An Agreeable Arrangement

by Shirley Marks

  The squire glanced over at the rubble: The broken furniture, glasses, lamps, chairs, and most particularly the large front window through which he had made his undignified exit.

  Of course he was responsible. He was also anxious to be on his way. It was his last stop that weighed heavy upon his mind. He pulled out a bank draft and offered it to the owner.

  “That should more than compensate you for your trouble, I should think.”

  Raggett glanced at the figure and his eyes grew large. “Oh, yes. Thank you, sir. Thank you, very much” He now gazed at the devastation with appreciation. “I had thought to make a change. Put the door where the window is and perhaps something to distinguish the place, a bow window, there” He pointed at the existing doorway.

  “Good man, have at it.” Without offering a word of apology, Julian clapped the owner on the back and left.

  Still sporting the cuts and bruises of the brawl, Julian did not need to touch his tender, blackened eye to remind him of the pain. Nothing could come close to the ache of his broken heart.

  Yet he wondered if there was a chance that he and Cassandra … no, he loved her too much to ask her to sacrifice the home she held so dear and completely disregard their fathers’ wishes. They could not-he could not do such a thing.

  Julian had to ignore his feelings. But what if Cassandra was to insist? He would have to deal with that when and if it happened. The squire could not waste time pondering wishful thoughts and had to get back to the business at hand. Next he was to secure a special license for the upcoming wedding.

  He pulled himself up into the carriage. It felt as if his side tore open with the movement. Once seated he rapped on the trapdoor.

  “Where to, squire?” the driver asked.

  “To the office of the archbishop.”

  With the increasing influx of people, florists, tailors, and caterers and a multitude of others over the course of the week, the finality of Cassandra’s marriage loomed over the squire. Madam Bosque came out to do the bridal fitting personally which further reminded him of the importance of the upcoming event.

  From the open door of the library, Julian saw the French modiste and her assistants usher the boxes that comprised the pieces of the bride’s wedding wardrobe into the house and up the staircase. He wished he could feel the excitement upon seeing the woman he loved, wearing the bridal gown, instead of the dread that came upon him at every one of the dressmaker’s visits.

  He closed the door after the day’s procession had left and again ignored the summons for dinner. He remained in the library, bent over documents and papers, scratching out portions of letters only to rewrite them several more times without making their meanings clear. He finally told himself that he could not continue to hide. In two days the wedding would be upon them.

  The next morning, Julian set his coffee cup on the breakfast table and eased into the chair intent on reading his morning paper.

  The bumps and bruises on his face and arms were nearly healed. His ribs were another matter-the pain on his side continued to plague him, a constant reminder of his foolish behavior at the club.

  Romeo came trotting in and right up to the squire. “Nice to see you, old thing,” Julian greeted him.

  Romeo whined then lifted his front end into an upright sitting position, begging. When the squire did not show any sign of rewarding this display of talent, the canine proceeded to exhibit his entire repertoire.

  He ran in a circle to the left then to the right, stood on his hind legs, and rolled over, landing once again on his feet.

  “I applaud you. It’s all very well done” Julian chuckled which made his sides ache. “Come now, you know your mistress forbids us to hand you scraps from the table” He scolded Romeo. “However, I shall keep a dish to give to you later. I’m sure she will not object”

  Women’s voices rang outside in the corridor. When Cassandra and Lorna appeared in the doorway, Julian stood. He and Cassandra locked gazes and he nearly forgot his sister was also in the room until she spoke.

  “I shall be just a moment, Lady Cassandra. I need to inform Mrs. Upton that we’ve returned” Lorna backed out of the room then called for Romeo once she reached the hall.

  A precious silence followed and for the next minute neither spoke. Julian was merely glad to share her company, a distinct pleasure of having her all to himself.

  “Good morning, my lady,” he said and the warm affection his words held was evident even to him.

  “Good day to you, sir.” Her voice was soft and understated.

