Chapter 7 Lady Brynn Wingfall
Oscar waited nervously in the great hall. The clock, its incessant tick-tock filling the room, showed the hours passing. And the longer the hours passed, the higher his stress rose.
Henry had insisted that he wait in his quarters, comfortably seated, but Oscar had refused. A matter of principle. As if he were there to greet his wife after her long journey—or perhaps because he preferred to establish his territory and claim the hall first.
He brooded, sitting up straight, and froze when he heard the sound of heels approaching.
And suddenly, the door opened.
Oscar held his breath.
Piercing, beautiful eyes, an elegant green dress, long auburn hair, and an enigmatic smile.
Lady Brynn had arrived.
The young woman turned gracefully, seemingly still in conversation with Henry. She eventually swept her gaze across the room, and her smile widened when she spotted Oscar.
“Ah! Lord Rivière, delighted to meet you.”
With a quick step, her dress flowing gracefully, she approached him and extended her hand. Oscar, suddenly frozen, hurried to take it; ready to shake it in his confusion, he instead offered a slight bow and a delicate hand-kiss. She returned his smile.
“Delighted, Your Grace, it’s… a great joy to meet you today.”
He straightened, keeping his hand slightly longer than necessary.
She studied him, her piercing green eyes scanning him through his mental armour; Oscar felt exposed.
“No need for formalities between us, my Lord. I’m truly sorry for my absence yesterday; an important matter held me a few leagues away.”
He nodded, almost understanding.
“I completely understand. After all, managing an entire duchy by yourself, as a woman, is no simple task.”
She squinted slightly but nodded.
“Thank you for your understanding. Now, if you don’t mind, let’s move to the table. It’s always more pleasant to discuss over a good meal.” Saying this, she gestured toward the long dining table.
Again, Oscar nodded. Out of respect, he let her sit first and took the seat opposite, where the place setting was arranged. The table’s length suddenly seemed grotesquely immense. Each servant had to take several steps to travel from one end to the other.
Lady Brynn smiled at a servant and thanked him as he placed the starter. Far from the rumours, she exuded charisma instead. Noticing his gaze, a sly smile appeared on her face.
“Now that we’re seated, Lord Oscar, tell me a little about yourself.”
“About me?” he repeated, snapping out of his thoughts.
“About you, yes. Since we are to marry, it’s only natural to get to know each other better.” She paused. “What made you accept an arranged marriage?”
Fork in hand, Oscar hesitated. He thought of his father and his stern blue gaze.
“Well… uh…” he coughed, “you are an excellent match. An intelligent and financially secure young woman—who wouldn’t dream of that?”
She brought her glass to her lips.
“And how did you know I’m intelligent, Lord Oscar?” she asked, playful in her gaze.
“Well, I…” he searched for words, “a young woman who manages a duchy alone isn’t common. So it’s obvious you are intelligent.”
“I know many dukes who, with or without advisors, are quite incapable,” she countered.
He fell silent, considering the question.
“Do you know why I chose you, Lord Oscar?” Lady Brynn continued, cutting her rare steak. “You seem to be a sharp young man; at least that’s what Mr Brennan told me. So you must have wondered what you bring to the table, Lord Oscar.”
“The duchy of Rivière is an important duchy in the southern regions,” he began.
“It’s no secret that the duchy of Rivière is financially compromised. Many people at court consider your father a fool.”
There was a brief pause. Tense, Oscar set his fork on the edge of his plate. He stared at Lady Brynn.
“In that case, Lady Brynn, what made you consider me for this union?”
“I know you won’t cause trouble, Lord Oscar. If it’s money that attracts you, I can give you plenty; I can offer a certain freedom, an environment – admittedly less lavish than the Eau-Claire palace – but still comfortable. All I ask is that you stay out of my affairs.” With a smile, she finished her glass of wine.
Oscar paused for a moment, then slowly nodded, processing the proposal.
“All you ask is that I leave you alone?”
“Exactly. Of course, your presence will be required at major events where we must appear together for appearances. Apart from these few occasions, you are free.”
Oscar considered this, his heart tight.
“Seems almost too good to be true… What do you gain from it?”
“A husband. Society’s view changes entirely when a woman no longer manages a duchy… alone, as you said it.”
Oscar seemed to ponder her words, his heart tight.
“You hesitate,” she noted.
“Your proposal is intriguing, albeit unusual,” he finally replied.
“It’s not unusual at all,” she said, offering her glass for a refill from a servant. “I told you, I need a husband, and you need a wife.”
“What makes you think I need a wife?”
“You are the heir to a faltering duchy; few see you as an appealing match. With this union, you have the chance to prove them wrong.”
“And how? Even by marrying you, nothing will change.”
She smiled, her gaze firm nonetheless.
“That, no one needs to know. Everything is a matter of appearances, my dear. Besides, I would, as much as possible, financially provide for Rivière.”
Seeing his continued silence, she went on.
“I’m not asking you to decide now. Take the time to explore Mulberry and its surroundings, and enjoy our food and local crafts.”
“And how long will you wait?”
“I will wait as long as necessary, my dear.”
Oscar left the dinner with mixed feelings. Even here, he was only a pawn; part of him wanted to send a letter to his father to say this union wouldn’t work and that he would return. But what response could he expect? That his father would embrace him? His father’s decision was final, whether it pleased him or not.
The young lord sat at the edge of his bed, thoughtful. Tonight, he might have slept beside his future wife, yet in a sense, nothing had changed.