"Pray, what is your name?" he inquired in our first-ever conversation.

I couldn't help but feel perplexed, wondering if he was genuinely ignorant of my name.

My eyes fell upon a love bite on his neck, and I couldn't stave off the feeling of anguish, so I averted my gaze and inhaled deeply. Despite my emotional turmoil, I wanted to engage in conversation with him, and lo and behold, there he was! e

"I'm Scarlett Ravenswood, my lord," I said quietly, not forgetting that he was the grandson of the Mayor. He gleamed with mirth as he echoed my name back to me.

"I'll remember that!" he exclaimed with a chuckle and stood upright, towering over me with his enormous height.

Despite being reputed to be the tallest woman in my village, I felt diminutive in comparison to him.

He turned around and picked up a paper, perused it briefly, and then queried, "And what is your age?"

Feeling awkward, I shifted my weight to my other foot.

"I am eighteen," I replied, whereupon he gazed back at me with an expressionless countenance.

"I had almost thought you were fifteen or sixteen. Well, you had me there," he remarked with a touch of jocularity.

I was cognizant that it was rather uncommon for a woman of my age to be unmarried, but for me, I had no yearning to marry, at least not in the conventional sense.

"Well Scarlett, I must confess, you are quite attractive. More so than your sister, what was her name again?"

My sister had been smitten with him, yet here he was, not even remembering her.

I couldn't help but wonder why she had absconded, despite being so enamored of him.

And how could he forget her name?

I knew I was a substitute, but why had he overlooked Meredith?

All these thoughts were causing a knot to form in my stomach, and I felt overwhelmed by it all. As much as I yearned to inquire of him, I didn't want to appear impolite or intrusive. Hence, I kept my thoughts to myself and resolved to await the appropriate moment to pose my question.

As I stood there, his forgetfulness left me increasingly befuddled.

"It's Meredith," I enunciated deliberately, and he nodded slowly, his lips curving upwards.

"Oh yes, Meredith, old news now," he quipped.

"Pardon me, my lord," I began tentatively, noting his lack of interest but still determined to speak my mind.

"There is something I wish to discuss with you, if I may?"

"I know. I know! Let's get it over with," he answered and strode towards me with open arms, whereupon I couldn't help but recoil, gazing at him with confusion at his sudden actions.

"Pray, what ails you, my lady? I thought you would be fine consummating the marriage since you were so eager to take your sister's shoe and marry me," he said, with a hint of chiding in his voice.

"Your lordship," I began, my heart heavy with trepidation, "I implore you to understand the gravity of the situation," I said, feeling a pang of uneasiness wash over me as he spoke of me in such a dismissive way. But I managed to compose myself, reminding myself that he didn't know me well.

"Is that so?" he sneered, his countenance betraying his true intent. "Then perhaps you wish to be enlightened on the subject of divorce?"

At these words, my heart sank, and a sense of desolation consumed me. It was clear to me now that he had no interest in continuing with our union. I was overcome with a sense of helplessness, for I knew not what to do.

Returning to my father's house was not an option, for he had made it known that my presence would bring shame upon our family. During his recent visit, my father had even expressed his relief that my sister, Meredith, had not returned home, for her return would have been a source of disgrace in our community.

"I cannot return to my family," I faltered, my voice quavering with sincerity. Unbeknownst to me, tears had begun to cascade down my cheeks, and my frame shook with uncontrollable sobs. He remained there, observing my emotional outpouring with steadfastness.

As the minutes ticked by, I could not cease my weeping, and I made no attempt to meet his gaze. Eventually, he broke the silence.

"Scarlett, I must confess that you are still quite young, and I cannot envision a future for us as a couple. It pains me greatly to impart such harsh words, but I cannot continue a relationship that was not borne of my own desire. Please understand that it is not my intention to wound you, but you must bear the consequences of your sister's actions. While I sympathize with your predicament, your willingness to enter into our union alone is insufficient for me."

"I must confess, my dear, that I find myself in a difficult position. My grandfather, in all his wisdom, has made it quite clear that divorce is not an option. It would cast a dark shadow over my political aspirations and jeopardize my standing in the community. I assure you, I have no wish to inflict punishment upon you or to engage in any form of physical intimacy with you. Instead, I offer you a choice, for you cannot return to your village given your status as a married woman. You may stay here, in this house, and pursue your own interests as you see fit."

"As the wife of a landlord, you have certain privileges and advantages at your disposal. You may consider me an absentee landlord, for all intents and purposes. I implore you, please act as though I am not even here. This is my home as well, but your presence has made it impossible for me to remain without arousing suspicion. I attempted to leave discreetly, but my grandfather caught me and forced my return. In short, you will have all that you desire, save for my company. I beseech you, stay away from me." His words left me bewildered and unsure of what to make of them.

"Our fates have already been intertwined, thanks to these foolish rings," he spoke, holding out his hand to show me the offending band. My vision blurred with tears as I watched him slip it off his finger.

"However, I implore you, let us avoid each other's company within these walls. Live and let live, as it were?" he proposed, and I raised my gaze to meet his, still unsure of his meaning.

"So, you are granting me permission to remain here but pursue my own interests?" I queried, my voice laced with disbelief.

"Yes, Scarlett, you are at liberty to pursue your interests. Explore the world, learn new things, do as you, please. Just do not meddle in my affairs. I have no desire to meddle in yours," he spoke with composure, his voice low and steady.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off. "Scarlett, you are free to depart if you so choose. However, I am not bound to do anything," his firm words made me want to sink to my knees, but I kept my composure and remained standing.

"Why, then, did you marry me?" I blurted out, unable to contain my confusion. While I had not wished for marriage, I had not anticipated a life of solitude and anonymity.

"For the same reason you agreed to marry me," he replied curtly, and I understood what he meant.

"I don't want to put you in a difficult position," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You already are," he said, looking down at me with an unreadable expression. "But it's your decision. You can stay here and live your life, or you can leave and face the consequences of returning home."

Withal, he turned his back and strode away, leaving me stranded there, feeling lost and perplexed more than ever before. I could not conceive that this was happening to me - that I was caught in a matrimonial union with someone who had no inclination towards me and had even forgotten my sister, the woman whom he had once loved.

"Meredith," I felt an irresistible urge to inquire of him regarding her and the reason behind her absconding.

He halted his steps, and his back stiffened as he turned to gaze upon me with a pensive expression.

"She vanished without a trace, leaving us confounded and unaware of her sudden departure. No missives were left behind to illumine her motives. Nonetheless, she had professed her love for thee. I am compelled to query, did you reciprocate her sentiments?" My voice quivered as I spoke, hoping that this could at least explain his animosity.

"Art thou jesting with me?" He curled his lips into a sardonic smile and shook his head in disbelief before striding away.

Left to ponder what could have impelled my sister's vanishment without a word, and whether his lack of fondness played a part, I stood amidst the grandeur of the hall.

Yet, as I glanced around, I apprehended that I had choices. I could stay put and follow my passions, as he had proposed. And perchance, I could endeavor to achieve something substantial, to show him and myself that I was more than just a substitute for my sister. And who knows, I may even discover a means to reach my dear sister.

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A picture of Mr Ralph