Edmund blinks at her and shakes his head as though he doesn’t understand her question. With a sigh she puts her glass down, “are you daft? I said is this meeting your idea or your father’s? It is not a complicated question.”
“ I heard the question and, no, I am not daft. You are rather rude aren’t you? We have only just met and already you question my intelligence?” He responds huffily and crosses his arms, “ No, this meeting was not my idea. I have heard the rumors Your reputation certainly proceeds you.” Vivienne chuckles and shrugs,
“is it because you have never seen a woman in pants before? Or has a woman just never spoke her mind in your presence?” She grins flashing her pearly whites at the haughty man.
“I will have you know that all women of taste are quite fond of me.” He huffs which only makes Vivienne scoff. “ I am not the one who cannot have a successful marriage proposal Miss Amor.”
“ You are saying you would accept a proposal from a woman?” Vivienne asks leaning in suddenly interested,
“No. That would be unseemly wouldn’t it? Only a coward would accept a proposal from a woman.” With a frown Vivienne leans back and replies,
“Then your point is moot. How sad. It seems you are just like all of my other suitors—disappointing.” She lifts the tea to her lips and takes another sip.
Chapter 4
Edmund paces the room with his fists clenched to his side. “Father you cannot do this. You cannot make me marry that filthy woman. She doesn’t even understand what is and isn’t proper! Did you see her last week? She shows up late and covered in oil and doesn’t even apologize. Just says she had better things to do then have tea with me. Well I bloody well have better things to do then wait to sit and have tea with her!” He stomps his foot making his father roll his eyes. His eldest son is truly far more childish then his younger.
“Edmund the deal has been made. Mr. Amor and I have come to a mutual agreement. You are marrying her in two months’ time. Grow up son, you couldn’t flounce around with those women forever. You have the family’s future to think about.” Edmund glares at him fuming. More like your future he thinks to himself as he looks away from his father. It is all he can do to keep his whole body from shaking in rage,
“and she agreed to this? The woman hates me.” Regis shrugs in response. He did not really care one way or another if the young lady agreed, only that the marriage happened.
“Marriage is not an act of love boy. Make her like you. Be charming when she comes to see you today. You are to have lunch and show her around the family mill. She should know what she is marrying into.” He says dismissively and waives his hand, “now off with you. Go and spruce up. Your beloved is coming.”
Edmund tightens his jaw and turns on his heel. Not my beloved, yours, he thinks venomously, there is no way in bloody Hell that woman is ever going to like me.
~*~
Vivienne squints as a shadow falls over her work. She looks up slowly and frowns seeing the smiling face of her father. “You are in my light.” Harry laughs and nods leaning back and sitting on the desk,
“So I am. Vivienne dear, I need to speak with you so please desist.” With a sigh she pushes her hair back and leans back looking over at her father, “thank you dear. Now, you recall the Dickens chap you’ve been having company with of late?”
Vivienne clenches her jaw, but smiles, and nods. “Of course father. What a lovely gentleman.” She has been lying to her father for weeks hoping he will stop setting her up with men. She knows very well Edmund does not like her and so he will never seriously pursue her. This way she can keep her father happy and focus on her work.
Harry smiles and nods, “well I met with his father earlier today, and we have come to an agreement that the two of you should wed.” Vivienne’s body stiffens and her skin goes white,
“you decided what?” Harry smiles and nods not noticing the change in his daughter’s body language,
“yes. You see with the rotten luck you have had with past suitors I thought it apt to speak with Mr. Dickens. You’ve seen the Dickens boy three times now, that’s twice more than any other man. I think the two of you shall make a stunning pair.”
As he continues Vivienne’s heart stops. Of all of her suitor’s Edmund has got to be one of her least favorites. Where did she go wrong? She has always been sure to arrive late and filthy to these arranged meetings, and the last meeting ended in a huge fight with Edmund storming up to his own room. How could her father, or Mr. Dickens for that matter, think this is a good match?
