Chapter Four

Oxfordshire, England

“I will not!”

“Dear Lord!” Alex exclaimed, loudly. “I am not asking you to marry me, or anything! I don’t understand why you are behaving in this manner.”

“It is evident that you don’t understand the magnitude of all I have to do! You want to put the entire burden of matchmaking on me!” Sarah raged.

Alex sighed. He had been utterly dejected after his parents had revealed the news of his potential arranged marriage. He had always planned to marry; it was his duty as heir of the dukedom after all. But not at two and twenty, and he certainly did not desire an arranged union.

“Why did mother and father choose me, as repayment for their debt? I am aware that it was a serious situation, and definitely one that requires repayment. But me?” He pulled himself up from his reclining position on Sarah’s small bed, and rested his chin on his right palm.

“Alex! Don’t you think you are being a tad bit insensitive?” Sarah asked in a tightly controlled voice, obviously trying to suppress her anger.

“No. I do not believe I’m being insensitive. We are discussing my wife, in my future, in my life,” he answered. Sarah shot him a glare. She was seated on an old chair, and was forcefully pulling on a loose thread in the fabric of the cushion.

“Of course we are discussing your wife, in your future, in your life. Who else would we be talking about? Certainly not me. I am not the one who will inherit the most powerful dukedom in England. I am not the one who has seemingly unlimited wealth, and who has the ability to travel to several foreign countries. I am not the one who has been blessed with the kindest parents in the universe. Parents who not only adore their only son, but would also do anything to please him—”

“Sarah—” Alex attempted to interrupt Sarah’s heated speech but silenced himself after seeing her hand slice through the air in a halting gesture.

“Let me finish, Alex,” she spoke, enunciating each word clearly. “This is the one incident that has marred their perfect parental record. In my humble opinion, I really do not believe so, but you are entitled to your opinion, and I won’t venture to change it.”

Alex swallowed, and felt guilt starting to stir his rational side. He stood up and paced the path between the window and Sarah’s bed.

Sarah’s right, and you know it. You have been blessed with the best parents in the world. One hasty or arranged marriage that will affect the rest of your life, shouldn’t make you spurn them forever.

But somehow, the thought didn’t seem sarcastic, as he had intended it to be. Instead, it was a genuine sentiment. He sighed as he faced Sarah, a look of resignation on his face. Sarah’s lips curved into a smirk upon viewing his countenance.

“So, I assume you’ve pushed past your selfishness, judging from that look,” she pointed towards his face.

“I wasn’t being selfish, Sarah!” he protested.

“I’m jesting, Alex. I know it is a serious matter, especially since only a few days have passed since your arrival back home. But do we have to continue the discussion on this issue right now? I am bone-weary, and incapable of arguing any further.” She glanced at the window. “Goodness, in a couple of hour’s time, it shall be morning!”

Alex gave her a pointed stare.

“Every single time you were ill, whether it be with the influenza, measles, even that bout with the chicken pox, who sat up with you half the night to keep you company? Hmm?” he asked calmly.

“The duchess and Emma,” she replied just as coolly.

“Fine. I’ll always remember your response,” he said, as he turned to leave. As soon as he faced the opposite direction, he cracked a small smile.

One, two, three…

“Wait, Alex!”

He could sense her rushed footsteps behind him. In a second’s time she caught up with him and tried to drape her arms around his shoulders. He stood stiffly, to prolong her apologetic nature.

“Goodness, I’m sorry, okay? It was you who stayed up with me half the night, and now I’m willing to do the same for you,” she murmured, and then softly under her breath, “Although half the night has already passed.”

He still stood stiffly.

“Alex?” she muttered softly. He didn’t respond, but secretly, he was utterly amused at the situation.

“I know you’ve forgiven me. Can’t we make this easy on ourselves, and settle down on the bed? Maybe then we could come up with bride-hunting strategies,” she suggested.

