|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 12, 2011 20:10:41 GMT -5
Rose Howard had no idea how her life had taken such a turn. When she woke up this morning, she was who she'd always been: the daughter of a wealthy coal merchant, a well-educated and quite refined woman who was perfectly content on her own. Now, at only three o'clock in the afternoon, she was the fiance of a Duke. The Duke of Falloden, to be exact. And all because it was her father's dying wish that she be well taken care of after he was gone, that she be a Duchess. Even though that was probably the last thing she wanted to be.
She was standing in the parlor of her family's London residence, hugging herself as she stared into the fire. She couldn't believe her father had actually gone through with this; and moreover, she couldn't believe the Duke had accepted. He must have really been in trouble if he'd chosen to marry her. He must really be desperate for her father's money. But even after he got it, he would surely throw it all away on gambling and card games and women. Then what would become of her?
Suddenly, a knock on the front door interrupted her thoughts. She heard Restell, the family butler, answer the door and show the guest into her father's study. No doubt it was him. And no doubt he would come in to see her in a few minutes time to formerly propose.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 12, 2011 22:57:06 GMT -5
Jimmy was in fact an extremely desperate man. His brother had wracked up enough gambling debts to buy a small country and Rose's father had the money to pay it all off. Jimmy would not loose his family estate and put good people out of homes and work merely because his brother was a no good ignoramus.
When he was through discussing the marriage arrangement with Rose's father Jimmy of course entered the parlor. Upon arrival he took off his hat and bowed very gentlemanly.
"Good evening, madam," He said, trying to sound pleasant...but Jimmy always seemed to have a hard edge to his voice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 12, 2011 23:50:26 GMT -5
Rose had to physically force herself to turn around to face him. Her features were set in a cold expression as she very nearly glared at him. "Good evening," she replied, not doing him the honor of addressing him properly as 'my lord' or even 'sir.' She didn't bow or even tip her head. To hell with protocol.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 13, 2011 9:03:35 GMT -5
"So that's the way it's to be. I thought we could have at least pretended ot be nice to each other, suppose not." Jimmy smirked at her.
"Well, enjoy your evening. We're to be wed at the end of the month," He said. Jimmy turned to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 13, 2011 12:08:50 GMT -5
Rose watched him leave, not bothering to stop him. What could she do anyways? They were to be married, and that was that.
The next couple of weeks were spent planning the wedding, though Rose had nothing to do with it. Her father hired the best planners in the city, and she was only called upon to say 'yes' or 'no' every once in a while. That was fine by her. The only thing she felt during the whole process was grief and pain as she watched her father grow even weaker. She feared he would not even last until the day of the wedding. But, of course, he did. It was his only wish to see his daughter married before he left this world, and by God he would see to it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 13, 2011 12:57:51 GMT -5
Jimmy stood at the head of the alter waiting for his bride to be escorted down the aisle. He glared daggers at his wayward brother, silently cursing him. His hands were sweating and he rubbed them on his trousers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 13, 2011 14:01:17 GMT -5
The only smiles that adorned Rose's face that day were for the benefit of her father. But the smiles never reached her eyes. She repeated her vows quietly, emotionlessly and did not once meet the Duke's eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 13, 2011 16:25:34 GMT -5
After the wedding was over of course they had to endure a ridiculously lavish wedding feast which of course was provided by the Bride's family.
Jimmy had just finished downing his fourth glass of wine when he glacned over at Rose. The couple were seated at the front of the entire room with their closest family and advisors filling the dais beside them.
He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and sighed, he then glanced at Rose. "You can dance if you like," He said to her. "You might as well not sit here completely miserable all night."
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 13, 2011 18:09:05 GMT -5
"I don't feel like dancing," she told him honestly, speaking in clipped tones. She had been sitting there during the whole feast, thinking about the wedding night. It was bad enough that she had to marry this man she barely knew, but now she had to share a bed with him. At least it would only be once, and then again when they wanted an heir.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 13, 2011 23:20:52 GMT -5
Jimmy licked his lips and sighed heavily, "I didn't mean with me. I am no fool. I know that you hate me and would rather be poking your eye out with a dull object then be sitting next to me. But for Christ's sake can you at least fake a smile for ten bloody minutes." He nearly growled at her through clenched teeth. He turned away from her and then motioned for his servant to pour him more wine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 13, 2011 23:22:24 GMT -5
She glared at the back of his head until she saw he was turning back around. Then she plastered a smile on her face. "As you wish, my lord. After all, you're my husband now. I have to obey your every command." Oh, good lord.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 13, 2011 23:25:04 GMT -5
Jimmy turned back to look at her with one raised brow. "Now if there was ever a load of bullshit bigger than that I'd be very surprised." He took a gulp of his wine.
((HAHA he's definitely drunk))
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 13, 2011 23:29:23 GMT -5
Rose's eyes bulged. Not only had she married a wastrel, but also a drunkard who cursed like a sailor. Before she could up end his wine glass in his face, Rose's father came over to their seats, looking happy but even more unhealthy than before. He expressed his immense joy and winked at Jimmy, holding out a shaky hand for a good-bye handshake.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 13, 2011 23:33:02 GMT -5
"Good night, sir." Jimmy said with a friendly smile, shaking his hand. He watched the frail man leave, heading off to bed. "We should not leave here tomorrow," He said to Rose. He could see her father didn't have much longer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rose on Dec 13, 2011 23:35:06 GMT -5
Her expression had softened considerably as she watched her father. "I...I would very much like to stay with him," she said, though she didn't look over at her husband.
|
|