  Moments later Edward entered. “I happen to have heard that exchange,” came the accusation, and a wide smile upon his face. “Look at what progress you’ve made since my absence” He stepped between them and held out his arms. “I can feel great affection here” He gestured from Cassie to Julian and back. “I truly believed if you both made an effort you could rub along famously. This could not make me happier. You are looking in fine form today, brother.”

  “I am doing tolerably well, considering,” the squire replied and winced.

  “What did I tell you, my lady? Julian has fared well, there was no reason to worry.” With a tilt of his head, Edward addressed Julian. “Did you know that she had refused to leave your bedside? Only when-”

  Maxwell’s presence at the doorway silenced him. “Misters Whitmore and Sutherland have arrived for you, sir.”

  “I shall be there presently.” Edward nodded to the butler. “This is my last bit of work before I leave on my wedding trip. You’d best break out your traveling cloak, brother, and prepare to take my place while I’m gone” He turned to Cassandra. “I’m off, my dear. The next time I see you might be at the altar tomorrow.” Edward smiled, obviously looking forward to their impending nuptials. He bowed over her hand. “I wish the two of you a most delightful day”

  Cassie moved to the sideboard and poured herself a cup of coffee. Julian remained standing until she took her seat.

  “I never did thank you for watching over me.” He folded his morning paper and placed it to one side.

  “I was only there for a short time. But I was quite worried that night. The next day, the physician concluded that your injury wasn’t as bad as he had originally feared. Maxwell told him that it had been ages since you’d been properly to bed. The entire time you were unconscious it seems that you were merely catching up on your sleep.” Cassie chanced a look at him. “You must have been exhausted”

  “I must admit that I have had a difficult time of late. I’m sure after the wedding has passed the house will return to its normal routine.”

  Although his words came easily, she did not imagine that it would be simple for him to return to his life, as it had been, before her.

  Cassie wondered if he had second thoughts, as she had. That following their fathers’ dreams would turn out nightmarish wrong for everyone.

  Again she thought of that night in his bedchamber. How she would willingly give up her home to spend the rest of her life with him. But the scandal it would bring upon their families … they might never regain any kind of respectability.

  Lorna, followed by Romeo, entered the breakfast room and came to a stop. “Am I interrupting?” She stared at them wide-eyed.

  “No, please stay, Lorna,” they said simultaneously.

  “Very well” She looked from one to the other. “I suppose I shall. It seems the two of you so adamantly wish it.”

  It was true. Lorna’s presence as chaperone, the both of them knew, would be the only way they could be trusted not to misbehave.

  It was the morning of her wedding. Cassie stared at her reflection in the full-length glass. She wore a simple high-waisted white silk gown with satin stitch embellishments. A strand of pearls twisted through her artfully styled hair. She would not describe the bride she saw as radiant. That implied she glowed with happiness and anticipation of her married life.

  Married. The word echoed in her mind.

  She knew that she was about to make
the biggest mistake of her life. She hadn’t thought so yesterday but she was beginning to think so now.

  A knock sounded at her door. She was terrified it might be Edward with another thoughtful gift or even worse, it might be Julian. Cassie had no idea how she could face him now.

  The door eased open and Lorna poked her head into the room.

  “Lorna, do come in.” A wonderful feeling of relief swept through Cassie on seeing a friendly face.

  Lorna entered with Romeo at her heels. “How very beautiful you look” The compliment did not match the unhappiness in her eyes. “Romeo and I picked these wildflowers for you to carry”

  “How very kind. Thank you.”

  “I thought if we tied a ribbon around the stems …” Then she stopped and her eyes filled with tears. “I saw you at Lady Cowper’s party. You and Julian-kissing.”

  Cassie remembered how unexpected and wonderful that kiss was. Her greatest fear had been they would be seen and now … as it turned out, they had been.