Sarah’s ability to read his emotions never failed to amaze him. They were always in tune with one another. He dearly hoped he would be able to communicate with his future wife, as well as he did with his best friend.

She granted him a huge grin as he turned around, finally breaking his ramrod straight posture. He leaned down to encase her small body in his arms, and then rested his chin on top of her soft, mahogany-colored hair.

“Alright, alright. You are forgiven. I think I’ll take the chair tonight. There is no point in making the trek down to my room at this late of an hour,” he stated. He sat down into the hard chair that Sarah had occupied earlier. After a few moments of discomfort, he stood up and walked to the bed, where his confidante sat, leaning her head against the headboard.

“On second thought, I think I’ll sleep on the floor,” he said with a sheepish grin.

“My oh my, the future Duke of Weston asleep on the hard floor in his servant’s room? I cannot bear the thought. You can share the bed with me. You just have to promise not to use up the entire space, like you did the last time you slept here.” She indicated the right side of the bed, smoothing down the coverlet by rubbing large circles across it.

“You are not a servant!” he exclaimed. “Besides, I did not take up half the bed last time. It is merely, my large, muscular body that needs more space.”

Sarah nodded fervently, trying to suppress her smile. “Sure, sure, whatever you say Alex. But one last quip… I must say your bed-hogging was quite inconsiderate, since the last time you slept here, was when I was sick with the measles.”

Both of them burst out laughing. Tears sprung to Sarah’s eyes, and she held her stomach until it started to ache from the continuous heaving. Alex hastily sat down on the bed, laughing all the while.

Several moments passed before they could regain their composures. Sarah gingerly lifted a hand to wipe away her tears of amusement. “I needed a good laugh, Alex. I must thank you for that, I believe.”

Alex nodded arrogantly. “Of course. You must have been deprived of all things comical while I was away. My parents are quite uninspiring.”

“On the contrary, they were rather interesting. They have just the right twist of modern taste as well as old-fashioned taste. Their pleasant dispositions, even while you were gone, made everything we did together all the more agreeable,” she said, leaning back to make herself more comfortable on the bed.

“If you say so, Sar,” he murmured, wringing his hands together.

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An awkward silence followed his comment.

Sarah turned her head slightly to discreetly yawn, but pretended that she was taking a cursory glance of her surroundings. She absolutely despised awkward silences. Not that she ever had that problem with Alex before now.

I’ll just stay silent, for now. He can bring forth whatever topic he wishes to talk about.

Although she knew exactly what he wanted to talk about. She surreptitiously glanced at Alex. He seemed to be lost in a trance, completely secluded in his own world, and she took the opportunity to study him thoroughly. Her gaze finally rested on his hands.

Alex’s hands were so…sensual. They provided sheer proof as to his difference from the other foppish heirs of the ton.

Unlike other noblemen, Alex was an extremely hard worker. He often went out to help the grooms in the famous Weston stables, and he did everything barehanded. In his opinion, gloves were just useless garments. He was also a fine swordsman, one of the most reputed in the country, and his long practices every other day, provided the slight calluses that lined his hands. She knew from one of his letters that he had continued the practices in India, with a hired partner.

He looked up at her suddenly and caught her stare. Sarah felt her cheeks flush and quickly averted her gaze. It is only Alex! Why are you acting this way?

“You know, that is exactly what I want,” he said, breaking the silence.

“What?” Sarah asked confusedly. “You already have the parents,” she exclaimed, referring to their earlier conversation.

“Not my parents, Sar. You, I want you,” he said softly.

What? Wanting me? Sarah asked herself, utterly bewildered.

And, false as it was, his confession made her heart beat in a frantic rhythm.

The combination of the romantic glow in the room produced by the soft glimmer of candlelight, his close presence mere inches away from her on the narrow bed, and his devilishly handsome stare, deepened the strong attraction she felt towards him at the moment.

Another awkward silence ensued.

