2022 Tropes & Fandoms event - Trope: Marriage of Convenience

Far Worse Things

As Arthur and Georgiana took their daily afternoon stroll, arm in arm, along the cliff wall that bordered the sea, the lady again brought up the matter that they had previously discussed once before. After all, she was content in the knowledge that their location of solitude would allow them to not be overheard.

"Are you sure you won't marry me, dear Arthur?" she inquired, even though her usual playfulness of spirit was more tempered than normal. "You would be doing me such a huge favor, you know. After all, I simply cannot bear being in the company of another one of those horrid fortune hunters a moment longer. The town is full of them and a new one insists on an introduction every day. Then, I have to sit and simper while I pretend to be interested in whatever tedious topic he has fooled himself into thinking that he is such a charming and interesting expert conversationalist about until I feel as if I will scream and beat my fists upon the walls from the unfairness of it all!"

"Ah, my dear Miss Lambe," Arthur replied with a smirk. "I don't believe that you have ever simpered a day in your life. It's one of the things that I simply adore about you, you know. After all, your unfailing abilities to put an unworthy man instantly in his place has provided me with no end of amusement during our acquaintance. That sharp-edged tongue of yours has become quite famous among the set here in Sanditon, as well."

"And yet the money-hungry fools keep coming," she sighed in response and the bright smile that had started to form at her companion's honest words of admiration quickly turned into a frown instead. "And the only way to deter them permanently is to choose one of them. How could I possibly do that, however? None of them have the slightest interest in knowing the real me and they are all so unbearably dull! Not only that, but I am well aware that when I put myself under the power of any man, I will be resigning myself to a lifetime of boredom and servitude as little more than a concubine and brood mare to someone I could not possibly respect...much else actually like. Love, of course, would be completely out of the question. I am afraid that I could not possibly live like that. In fact, after a while, I believe that I will grow desperate and these cliffs will become the most attractive option available to me."

Arthur became alarmed at the disturbing turn of the conversation and stopped walking immediately as he turned towards her and seized her hands with his own. "You cannot possibly mean that, Georgiana," he cried. "After all, you have the greatest joie de vivre of any woman I have ever known."

"Thank you, Arthur dear, but I am sure that marriage will cure me of that," Georgiana countered sadly. "I simply do not understand why society insists that women must marry. After all, I am an heiress and I will have more than enough fortune to support myself and a household...and keep my freedom in the process. It is quite unfair that men have no such pressure. As long as they secure an heir at some point before they die, all is well and good. Consequently, they have the choice to wait until they fall in love...or at least find compatibility...or simply never marry at all and choose some distant relative or ward as their heir. In fact, you're a perfect example, Arthur. Nobody is trying to force you into choosing a bride, are they?"

"That is all true," the man admitted warily before he ventured further. "Please do not think me cruel or immune to your predicament, dear friend." He paused and his usual cheerful demeanor was completely absent when he continued in all earnestness. "However, I learned a long time ago that the marriage state is not for the likes of me. I would simply not make a good husband for any woman...no matter how much I enjoyed her company."

His unusually serious words seemed to confirm something for Georgiana and she gave him a long look before she ventured forth with a question about which she had long wondered. "Is it perhaps because your preferences lie elsewhere?" she asked gently.

Arthur reddened slightly as he shook his head adamantly. "I assure you that is not the issue. After all, if I had any desire to wed, you would be my first choice of bride. After all, there is no other woman who could compare to you in the slightest and I know that we would have an unparalleled amount of fun together, indeed!"

Georgiana smiled at his obvious sincerity, but she knew that he was not being completely honest with her, either. "Thank you, Arthur, that is quite the compliment. However, you seem to have mistaken my meaning." Her tone was much quieter and gentler than the brash one she normally cultivated for the "fools" as she broached the extremely delicate subject with her dear friend. "In fact, I'm not talking about women, at all."

Arthur started in surprise, and then reddened even further. He tried to speak, but no words came to him. He was in such shock from her implication that his mouth just opened and closed repeatedly - similar to that of a dying fish. Therefore, Georgiana took pity on him at once as she took his arm and began to walk again in order to relieve his discomfort while she continued with her side of the conversation.

