Second Chances; A Regency Story (For Anna)

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Of course not," Alasdair said. He told himself to be resigned, and not to let his own dread show. He had decided that Annabelle was unsuitable, and now he would be saddled with her, a woman who tempted and tormented him at once. And all from no objectionable actions on his part. The woman was a terror!

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Gabriel stood and finished off his drink, deciding that he would need all the help he could get to break the news to Annabelle. He shook Mr. Blackwood's hand and said the required responses before departing.

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"You did WHAT?!??!" Annabelle shot out of her chair before her father's desk, hands clenched into fists at her side. She hadn't even let him finish speaking before interrupting with her outrage. "This was none of your concern. If I had wanted a meaningless relationship I could have married either of the Dukes that had called upon me, or any of the others and claimed a title for my misery."

Gabriel was in no mood to humor his daughter. "Yes, and you would have been settled years ago instead of going about as you please and barely avoiding scandal. I cannot let this pass unnoticed. You had an eligible bachelor under our roof without a chaperone while I was out of town. And worse, you were in the same room as him without even a maid. You have no regard for your own welfare or safety. Despite the loyal staff we keep, it would only take one small whisper of the facts to have your future, as well as that of your sister ruined forever."

Annabelle dropped into her chair, knowing that he spoke the truth. She might not care about her own status within society, but she didn't want to do anything that might harm her sister. "Good luck seeing him and getting him to agree to such a union. He isn't even speaking with me."

"Already taken care of daughter. We began discussion of the arrangement this morning and he has agreed to marriage after the proper time of courtship." Mr. Hennessy stated to his daughter. He watched her turn red before excusing herself and marching out of his office.

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Annabelle flung herself onto her bed, enraged at the injustice of the world. Yes, she'd wanted a chance to talk with Alasdair, to plead her case and to have him forgive her and then marry her. She hadn't wanted to trick him into marriage, or to marry under any such circumstances. She didn't even want to face him, afraid of seeing the same look of contempt she'd seen when they last stood so near.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair had sought immediately to procure a license rather than have the banns read. There were too many things that could go wrong that way, too many things which could be dragged out of the shadows, things that could hurt their families as well as ruin them. Things that were true, but never spoken of.

The wedding would take place in three weeks, and during those three weeks, he needed to put forth the appearance of courtship, whatever the truth. She did not want him, and likely never had, but for someone to provide sexual favors. He would not take a mistress, nor be seen as one.

He should have attended some ball or another and asked her to dance, but she eschewed Society and its edicts, however her father might obey enough to keep the Hennessys from being entirely cast away. She was not Society, however, by her own choice, and he was not by his. There was no reason to do so.

He would drive her in the park again. Once could be written off, but twice, and perhaps more, would be noticed, and would be discussed. Before their ride together, he had sent to her a box tied with ribbon, stuffed with gauzy tissue paper which cradled a pair of fine green doeskin gloves.

He hoped that she would accept the gift, that she would wear them out, and his hope was reflected in the complementary green of his waistcoat. He was dressed perfectly, dressed to impress those who would see them together, and to impress into them that he was, after all, a man, whatever their thoughts.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle didn't have to consider longer than a split second if she would change to match the gift. It would be foolish and completely counterproductive to do otherwise. She didn't want this marriage because of the way it had come about, but she wouldn't cut off her nose to spite her face. She would play by the rules and could only hope for a decent outcome.

The dress she chose was a soft sea-foam green, cut in the current fashion, with an empire waist and low v-cut that nearly met it. A white cloth hung flat across the V, decorated with only a simple row of lace and made sure that all was left to the imagination as it should. Her cobalt blue spencer complimented the dress in cut and she nicely tied the outfit together with a small matching bonnet. Her new green gloves fit just fine as she tried them on to make sure she would look her best.

When summoned, she descended the main stairs, her gloves and bonnet in hand as she went to greet the man that had refused to speak with her only days before. Her nerves were stretched thin and she hoped she'd have a chance for a private word with Alasdair before she was forced to smile for the ton. Marriage to Alasdair should have been a happy event, but as long as she knew she wasn't wanted, she wouldn't have the heart for it.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair had girded himself for the sight of her, but despite whatever lingering hurt he felt at her rejection of his suit, at her tarnished view of him, he could not help the reaction he felt to his core. She was beautiful, even more so without her guise of spinsterhood, and yes, there was his offering, tucked into her delicate hand. It was all he could do to keep the polite distance he needed.

"You look beautiful, Miss Hennessy," he allowed himself.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle hadn't been prepared for the complement, no matter how proper the words were. Something in his voice, or perhaps just her wanting imagination, led her to believe they were more than just a required greeting. Her cheeks warmed with a glow in response as she navigated the last steps towards him.

