“What would be the point of it then?” he wondered, obviously confused.
She sighed, trying to find the right words that would make him see things from her perspective and more importantly, understand why this was so important to her. “The only reason I agreed to this engagement was because of my father’s stubbornness to see me married before allowing Joyce to do the same.”
“Your sister wishes to marry?” he inquired, although it was obvious that he needed more clarification to understand everything.
“Yes, a young man her heart has chosen,” Phyllis explained without delving in too much detail. “But Father is adamant. So, you see, if my father believed that I would be married, perhaps he would allow Joyce to marry as well, even before me. Then, once Joyce is married, you may break off our engagement at the last minute, for whatever reason you deem fit. I shall not interfere with any of that.”
She could see from the look on his face that he was shocked by her proposition. His eyes deepened as he stared at her incredulously. Then, he frowned. That wasn’t a good sign.
“You get what you want,” he clarified, speaking slowly. “But… what is in it for me?”
“The rumors are true, are they not?” she asked immediately, not wanting to say the same words again, because she knew how shameful it must have been for a man to admit that his family was in financial strife. She allowed him only to nod, accepting it as enough of a reply. “That means that the only reason you have agreed to this engagement was because of my dowry. Instead, I can offer you something else. During our false engagement, I would be able to convince my father to become your business partner. As you know, my father is a wealthy man and he can invest a lot of money.”
Despite her belief that this was a titillating offer, he did not seem convinced. She could tell that much. So, she quickly continued, because she knew that she had to convince him right here, right now. There would be no second chances for any of them.
“If this isn’t enough, you could still look for a wealthier lady than me to marry during our engagement,” she blurted out. “I will even help you with this.” His eyes widened in shock before she finally concluded. “I just need thirty days as your betrothed. And in return, I am willing to help you in any way I can.”
He didn’t say anything at first. He turned away from her, so now, she was looking at his profile. His strong, chiseled jaw line gritted as he was lost in deep thought, weighing his options, of which she knew he didn’t have many.
“You suggest a pretense,” he mused upon locking eyes with her, “a strategic alliance to manipulate our circumstances. I must say, it is an unorthodox proposition, Miss St. Clair.”
Phyllis nodded, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. “If it ensures my sister’s happiness and secures a more favorable future for us all, is it not worth the risk? Our society may dictate the terms of our engagements, but it does not dictate the authenticity of our feelings. They cannot force us into anything unless we allow them to.”
She knew that both her sister’s as well as her own happiness, or any semblance of it, depended on this man and his decision regarding this marriage. That was why the air between them seemed suspended in a fragile tension that could have been broken at any moment. Phyllis knew that she had to tread very carefully, if she was to obtain what she wanted.
* * *
The surprise etched across Alexander’s face was palpable as he absorbed the gravity of Phyllis’ suggestion. Her selflessness, the willingness to traverse the precarious path of feigned courtship for the sake of her sister’s happiness, left him in awe.
Now, she was so much more than just a young woman who wanted to appease her father. More layers had been added to the mystery that was Phyllis St. Clair, a woman whose heart beat not just for her own desires, but resonated with the echoes of familial bonds. The unspoken understanding between them deepened, and a newfound respect blossomed in the face of this unconventional journey they were about to undertake.
In a way, she was just like him. They were mirror images of each other, willing to sacrifice for their loved ones. As they stood in the garden, the tension between them transformed into a shared commitment. They were both doing this for the sake of their family. She no longer felt like a stranger, but somehow who shared the same fate, and this strangely, made him feel close to her. It was an odd closeness, one he did not anticipate, and yet, it was there, nestling within the confines of his heart. For a moment, he thought that being married to her would not be all that bad at all.
“Very well, Miss St. Clair,” he finally announced his decision, although he wasn’t certain with how much of it he agreed. For the time being, they agreed to feign being engaged. He couldn’t tell what the following month would bring, but he was strangely curious to find out.
“So, I can count on your help?” she asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.
“Yes,” he nodded, unable to resist smiling.
Joyce’s arrival proved to be a timely interruption, her bright smile cutting through what was once tension, but now was becoming something else. She approached them with a cheerful demeanor, blissfully unaware of the weighty discussion that had just transpired.
“I do hope I’m not interrupting,” she spoke, her eyes flickering. “But Her Grace has informed me before we ventured into the garden that tea would be served shortly. Perhaps we ought to go back and see if it is ready?”
The momentary respite offered by Joyce’s arrival allowed Phyllis and Alexander to exchange a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the delicate alliance they had just formed. With a nod, Phyllis agreed, and the three of them made their way back to the drawing room, leaving the secluded garden behind.
About half an hour later, amidst the genteel chatter of teatime in the drawing room, Alexander found himself engaged in a surprisingly genuine conversation with Phyllis. Seated across from each other, surrounded by the subtle hum of social pleasantries, he posed questions that went beyond the veneer of formality.
“Miss St. Clair,” he began, a genuine curiosity in his eyes, “a woman of your intellect must love literature. Am I correct in assuming so?”
Phyllis, obviously momentarily taken aback by the sincerity of his inquiry, responded with a genuine smile. “You are, Your Grace. I have a deep appreciation for literature, particularly novels that delve into the intricacies of human emotions. I particularly enjoy reading a good book in the solitude of my garden.”
This comment did not escape his attention. It actually made them both smile as they gazed at each other. The room, previously filled with the polite murmur of social engagements, now resonated with the authentic exchange between the Duke and his feigned suitor. He wanted to know more about this woman who, like him, was selfless enough to want to risk so much in order to see her sister happy.
“Then, I shall make sure to bring you a good book from the library next time I see you alone in the garden,” he grinned.
“Maybe not.” Her response surprised him. But it was just a trick. Because the next moment, she was smiling again. “You wouldn’t know which book to bring me. Perhaps we could go to the library together and I could point out some books I like. You could also do the same. Who knows… perhaps we might even share reading interests.”
“I would like to find out,” he nodded in this unscripted moment, as teacups clinked, and smiles rippled through the room.