"Rest assured that I do not judge you, Arthur. In fact, you have become my dearest friend and I would love and respect you either way, so please know that your secret is quite safe with me. After all, it is much different in Antigua and the Caribbean, you know. Before the missionaries came and used fear and coercion to convert the populace, the traditional practices allowed the people to be more free...more open with their emotions...they did not have to hide who they were...and were not deemed as criminals just because of who they might love. My nursemaid taught me that...and many other things about the old ways, as well...until my father found out. He was furious, of course, and replaced her at once with a very proper English governess. Then, when your brother became my guardian, he insisted I be sent to a proper finishing school...and the end result," Georgiana paused to grimace as she looked down at herself, "is the very proper English lady that you see before you."

Arthur had recovered just enough from his shock at her easy acceptance of his deepest darkest secret in order to give a little nervous snort of laughter at her obvious self-deprecation. "Miss Lambe, I think we both know that there is nothing very proper about you...or we would definitely not be currently engaged in such a candid conversation." They continued to walk in silence for a few moments before he spoke again.

"Sidney, keen chap that he was, knew...of course...and, like you," he paused to reach up and affectionately patted the smaller hand that rested in his elbow, "he did not seem to care one whit. I was always so grateful for that. Tom, however...well...Tom is the oldest and has always had difficulty seeing past his own private concerns. Mary, the children, and Sanditon have consumed his thoughts for many years. Diana, on the other hand, has always focused on our physical health first and foremost. Therefore, beyond the occasional inquiry about whether any particular lady had caught my eye, I do not believe that either of them have given much thought...much less suspicion...as to my interests."

"Has there never been anyone special for you, then?" Georgiana asked with unusual solemnity at the thought at her precious and jovial friend living his life without love.

Arthur just shook his head with uncharacteristic seriousness himself. "As you might can imagine, it is not a comfortable situation to be in...or a topic that one can broach in civilized society without fear of imprisonment...or worse. Therefore, I have resigned myself to being alone." He paused and his usual bright smile returned. "However, all is not bad. I have a decent income that allows me to live within my means, I take solace in good food and fun, and surround myself with family and the best of company, instead." Here he paused again to pat her hand fondly. "I find that I am quite content with my lot – especially since you have become my friend and confidante here in Sanditon. However, now you know for certain why I cannot, in good conscience, ask you to become my wife – especially since I would not be able to provide you with everything that a woman should expect from her husband."

To his surprise, Georgiana simply laughed merrily at his answer. "Dear Arthur, have you not yet realized that I am simply not interested with that everything about which you seem to be so concerned? In fact, while we are being so candid with each other, I will admit to you that it is true I have never experienced such throes of physical passion that were described in the risqué novels that my schoolmates used to read in secret beneath their bedcoverings. However, I am willing to venture that quite a few married women have not done so, either – especially those who were pressured into marrying for anything but love. Thus, one can guess from the sheer numbers of husbands and wives who have separate bed chambers, many married women probably have no desire for such attention from their husbands, either, but only participate in the act because they desire children...or believe it is their duty...or even because they are forced to do so."

When Arthur stopped dead in his tracks and looked over at her in absolute surprise...and quite a bit of horror...at her mention of such a private...and quite taboo...topic, she simply shrugged. "I may not have experienced these things myself, Arthur, but I am no innocent. Therefore, I have no doubt as to what would have happened during my abduction last year if your brother and Charlotte had not found me in time. I can thank my Caribbean upbringing for that knowledge, as well, though. After all, I might have been protected back then because of who my father was, but I could still see what was happening around me. Slavery is a terrible existence because there is no privacy...and no choice. My mother was obviously one of the rare lucky ones – even though she died bringing me into this world."

She paused to sigh before she continued. "As a consequence, however, motherhood...which I assume is part of that everything that worries you, as well...has no great appeal for me, either. Not only all of that, but you should know that I have been in love before and I have had my heart broken in the process, as well. Therefore, I have no desire to experience such pain again. Consequently...in the grand scheme of things...is it really such a surprise that I have no interest in a traditional marriage or that a less conventional union with my dearest friend holds a much greater appeal for me?"

Arthur looked down thoughtfully at her. "My dear Georgiana," he murmured as they started to walk once again. "The idea does have a certain appeal," he finally admitted. "There are far worse things that could happen to you than to marry your closest friend...to be able to be completely free and open with one's spouse...to focus on friendship, food, and fun - rather than physical lust. After all, as you mentioned, many husbands and wives do have separate sleeping arrangements, so nobody would find it odd if we were to do so, as well. Plus, I have to confess that even though I hope you know by now that I am no fortune hunter, the idea of having such a large income at our disposal in order to travel and amuse ourselves to our hearts' content is quite terribly exciting."

