Against Their Wishes

Chapter 4

Gregory rode hard over the land to reach his home. His emotions were still trying to calm down after his confrontation with Olivia. He had meant what he said. He had absolutely no intention of allowing another man near her. He may not have feelings or even particularly care for Olivia, but after they were wed, she would belong to him. He would be damned if he openly allowed another man to touch her. He would never allow himself to be disrespected in such a manner. It was not even completely because of his honor and pride. Gregory had his heir to think about. There could never be any doubt over whether the child was his. If it were to come to light that she had a child who was not his own, his fortune could easily be passed on to Maurice. That is not even to mention the kind of public out casting the child would receive. No, Gregory most certainly did not share what was his.

When he rode up to the stables, he could see the outline of his father walking down the hill towards his current location. Gregory inwardly sighed, not wanting to get into a conversation with his father at the moment. Gregory went around his horse and took off its saddle, brushed it, and got it settled in its stall. Normally, this would be a job for the stable boys, but Gregory preferred to take care of his own horse. He had gotten Molasses when he was a boy of only fifteen, and he and the horse had been inseparable riding companions. Gregory named the horse because of its rich color and the fact that he could not make the horse move much faster than a canter for the first few weeks he had him. However, over time, Molasses learned to trust Gregory, and Gregory learned to trust Molasses. It is not that he did not have confidence in the stable boys to care for Molasses, but he liked to know that his horse was being treated and cared for in the best possible way. Gregory turned to face his father when he heard him call out his name.

“Tell me, son. How did your visit with Olivia go?” Lord Willington inquired. He seemed a little out of breath as he came to stand beside Gregory next to the stable doors.

“It was fine, Father,” Gregory replied, purposely being vague.

“Only fine? Did you both come to an agreement as to how you are going to be seen in public?” Lord Willington asked, genuinely curious as to how the two were going to handle their engagement.

“We agreed to act civil and show a bit of affection towards each other when in the public’s eye. We do not want to be spread around the gossip mill. Father, I have to ask; please do not tell anyone why Olivia and I are wedding. I do not need added humiliation.” Lord Willington seemed a tad surprised at what Gregory had told him. He never considered that this might be an embarrassing situation for his son.

“Gregory, there is nothing to be humiliated by. People are put into arranged marriages all the time. Why should this one be any different?” Lord Willington asked, not understanding his son’s view on the situation.

“It is embarrassing, Father. I am a grown man who did not need to have a wife chosen for him, especially when I am now matched with a woman everyone knows I cannot get along with. That is not even to mention if word were to get out that my entire inheritance was threatened. As I told Olivia, I do not want or need my dirty laundry hanging for the world to see,” Gregory exclaimed in one long breath. Gregory was beginning to get agitated once again. His father stared at him dumbly, not quite seeing the point.

“You may find it embarrassing, which is ridiculous, but we both know that if this marriage had not been arranged, you would never have walked down the aisle.” When Gregory tried to protest, his father talked right over him. “Do not deny it fore we both know that it is true. You may not like this decision, but you have to live with it. Because it is your wish, I will tell no one that this is an arranged marriage, and I will make sure that your mother as well as Olivia’s parents do not breathe a word about it. As far as society will know, this will be a marriage out of mutual respect and perhaps love, whatever you and Olivia decide, but do not insult my intelligence by trying to convince me that if given enough time you would have taken a wife. We both know that that is not true, and this is where we will end this conversation. No one will know the truth, but if I am to keep this secret, then you had better do a good job in convincing society that you have come to care for Miss Knight.” With Lord Willington having said his piece, he turned and began to walk up the hill.