“Where are Antonia and Bennett? Very unlike them to be late for breakfast,” remarked Oswald as he sipped his tea whilst his wife buttered another bun for him.
“Bennett went out early today,” the woman named Jane remarked, “but I trust Antonia should be joining us at any moment.”
A moment passed in silence and the woman spoke up again, “You know, Elizabeth and Frank came by yesterday and brought along with them the invitation to their daughter’s wedding,” Jane said, “I congratulated them of course, but I could not help thinking how hasty they were being. The girl is only eighteen!”
“That’s fair enough,” Oswald replied, “though I cannot help but imagine how one day we’re going to be the ones with the envelope in our hands, knocking on doors to invite people to our own daughter’s wedding,” Oswald’s tone had taken an edge of wistfulness and his natural parental instincts had begun to seep through his words.
Jane dismissed him with a hasty wave of the hand, “Do not be so sentimental, Oswald. There is still much time left till we see the day.”
“But is there really? I do not want to lie but lately my mind has been thinking about the subject,” Oswald told her, “after all, our daughter is of age and I remember you telling me how she brought up the topic of marriage with you quite eagerly.”
Jane lifted up her eyebrows and shot her husband a look of disapproval, “She’s only twenty and nearly not wise enough to handle marriage thus far,” she said curtly, “so dispel this ludicrous notion at once as I’m sure we must have other important things to converse about.”
A sigh escaped Oswald’s lips - he knew better than to strike up an argument with Jane and thus he resolved to silence on the subject. Just then, the door of the dining room opened and Antonia Arborn walked in with her usual cloud of bright cheerfulness that was enough to lighten up any dull surroundings.
She greeted her parents and took her place on the table, “Might I say, I’m incredibly ravenous today. The food smells delicious,” she remarked as she helped herself to a serving of eggs.
“I am glad, my dear,” Jane smiled warmly towards the direction of her offspring.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door – a deliberate and continuous series of loud raps of the knuckle on the front of the wooden exterior.
“Who could it be?” Jane wondered in puzzlement, “It is only half past eight in the morning and we aren’t expecting any visitors.”
“You ladies continue with your meal and I will go find out who it is,” Oswald said, hastily wiping the corner of his mouth with the cotton napkin and standing up from his place at the table.
He crossed over to the next room and the continuous knocking had begun yet again. Oswald was beginning to grow a little perturbed with the frequency of the knocks and the impatience of the person who was making them but as soon as he opened the door to reveal their identity, all his questions were answered.
Ian Bedford stood before him in all his usual stride with his shoulders hunched and a half consumed cigar in one hand. Ian was their local magistrate and handled matters of the law in their small community. However, it was no coincidence that he showed up today at the Arborn residence.
“Ian! Might I say it quite the surprise seeing you here this early – you have joined us at the right time though. Please, come inside and join us for some breakfast perhaps? I insist,” Oswald greeted him warmly though in the depth of his heart, he knew exactly why the magistrate had made this unlikely appearance.
The magistrate made no effort to return Oswald’s warmth and instead seemed to shuffle uncomfortably, “No, Oswald. I am afraid I am here strictly for business and I trust you know why,” he replied curtly.
Oswald did not nod but he did not disagree either, “Well, would you at least come inside, dear chap. Or are we meant to stand here by this door all day?” Oswald attempted to lighten up the mood with some humor.
Ian followed him inside the house and after both of them had taken their seat on the green patterned chairs in the sitting area, the magistrate cleared his throat and conjured a set of papers from his bag.
“Now, I am certain you are aware of the fact that you are well past due for payment on the note of your land,” Ian started, much to the dread of Oswald, “is that right?”
Oswald nodded only hesitantly, “Well, yes but you see the circumstances have not been right. Work has been slow and we are trying as hard as we can. Can we not request an extension with the payment?” he asked, a glimmer of hope burning in his expression that perhaps there might be a way.