He paused and shook his head. "However, I am afraid that one day you would change your mind and grow to despise your choice, to despise me, for not being able to be a true husband to you – especially if you find someone that you wish you had waited for...or decide that you do want children, after all."

Georgiana shook your head. "Your vision of our union sounded quite wonderful, Arthur. After all, how many women are able to enter into such a happy arrangement right from the beginning of their marriage – especially when most usually know so little about their partners beforehand? As for children, I was fortunate to be orphaned at a later age, with a responsible guardian, and the assurance of a bountiful future due to my inheritance. I have never wanted for anything that money could buy. However, I know that most are not so lucky. Orphanages are full of young abandoned souls...including babies...who are destined for a life of hardship. Therefore, Arthur, when we are ready, we could give any of them a better life and raise them as our own! Then you would have your own heir, as well."

A light brightened in Arthur's eyes for a moment at the thought before they dimmed again. "What would happen in the instance that you...or more unlikely...I...found someone else to love? How would we handle that?"

Georgiana shrugged. "I don't see it being an issue for myself. However, if it does happen...well...men take mistresses all of the time, do they not? In fact, my father had several among the slaves and...I suspect...even with the overseer's wife. Therefore, obviously it sometimes works the other way around, as well. Consequently, if necessary, I suppose discrete arrangements could be made - especially if you found someone who shared your particular interests." She had to stop and laugh at the look on her companion's face at that moment. "Oh, don't look so shocked, Arthur! You should know by now that I am not the typical delicate wilting English Rose. In fact, one look at me should prove that. I am a Caribbean transplant, beautiful and hardy enough to be able to withstand the strongest of hurricanes."

"That you are, dear Georgiana, that you are!" Arthur agreed as he smiled fondly at his companion.

By that time, the couple had finished their walk and, unable to continue such a frank and personal conversation around others, decided to head to the tea house for some refreshment, instead. After making the usual small talk that would not seem out of place among their fellow tea drinkers, a fortified Arthur...both in energy and spirit...leaned over to speak to his companion in a slightly more serious manner.

"One year," he said and nodded confidently.

"Pardon?" Georgiana answered since she was not quite sure as to what he referred.

"In reference to our previous discussion," he replied and his eyes twinkled with their usual mischievousness - especially since he knew that particular topic would shock the proper ladies around them right down to their current tea and cake-filled cores. "Let us agree, Miss Lambe, that in one year from now, if you have not found the exact...item...that you desire, then you can settle for the...purchase...that we negotiated instead."

Georgiana's eyes lit up, as well, both with relief that he was seriously considering her proposition and with amusement at his word play. "But Mr. Parker," she answered playfully in her happiness. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness in allowing me time to consider my options, but a year is entirely too long to wait. After all, the present item up for consideration is much too valuable to lose in hesitation. Why do we not agree to the very reasonable term of three months, instead?"

Arthur shook his head at her attempted negotiation merrily. "Three months is simply not time enough to peek in all of the shop windows and see what else is on offer, Miss Lambe, much less to determine if you actually like your intended purchase...or not. However, I am not an unreasonable man. Therefore, I will agree to a shortened term of nine months."

"Six months!" Georgianna insisted in exchange and Arthur just beamed at her from across the table before he reached over to grasp her hand and shake on the deal as he also nodded in acquiescence.

"Agreed! Six it is!"

As non-traditional as it was, the two friends were obviously quite satisfied with the agreement as it applied to their mutual future happiness. In fact, once the decision had been made...even though they had given each other six months to change their minds or circumstances...they both still felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Consequently, in their relief, they went on to enjoy the rest of their tea with even higher spirits and more goodnatured laughter than usual. In fact, their obvious joy turned some heads and even garnered a few knowing smiles...among the disapproving ones...in the process.

Notes:

I simply loved Georgiana and Arthur's friendship in Season 2...and I really do believe that a "marriage of convenience" would be a reasonable solution to both of their problems if Arthur was indeed gay.
(Update: I just found out that this fact was confirmed by Justin Young, the show's writer, in the 4/24 Salon article - "He is absolutely gay.")