A betrothal

Chapter 3

Derek Lincoln sat staring moodily out the window of his room. That peasant slave really, how could they even imagine linking him up with a girl like that? He scoffed, she was beautiful, but he wouldn’t take her to his bed even if she was offered to him free of charge!

His parents had introduced many young ladies to him, but he did not find any of them appealing enough, so he showed no interest in any of them.

His parents simply couldn't understand his attitude. His father knew he could be charming and polite if he chose to be because he treated the women in their family with the greatest respect.

But Derek just didn't give a damn about other women or what people thought of him. He refused to play the gentleman, no matter how it embarrassed his parents. He had arrived last night from a month's stay at their estate in the country.

"If you are planning on forcing some more of your different friends daughters on me, I swear I'll leave this town for good!" Derek hissed at his mother when she walked into his room that evening.

"How many times must I remind you, Mother, that I do not want a wife! I have no desire to have a noble woman under me, I don't need anyone making demands on my time. I have better things to do than contend with a woman."

He paced back and forth vigorously.

"If I want a woman, then I'll take one, but only for a night of pleasure with no strings attached. I don't want to be tied down, Mother. Damn it! Why can't you all understand? When will you get that through your head?

"Son, sometimes, most times, love is not planned. But what if you should someday fall in love as I and your father did? You'll be surprised at how glorious the feeling is, you need to give love a try, son"

"If that day ever comes, when I shall fall in love, then of course I shall marry. But don't get your hopes up, mother. for I've seen all the noble ladies of this town, and I can tell you one thing, that day will never come"

"I'm afraid you have not seen all there's to see yet, my dear son. And you might just be wowed tonight"

Derek was not surprised that his father had been listening from the door all along, they had done this before, over and over again. "I just hope you are not about to force me to another ball, father?"

"Oh but I am.'' Douglas Lincoln said mischievously. "And wear your best clothes. You want to charm the ladies, don't you? And not forgetting your soon to be father-in-law.?" His father said casually as he closed the door swiftly just as Derek slammed his fist into the wall.

His father's boisterous laughter could be heard as he made his way down the hall, Derek turned to his mother who paled now as the door opened again.

"What amuses him so, Mother?" Daniel Lincoln, his younger brother asked as he made his way into the room.

Glad that her second son was there now, Marylyn replied, "I think your brother will meet his downfall tonight, and he won't even know it," Their mother answered with a teasing smile.

"Whatever are you talking about?" Daniel raised one brown brow as he took a seat opposite his elder brother.

"Nothing, my darling, nothing at all!" Their mother replied with a grin. She picked a glass of wine from the table, took a sip and swung out of the room.

Derek Lincoln was annoyed. He had had an argument with his brother only yesterday about women and marriage, and now his parents were at it again.

"Looks like Father has made plans for you, have you met the unlucky girl yet?" Daniel asked asked, then winked and left the room.

Daniel was just twenty five, married since he turned twenty two and now with one child. He was happy in his marriage, and that was because he had married his childhood sweetheart.

Derek scoffed, he still blamed his brother for their parents pressure on him to settle down, had he not being married at such a young age, no one would be pressuring him to marry now!

“Fuck you, Scarlett for putting me through this misery!”

******

"Look at all the beauties you can choose from in this ballroom," Daniel was saying with a twinkle in his green eyes. "It's about time you settled down and gave the Lincoln an heir."

“Do you really expect me to pick a wife from one of these simpleminded young ladies?" he said sarcastically. "I would rather kiss a duckling!” He scoffed.

“Perhaps you could ask Scarlett again, who knows, she might accept you this time.”

He glared at his brother for mentioning his mistress, but before he could reply, his mother sauntered towards them and Derek rolled his eyes while Daniel laughed heartily.

"Why aren't you dancing, Derek?" Their mother asked as she walked up to them. "You shouldn’t be here just watching, Son. I can see the admiration from all these pretty young ladies, they have eyes for you.” She put her arm on Derek's and urged him towards the centre of the room.

"Not like he would do whatever I say, Mother. Take your son, I have a lovely wife waiting for me on the dance floor" With that, Daniel left them.

"Come with me, son. There's someone you must meet"

He felt his heart skip a beat, this was the moment he dreaded, he knew his parents had planned something for him before dragging him to this horrible ball. Probably another girl whom he was prepared to bluntly reject. They came to a halt in a room and there stood his father, with a man in English tailored suit.

"Father?” Was all Derek could let out.

"Ah son, right on time" His father took his hand and led him to the man who was drinking merrily from a glass. "Meet your soon to be father-in-law, Sir Barry Gates"

His first response was laughter, he laughed hard and expected his parents to join him, but no one did. He stopped for a moment and lookec from his father to his mother and back to the black man who was wearing a stupid grin.

"Father, this is a joke right?"

"No, son. It's not. You are getting married real soon"

"To his daughter?" He pointed to the man in front of him, disbelief creasing his brows.

"Of course.”

"If I'm not mistaken, his daughter is that measly coffee colored girl?"

"Correct. I figured you might have a special taste for fiery woman so I arranged it for you, son. All papers have been signed already, you are bethrothed to his daughter, Miss…"

"It's not going to happen,” he cut in sharply, disgusted at the notion, “Whatever you have arranged, call it off!" He stormed towards the door but halted at the sound of his father's voice.

"If you walk out of that door, you cease to be my son and the heir to my estates and empire, I'll strip you of every title you hold as a Lincoln and you'll have nothing except those clothes on your back.” His father stated frankly. “You have five minutes to decide what’s more important to you, your stupid pride or your name and title as a Lincoln?”

He knew just then that his fate was sealed.