At that time, Sonia looked somewhat restless, maybe a little suspicious. “Very well we'll do it. I have no other choice but to continue with the plan.”
“You’ll see how everything will turn out well.” Robert hugged her. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll end up falling in love.”
She took his face gently. “Robert, you know that in the bedroom, we get along, but I think that as a husband and wife we would kill each other.”
He felt like a wretch for lying to her in that way but it was a unique opportunity to get the money he needed. Although at this point, he could not deny that he liked her more every day, and that was beginning to be a problem.
*****
The preparations for the wedding began. Sonia’s mother and father embarked for London as soon as they received the news. The banns began to run in the newspaper and the race to make the wedding dress, the flower arrangements for the bridal breakfast, the food and drink for that day and everything else began.
Sonia was a little nervous and because of everything that needed to be done she didn’t have time to meet with Robert often. They would walk around the park from time to time, send letters or flowers. Sonia needed him, his caresses, his kisses and she couldn’t do anything about it because her mother did not leave her alone for a minute. Not to mention her father, who barely talked to her since he’d arrived. He maintained a cordial attitude, but he didn’t seem very excited about the marriage. In fact, he didn’t talk about the subject if she did not put it before him. Sonia asked her mother, but she just shook her head and told her that her father was not a man that showed affection or emotion but in his eyes, Sonia could see that he was hiding something.
One afternoon Robert took her to his house to meet his father. Upon entering the beautiful mansion they were astonished at the huge and elegant construction. The grand entrance led to a hall and from there to a staircase that led up to a beautiful room where they were invited to sit and wait for Robert’s father who never arrived. Robert looked somewhat embarrassed but most of all annoyed.
“He does not leave the house much and today the servants told me that he was feeling unwell.”
“My lord, I don’t think that’s a valid excuse,” said Edmund.
“Father, please!” exclaimed Sonia, annoyed.
“His future daughter-in-law comes to visit him and he insults her by not coming down, even if it’s for a moment,” insisted Sonia's father.
“Mr. Hearst is right and I apologize in my father’s name. I want to be very clear that even though he is the duke, I will not allow him to have that behavior towards my wife.”
Sonia’s father seemed calmer on hearing his words and nothing was mentioned again. The four of them took tea and went to see the house’s beautiful garden. Then they left and Robert took the opportunity to visit his father’s room. He knocked on the door and when nobody opened it, he then looked for the key and opened it on his own. His father was in bed and was startled. “By God, Robert. Is that any way to enter my bedroom?”
“It’s the only way when you do not open the door.”
“I said I had a headache.”
“You have embarrassed me in front of my future wife and her family.”
“You know I do not agree with a marriage between a son of mine and that American bitch who is only marrying you for your title.”
“And I for her money!” Robert shouted.
“I know. That is the only reason that I let you go ahead with this damn madness but do not ask me to smile and welcome her because that will not happen. She is not up to our level.”
“But her money is, I imagine.”
His father said nothing. He put a cold compress on his head and closed his eyes. Robert understood his father had ended the conversation.
*****
The day of the wedding arrived and Sonia wore a beautiful cream colored dress with embroidered crystals, which highlighted her beauty. Her mother talked to her before getting dressed and gave her advice about the wedding night. Sonia nodded, and she thought it was funny how her mother explained the intimacy between a man and a woman. Then her father visited her and gave her a sermon on decency. He confessed that he knew of her slip up with Robert and demanded that she no longer dirty the family name. Not a single word of affection came out of his mouth on such an important day for her. Half an hour later the doors of the church opened and Sonia walked inside. She observed the groom who was waiting at the altar smiling and the church full of people. Everyone’s eyes were on her, which made her even more nervous. Her brother looked satisfied, but her parents worried and an elderly man sitting in the front row watched her with annoyance. She knew right away that it could be no other than the Duke, Robert’s father. The man did not agree with the wedding and thought she was less because she didn’t have a noble bloodline. Sonia did not want to look at the old man anymore and looked straight ahead. Where she met the eyes of her future husband who seemed to tell her that everything would be all right. Robert took her hand when she reached the altar and smiled at her.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Sonia returned his smile and
