An Unacceptable Arrangement by Victoria Winters Read Free Book Online Page A

and to his
surprise, she accepted.
    “Well child, this wasn’t so bad was it?” he
began. “Your groom is handsome, the wedding most charming. Have you
forgiven me?”
    Cassandra stopped dancing and stared at him.
It took every ounce of self-control she had not to spat upon him.
“Father tell me, why am I standing here in an ugly wedding dress,
at what is basically a brunch, soon to be deflowered by a complete
stranger? Explain to me please,” she begged, desperately hoping he
would give her some reasonable explanation to hold on to.
    Her father looked at her in shock and laughed
weakly. “Such language, girl! Your new husband is a good man. I
have business dealings with him and have found him to be most
honorable, a rare quality in the world today. Besides, you are a
very ungrateful child. Are you not at all pleased with this lovely
luncheon that your mother arranged?”
    “I agree that this event is a very nice
luncheon but it’s hardly a wedding. Papa, if you are facing
financial challenges, then yes of course I would be content with
whatever you were able to put together. But if not, I would have to
ask why I am being pushed out of your life so quickly and in such a
shameful fashion and being sent so far away? I will ask you one
last time while we can still speak as father and daughter; explain
to me please why you did this?”
    “There, there dear, remember your brother is
having a grand wedding in the fall.” This apparently was not the
right thing to say. Cassandra’s eyes narrowed and she began to give
him the hateful look he’d seen as they’d headed into the chapel.
Still he soldiered on. “Think of it child, you’ll be a part of that
wedding and will be able to have all of the fun of a big wedding at
that time. So you see, it will all work out and you haven’t missed
out on anything.”
    “I am sending my regrets, Father.” Cassandra
responded coldly. “I will not be attending that wedding or any
other upcoming family event. My future is in Germany at my
husband’s side.”
    “But you’ll still be in London for the
wedding.”
    “Will I? And if so, why would I want to see
what kind of wedding you could throw if you loved your child?” Her
father recoiled as if he’d been slapped in the face.
    “Goodbye, Father,” Cassandra said with great
finality just as the music ended. Being the well-bred young
noblewoman that she was, she curtseyed to her father one last time
and walked away. She did not look back. She approached her mother
and curtseyed and made a proper thank you for the truly delicious
luncheon. She almost became emotional; looking upon her mother’s
face for what would be the last time.
    She said her goodbyes and then went to her
husband and said something. Lord Newblythe watched Sir Frederic
help Cassandra gather her things and walk her out to their
carriage. He looked back at her father and spoke to Cassandra but
she shook her head no and climbed into the carriage.
    Eveline came and stood beside him and they
watched the carriage pull away. Cassandra would always look out the
window and wave to them as long as she could still see them, but
she did not do that this time. They saw her profile looking
straight ahead as the carriage pulled forward.
    Eveline looked at her husband with concern.
“Do you think she will ever forgive us?”
    “Don’t worry my dear; Cassandra will have the
wedding of her dreams when she reaches Germany. And the child will
soon see that I have done right by her. Why, she’ll be sitting in
our parlor sipping tea within a fortnight. I’m sure of it.” In
truth, Arthur wasn’t at all sure. He had been taken aback at the
vehemence of Cassandra’s objections to this union. As predicted,
her practical nature had taken over and she’d obeyed her father and
done her duty but her ongoing anger had shocked him. He too
wondered if she’d ever forgive them.
    Lady Newblythe looked around with sadness.
“She didn’t even stay to cut the cake.” She bowed