  “Belinda did not see, of course. I distracted her,” she told Cassie. “But I saw you. I spoke to Julian about it, that very night. He loves you, I know he does, and he won’t do anything about it. He won’t stop the wedding. I don’t understand why he won’t-”

  “He can’t.” Cassie did not want to listen to how much he loved her or how much he cared for her. “He promised me he would not interfere. I must marry Edward.”

  “But why? Julian loves you, I know he does. And I can tell you love him too.”

  “How shall I explain?” Cassie sat on her bed and motioned for Lorna to sit next to her. “If I do not marry Edward, I will lose my home-Hedgeway Park. If I were to break the engagement with Edward and marry Julian, it would be a horrible scandal, our family would be ruined. We must consider your future, your prospects for a match.”

  “Jeffrey will marry me. He doesn’t care, he loves me!” Lorna stared at her folded hands in her lap. Her sorrow was genuine and heartfelt. She met Cassie’s gaze. “Is there no way you can have both your home and the husband you desire?”

  “Not any way I can foresee.”

  The furniture in the large parlor had been pushed aside, making way for enough chairs to accommodate the small gathering of guests. It surprised Cassie that she knew everyone in attendance. Lorna and her friend Belinda, their beaux Jeffrey Rutherford and Thomas Wentworth stood near the large-paned window. The trio of Corinthian s-Daniel Thompson, Jared Gilbert, and Colin Henderson-all friends of Edward’s, gathered a few steps behind him. Also attending was Sir Horace Boyer, friend of the squire, and finally Julian himself. Dressed in a coat of dark blue, buff breeches, and top boots, he looked dashing enough to be the groom.

  Edward approached her and held out his arm. “You are a beauty beyond compare.”

  Cassie took his arm and thanked him. He led her through the guests toward the priest who stood with bible in hand.

  “We are gathered here in the sight of God

  What was she going to do? Stand here and wed Edward against her will … it wasn’t what Cassie wanted. The scandal that she thought would touch their families now seemed unimportant. Hedgeway Park, although it was her beloved home, was only a pile of stone compared to the companionship and affection of the man she loved. And she hadn’t realized until this moment that he was truly the one she could not live without.

  Was it too late to stop this madness? She looked over to the smiling Edward, handsome in his exquisitely cut, dark grey jacket and Hessians. He would not be so happy if he knew of her misery. The squire, who stood next to the groom, somber and drawn, would never interfere. She had made him promise. Cassie had to end this, and now was the precise, appropriate moment …

  “If anyone here knows of just cause that this marriage should not take place, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest said then paused.

  The voice within Julian Stewart shouted at him to speak now. This was his last chance to stop this farce before it was final. Cassandra was the only woman he had ever loved. He was certain that remaining silent would result in a lifetime of regret for both of them.

  Julian’s throat went dry as he willed himself to act. He swallowed hard and mustered all of his courage. He opened his mouth to voice his objection. He willed himself to step forward, hold his hand high in the air and shout-

  “Stop at once!” A heavily French-accented baritone cried out, filling the room. The bride and groom dropped hands and turned to face the gentleman.

  Julian hadn’t a chance to raise his hand or to speak, he looked toward the doorway. A well-dressed elderly man made his way to the altar where Cassandra and Edward stood.

  Then the squire detected the slightest whiff of jasmine.

  6 1 most completely object to zis marriage!” The man advanced to the front of the gathering.

  “May I ask what the objection is?” the priest inquired, closing his book.

  “You … we thought zat you were dead!” He stared at Edward as if he was regarding an apparition. “It eez of a most private matter. I will speak to za squire, if you please. I am Monsieur Dubois.”

  “Monsieur Dubois,” Julian said.

  “You do not know me?” He squinted from the elder brother to the younger as if he was suspicious.

  “I am afraid not, should I?” Julian also looked to Edward for an answer.

  “Young man”-Dubois addressed Edward with controlled rage-“what do you think you are doing ‘ere?”

  “I believe we should adjourn to a more private setting until we can straighten this out,” Julian said softly to the people around him. He raised his voice for guests to hear, “Your attention, everyone! There is a matter we need to clear before we proceed. I apologize for the delay.”

