A Marriage Of Inconvenience Chapter 3

CHAPTER III

Their footman was standing at the carriage, opening the door and ushered Lavinia safely in. Gerald climbed in moments later and sat down next to her. Hopping up onto his seat, on the top of the carriage, the coachman flicked his reins and the horses started up.

Gerald sniffed the air. “What is that perfume you’re wearing?” he asked.

“Gardenia,” Lavinia said in a brusque tone. “Why?”

“Oh nothing, nothing, I just wondered. It is a most pleasant aroma and suits you.”

“Thank you.”

They sat in silence for a few more moments. Gerald grew progressively more uneasy and suddenly felt his collar was too tight.

“Warm tonight isn’t it?” he said hoping to break the silence.

“Yes it is,” Lavinia replied abruptly.

Gerald sat miserably wondering what he’d done wrong, feeling sure something was up.

“Gerald,” Lavinia suddenly said, causing him to jump.

“Yes?” he replied

“How long have we been … married?”

“I don’t know really, don’t keep track of these things – a few months…”

“Six months, two weeks, five days and 6 hours,” she said leaning forward.

“Really? How interesting that you are keeping such… an accurate record.”

“But the truth is that, as we both know, we’re not married at all. Our marriage has never been… consummated.”

“Now look here Lavinia, I made it quite clear that ours was going to be a marriage of convenience. As you know, due to that stupid clause in Papa’s Will, I couldn’t inherit his title or estate unless I had a wife. It was imperative I get married quickly, so you agreed to my terms. I promised you at the time, that I would never… inopportune you by demanding my … marital rights, and I’ve kept my promise as a gentleman would.”

“Oh you certainly have done that Gerald,” Lavinia replied dryly “But I would call our arrangement a Marriage of Inconvenience.”

“Oh I say Lavinia, that’s not fair! You knew from the onset that it wasn’t a marriage of love, but of convenience. We didn’t love each other.”

Lavinia took a deep breath. “Speak for yourself, Gerald, speak for yourself. YOU didn’t love ME.”

“Yes, yes, that is true – are you telling me you had a… tendress for me at the time?”

“Gerald, I fell in love with you 5 years’ ago when I saw you ride by on your black stallion. What’s his name – the stallion I mean?”

“Thunder,” Gerald replied absently, his mind in a whirl. Turning to Lavinia he said angrily “Do you mean to say you we in love with me and never said a word? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you didn’t ask. Besides, what was the point when you patently thought of me as a drab little mouse whose only purpose was to enable you to claim your inheritance?”

“So why are you telling me now?”

“Because this situation is no longer good enough for me. I want much much more out of a marriage than you’re obviously prepared to give.” she paused then delivered her thunderbolt. “I’ve decided to have our marriage annulled!”

“You can’t do that!” Gerald squawked. “You’ll make a laughingstock out of me with the ton. They’ll all assume that…. I’m incapable… of carrying out my…. husbandly duty.”

Lavinia brushed a piece of flint off her shawl. “Well, I can’t help that.”

Gerald sputtered to himself for a bit while he pondered on this disastrous bomb that had been landed on his lap. Suddenly he bolted upright as a thought entered his mind.

“Ah ha!” he declared triumphantly. “So how do you propose to prove in Court that you are still a maiden?”

Lavinia pretended to yawn. “Oh that’s easy – I get examined by a doctor who then provides me with a certificate stating I am… untouched. I take it to Court, and an annulment is automatically issued. We are no longer husband and wife – not that we ever were in the strict letter of the law.”

Gerald groaned. Leaning forward he rested his head in his hands.

Lavinia stretched back languidly then delivered her final thunderbolt. “I have an appointment with Dr. McBride next week on Friday.”

“WHAT? WHAT? Lavinia, you can’t do this … surely we can come to some sort of… agreement?”

“Doesn’t seem likely to me Gerald. I’ve waited for 6 months, 2 weeks…”

“…5 days and 6 hours, yes I know.” Gerald interrupted.

“Lavinia…” he began.

“Oh look, we’ve arrived at the Fatheringham’s House. Let’s go in shall we?” Lavinia said brightly.