A Typical Loveless Engagement

A TYPICAL LOVELESS ENGAGEMENT

Dear Elaine,

I recently heard the news of your engagement to Duke Amory. Congratulations, my dear student. Your mother seemed quite hasty about it all, it showed in her letter. I never thought I’d see the day Helen Jordanian would write in such an unreadable script. I know one should not ask such a question, but, do you admire him as much as your mother wrote, or did she twist the truth? I await your reply, Miss Jordanian. Or perhaps I should write Duchess Amory? Too soon? 

Your teacher, who is in dire need of a new quill,

Mr Eugene Ronencranter

Elaine was going to ask the Head Butler if he could bring out the old guillotine. The deadly mechanism probably didn’t work as well as it used to, but, Elaine was pretty sure it would still work, despite it being a little rusty. How could her mother betray her like this? She knew Elaine never wanted to be married off for her mother’s convenience. Elaine massaged her temples, sighing. She hadn’t been informed she was to marry Amory, yet Mr Ronencranter had known beforehand. How sad. Everyone knew or knew of Harrison Amory. He was the son of Kristian Amory, whose family had gone back generations, a wealthy family immersed in politics of the city. The Amory Estate had the most enormous land plot in all of the town, and Elaine had only met her soon-to-be husband twice. Both times had been at the Amory Estate, the first when Kristian had held a ball inviting everyone. The second, was when Kristian handed over his crucial role in the council to his son. That was the only time Elaine had spoken to Harrison, she congratulated him with her mother, and that was that. So why was she engaged to him, and why had the arrangement been so hasty?

~

“Elaine,”

“Mother,”

“I have some important news for you,”

“Hmm, let me guess. Is it that you have married me off to Duke Amory, without asking for my consent and opinion on the matter, which, I might add, heavily involves me?”

“Do you not see the great honour that goes with becoming a Duchess?”

“Mother, I’ve never spoken to him properly! How do you expect me to marry him?!”

“You don’t get a say, Elaine. This is not something for you to meddle with,”

“This is something I cannot meddle with?! This concerns me in every way!” She laughed without humour. “Oh, forgive me. I forgot it’s not my place to raise my voice and be involved in matters that regard me in all aspects!” Helen’s fist slammed down onto the table, and Elaine flinched.

“I am your only family left, Elaine! I had to take your father’s place, even though the council won’t listen to a woman. I am doing what’s best for us,” Elaine stared at her mother coldly.

“You liar! You betrayed me, Mother. You didn’t keep your promise!”

“Silence, Elaine! You are dismissed. Pack your bags immediately, Thomas will be driving you to the Amory Estate at tea time. There will be no further discussion on the matter.”

~

“Mother, will you promise me you and Father won’t send me away?”

“Whatever do you mean, Laney? Don’t be absurd, we would never!”

“But Mother, one day, you and Father will choose an old man, and you will force me to marry him, even if I do not love him!” Her mother had chuckled, stroking Elaine’s hair.

“Oh, my dear Elaine, you’ve been reading too many fairytales. Your father and I would never do such a thing. That would ruin our reputation, we would never choose just ‘any man’. Yes, you will marry someday, but it will be a fine young man who will make you happy,”

“Do you promise?”

“Of course, my darling. Now, shall we head to the dining hall? Your father is waiting for us,”

“Alright,”

“Oh, and Elaine?”

“Yes, Mother?”

“You mustn’t worry about marriage at this age, you are only eleven. Continue to be the good and charming girl I’ve raised, you needn’t worry.”

“Yes, Mother.”

~

All her life, Elaine has been taught to sit quietly, smile and be polite. The first one had always proven to be immensely difficult. Being quiet was one thing, but Elaine couldn’t stand sitting in a seat for hours, in her dress, corset, tight shoes that pinched her feet, and without a single hair out of place. Everything she had been taught had not prepared her for this. Being a Baroness wasn’t enough for Helen. Elaine angrily paced her room, before deciding to pack her bags. Caroline, her maid, helped her pack her clothes, while she packed her books. After twenty minutes, everything was ready. There was a knock on the door.

