Darrien carefully opened the envelope and took out the letter. It was handwritten and even had Martin's signature at the bottom.
He cleared his throat gently and began,
Dear grandmother,
I sincerely apologize for what I am about to do. By the time you receive this letter, I should be on a ship sailing far away.
Please forgive me if my actions have left you disappointed, but I am unable to marry the woman you have chosen for me.
I figured you would not want an incompetent bastard like me as chairman and patriarch of the Laverock family.
You love Gerald too much to let me overshadow him, and because of this prejudice, you wanted me to marry a woman of low status.
Alice is only my type in terms of physical appearance; the rest is nothing. She is only meant to keep outside..."
"That
