “Will you accompany me on a walk?”
He was not wearing a gloating smile now. He looked concerned and determined. She placed her hand into his. Placing her arm through his, he led her out of the room and to the gardens.
He started to talk, “Justine…”
She quickly cut him off, “Are you out of your mind?” she shouted at him.
Smiling, he held up his hands, and said, “I know this may seem rather sudden…”
“It is rather sudden!” she yelled.
Darren laughed. Her beautiful sapphire eyes were snapping at him and her angelic face looked angry as hell. Even in her anger, she was a sight to behold.
“The suddenness is quite necessary, I am afraid.”
“Why?” she demanded. “What possible reason could you and my father have to go over my head and arrange my own marriage for me?”
“The General is concerned because you are rejecting every suitor. I need a wife and he needs to see you married. It was an easy conclusion to come to.”
“Easy? You think that forcing someone into marriage is easy?” she cried.
Darren slowly shook his head at her. Holding her gaze, he slowly drew closer to her, until he was almost against her. He clasped his hands around her upper arms. Keeping her eyes securely locked in his gaze, he looked deeply into her eyes, and said, “Justine, you will be my wife. In three months’ time, we will wed.” She started to interrupt him, and he yelled, “Do not interrupt me!” and gave her a little shake.
Stunned, she let him continue. “I promise that I will be a good husband to you and that you will never want for anything. You will be the mistress of my home, Hawley Manor, and you will accompany me to social affairs as I take my place along my brother in his shipping business.”
He gave her another little shake, “And if you do not behave, so help me, you will come to regret it.”
“Y-you would beat me?” she stammered.
“No, I would not beat you. There are much more effective ways to punish you,” he said, looking at her mouth.
“Like what?” she asked breathlessly.
Darren looked into her eyes. She was the most beautiful creature that he had ever seen. Her eyes were locked on him, her smooth, creamy skin was begging for his mouth, and her luscious mouth was open slightly, and begging for his.
In answer, he crushed her against him and lowered his mouth to hers, silencing her surprised gasp. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her repeatedly, in hot, quick, hard kisses. Her arms came up to push him away, but his mouth gained entry to hers, and her hands rested on his chest, instead. His tongue swept in to sweetly duel with hers, until she was shaking and mindless of anything except for him. He coaxed her into kissing him back and she returned his kisses with unbridled abandon.
Breaking off the kiss, Lord Darren looked down at her, immensely pleased. Justine’s reaction to him thrilled him. He had sensed a sensual nature within her before, but his soon-to-be wife had ignited when he touched her. She liked his touch and he had certainly enjoyed touching her. It would be damned difficult to wait three months before he could take her.
“It is settled,” he said. “In three months’ time, we will be wed.”
Chapter 3
Three months’ time had passed by way too quickly, in Justine’s opinion. She had scarcely seen her intended since the day that she was told they would be married. Her overjoyed father had held an engagement dinner in their honor after the betrothal was announced. Justine had been informed that her fiancé was quite preoccupied in making a good name for himself. Lord Darren met with endless business connections to establish relations with them and prove that he is a qualified fit for his brother’s business. There were numerous investors to impress.
It was now Justine’s wedding day and instead of the joyful bride that she ought to be, she instead felt cold dread. She had promised herself that she would not marry a man who didn’t care for her wellbeing. Lord Darren had made it clear that he was taking a wife for social reasons. While he had kissed her quite passionately on that day in her mother’s garden, the only thing he seemed to care about was his career. Just like her father.
Justine sat dejectedly in her chair, in front of her looking glass. Somehow, she had gotten stuck in the exact arrangement that she had vowed to never be in. Like it or not, she would be married to Darren today.
The door to her bedroom opened, and her mother stepped inside. Closing it behind her, Lady Serena turned to lean against it and look at her daughter with an affectionate, pitying look.
“How are you holding up, my dear?” she asked.
Justine sighed, and rose up from her chair. She walked over to her bed, and for what would probably be the last time, sat down on it. “I am holding up, I suppose. There is no use in getting rattled. This marriage is going to happen, whether I like it, or not.”
Walking away from the door, Lady Serena came over to sit beside her daughter. Taking her hand in hers, she asked, “Are you sure you are going to be alright going through with the ceremony, my love?”
Shaking her head, Justine said, “What choice do I have? Surely father would disown me if I do not marry Lord Darren.”
Her mother squeezed her hand in sympathy. “I know, dearest,” she said, nodding sympathetically.
Trying to look at the situation from a different angle, she said, “Maybe he will be a good husband to me.”
Looking doubtful, Lady Serena said, “Lord Darren seems to be just as focused on his ambitions as your father.” She looked down, and continued, “You know that my marriage to your father has not been an easy one.”
Sighing, her mother got up to look out the window. As she watched her husband move about in the yard below, making the final preparations for the wedding, she said, “Your father only had room to love two things in his life. His military career,” she turned to look at her daughter, “and you.”
Her eyes filling, Justine asked, “Does he love me, mother? I know that he’s supposed to, but he never…”
Her mother shushed her, walking back to sit next to her on the bed. “Of course your father loves you. I am just as certain that this marriage is taking place because of his fear for your safety, which is born out of love.”
Justine shook her head. “Can he not just say that he loves me? Why must I wed a complete stranger who does not care for me?”
A woman with years of a dreadfully unhappy marriage under her belt, Lady Serena was in full agreement with her daughter. “It is not right. This wedding should not be happening today.”
Sniffling, Justine asked, “What should we do?”
Lady Serena considered their dilemma. Afte
r a moment, she asked, “How would you feel about going to stay with your Aunt Theresa?”
Justine paused. Her beloved Aunt Theresa had declined to attend the wedding, out of protest that it was happening in the first place. Lady Serena’s elder sister thoroughly despised Justine’s father. She hated how the man had taken the sparkle out of her sister’s eyes. Though she lived far up north, her aunt had come to visit them frequently. General Fletcher was away on military pursuits quite often. Aunt Theresa was also in support that Justine should marry whomever she pleased. She knew that her trusted aunt would welcome her into her home, and not give away her whereabouts to anyone.
Brightening for the first time in months, Justine clasped her mother’s hands in her own, and said, “Do you think we could make our way to Aunt Theresa’s home today?”
Shaking her head, Lady Serena said, “No, my dear. If you do this, it must be something that you do on your own.”
“But why? Surely you don’t want to stay here with father any longer than you have to?”
Her eyes dark with resignation, Lady Serena said, “I’m afraid I must. I have a life here that I need to maintain, and if I go missing as well, your father will certainly know where we have gone.”
“But he won’t he guess that I have gone to Aunt Theresa’s?” she asked.
“That is why we must lead him astray,” her mother replied. “We must send a servant to the shipyard from the home, so that everyone thinks that you sailed away from here.”
Justine thought for a moment and then nodded. “I am in agreement with your plan, mother. I do not want to marry Lord Darren.”
“I think you have made a wise choice, my dear,” her mother said. “It is such a wretched thing to lose your freedom and bear the misery of an emotionless marriage.”
“How do I make my escape?”
“I will speak to Natasha about going to the docks. After the wedding ceremony, everyone will be enjoying their meal and the company of the other guests. I will make sure that Natasha is seen by someone leaving with a hood over her head. When she is gone, I will send you away when no one is looking. I will have a coin purse for you, with all the money I can gather. Carry lightly, make sure you only take the things you really need. I will arrange for you to meet Natasha’s carriage. She will give you a lift to four towns over. When you are there, hire a ride that will take you the rest of the way.”