“Miss Jordanian, it is time to depart.” Thomas, the coachman, informed her.

“Coming, Thomas,” was her curt reply, as a butler entered her room, collecting her bags. Elaine took one last look at her childhood bedroom and sighed sadly.

“Goodbye, dear old room.” She murmured, placing her palm on the wooden door. She heard her name being called, and she rushed down the stairs, quickly composing into an elegant posture when her mother came into view.

“See you in three months, Elaine,”

“Oh,” Elaine crossed her arms, “I thought I was never going to see you again,”

“I will not tolerate your insolence a moment longer, Elaine! The wedding is in three months, and you will thank me for it, you ungrateful brat,”

“Father’s death has made you cold, Mother. Best you get that temper fixed, the men of the council won’t be listening to you much longer. Oh, wait, they already don’t listen to you, Baroness.” Elaine taunted, not wishing her mother goodbye as she stormed out of her home, and into the carriage.

~

“Miss Jordanian, we are here,”

“Thank you kindly, Thomas. Make sure my mother doesn’t fire all the staff in my absence,” 

“Yes ma’am. I will get out your bags.” Elaine impatiently hopped out of the carriage in an unladylike manner; not that she cared. Elaine stared at Amory Estate, the architecture was simply stunning, and that was only the exterior.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” An attractive voice greeted her, and Elaine turned to face Harrison Amory.

“Greetings, Duke Amory,” She breathed, she’d forgotten how handsome and tall he was, with his tan skin, broad shoulders, well-kept black hair and the most peculiar turquoise eyes she’d ever seen. Elaine looked away when he kissed her hand, afraid of falling into his beautiful eyes. Clichè, she knew, but it was the truth.

“Was your journey pleasant?”

“Quite, thank you,”

“Come in, Miss Jordanian, your coachman is already bringing in your possessions,” Harrison held out his arm, and Elaine felt obliged to take it.

“I do hope you enjoy Amory Estate. It truly is a wonderful place,”

“Thank you, Duke Amory,” The young duke chuckled.

“There is no need for you to call me by my title. Please, call me Harrison. If we are to be wed, we must learn about each other, no?”

“That is true… Harrison,” 

“May I call you by your first name, Miss Jordanian?”

“Of course, you may,”

“Wonderful, formality can be a little tiresome, don’t you agree?” Elaine giggled,

“I agree,” She replied, thinking of all the times she’d disobeyed formalities and rules. Harrison led her into his mansion, and she couldn’t help but take in an awed intake of breath. Everything was spotless, and the aura of the entire estate was so grand and perfect.

“Welcome to Amory Estate,” Harrison announced, “Your new home, Elaine,” Elaine cursed herself, hating how her heart fluttered when he said her name.

“Thank you,” She managed to get out, still in awe with everything.

“Would you like to see your room? It would be too soon to share a room, so we shan’t until we are newly wedded,” Elaine blushed,

“Of course.” She kicked herself, God, she wasn’t used to any of… whatever this was. This wasn't like her, but yet, she still enjoyed this exciting feeling, and she wanted more. 

Harrison led Elaine up two flights of stairs, and she couldn't help but slide her hand on the textured wooden handrails. 

“I use to slide down these as a boy,” 

“You don't do it anymore?” Elaine asked innocently, and Harrison grinned. 

“Well, that would be very improper,”

“But entertaining,” Elaine countered, and she watched him consider. 

“It is my house, and if it’s for my soon to be wife, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Would you hold this for me?” Harrison handed her his jacket, rolling up his sleeves, revealing his forearms. Elaine sucked in a breath, trying not to stare. 

“Give me a countdown, Elaine,” Harrison smiled, his eyes sparkling, and she decided his forearms weren't her favourite thing about him. 

“Alright. Ready? Three, two, one!” Elaine watched Harrison slide down the bannister with impeccable balance. Okay, she was impressed. 