Ian looked up at Oswald, “Certainly not, I am afraid. In fact, today I come here with a notice for you,” he said, sliding a piece of paper towards Oswald.
Oswald shot him a quizzical look but slowly opened up the paper none-the-less. But before his eyes could scan the entire length of the page, Ian had begun to explain it himself.
“It seems that you have thirty days to pay the note for your land or you will have to vacate the premises,” Ian stated with a strange look of satisfaction strewn across his face.
Oswald nearly did a double-take in his position, “Vacate the premises? What! Isn’t that too extreme, even for you Ian?” he choked out, still reeling from the shock of the announcement.
Ian merely pursed his lips, “I am afraid that is what the notice states. I have plans for this estate and it is either that you pay what is due or vacate, as I previously mentioned,” he said, still obstinate about the conditions.
Oswald was shaking his head but Ian already begun to get up from his place, gathering the rest of the papers and stuffing them back into his bag.
“That is all I had to say to you,” Ian said, “Now, if you excuse me, I must take my leave as I have a long day ahead. Good day, Mr. Oswald.”
Oswald stared at his retreating figure until he heard the steady thud of the door closing. Oswald could hardly digest the news. Business was not well and lately they had been scraping just enough money to put food on the table – how were they meant to conjure up the large sum required to pay off the land note? Or worse, if not, how were they meant to vacate the premises? It was a double-edged sword and there was no prospect that was working in favor for the Arborns.
Jane stepped out of the dining room followed promptly by Antonia. “Who was it, dear?” Jane asked, one of her eyebrows shooting up in concern as she saw her husband’s torn state.
Oswald’s eyes darted between both Jane and his daughter and then he let out a deep sigh, “Antonia, my love, can you give your mother and I a moment alone? There is something I need to discuss with her,” Oswald requested his daughter kindly.
Antonia protested at first but then all her protests were silenced before they could even be vocalized as her mother shot her a look – Antonia left the room at once.
“What is it, Oswald? You are beginning to worry me,” Jane said, putting a hand on her husband’s shoulder onto where he sat.
“Ian Bedford made a visit,” Oswald began.
“Oh, the magistrate bloke? Oh what did he want now?” Jane said with pursed lips, clearly the Arborn family was not too fond of this person.
“He came with a notice, actually,” Oswald announced and then explained to Jane the entire state of affairs.
When he had finished, a look of horror had been splattered across her features. “Oh that is terrible Oswald! What are we meant to do now?” she asked.
“I am not sure,” Oswald said with a sigh of resignation, “this has come as a bit of a shock to me as well and I do not know how we are meant to collect the funds in thirty days.”
“Maybe I can begin sewing and sell some of my clothes,” Jane suggested, her brain already spinning to conjure up ideas to pull them out of this fiscal fiasco.
Oswald merely shook his head once, ‘”That is not enough, Jane. We owe them a large sum of money.”
Worry flashed in Jane’s eyes, “Oh how are we meant to pay the dues then?”
Oswald was quiet for a moment, lost in a
completing daze but then he spoke again, “Well, there is one thing I suppose we can do,” he said slowly.
“Anything! Do tell, Oswald,” Jane prodded him eagerly.
“Do not get upset now, try to see reason with me. I mentioned this in the morning as well,” Oswald began, his eyes trained to his wife’s face for any signs of anger, “but I believe we can get ourselves out of this crisis only if we marry Antonia off to someone well settled and wealthy.”
Jane recoiled from her seat as fast as she could, fuming, “Oswald! How dare you even suggest such a thing? I am not going to sell off my children to pay our debts,” she huffed, now noticeably bubbling with anger.
“Easy now, woman,” Oswald said defensively, “You misconstrued my words – that was definitely not what I had meant to say.”
“Well, what was it that you meant to say Oswald?” Jane spat with her arms crossed out in front of her.
Oswald inhaled a large gulp of air, “Why must you be so emotional about this, Jane? I am only being pragmatic here. The fact of the matter is that we cannot raise that sort of money in such a short period of time even if we worked day and night,” he tried to reason with his better-half.
