Chapter Nine

~

Sarah raced out of the church the following morning the minute the sermon was over. It had been a whole day and more since she had seen Jonah and the day had finally arrived. In all honesty Sarah hadn't been able to sleep the previous night and although Mary had managed to hide the bags under her eyes, she still looked exhausted. So much that her keen eyed mother had suggested that she miss the sermon and get a bit more sleep. Sarah refused immediately, there was a great chance of running into Jonah at the church and missing that opportunity would guarantee her going to the banquet extremely clueless of what their plan was. Sadly her plans were shambled with Jonah's lack of presence both at the church and the races.

The vicar had luckily kept his sermon short because of the races, the man himself probably had a bet or two on the horses judging by how he had kept glancing at his timepiece.

Sarah had attended the races with an upset stomach, every time she would look at her parents, the urge to vomit presented itself and she felt sicker and sicker by the minute.The races were as rowdy as usual and both the Duke and her father had both profited greatly from the betting table and were in great moods, something that Sarah had noted and it had made her feel slightly better. Their mothers were also in a beautiful mood, all smiles as they treated guests and socialized with the attendees of the. afternoons banquet. Sarah looked at the clock and the queasiness in her stomach   increased double fold. Normally she would have been extremely angry with Jonah because of his tardiness but at the moment her heart was pounding in her chest and she found herself praying for his swift arrival.

This was probably one of the most important moments of her life and she found herself panicking by the second.

As they walked into the banquet hall from the visitors lounge, Sarah couldn't help but give the room a thorough once over, she didn't see Jonah but she did spot a rather smug Lady Pickering. The woman probably couldn't wait to tell her friends that she had known about the engagement all along. Her smugness made Sarah roll her eyes, the woman was an utter nightmare who contributed as much to society as a dung beetle. Sarah decided to get out of her peripheral vision and stand by the door to wait for Jonah a decision she regretted immensely the minute she realized that the position at the door put her in direct line of every judgemental Mother in England. From her post at the  door she had to greet every person who entered, they probably thought she was an usher, helping her mother with the guests.

Sarah endured condescending looks and double sided remarks concerning her unmarried state for fifteen minutes as she stood by the door waiting for Jonah, just as she was about to give up, she spotted him and the now normal flurry of butterflies decided to torment her stomach.

He looked graceful and in high spirits, his body encased in form fitting clothes, his hair in it's unruly state with curls all around unlike a majority of the gents in England who preferred to slick their hair back, Sarah had to admit that it made him rather attractive.

As angry as she was because of his lateness she couldn't hide the relief and happiness that engulfed her the second she saw him. Walking out to the reception she walked up to him, grabbing his attention and drawing a smile from him.

Sarah was about to yell at him for his easy going attitude towards their situation when she saw that he wasn't alone. His brother and sister in-law Hannah were standing right behind him, Beth and her husband Charles were also in the proximity. Faking a smile she stood before them and curtsied, "my Lord's, my Ladies. Welcome." The group responded with quick nods and Beth and Hannah walked over and each gave her a hug, her smile widened when Beth latched onto her side with a smile of her own. It was one of those rare moments that Beth was genuinely happy and Sarah was happy that it was in her company.

Sarah gave a Curt nod in Charles's direction because she knew that if she didn't acknowledge him, he of the fragile ego would find a way to get back at her through hurting Beth.

With pleasantries out of the way, Sarah took Jonah's offered arm and walked with him, a smile on her face the perfect mask as she gritted out, "Where have you been?"

Jonah simply shrugged, "there was quite a spot of traffic as people rushed to get here." Jonah led her to the table both their families were sharing and ignoring her little brother, he sat beside her, eliciting questioning looks from multiple members of their family which they promptly ignored.

Sarah rolled her eyes at Jonah's statement even as  she looked at Beth who was now back by her husband's side, her smile long gone replaced by a stoic look that Sarah did not like at all. With a furrowed brow she turned back to Jonah and softly said, "it's a miracle you haven't killed Charles by now, knowing your temper."

At her words Sarah felt him tense and instinct drove her to place her hand over his drawing a questioning brow from the Duchess, not that either of them noticed.

Jonah leaned over slightly and said, "He should be bloody glad that I have a much better handle on my promise keeping than my temper. I assure you that I've been nothing but civil to the bastard."

Sarah patted his hand softly, "thank you Jonah, I know that it's hard for you to stay silent in this case but I hope we can find a way to resolve this matter in a civil way."

Jonah tilted his head in thought for a moment before he asked, "What's more civil than my fist through his face."

Sarah shot him a glare, "How about a way that won't lead to jail time because I know you wouldn't stop at one punch."

Jonah let out an eyeroll followed by a low grumble that earned him a side glare from Sarah who now sat primly whilst listening to the banquets opening speech. Jonah risked a glance at his sister and he found her looking at him questioningly. Leaning towards Sarah he whispered, "we need to talk to Beth."