“That was brilliant!” She cheered when Harrison walked back up the stairs. He bowed,

“Thank you, thank you. Now, shall we go to that room of yours?” 

“Of course, lead the way.” Elaine trailed behind Harrison, trying to avoid looking at his back. He led her down the corridor, and she gasped in amazement when she entered the bedroom. There was a four-poster bed with blue silk sheets, a large bookshelf, a custom-built desk, a furnished couch and the largest wardrobe Elaine had ever seen. 

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Oh, certainly. It's gorgeous!” Harrison smiled proudly, 

“It is,” He ran a hair through his groomed hair, leaving it a little ruffled. “Well, I'll leave you to unpack, unless you wish for me to send up a servant to assist you?”

“Oh, there's no need! Thank you very much, Harrison,”

“The pleasure’s all mine, my lady,” He paused, “Perhaps we can continue to get to know each other. Would you like a tour around the Estate later?”

“That would be greatly appreciated,” He kissed her hand,

“Till then, Elaine.”

In the end, it took Elaine forty-five minutes to unpack all her belongings. Partly because she was determined to keep everything organised, but also because she kept thinking about Harrison. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Elaine, can I come in?”

“Certainly,” Harrison opened the door, and Elaine stared with wide eyes. His hair was sticking up in all directions, the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and his sleeves were rolled up once more. 

“Pardon my appearance, I got into a spot of trouble with the groundskeeper,”

“The groundskeeper?”

“Yes, he used to be my fencing mentor. He wouldn't allow me to pass until I duelled him,”

“He sounds pleasant,”

“He really is,” Harrison spoke fondly of his teacher, and it reminded Elaine of Mr Ronencranter. 

“I had a wonderful teacher too, he was my tutor for everything,”

“What was his name?”

“Eugene Ronencranter,”

“What subjects?” As they immersed in conversation, Harrison led her around the large estate. Elaine learned they both loved the outdoors and were fond of poetry. ‘It’s funny how you could have similarities with a Duke.’ Elaine thought to herself. It was true that she really liked Harrison, but there was still a nagging feeling at the back of her mind; the thought of her mother. 

~

The next three months went surprisingly quickly. Elaine got to know Harrison Amory, not just the young Duke with a large estate, whom all the females gossiped about. She was given lessons about being a Duchess and planned her wedding with her advisor. Every night, she would have dinner with Harrison, and they talked about their day or the latest piece of poetry they had read. 

“My dear Elaine,” Harrison said, one fine morning. “I have received word that your mother requests to have an audience with us,”

“Oh. Have you notified your father?” Kristian lived in his own quarters in one of the upstairs wings in the Estate. Over the few months, Elaine had seen him wandering around. She had spoken to him of course, and he was pleasant company, but she enjoyed Harrison’s more. 

“I have. He won't see her until the wedding,”

“I see. When is she coming?” Harrison winced,

“This afternoon,”

“What?!”

“I know it’s sudden but listen, Laney-”

“I can’t see her, Harry! The last time we saw each other we had a massive falling out, and she treated me horribly,”

“She’s your mother, Elaine. There’s nothing I can do, I’m afraid,”

“Couldn’t we just close the gate before she arrives?”

“That would be cowardly, my dear. We must see her for diplomatic reasons then. Think of what other people would think if they heard the soon to be Duchess turned down seeing her mother,”

“Come on, Harrison, you know me better than that, I don’t care about what others think of me,” Elaine bit her lip, “Do you ever regret agreeing to marry me?”

“I admit, I was sceptical at first, my father kept reminding me to find a wife, and it happened that week was when your mother sent me a letter. To answer your question, though, I do not regret it. Do you know why that is?” Elaine shook her head. “It’s because I have come to realise that I love you, Elaine. You’re much too good for me, you are simply perfect. There is much kindness in your soul, but your striking personality never ceases to amaze me.” Elaine didn’t know what to say to that. She had loved him for a long time, but now, at the moment, she was speechless. It was then that Harrison took another step closer to her, murmuring in her ear if it was okay he continued. She whispered yes back because everything about Harrison was better than okay. His lips pressed on hers and not even poetry could describe the sensation she was feeling. 

