Leonard
Leonard’s gaze lingered on Sally, his normally composed demeanor tinged with conflict. He understood that she struggled to grasp the sudden change in his stance. The truth was, he didn’t fully comprehend it himself.
In the hasty moments after her family burst into the library, summoned by the notorious gabster who’d caught them, his world had shifted out of focus. Until then, his mission had been clear. After his father’s death he’d not only inherited his dukedom, but also his sins. These sins, and his efforts to make up for them, was all he’d cared about – and yet, here he was, his attention diverted.
He hadn’t been ready, he hadn’t been willing to hear Kenneth’s reasoning, he hadn’t wanted to consider that all he’d planned for his life was suddenly snatched away due to society’s rules. Thus, the moment marriage to Lady Sally was mentioned, he’d shut down. His ears had rung, and his vision narrowed so he could hear nothing but his own thoughts and see nothing but the way out.
His immediate response had been to retreat, to distance himself from a situation that felt uncomfortably close to encroaching upon his carefully guarded emotions. Faced with a proposal he had never considered, he had done what he always did when confronted with something he wished to avoid—he fled.
As he retreated from the room, Leonard knew he had reacted harshly, and a pang of regret gnawed at him at once. Yet, in that moment, he hadn’t been able to retract his abrupt dismissal. He hadn’t wanted to take it back when he saw Sally stepping onto the balcony either. Marriage was not something he’d considered. Not for a long while.
“You wish to marry me after all?” she said, her voice drawing him from his trepidations.
“I do not wish to marry you anymore than you wish to marry me,” he said with caution because it was true. He didn’t want this. Marriage was the furthest thing from his mind. It hadn’t always been like this, of course. Once he’d dreamed of finding love, being with a woman forever, having a family – but the harsh reality he’d uncovered after his father’s sudden death had robbed him of such notions.
Despite his apprehension, Leonard understood the gravity of the situation, recognizing that his actions had consequences that extended beyond his own reservations. Leonard took a deep breath, attempting to quell the inner conflict, and turned his attention back to Sally.
“I propose a marriage but in name only. It will not be real, an illusion,” he said bluntly which drove a blush to her face again. He didn’t want to mortify her, but things had to be out in the open from the start if his plan was to work.
Sally’s head spun, trying to comprehend the implications of his words. “In name only? What are you suggesting?”
Leonard explained. “It is clear that you will be ruined and I might also, at the very least, my reputation will be tarnished. To avoid this, we must do what is expected. But on our own terms.” He leaned in and dropped his voice so only she could hear him speak. They were alone, but the ton had eyes and ears everywhere and he was certain they were already being stared at and talked about at this moment.
“This marriage will not be one of love, but a strategic move to fix our reputation. We will put on a show, make it appear as though we are a devoted couple. We’ll have a public honeymoon, we will dance, attend plays, and be seen by all as a happy couple. We will play our parts, and then you will have your own life.”
Confusion etched Sally’s face as she absorbed his proposal. “A show? A fake marriage?”
He had to look away from her because it was clear this option would destroy whatever hopes she’d held for a happy future based on love. Unfortunately, it was the best he could offer her. Love, he’d decided, was not in the cards for him, not anymore. Not after he’d discovered after his father’s death that everything he’d believed about his parents’ marriage was a lie. He’d thought his mother and father contented if not moon eyed over one another. He’d believed they were a good match and he’d hoped for something like it if not more.
But it had all been lies, illusions. One could not rely on dreams of love. All one could count on was facts, which was the reality. And Sally would have to come to terms with this as well.
“It is what you wanted, a marriage to save your reputation,” he replied with a shrug, knowing he might appear cold.
“I wanted none …”
“None of this, I know,” he replied. “Neither did I but here we are.” Leonard continued, “The best we can do is this: we will live together but be our own people. You may do as you wish, I will do the same. After the honeymoon period I will resume my travels and my business affairs, and you can do what you like. See Joanna, Rosy, your friends. You can stay in our London home if you like. You can stay at any of our properties. On occasion we will show ourselves together to maintain the illusion of a happy marriage for the world. It will ensure you are not ruined in the eyes of society.”
Sally, taken aback, insisted, “I don’t need your pity.”
He heard the wounded pride in her voice which hurt him all the more. Sally had always been the quietest one among her sisters, he knew this from Kenneth. The one with the steady head on her shoulders, the reserved one. Her tone betrayed another layer beneath all of that. Sally Blackmore was determined, strong – qualities he might have valued in a woman were he still looking for a wife.
Leonard’s gaze remained steady, his tone calm. “It’s not about pity, Lady Sally. It’s about fulfilling my duty to salvage our standings. Our marriage will be purely practical and nothing more. You’ll maintain your independence, and I am committed to ensuring this arrangement is to both our advantages.”
Sally’s brows arched “Independence? It is ironic because that is what my sister Joanna always wanted, and now she is the most contented I’ve ever seen her, secure in a happy union.”
Leonard’s expression softened with a hint of understanding. “What I propose may seem unconventional, but it’s the best solution given the circumstances. I assure you, this is not about compassion, but about finding a way to navigate this unfortunate situation with dignity and practicality.”
He saw her rub her lips together, considering his proposal. He knew what this mean. She’d never have children, she’d never be a loved wife but it was the best he could offer.
“I suppose there is nothing to it, we will have to do this your way, Your Grace,” she said, resigned to her fate as her visage turned and she looked out over the garden toward the lake beyond. In the distance, dogs barked, and Leonard remembered that the family was fond of pets. Joanna had one, didn’t she? Rudy? Odd the things one’s mind chose to remember when put into an awkward situation.
“Good, well I will speak to your father when he returns. In the meantime, I’ll talk to your mother and Kenneth.” At the word ‘mother’ she looked around, her nostrils aflare and her eyes narrowed with obvious disdain.
“My mother will be happy about this.” There was no mistaking the bitterness that dripped from each word. He recalled the sharp exchange between the two women earlier.
Leonard, curious, asked, “Do you truly believe she arranged all of this?”
Sally nodded, a hint of bitterness in her expression. “Yes, I do. She’s been eager for me to find a husband, especially considering my age.”