Jane pursed her lips, “Say we go through with this preposterous plan of yours – what then? Why, we do not even have anyone in mind, for heaven’s sake!” Jane ranted, clearly growing impatient with her husband’s suggestions.
“Well, that is not entirely true, my lady,” Oswald started slowly, “In fact, I have just the person in mind.”
Jane shot him a curious look, “Oh, who?” she inquired.
“I have heard that the Duke is on the lookout for a wife,” Oswald suggested, “I was thinking perhaps I could speak to him about Antonia’s hand.”
Jane got up from her place beside her husband at once, once again turning several shades deeper in anger. “I cannot let this happen! The Duke? Why, Myles Fareweather is a no good spoiled loner! He has no respect for women and he is far too privileged to ever learn to appreciate someone as sweet and delicate as my Antonia. I am not in favor of this,” she delivered her speech in impassioned outrage.
Oswald quickly got up to try and calm his wife, “His reputation is only a farce, rumors spread by his rivals. He is a good and honest man!” he tried to defend the Duke.
“That may be so,” Jane said, shrugging off his argument only to bring up one to negate it, “I do not want to ward Antonia off in some perverse form of a business deal. I want her to marry for love and make the decision for herself,” she announced.
Jane was quite a liberal woman for her times and she owed it to the fact that she had expanded the horizons of her mind with education. She had strong opinions on the fact that all humans deserved the right to marry for love and marry the person of their choice, regardless of societal pressures or differences. To her, this felt like a sellout and against her principles.
“Woman, you are thinking too romantically,” Oswald told her dismissively, “Amorous love is not the most important prerequisite for a happy marriage. If this can take place, then Antonia will have life-long financial security as well as happiness. And you should know how often the two go hand in hand.”
When he saw that Jane had paused for a moment in contemplation at his words, he got the encouragement to press the issue ever harder.
“Think about it, my dear. A middle class bloke will never be able to afford her the luxuries she deserves. With the Duke, she will have a long life of ease. She will have her own buggy and she can visit us as she pleases. Her own horses, her own servants! How is this bad for Antonia? I am looking out for her as much as you are,” he said in conclusion, trying hard to sound convincing.
Jane shook her head but it was more muted now, the last blow before the fall. “I do not know, Oswald,” she still did not sound fully convinced but it was better than before.
“I propose a plan – how about I speak to the Duke about this and if he agrees, we shall consult Antonia. In the end, it can be her decision. Are you happy with that?” Oswald asked.
There was a momentary pause but then came a nod, “I suppose there is no harm but if and only if Antonia is given full ownership over her decision – it is hers to make.” Jane gave her agreement but it was not without an ultimatum.
“Of course, of course – she is my daughter and my love for her extends just as far as yours,” Oswald said but now there was an edge of glee to his tone – he knew that he had won this wager.
Chapter 2
Oswald Arborn remained true to his word and took the carriage the very next day to the Duke’s residence. He had dressed himself in his best clothes and asked Bennett to inform the Duke of his arrival beforehand. Previously before this, he had practiced over his words to the Duke with Jane in their enclosed bedroom.
Oswald knew that the Duke was their only chance of saving their estate and now that Jane had agreed, he would do anything to make the Duke ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
And so, as he waited for the Duke in his rather large sitting area, Oswald’s mind could not help but wander as he took in his surroundings - the extravagance of the furniture and the ornaments that adorned the walls. Clearly, the Duke was no stranger to wealth and luxury.
Oswald stood up suddenly as he noticed the Duke enter the room, “Your Grace,” he addressed him quickly.
Duke Fareweather quickly dismissed his welcome with a wave of the hand, “Sit down, sit down,” he said as he too took a seat adjacent to where Oswald was placed, “now, what is this matter of urgency that you have come to discuss with me, Mr. Arborn?”