Alex kept gazing at her without speaking, but she quickly broke eye contact. Her feelings for him had quite a turnabout in the past few years, and she was in constant danger of revealing them to him through her overly expressive eyes. His trip to India was actually a relief to her for a while. She didn’t have to worry about continuously putting up a nonchalant face. But now that he was back… she would just have to be careful. If he somehow found out, their beautiful friendship would fall into ruins, and she would be humiliated.

He’ll be married in a few months’ time. We won’t live under the same roof, and I won’t have to fret about it.

His request from earlier tonight only foreshadowed her despair for the years to come, if she continued to let herself fall deeper into her emotions. Maybe she should deny him. That way he could bride-hunt on his own, and she wouldn’t have to cope with it everyday.

You would never turn down a request from him.

When Alex had requested a favor after the heated argument he had with the duke and duchess, she had thought nothing of it. In fact, she had assumed that he wished her to advise him in the situation, or just allow him to stay with her for the night.

It wasn’t as simple.

He wanted her to find an ideal bride for him.

Within one Season.

Goodness, what am I getting myself into?

“Alex, will you please stop jesting? Can we please just talk about what is to happen in London, and what you wish for me to do?” she asked him, eager to end the silences once and for all.

Alex shook his head, finally emerging from the trance that had compelled him to assert that ridiculous statement about wanting her.

“Sorry, Sar, my last comment didn’t come out quite right. I don’t want you. I was actually thinking about my future bride,” he said, his lips curved into a light smile.

Sarah smiled in turn, but couldn’t ignore the deep hurt she felt upon hearing his response. “Sorry Sar… I don’t want you.” No doubt he was thinking about Rhianna.

“Rhianna? Were you thinking of Lady Rhianna?” she verbalized her thoughts. She wanted to look away, but was too eager to hear his answer. Maybe he already had a specific lady in mind, one that he wanted to court in London right away.

Alex chuckled. “No, I was not thinking of Rhianna, or any other lady for that matter.”

“Then what, Alex?” she asked; slightly frustrated that he wasn’t telling her directly.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he smirked. After a withering glare from her, he finally said, “Actually, I was thinking of how great it would be if my future bride had all the same qualities as you do. She would be quite endearing if so. My wife and best friend all in one person.”

My wife and best friend all in one person. One person. Clearly there would be no further need for me. She gave him a rueful smile. Anything that makes you happy Alex.

“So, what is it exactly that you wish for me to do?” she asked, careful to maintain a casual tone of voice. The last thing she wanted was to let her emotions seep through to her voice.

“Will you really help me? I was forceful about it earlier tonight, and I’m sorry,” he mentioned.

“Of course,” she assented. “I mean, yes, I’ll do whatever it takes to have you leg-shackled by the end of the Season.”

“Sarah, leg-shackled is a term that only men are allowed to use,” he gave her a stern glare, although it was obvious he was jesting. “As I said before, I want you to help me find a bride. Rhianna’s fantastic, she grew even more beautiful over the last two years and certainly more personable, but I want to keep my options open. New ladies every Season,” he said, rubbing his hands together.

“You seem very excited about your pending marriage now, Alex,” Sarah said wryly. She tried not to think of Rhianna.

“Well, I’ve got to make the best out of a bad situation. I’m being optimistic,” he replied, with a broad grin. “Anyway, Timothy, you and me. All of us will work together, so contrary as to what you may think, ‘the entire burden of matchmaking’ is not going to be placed solely on you. Timothy and I will do our fair share by frolicking with different ladies each night, to see which one suits me the best.”

“No doubt, they will all be thrilled,” she said. She couldn’t help but smile, “The future Duke of Weston paying attention to them. You will be the talk of the ton. But then again, you always are.”

“I want to get to know each lady, at least a little bit. If I like one, I’ll introduce her to Timothy, who will evaluate her.”

“Goodness, it sounds like you are inspecting lands for future purchase,” she said incredulously.

“Society marriages, Sarah, are always like that.”