“But Father I—“Harry puts his hand on her shoulder and shakes his head,
“Vivienne. You have turned down nearly every man in town. Quite frankly you have a horrendous reputation. I have been so afraid that you would never find a husband and now you have. Please, please just try to be happy. He comes from a good hardworking family. He is young, passionate, and so are you. Surely, the two of you can learn to get along?” He looks at her imploringly and reaches forward to stroke her hair.
In a moment of frustration and rage she pushes his hand away and stands up, “no. We cannot, and I will not. How could you do this to me? I thought we agreed that I could choose my husband when I was ready.”
Harry sighs and looks up at her from his perch on the desk, “Vivienne you are a smart woman. How many men have you turned down?” She goes to respond and he holds his hand up, “too many. No one else is come. I will not have you die a spinster. You failed to meet your part of the deal. I have made the best match I can for you. You are meeting with him today and you will be civil and for God sake wear a dress. “Vivienne glares at him unable to believe the words falling from his lips,
“how can you do this to me? I thought you wanted me to be happy?” Harry meets her gaze and slides his hands in his pockets as he stands up,
“Vivienne, you will be happy. You just have to try.”
Chapter 5
Edmund stands as Vivienne’s carriage pulls up. He personally opens the door and offers her his hand which she takes stiffly. The two meet eyes and they both know neither of them wants this marriage, but neither of them can stop it. Once Vivienne’s feet touch the sidewalk she looks to her new fiancé, “my father set this lunch up for us so let us try to be civil. We are adults after all.” Edmund grits his teeth but nods.
As they enter the establishment and take their seats he notices she looks a little nicer today. By no means does she meet his standards, but at least she is clean and in appropriate attire. Maybe this could work?
“May I take your orders?” A serving staff approaches and smiles. Edmund nods and looks at his options quickly selecting a simple meal and water. The staff turns to Vivienne and she smiles,
“I will take my usual.” The staff nods and vanishes down the hall. Vivienne looks over at Edmund and sighs, “since we are doomed to be together surely you must have some hobby? Other than looking up women’s skirts.”
“Of course I have hobbies. I enjoy music, fine wine, the occasional dance.” Vivienne rolls her eyes,
“You are a socialite then. I have always found those events to be so unnecessarily lavish. Why must you spend so much time and money to see others? It makes no sense.” She huffs and Edmund stiffens and looks at her irritated,
“well then what are your habits then? Rolling around in the mud? Playing in oil?” He scoffs and shakes his head thinking himself clever, but Vivienne only smiles.
“I enjoy reading, writing, mathematics, mechanics, you know… things that require you to use your mind.” She says proudly and sits up just a bit straighter, “what do your parties get you if not headaches and large bills? My hobbies enhance my life and my funds.” Edmund grips his teeth and looks away from her, bloody Hell this woman sounds just like my father.
Vivienne sighs, but perks up when the staff returns with the food. Edmund is ready to tuck into his meal when he sees that Vivienne has nearly twice the amount of food that he does. “Are you sure that is enough food for you? Perhaps t
hey have your order mistaken?” Vivienne looks up from her feast and arches a brow,
“I eat her once a week. This is correct. Why? Would you like to make a pig joke with your mud reference?” She chuckles and begins to eat. Edmund sniffs the air and looks at his food. Great, at the rate she eats she will be fat in no time. Then not only will I be stuck with her vicious tongue, but she will be wholly unattractive too. How did I get myself into this mess?
Vivienne completely ignores him and they eat in silence. Edmund’s disgust deepening when she finishes her food right before he finishes his own. “Well, I hope you are ready. My father has arranged for you to tour our mill. He says you should see the business you are marrying into. Should be boring.” He adds and sighs standing up and looking to pay, Vivienne waives her hand at him instantly reminding him of his father.