~

"You two belong in an asylum. What were you two thinking?!" Beth exclaimed after hearing the whole story.

Jonah and Sarah looked at each other and shrugged. Jonah then responded with, "In the past, genius has often been confused with insanity, it's not your fault that you see it that way, many lesser minds have been known to make the same mistake."

At his statement, Beth gave her brother a glare that would have sent him to the grave if looks could kill, followed by a sharp slap upside the head. Luckily they were in private, standing in one of the empty rooms, they needn't even lower their voices due to the noise coming from the hall. After a few speeches both Sarah and Jonah had excused themselves bringing Beth along with them.

"Now is not the time to be your charming condescending self Jonah." Beth spat out with as much venom as  she could muster then turned to Sarah with a complete change in tone. "Darling, I'm already used to his brand of insanity so this genuinely leads me to wonder, what in heaven's name led you to think that this neanderthal is worthy of your hand?"

Sarah hid a smile at Jonah's look of indignation, she was about to talk when Jonah spoke up. "First of all it is insulting to call your elder brother a neanderthal and secondly, I deserve Sarah. I know I do."

Beth looked at her brother for a minute and shook her head, he really did need to be committed. Clearing her throat she then responded to her brother's words, "Jonah the only reason I called you a neanderthal is because you managed to call me stupid and be condescending in one breath and secondly how do you deserve Sarah? You've spent a big chunk of your life torturing her, if childhood trauma and emotional scaring were the food of love then you two certainly have won the jackpot but they aren't, so please tell me, how? How are you going to survive each other for the rest of your lives? Why are you even doing this in the first place?"

Beth and Jonah stared each other down, then the bickering started.

Sarah slipped into thought, Beth was the first person that they had told about their plan and as usual Beth fashion, she poked holes through their perfect plan and brought up concerns that both of them had clearly forgotten.

Sarah knew that at some point, Beth was right but she also knew the consequences of their plan falling apart, not only would she be forced to marry someone she didn't want but also because of a certain town gossip, her tarnished reputation would rear it's head back to the present and no one would marry her, well no one young that is.

The thought brought a chill to Sarah's body and she physically shivered. Jonah was her only choice at genuine happiness, granted they had never got along in the past but they were children and now they were adults, they got along more and gone were the childish antics and pranks. Both of them were much more mature and they enjoyed each other's company, that spoke more about a healthy marriage more than usual couples who could barely stand to be in the same room for long.

Straightening her spine she decided to interrupt the bickering brother and sister, addressing Beth she said, "It's true that your brother and I have hated each other for a majority of both our lives and that may be a giant chink in the armor but it also teaches us what not to do in our marriage. We get along better now, we talk and honestly enjoy each other's company. We have more in common than most of the newly Weds in London. We will be fine."

Beth looked at Sarah incredulously, "Are you mad! It's only been a week since you two reconnected! Do you really think that is enough courting time because if you do I might just go and jump off a cliff right about now."

Sarah rolled her eyes at how dramatic her best friend was acting, usually she was the dramatic one but Beth had clearly learnt a lot from her.

Jonah responded, "My dear sister, courting is not only for the couples but also for their families to know each other better. Now, our families have known each other for far too long so nothing new there and Sarah and I have known each other since birth how much longer do we need to court?"

"A marriage based on lies and deception never truly prospers and you two plan to bring children into this mess?" Beth was clearly running out of valid points if she was now using children to prove her point.

"Sarah and I have already discussed this issue and we both know that we want children. There's no doubt that we will love our children endlessly regardless of our situation."

Sarah nodded in agreement with Jonah, feeling a warmth settle in her heart at his words. "You're also wrong Beth, this marriage isn't build on lies, we're both completely honest with each other and we know of each other's intentions."

Beth looked at both of them with a deadpan stare, pointing to Sarah she said, "he's marrying you to get his inheritance and to get out from under our father's thumb whilst you're marrying him to secure your family's title and to pull one over your grandmother's head, so remind me again how is this healthy?"

Sarah smiled at Beth then gave her a hug. Letting her go she confidently stated,"you are right Beth, as always."

Beth and Jonah's eyes widened at her statement and a cold dread filled Jonah's heart, he didn't want her to back out and judging from how laboured his breathing was becoming he could tell that it wasn't just because of his inheritance. He didn't want to lose her, just the thought of her marrying someone else made his stomach churn and his anger flare up. Jonah wanted to marry Sarah and he prayed to God that she still felt the same even after his sister had rudely given her unsolicited opinion. Luckily Sarah spared him further anguish as she went on to talk to Beth some more, "You are right about us getting married for the wrong reasons. Jonah and I don't love each other but that doesn't mean we don't care about each other. I know that Jonah will be a good husband and a caring father because I know Jonah. Even after all those years apart, I still know who he is and what he's capable of, granted there are still moments I want to kill him but these moments are less than before and fleeting."

