MARRIAGE OF DISCONTENT

CHAPTER IV

A MARRIAGE OF INCONVENIENCE

Lavinia, Lady Beecham was riding in her carriage in Regent’s Park. Her friend, Victoria (Lady Carlisle) sat beside her.

“Vicki,” Lavinia said, “I wonder if I could ask you a favour?”

Victoria glanced at her friend in surprise. Livvy had never asked a favour of her before and her tone sounded quite serious.

“Of course you can,” she said stoutly then leaned over and squeezed Lavinia’s hand.

There was an awkward silence as Lavinia gathered her thoughts. “I know I’m nothing to look at and am a plain Jane…”

“Only because you never take my advice on how to dress, or wear your hair… as I’ve often said, you could be stunningly beautiful if you’d just let me teach you how to make the best of your assets.”

“What assets?” Lavinia asked dryly.

“Your glorious blue eyes, magnificent slim figure, long blond hair you wear pinned back severely in an ugly bun. Best of all, you have generous bosoms. You should show them off to advantage – men love that. Instead you wear gowns fit for a nun, with high collars and long sleeves. You should no skin at all!”

Lavinia coughed. “Well here’s the thing. The Fartheringham Ball is coming up and for personal reasons I don’t want to go into, I want to look very fine for it. Will you help?”

Victoria’s eye gleamed with excitement. She leaned forward, tapped the man driving the horses and said “Thomas, my good man, take us to Bond Street, right away.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

On the night of the Ball, Lady Lavinia sat in front of her mirror and gazed at her reflected image in astonishment. “I don’t think Gerald is going to recognize me,” she murmured. “He has no idea the bomb I’m going to drop on his lap tonight.”

Victoria had picked out a beautiful blue gown that matched the colour of her eyes, that clung to her curves and had a shocking low neckline that all but revealed her bosoms. Under it, she wore a tight corset that uplifted them in what to her was an alarming manner. “Vicki,” she’d protested mildly “My breasts are going to fall out of this gown.”

“No they won’t,” Victoria said “But every man there will be hoping they will do just that. And they won’t be able to keep their eyes off you.”

“That’s a good thing, is it?” Lavinia moaned softly.

“Yes, it’s time Gerald got a wake up call.”

“Oh he’ll get much more than that,” Lavinia said with a chuckle.

“Livvy, you’re up to something… do tell,” Vicki said her eyes filled with curiosity.

“Sorry Livvy, this is deeply personal and strictly between Gerald and me.”

Victoria had insisted she wear her hair down, flowing in golden waves over her bare shoulders and back. On the crown, she’d entwined a string of pearls that gleamed in Lavinia’s golden tresses.

Around her neck, she wore the sapphire pendent with matching earrings Gerald had given her on their wedding day. “These are family heirlooms which you as my wife, are entitled to have,” he’d told her dryly.

Lavinia’s eyelids had been darkened with khol and some rouge applied to her cheeks as well as a red salve on her lips. She was staggered by the transformation from country mouse to… what?

“I hope I don’t look like a doxy,” she said anxiously to Victoria.

“Nonsense,” Victoria replied. “You look like a high society lady.”

“I hope you’re right,” Lavinia sounded doubtful.

“Of course I’m right. You can have no idea how I’ve longed to turn you from an ugly duckling into a glorious swan. Now tell me, what is this bomb you’re going to drop on Gerald?”

Lavinia pressed her lips together. “Sorry friend, deeply personal so don’t ask.”

Victoria sighed. “Alright, but will you ever tell me?”

Lavinia looked at her friend. “Probably not. Sorry.” She leaned over and squeezed Victoria’s hand.

“Lavinia,” Gerald called from downstairs. “It’s time to go or we’ll be late.”

“God forbid that we’re late,” Lavinia muttered as she gathered up her purse and shawl. “You’re going to wish we’d never gone before the night is over. You have no idea the bomb I’m going to drop on you tonight.”

.
CHAPTER II

Lavenia slowly approached the head of the stairs. She gazed down at Gerald, who wasn’t looking up at her, but glaring at his pocket watch that he held in his hand. She had a few moments to reflect on him.

Gerald was a handsome man, tall with a shock of black curly hair, with a few strands that always fell over his forehead. She knew his eyes were a brilliant blue, and his mouth had a sensual full lower lip. He was well built – taut body, muscular from all the horseback riding he did daily, making a point of exercising the many horses he had in his extensive stable. Horses were his passion, Lavinia thought with a sigh.

Tonight he was dressed elegantly for the ball, wearing tight black leather leggings that outlined his muscular thighs, a scarlet velvet jacket with golden braiding at the shoulders, and gold buttons. He wore long Hessian black boots, a white brocade waistcoat and an Ascot tie.

She noticed he was tapping his foot impatiently. Turning towards her he started to call out “LAVINIA, FOR GOD’S SAKE HURRY…” the words died in his throat as he caught sight of her.

Very slowly, Lavinia descended the long staircase, taking her time, her gloved hand sliding casually over the banister, her glorious blue dress flowing seamlessly behind her. Equally casually, she tossed her head, making her long hair flow like gossamer silk around her head.

Gerald’s mouth fell open in a most satisfying manner. He gulped and seemed to have a problem breathing. Inwardly, Lavinia smiled with satisfaction at the totally awed and stunned expression on his face.

“Is there a problem, Gerald? Are you alright?” she asked sweetly, knowing full well that whatever Gerald was right now, alright wasn’t it.

Raising his hand to his mouth, he coughed delicately. “Erm… yes… I’m fine… perfectly fine…” He coughed some more.