She knew it was so unlike her to fall in love, she was supposed to be polite and reserved, but this, love was a raging passion, that could rip out her heart at any moment. It engulfed her, as his hand was in her hair, their bodies intertwined like Fate’s strings, keeping them together. As desperate as it sounded, Elaine wanted him. To sit beside him every day, to kiss him with longing desire and to be loved by him.

“Laney,” He panted when they broke apart. “Lunch… Your mother… Anytime…” Elaine pressed her lips together, she couldn’t care less about her mother now that she had Harrison.

“Let them wait a little longer.” She muttered before he silenced her with his non-verbal answer.

~

“Greetings, Duke Amory, daughter,” Helen Jordanian bowed before them, her composure stiff.

“Hello, Mother,” Elaine replied shortly and Helen frowned.

“It is so lonesome without you, Elaine,”

“Are you still lying to everyone, Mother?”

“Laney, calm down,” Harrison soothed her, as Helen looked on uncomfortably.

“How are the wedding preparations going? It’s a mother’s responsibility to see how their child is preparing for the big day,” Elaine felt Harrison tense beside her. He had lost his mother when he was young, and even after twenty-two years, the inner wound was still there.

“Fine. Mrs Maxwell is assisting me,” Elaine replied and Helen stared.

“Your hair looks much darker than I last saw you. You look a lot like your mothe-” Helen clamped a hand over her mouth, horrified.

“What do you mean by ‘your mother’? Aren’t you-”

“I made a mistake!”

“What?! That’s a lie!” Elaine shook off Harrison’s hand on her leg as she stood up.

“Explain!” As her mother, or whoever she was, winced.

“No…. I-”

“Bridget?” Elaine swivelled around to see Kristian frowning.

“Kristian?”

“What are you doing here?” 

“Alright! I’ll explain!” Helen had never been good at keeping secrets.

“I’m not your birthmother, Elaine,”

“Wh-”

“Let her finish, Elaine,”

“Michael was your legitimate father. He married a towns girl named Elise. Meanwhile, I was… Kristian’s mistress. Kristian’s wife, Karla was sick, as well as barren. I gave up Harrison to her and left the Amory Estate. I helped Michael get over Elise after she died, and then I married him. I raised you like my own. That’s the truth, in short,”

“Did you know about this?” Elaine shrieked at Harrison, who was speechless with shock. Elaine stood up, running out of the room.

“Elaine, love, please,”

“I’m not going back in there. Twenty-one years I’ve been lied to!” Tears rolled down her cheeks,

“It’s alright Elaine. I won’t let her do anything to you,” Harrison’s arms went around her, and she leaned into his embrace. 

“Elaine, I love you. Nothing will change that, okay?”

“I’m sorry I’m such a mess. I love you too, Harrison,”

“You’re anything but a mess, my dear.”

~

Helen Jordanian, or rather, Bridget Tamerson was NOT invited to the wedding. Kristian was supportive enough for both of them. Elaine decided this day would be the best one in her life, and it took everything in her not to cry.

“Elaine, my life would not be complete without you. You are my love, the one I think of romantic poetry, the one I wish to live with forever. I do Elaine Jordanian. I do Laney Amory because, in this time, I have found comfort in you. Your smile, your kindness, your love, your words, your everything, good or bad. I love you till death do us part, but even then, I will find a way to stay with you. Forever.”

Dearest Duchess Elaine Amory,

I hope this letter finds you well, as you are now married. My deepest congratulations to you, the Duke is a lucky man. I saw your last letter about your mother, I am proud of you, for not standing by. I know one should not ask such a question, but do you admire him deeply? Did you see what I did there? There’s no doubt you do, the wedding was beautiful.

Your proud teacher, 

Mr Eugene Ronencranter