Disclaimer: Inuyasha own I not.
The Arranged Marriage by Skiff of Haven
Chapter 3: Truth and Consequences
Lord Inuyasha entered his father's study. He felt like a small child called to the carpet whenever he came in here. He looked and saw his father sitting behind the desk.
"Take a sit," commanded Lord InuTaisho.
"Yes, Father," replied Inuyasha.
"I want to know your version of what happened last night," said InuTaisho. " I really do not trust the papers version and gossip is always twisted beyond recognition."
Inuyasha took a deep breath and started to explain, "Lord Miroku and I stooped by our club before heading here for Mom's party. We were listening for rumors and spies as the War Department asked. After we let the club, we felt the presence of a very evil demon. We followed it to try and prevent it from causing too much damage."
"What did this demon feel like?" asked InuTaisho.
"Naraku," said Inuyasha. "Napoleon's pet demon."
"Continue," said InuTaisho.
"We fought it," said Inuyasha, "But it kept heading towards the home of the Earl of Cavendish. Eventually we toppled it over, but it crashed through the door of the house. Lady Kagome and Lady Sango were able to prevent anyone at the party from getting hurt. Lady Kagome was able to finish off the demon."
"And?" asked InuTaisho with a raised eyebrow.
"We were invited to meet Lady Kagome's mother and grandfather," said Inuyasha. "I went for a stroll in the gardens with Lady Kagome. Then Miroku and I came straight to Mother's party."
InuTaisho closed his eyes and said. "Why do I have a feeling you are lying to me?"
"Father," said Inuyasha, "I would not lie to you. If you want to know why I am not telling you everything is because I am embarrassed. I do not mean to hide things."
"Embarrassed about what?" asked InuTaisho.
Inuyasha blushed and said, "I wanted to take Lady Kagome in my arms and kiss her until we couldn't breathe."
Lord InuTaisho smiled ruefully at Inuyasha. "So," he said, "You have found your mate. I am glad for you."
"What?' shrieked Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha," said InuTaisho. "I was the same way with your mother. We were destined to be a mated pair."
"How will she act towards me?" asked Inuyasha.
"She is probably already thinking about you and being with you," said InuTaisho. "I think you should court her."
"Why?" asked Inuyasha carefully.
"For two simple reasons," said InuTaisho. "One, you want her for a mate and two, it will fulfill the marriage contract between our family and hers."
"Marriage contract?" asked Inuyasha. "What marriage contract?"
"The one made between my father and her great, great grandmother Kikyo," said InuTaisho. "It only comes into effect when one of the daughters of the family looks like Kikyo."
"Is that why you are not angry about us crashing the party?" asked Inuyasha.
"I am angry," said InuTaisho. "But Lady Kagome and Lord Cavendish convinced me not to punish you because you helped to protect them from the demon."
Inuyasha was stunned. He was not to be punished for his impulsive action. He said, "Thank you, father."
"Don't thank me yet," said InuTaisho. "You will be allowed to court Lady Kagome without your brother's interference. If I do not see adequate progress I will allow Sesshomaru to start courting her as well. I want an engagement by the end of the Season."
"Yes, Father," said Inuyasha.
"You may go," said InuTaisho.
Inuyasha rose, bowed and left the study. He went looking for Miroku. He was pondering on the marriage contract and the lovely Lady Kagome.
"Hey, Inuyasha," said Miroku. "Are you ready to go yet?"
Inuyasha looked up from his thoughts only to realized he had been standing in front of the door for a few minutes and the butler was holding out his hat and coat.
"Thanks, John," said Lord Inuyasha. "I seem to be wool gathering lately."
"Maybe you should court a certain lady to prevent that," said Miroku. "You may find it harder with her around."
"Maybe you should think about the apology you must tender to a certain Lady Sango," said Inuyasha. "I know you have a lot to make up for. Especially the groping of her bottom."
Miroku blushed pink before heading out the door. He smirked and said, "At least I don't have my head in the clouds."
The two climbed into Lord Inuyasha's curricle and headed to Bond Street for their appointment with their tailor. They were going to get their new clothes for the ball tomorrow night.
"Miroku," said Inuyasha, "Where would we find a bouquet to give?"
"So I convinced you to go pay your respects to Lady Kagome," said Miroku. "I am so happy to help you."
"You will be going with me," said Inuyasha. "You will be on your best behavior or I will inform your mistresses about each other."
"You wouldn't dare," said Miroku angrily.
"Try me." said Inuyasha. "Now a place to buy a proper bouquet without any snide remarks or detours to your favorite haunts."
"I resent that," said Miroku. "I do not have favorite haunts. Besides most don't open until dark anyways."
Inuyasha smirked at Miroku and raised his eyebrow as if to say no favorite haunts yeah right.
The two left the tailors and stopped by a small flower shop before heading to Lord Cavendish town home. They gave their calling cards to the butler and waited. They were asked to join the ladies in the Rose Parlor for tea and conversation.
Chapter 4: Surprise Invitations
The butler opened the door to the parlor and announced, "The Duke of Newcastle and Viscount Reading."
Lady Kagome turned towards the door with a smile on her face. She rose to her feet and wanted to walk to the door to greet the newcomers. Her mother was there first.
"So nice to see you gentlemen again," said Lady Oalton. "Please come and have a seat."
"I would be honored, my lady," said Miroku as he proceed to sit on the sette next to Lady Sango.
Lady Sango raised and eyebrow and turned back to her conversation.
Lord Inuyasha joined Lady Kagome and presented her with his small bouquet. He said, "I wanted to say thank you for your kindness the other night."
"You are very welcome," said Kagome.
"I also wanted to invite you for a drive around the park this afternoon," said Inuyasha.