Her gaze lifted as she looked upon her fiance as if it were the first time. He was smartly dressed and would fit in at any event of the Ton. She noticed he matched her gloves and thought it an appropriate gesture for their first outing as a couple. "Thank you Sir, I would same the same to you....er, handsome that is. Thank you for the gift, they are very lovely."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Annabelle was flustered, and it was impossible not to notice. The stammering words were a familiar tell, and Alasdair wondered at it. Perhaps it was only upset at having had her plans foiled. She was now forced to accept his offer, after having turned it down and made one of her own. And she thought him a cad, at that. How could she not have realized that he was courting her? Well, he would put one possible misconception to rest.

He stepped forward with a token greeting and lightly took her hand, bending to bow over it. His lips hovered a breath away from her skin as he spoke rapidly and low enough for only her ears. "I swear to you, Miss Hennessy, that the circumstances of our meeting did not reach your father from my mouth. I would not seek to trap you so." His lips pressed softly to the sensitive skin beneath them, and he straightened, his faded moss eyes willing her to believe that he'd meant her no harm. It was difficult to summon anger in the sight of her, whatever hurt remained.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle met his eyes and was surprised how soft and welcoming they were. After their last encounter and his refusal to see her, she'd expected a much different person to be calling on her. She did not pull her hand away, nor did she drop her gaze as she in turn provided a small curtsy. Her emotions were so confused, unsure if he was acting or if he genuinely might care at least a little. Her voice was quiet, barely loud enough to span the distance between their bodies. "I was under no illusion that you would wish for such a match and did not think you capable of any such thing. I was also prepared to pledge that I had no part in forcing your hand to take an unwanted bride."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

The thought had never crossed Alasdair's mind, not after her thorough objections to marriage and all else that had come out during their last meeting. He had supposed it a servant, as several had seen him, and none had stayed longer than a moment. He inclined his head lightly, and thought for a moment about whether he should address her other statement. A glance told him that they were alone.

"Whatever your impression of me," Alasdair said under his breath, "I was sincere. If you will not insult me further, I would be quite willing to pretend our argument never occurred."

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle's eyes widened slightly as she realized he had misunderstood her. "Forgive me, perhaps my wording was not clear. They were not meant..... I did not intend to, to insult or imply in any way that you are not sincere. I have been led to believe, by others that is, recently, that you no longer wished to marry. And it was only on that, because you see I believed you did not wish this....."

Annabelle looked down at her hand, still resting in his grasp and tried to gather herself together. She did not wish to anger him and was horribly disappointed in herself for having him think she'd meant to insult his character yet again. All she wanted was his approval, for him to not think of her in the ways he'd expressed that morning. The last words he'd said finally registered in her mind, I would be quite willing to pretend our argument never occurred. Her voice was softer, sadder, as she spoke to their hands. "I had believed myself firmly on the shelf and the options to marry long gone. I am not against marrying you, I was foolish and blind and cannot express the sorrow I've felt these last days because of my oversight. I would love nothing more than to take back that morning's misunderstanding and start anew."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair was stunned into silence, unsure what to say or do with her unexpected acceptance, let alone the apology which had followed. Could he truly forgive her so easily? He decided that it didn't matter. He'd intended to treat her well, even before this sudden reversion into someone he might think of as a lady.

He nodded, all the reply he could give just yet, and led her outside to his curricle and his blue roans. He had removed his mourning band, determined to do things right, and only hoped that she would make small talk as she had last time, and leave him to his thoughts.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle had looked up in time to see the nod and fell into silent thought trying to interpret just what that simple movement meant. She hardly noticed him leading her outside, and handing her properly up into his waiting curricle. She wished she understood men better and could only hope that it meant the air was now clear between them. She could forgive the comments thrown out that heated morning as well if they were not truly meant.

After a couple minutes of silence, she realized she was expected to hold conversation and turned her eyes upon her companion. He really was impressive and she blushed at the thought of countless afternoons and evenings at his side. Unable to devote much attention to conversation, she defaulted to the traditional topic. "I am glad the weather cooperated today."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair gave an answer that required no thought, hoping that Miss Hennessy wouldn't notice his distraction. He focused on his horses as they approached the park gates, but his mind was elsewhere, lingering on her apology and flitting back to that morning, and the thoughts he'd had in the moments before he'd closed his arm band into its drawer.

Why had things been easier before, when he'd assumed the marriage would be one of convenience, or that she'd hated him and it would be in name only? Why couldn't he let go, and how could he let go? He pasted a smile on his lips and attempted to call himself back.