1. A Compromising Marriage


    Date: 9/7/2015, Categories: Historical, Author: curvygalore, Rating: , Source: LushStories

    true enough. Her possible future husband had a loud voice, a braying laugh, he talked over her and had no interest in what she had to say. However, he was not a leering jackanapes, and he definitely had his own teeth. He was not unkind, and seemed a sensible man. He had not been put off by Mrs Warner’s delicate hints about Helen’s family circumstances and she knew as instructed by her aunt, her hostess would be diplomatic but honest about her family situation and pitiful dowry. Jean-Claude looked at her thoughtfully, a concerned frown on his handsome visage as they continued to walk along together. After a while he said ruminatively, “But there are compensations a la marriage, are there not?” “You mean children?” Helena asked, slightly puzzled. Jean Claude grinned at her, and said; “Après les enfants.” She looked at him curiously, and he continued smoothly. “You are acquainted with Madame Rakesfield?” Helena nodded her head, as it dawned on her as to what Jean Claude was hinting. Of course as an unmarried lady she should not know about such things, but Bath society was small, some dowagers slightly deaf and spoke too loudly for discretion over the sounds of the violins in the Pump Rooms. There was much talk of one grand lady’s third son who did not resemble her husband at all but another gentleman entirely. And Mrs Rakesfield was another slightly scandalous character. She was well-born and wealthy enough to be accepted into polite society however there was much speculation ...
    that she and her husband kept completely separate households and acid tongues wagged about the entourage of young men she kept about her. Of course Helena was not such a child that she did not know that many men had mistresses especially those who resided in London where such things were the norm, which might be a reason why Colonel Matthews spent so much time in the capital. But the thought that women could enjoy such freedoms had never dawned on her. Before she had a chance to ask any more questions, they were back outside Mrs Warner’s house and that lady was peeping through the curtains awaiting her charge and beamed brightly when she saw her. “I am to wish you happy it seems.” Jean-Claude said with a rueful smile and a graceful bow. And on taking her leave of him and entering the house she found that this was so. The Colonel looked very pleased with himself, as though he had struck a good bargain and as a consequence talked far too loudly and heartily for such a small room. He left in high spirits with a chaste embrace on Helena’s cheek and more shouted goodbyes. Mrs Warner sat back down in her chair, her face wreathed with smiles, and patting Helena’s arm she praised her success. It was only when Helena reached the privacy of her own chamber that she realised that everything had been agreed without a word from her. However once her aunt had been written to and the lawyers has been referred to she realised that there was nothing to complain of. The marriage terms were more ...
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