“Don’t worry about the bill. My family has paid it.” Edmund’s face burns with humiliation. First she eats him under the table and then she humiliates him by not allowing him to pay for the meal. He grips his palms and forces a smile on his face,
“of course. Let’s go.” He offers her his arm which she ignores, but she does stay by his side until they enter the carriage.
“I am excited to see your mill. My father says your machinery is highly innovative. Clearly, you did not have anything to do with that.” Edmund narrows his eyes,
“why do you say that?” Vivienne covers her mouth and laughs before turning and looking at her fiancé,
“you already admitted to me that you are merely a socialite. Do not worry, I will keep the company alive. Then you can go out and drink and flirt with other women.” Edmund arches a brow both liking the idea and hating her for wounding his pride, for assuming he cannot earn his own way.
“I will do just that. Not hard to find prettier women. They at least know their place.” Vivienne scoffs and looks out the window again. The ride is spent in strained silence. They pull up to the mill and Edmund exits, this time not bothering to hold the door for Vivienne. Vivienne merely raises her head and follows after him.
A smile is on her face as she looks at the architecture and she claps in excitement when she enters the mill and sees the machinery. She goes forward to look at how it all works with Edmund hollering after her to not disturb the workers. Just great. We are going to be here for an eternity. This woman could not get any worse.
Vivienne rolls her eyes and notices a man bent over a machine. The machine is off and clearly malfunctioning. She approaches him curious to see the inside mechanisms, but when she touches the machine the man working on it jumps. He falls against the machine startled and lands on his bottom before looking up to see who had approached him. His blue eyes widen seeing a woman in the mill, “ uh wh-what are y-you d-doing here?” He asks pushing his dark hair from his eyes and getting oil on his face.
Vivienne smiles and leans down offering her hand, “Terribly sorry to frighten you. I am just getting a tour of the mill and saw you doing repairs. I am just curious to see the mechanisms. I have heard your equipment is the most efficient in the area. I just wanted to see how.” He looks at her hand and goes to take it before seeing how dirty his is and he blushes shaking his head and standing on his own. He wipes his hands on his pants and smiles looking away unable to keep eye contact. “Ah I s-see. W-well I c-can’t give out family s-secrets.” Vivienne smiles at him and puts her hand down,
“Oh that shouldn’t be a problem because you see—“but before she can finish Edmund approaches and grins clapping his hand on the shorter man’s shoulder.
“I see you have met Georgie. He is somewhat timid, be nice to him eh? Georgie this is my fiancé Vivienne Amor. Father wanted me to show her the mill.” George raises his eyes surprised and his heart skips a beat as he sees the woman’s face again. His brother’s fiancé? He clutches his chest and tips his head, “ e-excuse me.” He turns and makes a quick exit.
Edmund shakes his head and looks over at Vivienne who is now closely studying the machine George was working on. I just want to leave and enjoy the freedom I have left. I have appointments with other lady’s today and this girl is taking up all of my time. He grumbles internally and clears his throat, “right. Let’s wrap this up then.” Vivienne turns and looks at him annoyed,
“you know you should really show more interested in your inheritance.” She retorts, but follows him throughout the rest of the tour while Edmund silently steams about her disrespect. After another hour he is finally able to send her off for the day.
~*~
Edmund returns home hours after his father requested and finds himself staring at the door again. His father is probably quite displeased with him again, but this is his fault after all. Edmund pushes the door open and is not shocked to see his father sitting inside waiting for him. George is sitting in the corner reading a book, and when he hears Edmund enter he glances up and gives him a half waive. Regis on the other hand merely taps his fingers against the chair before clearing his throat,
“so you have finally decided to grace us with your presence?” He sneers and looks at his son’s disheveled appearance. “I hope that the tour went well then?” Edmund wanted to shout at him. Of course all he cared about was his engagement to that filthy woman! Just as he is about to shout at his father George speaks up,
“sh-she l-looks quite s-smart. Asked me a-about the machines.” He smiles over at Regis, “I th-think s-she will be a g-good addition to the f-family.” Regis looks over at his favored son and grins,
“see Edmund? Why can’t you be more like George? He knows a quality woman when he sees one. It goes beyond make up and jewels boy.” Edmund rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest before spitting out,
“well if George likes her so much you should offer her to him.” George blinks at him and blushes immediately looking back at his book. Edmund smirks and arches a brow. Maybe I can pawn her off on my little brother. They can be terribly boring together.