  The crowd began to talk among themselves and the murmur grew. Maxwell stood at the doorway.

  “If everyone would please be patient, we shall resume as soon as possible,” Julian told them.

  “Honored guests, if you all would be so kind as to follow me” The butler led the small group, including the priest, out of the front parlor.

  After the wedding guests left, Julian led the wedding party to the library. Cassandra, the squire noticed, followed but lagged behind.

  Waiting inside, a lovely, and very pregnant chestnutbrown-haired young lady sat in a chair, her jasmine perfume filling the library. Julian could just imagine exactly what Dubois’ objection was.

  Edward strode to the young lady’s side and whispered something.

  “‘Ow dare you!” she shrieked. “Do not mon cherie me. I thought you were dead! I wish you were!”

  “As you see, I am well, Marie.” Edward chuckled. “No harm has befallen me” He was clearly trying to keep her calm.

  “Cochon!” She made to strike him but he stepped aside, missing the blow.

  “I was merely seeing to her comfort,” he said in his own defense to Julian.

  “We came to zee about the circumstances concerning his death”-Dubois pointed at Edward”And what do we find? You are marrying yet another woman!”

  Marie broke out into an uncontrollable, and very loud, bout of tears.

  “He eez already married to my daughter. Marie has bore him two children, another eez on zee way!”

  Marie and Cassandra looked at the other. They redirected their piercing gazes at Edward who appeared to be relatively unconcerned at the women’s mutual revulsion of him.

  “It would seem that you are the only one who knows the various parties involved, Edward. Would you be so kind as to do the necessary?”

  Julian allowed his brother to step forward. Everyone remained momentarily quiet and relatively calm as the introductions and explanations were made.

  “I was only doing what was expected of me,” Edward offered. It was a poor excuse. “Well, Marie was in France and Cass, you are-”

  “How dare you make me a part of bigamy!” Cassandra slapped Edward’s face with her right hand.

  Julian flinched. He knew what it was like bei
ng on the receiving end of that.

  With tears streaming down her face, she ran from the room. Torn between the need to comfort her or to remain and sort out this terrible muddle, Julian decided to stay.

  “Edward, I will deal with you later.” The squire turned away from his brother. “Mademoiselle, Monsieur Dubois-”

  “It eez Madame Stewart,” she corrected him with her chin held high, unashamed of her bulging belly.

  “Ah yes, I beg your pardon” Julian bowed his head respectfully. “You and your father are welcome to stay at Stewart Hall”

  “Merci, sir, after witnessing zis disgrace, my daughter and I plan to return ‘ome as soon as possible.” Marie wept and leaned heavily on her father’s arm. “With or without ‘er ‘usband!”

  “I understand, monsieur,” Julian said. “Maxwell can attend to the details and show you to your rooms where you may remain for as long as you need”

  The butler stood in the doorway and led them away, leaving the two brothers.

  “How could you treat her like that? She is your wife,” Julian scolded once he knew they could not be overheard. “That girl is in love with you.”

  “So is Cass” A confident smile crossed Edward’s face. He flopped into one of the chairs, at complete ease and unfettered by the current circumstance.

  Julian shook his head. “There you’re wrong” His brother was not going to win this time. “Cassandra doesn’t love you. She’s in love with me” Saying it out loud was such a wonderful feeling.

  “You? Don’t be daft!” Edward did not for a minute believe it was true. “When she could have me?”

  “In outside of an hour the whole of London will know you’re married-and not to Lady Cassandra” Julian hadn’t meant his words to sound like a threat. “Your reputation with your many lady friends will be ruined.”

  The expression on Edward’s face grimmed. He shifted in the chair, recrossing his legs. That thought must not have occurred to him. “You’re enjoying all this aren’t you, Julian?”

  “No. I’m disappointed in you. You’ve let our family down, not to mention the scandal that may ensue”