"I would be honored to go for a drive with you," said Lady Kagome.
Inuyasha looked into Kagome's eyes and became lost in their chocolate depths. He could imagine kissing her and holding her in his arms.
Kagome broke eye contact and looked down at the bouquet Inuyasha gave her. All her thoughts focused on slowing her racing heart. She looked at the bouquet and gasped. The flowers were arranged so a small white bellflower was the center. The edges had forget-me-nots, cowslip, hawthorn, double Indian pink and coreopsis. The bellflower was for gratitude, the cowslip was for divine beauty, the hawthorn for hope, the coreopsis for love at first sight, the double Indian pink for always lovely, and forget-me-nots for true love.
Kagome translated the flowers and hope began to grow. She wondered id Inuyasha had really meant what he had said with the flowers. Kagome raised the flowers to her nose and took a deep sniff. She felt this tiny gathering of flowers was better than all the roses and lilies received from all the other partners or suitors.
Lady Oalton raised an eyebrow at Kagome favoring of such a small bouquet. "Kagome," said Lady Oalton, "Please serve tea to Lord Inuyasha."
Kagome blushed and quickly turned to the tea tray. She carefully poured a cup and asked, "Would you like sugar and lemon or creams for your tea, my lord."
"Just plain," said Inuyasha.
Kagome handed him the cup and saucer. She offer him a plate of biscuits and cakes for him to choose from.
Kagome suddenly looked up and focused through Lord Inuyasha and the house. She rose and Lady Sango immediately joined her.
"Mother," said Kagome. "You and our guest will need to go to the back of the house."
"What's going on?" asked Lady Oalton.
"We have a dragon demon coming," said Kagome. "I and Sango will try to stop it. We have a few minutes to prepare."
Lord Inuyasha sniffed the air and looked at Miroku. Miroku nodded and stood to help the ladies. Sango steeped into the withdrawing room and returned armed and in breeches. Lord Miroku stopped to admire her figure before retrieving his walking staff.
Kagome quickly activated the protection spells for her mother and guest. She was glad Sota, Kohaku, and Grandfather had gone to a picnic with friends. When Kagome returned to the parlor, everyone was ready for the dragon.
The four walked outside where Kirara was waiting for Sango. Sango hopped on Kirara's back and Miroku hopped on behind her.
"Miroku," said Inuyasha, "Don't do anything stupid. We will need your wind tunnel."
"I know," said Miroku.
Kagome fired her first arrow into the dragon pining it to the ground. Kirara jumped into the air and allowed Sango a clean attack. Lord Inuyasha pulled out Tetsusaiga and yelled "Wind Scar". The multiple attacks destroyed the demon and Lord Miroku sucked the remains into his wind tunnel. Kagome turned to see a white baboon watching the proceedings. She fired an arrow at it only to watch it turn to dust.
A troop of Hussars appeared from around the corner. They stopped when they saw Lady Kagome in the street. Royal command was to leave Lady Kagome and clan alone when it came to demons.
Lady Kagome faced the Captain of the Hussars and asked, "How may we help you, gentlemen?"
"We were sent to give you a missive," said the captain. "We were asked to deliver a message as well. Napoleon has two demon lords working for him. One is Naraku who goes around in a white baboon cloak and the other is a dragon lord. Both have been giving our troops trouble on the Continent."
"I see," said Kagome.
"The Regent asks for you to read the missive and reply in person," said the captain.
"I will," said Kagome as she took the missive. "Tell the Regent I will have his answer by tomorrow."
Lady Kagome dismissed the troops and headed for home. "How strange things have become' she thought.
"Shall we return to tea?" asked Kagome with a smirk.
Sango laughed and said, "But of course. You know how Aunt is. We must never let a moment of entertainment and flirting go by."
"I just wish she would accept the fact that I do not mind marrying into the Archduke's family," said Kagome. "She keeps trying to get me to accept Sir Koga or Lord Hojo. All they do is repulse me and drive me crazy."
"Well maybe the Regent's missive will make things interesting," said Sango.
Kagome laughed. "Who knows," she said.
Miroku and Inuyasha listened to the conversation. When Kagome mentioned Koga and Hojo, a low growl escaped Inuyasha's throat. When she mentioned being glad to marry into his family he was stunned. Inuyasha felt hope grow when Kagome said she didn't like Koga or Hojo.
"Ladies," said Miroku as they entered the house. "If we are to take you for a drive in the park at five, we will need to go home and change out of our battle stained suits and come back for you."
"Well isn't that a pretty way of saying you stink," said Sango.
"Sango," gasped Kagome. "You don't have to be so blunt about it. Besides we all need to change after that battle."
"Lady Sango," said Miroku, "I am shocked at your manner of speech. Maybe I should just forgo a drive in the park with you."
Sango's face showed relief at not having to be in Miroku's presence at the fashionable hour.
Miroku caught the swift sign of relief on her face and continued saying, "But I promised you lady aunt that I would escort you for her piece of mind."
Kagome smirked and quickly concealed the look. She knew Miroku and Sango were perfect for each other. Kagome gestured for Sango to go inside first.
Sango walked inside in a stunned way. She could hardly believe her aunt would allow such a rake to court her.
"Thank you for your help, Lord Inuyasha," said Kagome with a smile. "I will be ready when you come for the drive."
"You are welcome, Lady Kagome," said Inuyasha. "I will be back at five for our drive."
Kagome allowed Lord Inuyasha to kiss her hand before she entered her home.
Inuyasha climbed into his curricle and turned to Miroku. "You coming, letch," said Inuyasha.
Miroku shook himself and climbed aboard. He was still in shock about Lady Sango not wanting to go out with such an eligible man.