“Your Grace,” Oswald started but now, being so close to his motive, he felt a sweat break on his forehead. Was this a foolish proposition to make? He had been so blinded by how the marriage would benefit them, he had forgotten to stop and consider whether the Duke would even want to marry Antonia.
Oswald cleared his throat once to shake off the nerves and spoke again, “Your Grace, well. I come with good news and a lofty proposal,” he started.
“Yes, go on, my friend,” the Duke encouraged.
“You see, I have heard you are interested in settling down now. Why – I know a man of your stature requires only the best from a woman and for that reason, I offer you the hand of my daughter, Antonia,” Oswald said, making his point clear and concise lest the Duke grow bored and not listen to his proposal at all.
“Antonia?” The Duke did not seem to be enraged and that was a good sign, “Oh really now, Oswald? Well, you have heard correctly that I am indeed looking to settle down but it is quite odd that you would show up at my door asking such questions. Why should I want to marry your daughter?” the Duke urged him to answer his query with a dauntless raise of the eyebrow.
Oswald recoiled almost mechanically, as though he had already prepared a list of reasons – which of course, he had. “It is quite obvious, Your Grace. I am a good man and the reputation of my family is untarnished and pure. We may come from humble belongings but in everything else, we are well endowed. My children are such well-behaved citizens!” he cried passionately, “and of course, my daughter is so lovely and beautiful. I see her as the perfect companion to suit a man of your stature.”
The Duke considered his words carefully and then spoke again, “And what is in it for you, Oswald? Let us not kid ourselves,” he said bluntly.
Oswald sighed, “Well, I offer her dowry as a land merger – a lucrative offer for both you and I.”
“The Lincolnshire estate?” Duke Fareweather questioned only to receive an enthusiastic nod from Oswald.
“Very well then,” he said, clasping both his hands together, “I will consider your offer Oswald. In fact, I will see to it directly. I will come calling on Antonia at my earliest convenience this week, is that acceptable to you?” the Duke said bluntly.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Oswald agreed with full vigor.
“Very well then, it is settled,” the Duke said, suddenly standing up now, “Now if you excuse me,
I am a very busy man. I will be leaving now – I shall see you at your home next. Good bye Oswald,” and with that, Myles Fareweather had exited the room.
-----
Oswald was nearly bursting with excitement as he gathered his two children in the sitting area to announce the news of the affair he had just discussed with the Duke that afternoon. But upon announcement, it seemed to elicit a series of mixed reactions from the duo.
“Oh, so she is supposed to be wedded off now, is she?” Bennett sounded unconventionally bitter at the prospect for some reason, “So this bloke can pay off your dues? What kind of parenting is this, Father!”
“Hush, Bennett,” his mother warned him, “Your father only has your sister’s best interests in heart and besides, this is not final.”
“Antonia, he says he will come visit sometime this week, are you okay with that, my dear?” he asked his daughter politely.
“Oh, you say that as though she has a choice in the matter, Father!” Bennett protested again, “What sort of barbaric archaic tradition is this!” he huffed angrily, his eyes darting back and forth between both of his parents.
“Oh she absolutely has a choice!” Jane spoke in her daughter’s defense. “Antonia, dear, can you please tell us what you think? You have been awfully quiet throughout this whole thing,” Jane said and suddenly, all three sets of eyes were on her.
Feeling the weight of their gazes, Antonia felt her blush deepen, “Mother, I-,” but she was cut short by Bennett, who suddenly realized he had far more to say than he had before.
“Myles Fareweather is trash! It is no secret that he is emotionally unstable because his father died when he was young, and his mother was an alcoholic – seriously Father, how could you want to marry off your daughter to such a man?” Bennett argued.
“Actually, I do not have any issue with the proposal,” Antonia spoke up again, more clearly this time. Oswald nearly leapt out of his seat and hugged her at that moment while Bennett could be heard groaning in the backdrop.
Historical Hearts Romance Collection Page 11