“What about me, then? I’ll be the duchess’s companion, so I doubt I’ll get to converse with any of them,” she said.

“Exactly. You don’t have to talk to any of them. Since you’ll be Mother’s companion, you’ll get other accounts of the lady. Presumably from her mother, and other Society matrons, even her personal servants,” he said quickly.

Sarah nodded. It sounded fairly easy, and she enjoyed talking with the other companions and servants during the social events.

“When will you tell Lord Timothy?” she inquired. She absolutely adored Lord Timothy. He had befriended her from the first day of her adoption into the Weston household, and over the years had grown as dear as a brother to her.

“As soon as we reach London. It’s been ages since I’ve seen him. Maybe he’ll want to get leg-shackled too. I’ll suggest it,” he replied, grinning.

“Alex!”

“I’m certain that Timothy will be at the club, on our first night in London. As of yet, he doesn’t know that I’m back. After he’s informed that we’re all in London, he’ll want to come and call on you, Mother and Father. After he’s done the formalities, we’ll devise a definite plan, before the start of the first event, probably a ball of some sort,” he said.

“You know, Rhianna will presumably be by your side at every Society affair being held. People will assume that you are to declare upcoming nuptials. A ton wedding, it will set off quite a flurry of excitement.”

Alex nodded, and stood up. He ran a hand through his hair, and then rubbed his forehead with the tips of his thumb and index fingers.

“I’ve thought of that. It can’t be that bad. After all, if I decide to wed Rhianna, I wish to see her in a different light than I have in the past. Spending some time together, will allow me the chance to do so,” he exclaimed.

“You’ve really thought this out, Alex, haven’t you? In such a short moment of time too,” she said, giving him an earnest glance. “I promise, I’ll do whatever I can to help. I want you to have the bride you’ve always dreamed of Alex,” she murmured.

Alex granted her a tender smile. He walked around the to her side of the bed, and sat down beside her. He gently took a hold of both of her hands and lifted them up to his lips. After placing a kiss on each of them, he wrapped his arms around her in a tender embrace. “I don’t deserve you, Sarah,” he whispered against her ear.

“No you don’t, Alex,” she said in jest, but didn’t laugh. She was absolutely exhausted, and couldn’t muster up enough strength for additional conversation. Besides, Alex’s arms provided her with a warm shelter. She felt her body relax, and her eyelids start to droop.

I’ll never have a moment like this ever again.

Itwas her last though before succumbing to sleep completely.

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Alex swallowed, as he looked down at his best friend, asleep in his arms. Completely innocent. Only the scar running down her cheek disrupted the angelic picture.

He shifted slightly, and slid one arm under her knees, and the other under her right arm. He carried her over to the head of the bed, and laid her down gently. He gripped the coverlet, and pulled it over Sarah’s frail body, tucking the ends in under her elbows. She shifted a little, and unconsciously pulled the covers all the way over her shoulders, engulfing herself within them.

If only, there was somebody for her.

He had tried to keep his tone light earlier, but it was only a front. He didn’t want to get married right away. Getting married meant separation from his best friend. Forever.

With a sigh, he crept over to the other side, and slid under the covers. Tomorrow. He’d think everything over tomorrow. After settling in, he glanced at Sarah one last time, and placed a light kiss on her cheek.

“Good night Sar. I love you.”

A/N: Hi guys! Sorry, it’s been a while. I haven't been on fpress for a long, long time, so I didn't have the chance to read and review many stories!Sorry this chapter is a bit short, and it wasn'tas interesting, but it was the next chapter is…. London (and hopefully longer)! Society will begin….So did any of you think that he was going to ask her to marry him? I admit, I thought about it, but that would ruin all twists that I have planned for this story. Please, please, review guys!

Thanks to: Monette, Sofiya05, KN, virgo-valentina, CyanMaelstrom, mazee, peaches, KellyGarcia59, TyraKaelar. You guys are the best!

Please review!

Till next time,

Glamorouslystressed