by Amaya Evans
Isaac knew he was not right for her. Nevertheless, Angustias words hurt him.
“Miss Walton, I could not care less about you as a woman, but by trying to save you from one shameless libertine I have condemned you to live with another one. Now we have to accept it. The only solution I can think of is to live our life the way each of us wants to.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It is quite simple. You will have a life full of luxury. You will be able to do whatever you wish and I will not interfere with your life.”
Angustias gave him a glance full of disbelief. “In exchange for what?”
“That you do the same,” answered Isaac calmly. “I will also live my life and you will not interfere.”
“Don´t even think about it,” answered Angustias. “I may not love you but I won´t tolerate inappropriate behavior from my husband.”
“The thing is that I will only be your husband in front of others but we will not become intimate, or have a conjugal life inside our home. I am a very discreet man. Nobody will know that I am seeing someone else. From the outside, we will appear as the perfect married couple.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Angustias was sure she didn’t want that in her marriage. Not even if it was a fake one.
“Very well, then. We will announce that we have decided to break our engagement.” Isaac stood up and walked towards the door.
“No! Please, wait.” Angustias didn’t know what to do. Just thinking about the public gossiping about her and her mother hearing about it, made her want to die. “Fine, I will marry you but we won´t be intimate. That way we will both get what we want. You can continue to live your licentious life and I will have the marriage that my family wishes for me.”
He looked at her in confusion. “But that is not what you want. That is what your family wants for you.” Isaac observed her for a moment. Her face was sad and she looked resigned.
“I don’t want anything for myself. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices and if my mother having mental tranquility and peace means that I have to get married, then that’s what I will do.” Angustias looked at him fearfully. “I just ask that you grant me one wish... well, two wishes.”
“Whatever you want.”
“Promise me that if you won´t respect me outside of the house. Then you will inside of the house. Don’t bring women into our home. Don’t humiliate me that way. Also, don’t force me to become intimate with you when we are married.”
“I promise,” Isaac answered solemnly, thinking that Angustias would come to him in the end. After all, there was no way this woman wouldn’t surrender to his charm.
****
The planning for the wedding happened quickly. It had been decided that the wedding would be formal but intimate, with only a few guests. Isaac didn’t like the pomp used by high society. He disliked the excess of spending money to fill the stomachs of people who would only be criticizing everything. Angustias agreed with him.
Sonia couldn’t attend the wedding because of an unexpected trip to her country house. Angustias was told the marchioness was sick. She would have liked to visit her as soon as the wedding was over but she was still unsure about how her life would proceed after the ceremony. According to Isaac, they would leave for his country estate in Essex immediately after the celebration. They would spend a few days in a small cottage that was near the main house. They would stay there for a few days to make people believe that they were having a honeymoon. Later, they would return to the main house because Isaac needed to attend to some business. This would be their main residence and they would only return to London to attend to business. During these occasions, they would stay at their Mayfair house. Angustias would be far from her friend and from everything that was familiar to her. It terrified her, but she had chosen this path and wouldn’t change her mind. That afternoon Angustias received a visit from Isaac who arrived with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
“Good afternoon, Angustias.”
“Good afternoon, Lord Beaufort.”
He looked at her for a moment. “Please, I have told you to call me Isaac. It is not right that we are about to get married and we still have this formality between us.”
“I’m sorry. I’m used to calling you by your title.”
Isaac laughed. “Don’t you think it’s time to drop the formalities?” He handed her the flowers.
“Thank you, they are beautiful.” Angustias lowered her face to smell the flowers. “They smell wonderful. I never get tired of receiving flowers. They are my favorite gift.”
“You do not have expensive tastes.”
Angustias blushed again. “I wouldn’t know. I am not used to getting gifts, actually. You are the first person to give me so many of them.”
“That’s surprising coming from an heiress but I believe you.” Isaac searched his pockets. “I have something else for you.”
“Another gift?”
“It is something that belonged to my family and I would like you to have it. It is not expensive but it belonged to my mother. It had sentimental value to her.” Isaac opened a small box that contained a delicate gold necklace with a pendant in the form of an angel holding a rose.
“It’s beautiful.” Angustias thought it was the most beautiful gift that she had received during her life.
“I am glad you like it.” Isaac sat down.
Angustias sat down in front of him and Isaac stood up again to sit next to her. She was surprised and tried to move away a bit.
“Don’t move away.” That day she looked especially beautiful. Angustias wore a yellow dress that made her look very fetching. It made her ebony hair stand out. Isaac wondered how he had never noticed her beauty before despite her somber appearance.
“I don’t think we should sit this close.” Angustias voice was almost a whisper.
“Why do you think that?”
“People could start talking.”
“My dear, what could they say about two people who are about to get married? The only thing they could say is that we wish to be together. That we want to hold hands...” Isaac placed a hand over the gloved hands that she kept firmly on her lap and started to trace small circles on the exposed wrist. Angustias watched, hypnotized by the movement.
