“You're certain you do not wish to make intentions known towards Cecelia?” Walter asked, and George struggled not to gape at his friend.
“If you have come to try and change my mind, then I am sorry to say that you have had a wasted trip,” George said firmly, unable to allow himself even a moment to think.
Walter leaned forward in his seat, his expression somewhat uncomfortable. “I have come to make a proposal.”
A shiver ran down George's spine.
“If you have spoken to Cece, I do not wish to—”
Walter raised his hand to cut him off.
“I am not here on behalf of Cece but rather Elizabeth.”
George blinked, surprised.
“Elizabeth?”
What does she have to do with any of this?he wondered.
Walter nodded.
“The two of you have always shared a fondness for each other,” Walter said, meeting George's gaze. “She needs a husband, and you need a wife. The pair of you could be quite content together.”
The laughter that burst from George's lips was entirely uncontrollable. Yet, when he saw his friend's seriousness, he bit it back uncomfortably.
“Surely you jest?”
Walter continued to meet George's gaze.
“Is it such an amusing idea to you?”
“Yes! The very notion is absurd!”
George regretted the pain that swept across his friend's face.
They had always been open with each other, always told each other the truth.
“Where is this coming from, Walter?”
His friend glanced down before meeting his gaze again. “I wish to see you happy. I wish to see my sister happy. I see no reason why the two of you couldn't come to some arrangement that might suit you both.”
George's blood ran cold.
He shook his head.
“Walter, I could never give Elizabeth what she deserves,” he insisted, his hands tightening to fists upon his lap. “She deserves a man who will care for her. A man who will love her. Not an arrangement that merely suits everybody's needs where thetonis concerned.”
“I cannot believe that you do not care for her,” Walter said, raising a brow. “You have spent a great deal of time together of late. I have seen you laughing together. Our own parents have hinted at the idea many a time.”
“Our parents merely wish us to keep our obligations.”
“Is that such a terrible idea, considering you will not keep such obligations out of love?”
George recoiled from his friend's words.
Unsure what to say, he gritted his teeth.
“If you cannot marry Lady Cecelia, whom you clearly hold affection for, then how do you ever hope to continue your lineage if not for an arrangement?”
