An Arranged Union (4)

Edward sighed heavily as he got out of the carriage and walked through the gardens of the Knights' Estate.His brother was waiting for him,with a mischievous grin on his face.

"So,dear brother,how did the second meeting with the lovely young lady go?I hope you found her to your liking?" Said Nigel,with his arms linked to that of another lady.

"Hm" he sighed.

"My opinion does not matter anymore when mother is hellbent on getting us wed.I wouldn't dare disgrace the girl by voicing out my feelings.I've got nothing to say."

He walked past his brother and made his way for the door.The thought of getting married to the lady was killing him deep inside.

He wished he had chosen a bride from the other seasons and his mother would have left him to do what he wanted.

"Lord Edward," an opulent-looking man rose from one of the plush armchairs and bowed his head to him smiling entirely in his presence.

Had his mother already announced the wedding?

He eyed his mother who looked at him with disapproval."Do you not have anything to say Edward?"

"I think he doesn't remember me.Allow me to introduce myself properly," the man butted in preventing the duo from engaging in any quarrel."I am Sir Dynevor."

He came forward stretching a hand towards him for a handshake.

Edward looked at his hands warily,making no move to shake it.

What if the disgust runs in the family?

"I would not like us to be touching when I have not yet accepted your daughter as my wife."He replied coldly,looking at the man as if he would behead him.

"And what do you mean by that Edward?I have already selected the priest,venue, necklaces and others I find suitable for the young bride.You shall wed her even in your death."Lady Beatrice said.

"Do not take his words to heart Sir Dynevor.Your daughter has already been accepted by me.It's just a matter of two days and she shall be sent to him." Lady Beatrice walked over to her room,leaving the two to have a conversation.

"I heard you just returned from my estate,how was my daughter?" The man eagerly asked.

"Too good to be true." He replied.

Sir Dynevor turned his head sideways to check if Lady Beatrice would be coming in sooner or later.Edward's face was making his heart race.Though his face was unreadable,he could see he was getting irritated by his presence.

What did his daughter do?

His daughter was the best that happened to him and he wouldn't care to defend his daughter in anyway possible even if Lord Edward accused her of something.To him,his daughter was perfect.

Lady Beatrice swept into the room.She handed over a brown envelope and several boxes full of jeweleries to Sir.Dynevor.

"I hope you were able to speak to my son." She asked and he smiled at her.

"Of course! The king cannot be compared to your son.He is indeed,nothing but a kind gentleman."

Saying this,he hurriedly made his way to his carriage with Lady Beatrice following behind.

Lady Beatrice didn't understand her son.He had decided to give the lady a chance this morning when he left the house,but now,he looked like a moody teenager.

When Sir.Dynevor arrived home,he saw his wife seated on the dinning table looking out the window.

"Is there anything that troubles my wife?" He cautiously walked to Lady Georgina,reaching out to caress her cheeks.

"You just returned from the Knights'?" She looked at the boxes in his hands and the heavy brown envelope he had tugged into his left pocket.

"I did come from the Knights'.But the duke didn't seem pleased.He was rude to me." Sir Dynevor stated.

"It is your daughter's fault.She used the young man's condition against him which made him utterly disgusted to even stay here for a while.You have spoilt her rotten."

"I have?" He inquired.

If he remembered clearly, Esmeralda's mischievousness was allowed in by the approval of her mother.

She just had to cry and whatever she wanted would fall in her arms.He had called his wife out several times,but she remained obstinate; claiming that was their youngest daughter and she had to be given what she wanted.

When she became sixteen,he took it upon himself to spoil her just like his wife and now ...she was complaining.

"Where is she then? I'd like to speak to her--"

"She's out with Eloise trying on the wedding gowns.Lady Beatrice has invested a lot into the good-for-nothing girl and we shouldn't make it go waste.If she flees,the Knights will have our heads for breakfast." said Lady Georgina, with her eyes still on the window.

"So what have you done about it?"

"I called Rowan and Sherlock to go with her.They wouldn't mind accompanying their youngest sister." She stood up from the table and adjusted the tight gown she was used to wearing to impress her husband.

"Catherine,take the boxes to the room." She called out to their head maid,reaching for the boxes.

"No! It's a gift to us from the lady herself..I shall take that myself." Sir Dynevor clung together the boxes to keep them in a safe place.

The boxes were his dearest life and he wouldn't want a maid to steal it after his lovely daughter had won them such precious jeweleries which he could sell to get himself five times of what he had fed to the simp to shut up.