“I would like to get to know you better, Angustias. You are very special, very different from the other women, it made me curious.” Isaac’s hand gently touched her cheek. Angustias closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. Isaac’s hands were a little rough, but gentle.
Suddenly, the butler came in carrying the afternoon tea. Angustias jumped in surprise and the tender moment was gone. Isaac felt like smashing the tray over the butler’s head and also on the footman that accompanied him. After that, Angustias’ cousin and aunt arrived and Isaac became bored with the superficial conversation. He apologized, pleading he had things to do and left.
****
A few days later, Angustias sat in front of her vanity. It was the most important moment in her life. Or it would be, in a few hours. Her maid was fixing her hair while her cousin was powdering her nose and putting rouge on her lips and cheeks.
“I don’t want to look like a clown,” Angustias told her cousin Eulalia.
“Of course you won´t. You will look beautiful.”
“Oh, Lord. I am so nervous,” Angustias said fixing her dress.
“It is probably because of your mother,” answered Eulalia.
“Maybe. I want to please her but the only thing she does is make everything more difficult and tells me that I condemn myself if I get married. But if I tell her that I don’t want to get married she says that it is my duty to go through with it. It’s what she expects of me. That my aunts have helped me and I can’t repay them like that.” Angustias pulled her gloves on nervously. “I don’t understand her.”
“The important part is that you want to marry him, right?” Eulalia asked in an offhand manner.
“Yes, of course. I want to marry him,” Angust
ias responded a little distracted.
The door opened and Angustias mother walked in. Her cousin, a friend of hers, and the maid that was helping Angustias get dress went silent.
“Please, allow me a moment alone with my daughter.”
They left and Angustias and her mother remained in the room alone.
“You look good.” Her mother observed her carefully. “It´s a pretty dress. Perhaps a bit too opulent for my taste.”
“I don’t know, mother. I didn’t choose it myself. My friend the marchioness insisted on giving it to me as a wedding present.”
“I see...”
“Do you have something important to tell me, mother? Before the wedding night?”
“You know well that I do, Angustias. I must remind you that you have to do your best to make this night pleasant for your husband. Although, it will not be pleasant for you. A woman never enjoys the marital union. She only accepts because it is her duty to procreate. Unfortunately, it is the only way to provide heirs for your husband.”
Angustias swallowed. This wasn’t the conversation she wanted to have with her mother before her wedding. She would have liked an “I love you” or “Everything is going to be all right, he seems to be a good man,” or anything similar. But Florencia Walton would never say something like that. As a matter of fact, Angustias remembered very few times when her mother showed any affection, much less any kind words. From her aunt and uncle in America and her cousins, she remembered receiving smiles and kind gestures. Also from her family in England but from her own mother she only received reproachful words and the fear of god put into her.
“Are you listening to me, girl?”
“Yes, mother. I hear you well.”
Florencia Walton took a good look to see if her daughter was speaking the truth. She sighed.
“I will go now. I want to pray for your marriage. May it be better than mine was, while your father was still alive.” Angustias’ mother left without saying anything more, leaving her daughter alone, full of uneasiness about her future.
CHAPTER 4
An hour later Angustias entered the church where her entire family waited for her. Isaacs family was represented by a few distant cousins and the only uncle out of three, that was still alive. During the ceremony, Isaac remained serious but in his eyes, Angustias could see a warmth that comforted her. Angustias was very anxious. Every once in a while she looked at her mother who stared severely at the groom and occasionally at the guests. Who whispered amongst themselves. Time passed by quickly and soon Angustias was surrounded by people that congratulated her. Isaac, now officially her husband in front of society, took her hand and guided her towards the carriage. They would now head to the wedding breakfast and from there to their future home.
The wedding breakfast was held in the home of her uncle. Everyone talked, laughed, and the servants attended to the guests. Angustias only stared at a fixed place, absorbed in her thoughts. As people passed by congratulating her Angustias thanked everyone mechanically.
Isaac’s cousins had also approached her. The two young ladies had wished the newlyweds happiness. They told Angustias that they would love to come by once the couple was settled. Angustias agreed immediately. It was a chance to have some company in her new life and hopefully some new friends. Both cousins were nice and were the same age as she was. Angustias had a feeling they would get along well.
“I think it is time for us to get going,” Isaac said.
“Very well, I will tell my mother and my cousins that we are leaving. I will change my clothes and come back.”
“I will wait for you here.” Isaac took Angustias hand and kissed it unexpectedly.
“Do not be surprised, my dear. You are my wife now. People must see that we are close.”
It was true. For a short moment, Angustias thought Isaac´s gesture had come from his heart. But then she realized it was all part of the show.
The carriage was waiting for Angustias when she exited the house. She said farewell to her family. Everyone wished the best for their new life. Angustias’ mother gave her daughter a blessing, then turned and left. An emotionally hurt Angustias sat in the carriage. She didn’t look at her husband. She looked out at the landscape and tried to avoid Isaac seeing her tear filled eyes.
