Chapter 46: Preparations

Abigail had asked her father for one thing, that she be allowed to tell Olivia. Abigail knew, objectively, that Olivia had refused to marry Lyall under the conditions that she could, and had been unable to marry him under her own terms. This had been Olivia’s choice, before it had been Abigail’s.

But she still felt that she wanted to break the news to her sister.

So she sought her out, and found her in the living room. Olivia spoke before Abigail could begin, excitedly about some movie Olivia had wanted the two of them to go watch together.

And Abigail just allowed her to speak, knowing this might very well be one of the last times she spoke to her like this.

When there was a lull, and Olivia sensed something was wrong, Abigail began speaking, beginning with the reasons that Olivia and Lyall themselves had decided on why they couldn’t marry. And then began explaining Lyall’s desire to rebuild his family’s company, but unable to do it on his own.

Then Abigail told her sister that she and Lyall would marry. Probably very soon. The wedding dresses were meant to come today.

“I told you,” Olivia said to her sister, her voice just barely breaking. “I told you that you would marry him eventually.”

Abigail had nothing to say to excuse herself, so she settled for acknowledgement.

“You did,” Abigail answered truthfully. “You knew this world better than I did.”

“I still do,” Olivia sniffed, and Abigail looked up to see her sister fighting off tears.

Olivia hadn’t been expecting this, clearly. No matter how much of a brave face she put on, no matter how much she claimed it would always come down to this, she well and truly had not been expecting it.

She had still clung to the hope that somehow, she would be able to live her happily ever after.

“But I didn’t do this to you,” Abigail told her sister. “You chose this.”

Olivia had chosen it every day for over three years. Lyall himself had told Abigail this. They had tried, again and again to make it work, and each time had come up empty.

“No,” Olivia shook her head. “You didn’t do this, but you’re allowing it to happen.”

“Even if I refused,” Abigail said, “You wouldn’t have married him. And this merger will do amazing things for so many people.”

“So philanthropic,” Olivia said wryly, “You’ll help everyone you can, won’t you?”

Abigail was saved from answering when a servant came to get her, telling her that her gowns had arrived for selection.

Charlotte had ordered them. Adam had placed her in charge of the wedding, since that had been one of Charlotte’s main goals since Abigail had gotten there, Adam felt sure she would see it through.

“Oh, how lovely,” Olivia said, standing up from her seat as well. “Shall we go try them on?”

“You don’t have to come,” Abigail told her sister. “I can do this alone.”

“Oh, nonsense,” Olivia told her, tears welling in her eyes now. “I’m the Maid of Honor, remember? I have to have a dress too, while I hand you the ring to fit on Lyall’s finger.”

_______________________________________

As it turned out, Olivia had been correct. She was to be the Maid of Honor, and dresses had been ordered for her, as well.

Both of their measurements were taken, and they were surrounded with gowns that would complement each other, but ultimately make the bride look the star.

Olivia watched as Abigail tried on gown after gown in radiant white, while Olivia herself cycled through gowns that would accentuate both her own skin color and Abigail’s as well.

Abigail knew in that moment, that Olivia had never hated her for taking the company or the spot as her father’s favorite, if only because Olivia had never looked at Abigail with as much seething hatred as she did in that fitting.

Abigail felt it hadn’t bothered her, though, she reasoned, very little had bothered her since everything had happened with Mark.

“As you also choose your gowns, I think you should be prepared in every way for this marriage,” Lyall told her.

Abigail felt her blood run cold. If Lyall saw any reactions on her face, he didn’t show it.

“I have no intention of this being a loving marriage. I have no intention of loving you ever.” Lyall began, and though his words were cruel, there was no malice in them. He was just stating facts. If he had been talking to her about anyone else, his voice might even have sounded kind. “This is a business arrangement. We agreed on that. And though we will play the happy couple, that is not what we will be.”

“So, I’m a trophy wife, am I?” Abigail objected, her hands on her hips. She knew she had signed up for this, but the way he worded it made her defenses go on high alert. “To breed with and look pretty, that’s all?”

“Not at all,” Lyall shook his head. “I have no intention of you carrying my children. Simply that you will be known publicly as their mother.”

Abigail’s jaw dropped open. Was this man serious? He could not be that dramatic.

“As you can clearly see,” Lyall pointed to her, “An illegitimate child is hardly a stain these days. But we will pass my children off as yours for a while, before they can be secure in their role and then their true parentage will be made public.”

“And who exactly will their mother be?” Abigail asked, arching an eyebrow.

Lyall swallowed hard, “That’s of no concern to you.”

Abigail resisted the urge to glance at Olivia. She was sure she could guess. Olivia looked honestly as miserable as Abigail was, as she knew Lyall was beyond his words. This was just the best course of action for his life, too, not something he actually wanted. The thought kept Abigail’s mind clear.

“I trust that you will be kind to them when they are with you, that is all I will ask of you.” Lyall said, sincerely. “Because I would have to take them from their mother, to place them with you for a time.”

“This is insanity,” Abigail murmured to herself. “That’s all this is, absolute insanity.”

“And in return,” Lyall told her, ignoring her ramblings to herself, “You may take as many lovers as you please. You may even bear children. All you will have to do with them is what your father did with you.”

This was a soap opera, Abigail couldn’t believe the amount of insanity in this world. She’d rather die than abandon her own child the way Adam had abandoned her.

“You must be insane,” Abigail told him clearly.

“This is hardly out of the ordinary,” Oliva said, finally speaking up from her place on the couch. “Did you not know this was what you were signing up for? At least you get to be out in public.”

“Olivia,” Lyall told her, his voice filled with pain. “Why are you here? You’re torturing yourself.”

“Oh,” Olivia’s voice was bitter even as she spoke to Lyall. “Don’t you know, I’m the Maid of Honor. I get to give her your ring, stand right up there at the altar with you.”

Lyall took in a deep breath, like all of this was incredibly difficult for him, too.

And Abigail thought, there was no way this was the right thing to do. With her, her sister and Lyall, all unhappy about this entire union. There was just no way this was the right thing to do.

Then Abigail thought of all the people, other than them, that would benefit from this. All of the people Lyall planned to have given their jobs back. The families that could be saved from starvation.

Resigned, Abigail made up her mind. She could suffer this, Olivia could, Lyall could, if it meant that thousands of families, of children, would have a roof over their heads, would have food on their table again.

“And you will leave the running of the company to me,” Lyall said again to Abigail, like it was something he had said already and was just emphasizing.

“My company, you mean?” Abigail told him.

“After the marriage, the merger will be almost completely, we will have one person making decisions anyway,” Lyall told her. “Even if you were there, your word would still be overridden.”

Nice of him to think that everything was just going to go his way, even if she was there, Abigail thought. But she decided not to speak, this wasn’t the time. She needed to think about everything, she couldn’t allow her emotion to overpower her.

But she needed some time, and more importantly, she needed some space.

“I think we’re done for today,” Abigail addressed the room, speaking to Lyall, Olivia and all the wedding dress staff. “Or rather, I’m done for today, so everyone can just leave.”

Abigail then didn’t wait for a response and headed out. She didn’t stop till she reached the veranda.