“Don’t be ridiculous boy, it is the eldest son who marries first. You are the one who needs to elevate our status, and besides George has other important tasks. Like fixing up the machinery.” Regis chuckles and shakes his head, “he still has a few years before he needs to think about marriage.” George sinks into his chair not liking that they are talking about him as though he is not in the room. George may be the better match for Vivienne, but Regis doesn’t need to marry George off, because his younger son is diligent and mindful. It is the womanizing elder son Regis wants to be rid of. This is the best way, George is simply not an option. Edmund frowns and sighs,
“As you say Father. I am going to bed. You should too George.” George looks up surprised to be acknowledged and in his fluster drops his book causing Regis to look over at him concerned,
“Son, it is not like you to drop things. Go to bed. You can continue to work in the morning.” George nods and leans down picking up the book.
“P-perhaps you’re right F-father. G-goodnight.” He stands up and joins Edmund shooting him a confused look as he heads up the stairs. Edmund follows after him with a smirk and once they are nearly to his room he touches his brother’s arm.
“Georgie, do you like the woman?” George startles at the touch and looks at Edmund uncertainly. Vivienne had been so unique and different and she asked him about his work which is something no one ever did. After a few moments of thought he nods,
“s-she is v-very nice. S-he didn’t even m-make f-fun of my s-stutter.” He adds and then shakes his head hurriedly, “b-but she is yours. F-father said s-so.” Edmund grins at him and pulls him close,
“what Father doesn’t know will no hurt him. I hate the woman Georgie. She just isn’t my cup of tea, but I think if we make her fall for you her rich father will demand ours to change the terms of the betrothal. It is a win-win situation. What do you say? Take one for the team?” He winks at him mischievously.
George doesn’t think marrying Vivienne classifies as taking one for the team, in fact since he saw her he has b
een able to think of little else but her soft smile. He nods uncertainly, “but Edmund, d-do you r-really t-think she’ll l-like me? I m-mean look at m-me.” He gestures to his smaller, less muscular form. Next to Edmund he had never stood a chance with the local girls and he knew it.
Edmund merely laughs, “I don’t thinks he cares about all that. The woman is always covered in oil. Just chat her up about that boring machinery, and if that’s not enough we will sweep her off her feet together. Don’t worry Georgie I have got your back.” George nods and smiles,
“Thanks Edmund. I won’t forget this.” Edmund shrugs and heads off to bed with a genuine smile on his face.
Chapter 6
Vivienne takes out her pocket watch annoyed and taps her nail against the metal. The least this foolish man could do is show up on time. It’s not like she wanted to be here anymore than he did. She sighs and picks up her lemonade about to take a drink when she sees the mechanic from a few days earlier. She immediately sets the glass down and smiles standing up and waving, “oh hey! I remember you. You work at the mill right?” George jumps at the sound of her voice and looks around as though he is uncertain that she is talking to him. After seeing there is no one else around he curses. Of course, Edmund says to meet here before she arrives and not only is he not here, she is. Great. I am not prepared for this…. “Come on over. I am sure you will be better conversation then my date.” She points to the chair besides her and sits back down.
Caught without an escape George nods meekly and makes his way over to her and sits down. “I d-don’t know about th-that. I am n-not so g-good at conversation.” He admits and looks at his hands shyly. Women don’t ever talk to him, which he is used to and fine with, so the fact that this one actually seemed interested in what he had to say left him stammering even more than usual.
Bad, Very Bad Shifters- The Complete Mega Bundle Page 80
