Victor thought everything was behind him now that his abusive controlling father has passed away, but what happens when he finds out that in order to receive his inheritance, property, everything, he has to agree to the stipulations his father has i...
"I don't remember," Victor shrugged honestly. "I don't remember any girl from my childhood. But then again, my parents traveled so much, and I met so many people it is possible that I did meet this girl and I just don't remember it."
"My Lady likes her privacy," Elizabeth spoke softly. "She does not like to be in the public eye like you and your family likes to be. She does not like for her picture to be taken or to be in social gatherings, she finds that kind of life does not suit her. She would rather be where she is happiest."
"Here is the only picture I was able to find of her," Mr. Lawson said pulling a black and white picture out of the paperwork. "Granted it is only speculation that this is her, I have not been able to find anything concrete about her other than her birth certificate unfortunately." He held the picture out and Victor grabbed it. It was an older black and white picture of a little girl smelling flowers and had flowers woven into her hair. She looked young in the picture and the light shone so that her facial features were obscured.
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"I can vouch that this photograph is legit," Elizabeth nodded, "I took this picture. I have been her lady in waiting since she was starting school." She stood and walked over to Victor. She pulled an envelope out of her bag and held it out. "My Lady understands that this is not the best circumstances for both her and you. She asked me to request that you read this letter from her before coming to a decision and she knows that you will want to discuss the contents of this with your family, and she is okay with that decision."
"Thank you," Victor nodded and took the envelope from her hands. She nodded and went back to the chair she was previously sitting in to wait. Victor broke the wax seal and opened the letter:
Dear Earl Victor Morgan of Elmson,
First and foremost, I would like to say that I am sorry you are being forced to be in this predicament. I understand your hatred and anger towards being forced into this situation. All my life I have been told that I would be married to you, and I would not have choice in the matter. I know that I am not your first choice of marriage, and I am aware of your thirteen best friends or family members as you call them. While I chose to remain out of the public eye, I am aware of your family.
Since we both are at risk of losing everything important to us, you- your title, land, money, me- my businesses and passions (I have already been denied the rest of my inheritance since I refuse to be in the public eye or go through with my parent's demands prior to their deaths) I have a compromise for you to please consider.
Polyandry is legal in both of our countries; I am willing to marry you and your family members. I understand that this will be a marriage of convenience for the both of us. You will receive everything your father is requiring as well as keep your word from interviews that you will not marry unless the woman is willing to marry your family members as well. I will not come between you and them. I completely understand that this is a marriage of convenience. I know you and them will have mistresses and flings and the only thing that I request is that you keep that private and do not allow it to be public knowledge. I do not wish to endure public embarrassment of infidelity, but I do know you may not be faithful in this possible marriage of convenience, I just request that it will be done in private.
If you do agree to continue with the marriage, I only request that you do not force me to be in the public and you will not take my businesses away from me. I do not want to be married; I do not want to be a trophy wife, but I understand that if I do not marry then I will lose everything dear to me. I will go through with this marriage if you wish, and I am fully aware that there will not be a typical marriage but one that allows us to continue as we are currently and only pursue the facade of marriage when it is absolutely necessary. If you have any suggestions or questions, please discuss them with my Lady in Waiting Elizabeth and she can answer for me.
