“Not being a first-born son, perhaps I can’t appreciate the predicament in which you find yourself. However, I can’t imagine that your father would wish for you to have an unhappy marriage because of duty.”
“Some of us have no choice.” Lord Ferrard blew out a long sigh then walked over and settled on a stone bench, bending forward and bracing his forehead in his hands.
Violet immediately regretted her tone and words. He carried a heavy weight and no matter how illogical the reasons for his decision, it did not make what he was facing any easier.
“I’d simply rather be done with it. In all my years in London, I met not one lady who…one who would be perfect for me, and it’s likely she does not exist. Therefore, I will choose a companion whom I get on well with so that I can give my attention to the estate, see that my mother is cared for, and my younger sisters marry well.”
“You’re going to sacrifice yourself for them.” Violet sat on the bench beside Lord Ferrard. “If a sister decided to enter into a marriage such as the one you’ve described, would you allow her to do so?”
He frowned. “Of course not. They will be happy. I shall see to it.”
“While I again point out, sacrificing yourself when it is not necessary.”
“The choice is no longer mine,” he nearly yelled, as if she weren’t understanding him.
Violet pulled back, stunned by his response.
Ferrard sighed. “It’s my fault,” he admitted. “I did not seriously look for a wife these past years. Only in the last month of the Season.”
“So, you sought a wife before the injury.” Perhaps she’d misunderstood.
“No. I had an argument with my father. He didn’t approve of the way I carried on, so I set out to prove to him that I would make a good effort in seeking a bride and ignore my earlier pleasures.”
Violet’s face heated as she knew what those pleasures had been. Thankfully, he didn’t describe what those were.
“If I would have just been more serious in my younger years, but I didn’t want to be shackled before it was necessary. I wanted the freedom to enjoy life.” He shook his head. “In truth, I only gave a partial effort in finding a bride that last month, which my father pointed out when the Season came to an end, and now I’ll need to settle for not realizing the seriousness of my situation before he was injured.”
“I find it difficult to believe that even with half an effort you would not have met the right bride,” Violet offered. “Had she been present, you would have at least been drawn to her, so I reject your argument.”
Ferrard turned and stared at her, his sapphire eyes growing wide. “I can assure you that I did not show the effort one should when considering a potential courtship.”
“Why is that? Did you dismiss someone who was desirable because you preferred freedom?”
“No. There was no one that piqued my interest, and I found the entire process shallow and without meaning, if I must be honest.”
“Therein is your answer, Lord Ferrard. I’ve met many gentlemen that I’ve conversed with and never wished to converse with a second time. Had there been a woman who aroused your interest, you would have pursued her.” It was all quite clear to Violet. She didn’t understand why it wasn’t clear to Lord Ferrard. He’d simply not met his future wife in the years that he’d been in Society. “I see no reason why you should settle now when you didn’t before.”
“Before, I thought I had time. I no longer do. Not if I wish to give my family and the estates the attention they require. Therefore, my wife quest must be completed expeditiously so that I no longer need worry.”
“You are an idiot.” Violet couldn’t help herself, but she’d also not expected him to infuriate her so. “However, if you are set on ruining your future, I’ll not stand in your way.”
“My future willnotbe ruined!” he argued.
“It will if you simply pick the first lady that you find pleasant.”
It was really none of her concern so why did she wish to keep fighting him on this? And why did it bother her so deeply that he’d probably marry the first pleasant lady he met once the Season began?
“Tragic events in one’s life often alter the perception of one’s future,” Violet continued in a calmer tone. “At one time, you hoped to have a happy marriage. Now you are willing to settle and hope that you aren’t miserable. Is that what your father would want?”
He shook his head and turned to stare out over the sea. “Liam also believes I’m being ridiculous. He claims that there is no point in marrying at all if love is not involved.”
“Don’t you agree with him?”
“Liam is third in line. He has the luxury of waiting for love. I do not.”
“I’ve always wondered which of the two was older,” Violet admitted aloud as she knew Dr. Talbot was a twin.
“Oliver came into this world before Liam, and thus, Oliver is now the spare and has ordered me to remain in good health.”
