Page 13 of An Accidental Marriage

“No,” Father responded at once. “You are expected at the ball this evening.”

He turned to his parents, his shoulders dipping slightly. “And I am to simply throw away all of my future plans from this day forward?”

“Not throw away,” his mother said gently. “But adjust them, yes.”

Mr. Shepherd took to pacing the room again. “What if I was already in love with another?”

“Are you?” Father asked gruffly.

“No. But I do have plans to attend a hunting trip with Tristan in a few days. What of that? And of my future plans to visit my friends? Am I to simply give up all of that? All of them?” He didn’t pause long enough for anyone to answer. “Of course I am. Because that is to be expected.”

No one responded. Only the fire crackled in the hearth. Slowly, Mr. Shepherd turned to face Father. He was eerily still—something Marie had not seen in him until that moment.

“Very well,” he said. “As I have very little interest in taking part in the duel I have no doubt you would challenge me to should I attempt to leave...” He stole a quick glance at Marie. “And as I could not live with myself knowing I took any part of damaging a woman’s reputation, I will marry your daughter.”

Both mothers in the room exchanged hidden smiles. The elder Mr. Shepherd sighed with relief. Father merely gave a firm nod. No one looked at her to see how she felt, which could only be a good thing, for she wasn’t exactly sure how to feel.

She was relieved, certainly, to not witness Father dueling their friends’ son. She also knew some degree of calmness knowing she would not have to find a spouse in the coming years. And yet, realizing she was to be subjected to a life with this sort of man filled her with trepidation. The only comfort she allotted herself was the knowledge that, while he’d made his decision to keep himself alive, he’d also done so partially to help maintain her reputation. That had to be at least partially admired.

“And you will agree to the other arrangements, as well?” Father questioned.

“What, more than marrying her?” Mr. Shepherd asked incredulously.

“Yes,” Father stated plainly.

“Very well. What arrangements?”

“That you will do everything in your power to convince others that this marriage was happily agreed upon, that you will go to the ball tonight and appear as joyous as any newly married couple, and that you will attend the bridal tour already arranged for you, beginning tomorrow.”

Mr. Shepherd’s mouth dropped open again, and he swiveled toward his parents with a look that said, “There was more?”

Mrs. Shepherd merely waved her hand in a flicking motion toward Father. “Go on, son. Go on.”

He closed his eyes, then drew a calming breath. “Very well. I agree to the arrangements.”

“All of them?” Father pressed.

“All of them.”

Tangible relief sailed about the room, everyone clearly feeling the emotion aside from Marie, for suddenly, she was overcome with sudden, palpable, undeniable disappointment.

So, she’d be marrying Mr. Charles Shepherd after all.

Pity.

Chapter Five

Charles stood beside Miss Oakley, facing Mr. Berryman as the vicar read from the Book of Common Prayer with a languid voice.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Therefore, it is not to be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly.”

At this, Mr. Berryman’s eyes settled directly on Charles. Charles stared right back at the vicar, daring him to voice just how deeply he disapproved of this marriage—and of Charles in general.

Instead, Mr. Berryman continued, even slower than before. “I require and charge you both that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.”

Was having no love for one’s betrothed not reason enough? Perhaps one’s reputation was more important than Heaven’s will.

After another condemning look at Charles, Mr. Berryman continued.