It was almost with relief that Caroline noted the evening drawing to a close, and she made her way back to her bedchamber rather swiftly after saying goodbye to the Fairchilds.
She had hardly gotten into her bed, when the door opened to reveal Beatrice, her face alight with excitement.
“Caroline, are you asleep?”
Caroline moved to sit up and shook her head. “Not yet. What is it?”
Beatrice moved swiftly, taking a place on her sister’s bed as well, their shoulders rubbing together.
“What do you think of Sebastian?”
Caroline laughed softly. “Sebastian? I think he is charming and rather intelligent. You?”
Beatrice sighed and shrugged. “He is very handsome, isn’t he?” she admitted now, her eyes twinkling. “I think we will make a very good match, he and I. Don’t you? I wish we had spent more time talking to the earl and his wife, though. But I will ask mother and father all about their conversation in the morning. I do hope we will be able to make an announcement by the end of the week. I think the sooner, the better. I really do look forward to being Lady… I mean… Viscountess Casterbridge…”
As her sister’s excited chattering continued, Caroline could only smile. She could not help but wonder if she would ever be as excited about her own marriage as Beatrice was now.
“Do you think you could love him?” she asked eagerly, and Beatrice sighed dreamily.
“Love?” she said the word as though she’d never truly thought of it before, then shrugged. “I don’t know. But I do think we can be quite happy together. I really do. He will be stable and safe… and that’s all I really want!”
Caroline flashed her sister a smile. She sounded quite content.
Stability and safety, though, were never what Caroline wanted. She wanted much more.
Chapter 3
Sebastian was rather quiet in the carriage back to the Fairchild estate. He shifted uncomfortably, the silence between him and his parents growing rather tense, broken only by the steady clop of the horses’ hooves against the cobblestone streets. A frown furrowed his brow as he looked at his parents, his mind swirling with thoughts of his impending marriage.
“Well, I think that went rather splendidly,” Margaret Fairchild chirped suddenly, her voice filled with contentment. “Lady Beatrice is a lovely young lady and I do think she will make a wonderful wife for you, Sebastian. Her parents seem quite lovely too.”
Sebastian could not help but scoff at his mother’s words. “A wonderful wife, mother? Forgive me, but where was I when you spent enough time with the woman to arrive at that conclusion?”
Lady Burlington pressed a shocked hand to her heart at this and Fitzgerald Fairchild fixed him with a stern look. “Sebastian,” his voice boomed through the carriage, “You know very well how things are done in our society. It is high time that you settled down and took on the responsibilities that come with your life and the title you stand to inherit.”
Sebastian scowled at this and shook his head. “Ah, yes. The grand tradition of marrying for duty, no questions asked. Howdare I not be excited about the prospect?” Sebastian remarked dryly. “Forgive me for not throwing a party about the idea, father.”
The earl's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a warning tone. “Watch your tongue, Sebastian. You should be grateful for this opportunity. Lady Beatrice comes from a respectable family, and this union will bring great benefits to both our estates.”
Sebastian leaned back in his seat, a wry smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Of course, Father. I'm positively thrilled at the prospect of spending the rest of my life with a woman I barely know, all for the sake of land and wealth.”
His mother reached over, placing a gentle hand on his knee. “Sebastian, darling, we only want what's best for you. In time, you may grow to love Lady Beatrice, just as your father and I did.”
“Love?” Sebastian let out a humorless laugh. “Do not misunderstand me, mother. I have no romantic inclinations or notions and there is not a part of me that dreams of a marriage based on love. I am quite satisfied with a marriage of convenience.”
The earl nodded approvingly. “That is what I want to hear, my boy. Love is for the romantics and the naive. A successful marriage is built on mutual respect, shared goals and theunderstanding of one’s duties. Of course, it would help to have a few things in common…”
Though Sebastian nodded, a thin frown furrowed his brows. He glanced at his mother, who kept her gaze on his father intently. Their marriage had been arranged—just as his with Beatrice was—and yet, they had grown to be great friends and partners over the years. He could not help but wonder if he would be able to find that same level of companionship with his future wife. Even leaving love out of the equation.
As the carriage pulled up to the Fairchild estate, Sebastian braced himself for the conversations that lay ahead. He knew his father would have more to say about the impending marriage, and he could not deny for a second that he was growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of power and autonomy he had over his own life.
He was quiet as he followed his parents into the manor, and Fitzgerald quickly beckoned his son to the study, where he closed the heavy oak door behind them.
“Sebastian,” he started, “I do not want to have this conversation in front of your mother, but I do want to ensure that you fully comprehend the significance of this marriage. You will be representing our family, and I expect you to be on your best behavior.”
Sebastian fought the urge to scoff and simply nodded stiffly. “Of course, father. I would not dream of tarnishing the family name. You know that.”
Fitzgerald’s gaze hardened and he sighed. “I am serious, Sebastian. You have a tendency to make sarcastic quips, and your rebellious attitude has become a grave concern to me. I hope that you will treat Lady Beatrice with the utmost respect and be the dutiful husband she deserves.”