“You’re looking exceptionally… fine tonight my dear,” he stuttered, completely confounded and at a loss for words.

“Yes, well I decided it was time for a change,” she said looking intently into his eyes. “A complete change.”

Something in her eyes stirred anxiety in Gerald’s mind, then he dismissed it.

“And a very nice change it is too, if I may say so.”

“Yes, you may say so,” she replied demurely. “Shall we be off to the Ball?”

“Of course… of course…” he held out his arm to escort her down the front steps to their waiting carriage. She ignored it, picked up her skirts and went down the stairs unaided.

Gerald’s unease recurred. He sensed she was up to something, but he wasn’t quite sure what.

CHAPTER III

Their footman was standing at the carriage, opening the door and ushered Lavinia safely in. Gerald hopped 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 felt more and 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.

CHAPTER IV

Jumping down from his lofty perch, the driver walked over to the carriage door, opened it and helped Lavinia alight. Gerald followed grumpily.

FatheringamHall was brilliantly lit up with flood lights. Lavinia paused to admire the Georgian architecture, and the gracious grounds, lavish flowerbeds, beautifully manicured lawns, gracious trees – it all took her breath away.

She and Gerald walked up the long steps leading into the foyer of the Hall. Their hosts, Lord Edward, and Lady Leticia Fotheringham, and their son James were waiting to greet the line of guests that led up into the Hall.

Both Lord and Lady Fotheringham were short and rotund. Lord Edward had a round shiny face and a red nose, due probably to his over enthusiasm for whiskey on the rocks. Lady Leticia was equally roley poley , with several double chins that wobbled as she laughed heartily which she often did. A kind good-natured woman, she was well liked in ton circles. Men liked her because she made them laugh and reminded them of their mothers, and the women liked her because she posed on threat to them in their quest to make a good marriage, nor was she likely to steal the affections of a faithful husband. The Fotheringhams also gave the best parties in the ton, and entertained on a lavish scale.

“GERALD, HOW IN THE HELL ARE YOU?” Lord Edward boomed. “And who is the lovely lady you’ve brought with you tonight?”

“Good heavens,” Lavinia whispered. “Gerald, he doesn’t recognize me and thinks I’m one of your doxies.” She couldn’t contain her giggles, and even Gerald smiled.

“Eddie old chap, this lovely lady is my wife, Lady Lavinia. Surely you remember her?” he couldn’t resist saying.

Lord Edward’s face went beet red. “Yes, yes, of course I do. ” he huffed. “Lady Lavinia, please do excuse my… blunder … the light is poor in here,” he muttered half heartedly.

Lavinia smiled and patted his shoulder gently. “It’s perfectly alright Lord Edward. I have reinvented myself tonight and decided to come out of my shell.”

Lord Edward beamed. “The transformation is exquisite dear lady. And may I express the hope that you will never… go back into your shell?” Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed it with a great deal more ardour than was strictly necessary.

“Now, now Eddie, quite enough of that,” Lady Felicia said with a laugh. “Lady Lavinia, have you met our son, James?”

“No, I don’t believe I have.” Lavinia turned to smile at James, who gulped nervously, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down his throat. He was a miniature version of his parents, tubby and round faced, with a shock of blond curly hair, making him look like a fat little cherub. He awkwardly shook her hand then realized he was supposed to have kissed it. He tried to drag her hand to his lips, but by then, she’d dropped her arm so blushing furiously, he let go of it, covering his confusion by saying “I say, I say…” then saying nothing at all.

Lady Lavinia felt sorry for him. Leaning forward, she whispered in his ear “I must say, I admire you taste in waistcoats. Yours is most… handsome.”

He beamed happily and bobbed his head up and down. “Thank you – you are most … kind.”

“Shall we go in?” Gerald said taking her hand and leading them forward.

At the entrance to the lavishly decorated ballroom, Lavinia stopped a minute, gazing at the spectacular site of couples dancing, while a string quartette in the gallery overhead, played a rousing quadrille; waiters and waitresses with trays of food and champagne flutes mingling their way amid the onlookers.

Lavinia was totally unaware what a spectacular picture she made standing there, watching with a slight smile on her face, or how many male eyes were appraising her.

Gerald grabbed a couple of flutes of champagne and handed her one.

“Gerald, old boy. I was hoping you’d be here tonight,” a man called out.

“Why, what’s up Monty?” Gerald sighed turning.

“I need to discuss hiring your Thunder to cover my mare Treblinka, who’s coming into season very soon.”

Sighing Gerald turned away. By the time he got back to where he’d left Lavinia, she was nowhere to be seen. He searched the room and finally saw her dancing a waltz with that scoundrel Phillip Lord Montrose. “That cad is holding her much too closely,” Gerald muttered. Impatiently he tapped his foot waiting for the dance to end.

When Montrose finally escorted her back, Gerald stepped forward. “May I have the next dance?” he asked.

Lavinia looked at her dance card. “I’m sorry Gerald, but I promised the next dance to Lord Ambercrombie.”

“What about the dance after that?”

Lavinia laughed lightly. “It looks as if my dance card is completely filled,” she said apologetically. Gerald glowered.

“I can’t even dance with my own wife?” he sputtered.

“Wife…?” Lavinia raised an eyebrow. At the silent rage she saw on his face, she patted his shoulder gently. “Never mind Gerald, look, Lord Heathcliffe and Lord Raingrow are both over there,” she pointed “And you know how much they enjoy talking about horses. Why don’t you go and amuse yourself with them?”

Cursing under his breath, Gerald said “Very well – enjoy yourself,” he muttered, grinding his teeth.

Lavinia smiled “Thank you, I believe I will.”

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