“We will arrive soon. It will only take about three or four hours of travel. If you feel unwell or hungry, just tell me and we will stop.”
Angustias nodded. “Thank you.” She didn’t turn around.
Isaac had caught a glimpse of Angustias’ discomfort after her mother’s cold farewell. From what he could see Florencia Walton was a cube of ice, or so it seemed to him. He did not like his mother-in-law. He disliked the way in which she spoke to Angustias and the way she looked at her, in a disapproving manner. Isaac felt sorry for her. He didn’t have the best father but at least he had always felt the love of his mother. Until she had died when he was 17 years old. Sometimes, Isaac wondered how his life would have been if his mother hadn’t died and that woman hadn’t crossed his path. “Are you cold?”
“No, I am well.”
“Come on, Angustias. You are not well. Your eyes are teary and you are shaking. I know you are cold.” Isaac sat beside her. “Come here.” He pulled her toward him, placed an arm around her, and took her by surprise.
“I don’t...” protested Angustias in surprise.
“You nothing, sweetheart.” Isaac hugged her tightly. Angustias felt so good and comfortable in his arms that she didn’t say anything else and soon she was asleep in his arms while the carriage kept moving toward its destination.
****
“Wake up, wife. We are home.”
“Home?” asked Angustias, sleepy.
“It has been some hours now, and you were practically unconscious.”
“Oh, I am so sorry.” Angustias felt embarrassed because of her behavior.
“You do not need to apologize. You were tired and cold.” Isaac smiled. “I am quite a comfortable pillow, apparently.”
Angustias was amazed when he saw him smile like that. He looked much younger and handsome. She could understand why all the women fell under his spell.
“Your room should be ready for you. You can go upstairs and rest.”
“Thank you.”
They both entered the beautiful country house. It seemed to be big but given the late hour and since Angustias had fallen asleep, she hadn’t been able to see it well when they arrived in the carriage.
I will explore everything tomorrow, thought Angustias.
An elderly woman greeted them when they entered. “Milady, it is an honor to meet you. I am Mrs. Tandy. I am the housekeeper. I am at your service.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tandy.” Angustias looked at the friendly woman. The housekeeper radiated joy.
Isaac introduced them. “May I introduce you to Jenkins, the butler? Without his help and the help of Mrs. Tandy this house would be in chaos. I would be lost without them.”
The butler inclined his head. “Lady Beaufort, it is a pleasure to meet you. Welcome.”
“Thank you, Jenkins. That´s very kind of you.”
“Milady, if you wish, you can follow me. I will show you to your rooms. Everything is prepared,” said Mrs. Tandy.
“Thank you, Mrs. Tandy. I want to change my dress and get clean as soon as possible.” Both women walked upstairs. They followed a long corridor decorated with hunting trophies and landscape paintings. They arrived at the bedrooms and Angustias was told that her room would be next to Isaac’s. Mrs. Tandy opened the door. Angustias and her maid walked inside.
“We started preparing everything as soon as we heard you were coming. I lit a fire in the fireplace to warm your room. If you need anything here is the bell.” Mrs. Tandy pointed toward the bell. “I almost forgot to tell you that dinner is at seven today. But if you wish, starting tomorrow we can arrange our schedule according to your preferences. Also concerning everything else in this house.”
“Than
k you, Mrs. Tandy.”
The housekeeper inclined her head and opened the door. “I hope that you feel comfortable.” Mrs. Tandy smiled. “Once again. Welcome, Lady Beaufort.”
When the housekeeper left Angustias sat down on her bed. “I am so tired.”
“Today has been a rough day, Miss... I mean, milady,” answered the maid.
Angustias smiled. “You will get used to the title, Juliette. I am still not used to it.”
“You looked so beautiful today. Your husband looked so proud. Everyone was looking at you.” Juliette said in a dreamy fashion.
Angustias decided not to follow that topic of conversation. “Can you help me take off my dress, please?” she asked.
“Of course, milady.”
Someone knocked on the door. A young girl with a pitcher of water came in. After leaving the water, the girl bowed and left.
“I think I will wash up and rest until dinner.”
“I will unpack your clothes and organize everything. Do you want me to prepare one dress in particular?” asked her maid.
“The light blue will do.” Angustias felt too tired to give her garment much thought. She was too scared and wishing that she didn’t have to sleep with her husband in bed tonight.
Isaac was in his study. He sat in front of the fireplace and drank a glass of wine. He stared at the figures that appeared in the fire. It had been an intense day full of strong emotions, for him and for Angustias. Now it was time to think about the future. What was done, was done. For good or bad, they had to learn to live with each other.
He had felt respect for Angustias when he saw her trembling during the marriage ceremony. But she stood there stoically. She ignored the people that were talking about her because they thought it was strange that they were getting married so quickly. Or because they thought she had convinced him to marry her for her dowry. There were many theories regarding the reason for their marriage but luckily, nobody had guessed the truth so far.