Jonah smiled at that comment then stood next to Sarah wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her close to him before adding his two cents to the conversation, "Sarah and I care about each other, yes we are different and we have a lot to adjust to but we are willing to work it out and if it doesn't work out then we'll deal with it then but for now this is our decision and we hope you can support us."

Beth still looked unconvinced and for a minute Jonah felt hurt that his sister wasn't going to support their union, well that was until Sarah slyly hinted at Beth, "You forget sweet Beth that once your brother and I marry. I'll officially become your sister..."

Jonah watched as the indecision on his sister's face slowly changed to contemplation. The final nail in that coffin was hammered when Sarah added, "You'll also stop worrying that I might get married to a Scotsman and move to Scotland."

Beth released a sigh conceding defeat then with a stern look she addressed her brother, "hurt her in any way and I will not hesitate to help her hide your body."

Jonah's brow's furrowed and he asked, "I'm your brother, aren't you supposed to side with me?"

Beth calmly stated, "I like her better."

Jonah was astounded as he asked, "why?"

Beth shot him a deadpan look before saying with the sweetest tone on Earth, "because she doesn't call me stupid."

Sarah closed her eyes in exasperation as the bickering ensued.

~

After an hour of the festivities, the trio had returned to their table and after mingling for a minutes the meals were served and later when they stood at the corner of the banquet hall alone, Jonah informed Sarah, "I visited the jeweler today, your ring will be ready next week, hopefully before the wedding."

Sarah who had been wringing her hands in nervousness froze and turned to Jonah, brows furrowed in confusion and she asked, "Aren't you supposed to give me a family ring."

Jonah shook his head, "well yes of course the wedding band has to have the family crest but the engagement ring is all you. I would have given you my mother's ring, she'd promised to give it to me for my future engagement but I decided to give you something for yourself. All the rings in my family were made for a different person each. They each were symbolic to the first person who wore them. I want to give you something that means something to you."

Sarah was left speechless, that was the most thoughtful thing she'd ever heard. Jonah was surprising her more day by day. At some point she couldn't believe that the boy she had detested in her childhood had grown up to be such a thoughtful and insightful man.

As they mingled and laughed with their friends and families, she could feel the nervousness and anticipation ebb away. Subconsciously she had positioned herself next to Jonah the whole time and even though it had earned her questioning looks from both sets of their parents, neither of them noticed, they simply enjoyed each other's company.

Finally the moment arrived judging by how sweaty Sarah's palms were, both their families were seated together with few friends talking and laughing, most of the crowd had diminished and all that was left were the high society families that were in attendance. Jonah

knew that Sarah's nervousness would double if he alerted her of his plan to announce so the only warning that she got was a gentle squeeze of her hand before he stood up. On his feet he gave a comforting glance to Sarah before turning to face his family and friends, this was going to be a tough announcement.

The moment Jonah stood up, Sarah felt her stomach drop and a lump form in her throat. She nervously watched as he lifted his glass and clinked it slightly with a fork.

"I'd like to make an announcement." Jonah's voice rang in the sparcely filled hall and even people in other groups have him their attention. Jonah let out a deep breath before speaking, "as you all know, I recently arrived back in London from my travels. I've been away from home for quite a long time and on arrival my parents made a less than subtle suggestion that it was time for me to settle down and have a family. Lay down my roots." A wave of good hearted laughter floated across the room at his statement and the nervousness he had felt whilst beginning his speech faded away.

Sarah on the other hand was looking around at people's reaction to Jonah's words when she met her mother's gaze. Shock had filled her mother's features and she was extremely pale. Sarah panicked at the thought that her mother would faint but just as she was about to ask her mother if she was alright, Jonah hammered in the last nail in the coffin by giving her his hand so she could stand next to him.

"I hadn't expected to be smitten this soon but all good things come about in a flurry of moments. I'm proud to announce that I have finally found a woman who I'd like to share my heart with and my home." Utter silence responded to his words and Jonah could swear he'd counted a few dozen last teeth judging by how wide the mouths in the audience were.

Everyone was looking at the two in shock but Jonah didn't let the shock deter him and he continued, "I know everyone is shocked and you probably think that this is some kind of joke but I assure you that it's very much true. I asked Miss Sutton for her hand and she graciously accepted. I have to say that I'm quite the lucky man and as we take part in this wonderful journey to come, we hope for your support and encouragement. Thank you."

Loud applause rang through the hall as people gathered around them and gave them happy wishes. Sarah found herself tightening her hold on his hand as the thought of meeting her mother's gaze scared the living hell out of her. They both welcomed congratulations even as they ignored glares from their parents and utter confusion from their siblings.

Sarah could feel her father stare daggers at her and she whispered, "our parents are going to kill us. We won't make it to the isle."

Jonah grasped her hand in a reassuring squeeze before saying, "They might be terribly angry at this moment but they will get over it. Here they come, get ready for the performance of a lifetime my little actress."

*

I hope you enjoyed this chapter 😊