In early '900, in Wales, the Honeyfield family, once wealthy, now is in decay due to the debts of Mr. Honeyfield. He aims a good marriage for his daughter Evyree (Efa), but her poor dowry is accepted only by the Quinnell family, a lower class family...
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<The Honeyfield family. A middle-class bourgeoisie family from Wales, in Caredigion, which once held prestige among the rural Nobility.
The householder, Mr. Honeyfield, flattered himself about his ancestors that included Judges and High Officials.
All this it was before Mr. Honeyfield led the family into decline by some unsuccessful investments.
Far from their former wealth, the Honeyfields hoped for good marriages to improve the family's patrimony.
Mr. Honeyfield had a son, who was little more than a child and a daughter of marriageable age, Efa (Evyree).
Marriages of convenience were common in the early XIX century.
Covered with debts, Mr. Honeyfield had to accept a marriage proposal not quite profitable for his daughter: the best he could find for her was the youngest son of the Quinnell family, whose father meant to settle him as soon as possible.
The Quinnell family wasn't one of the wealthiest, but the income that Mr. Quinnell offered for the couple was enough to pay the Honeyfields's debts.
Most of all considering that Miss Honeyfield's dowry was not very consistent and not everyone would accept it.
But now let is allow the person directly involved to tell the story from her perspective...>.
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<When my father mentioned the son of the Quinnell family as a possible spouse for me, I could hardly believe it.
I only knew him from afar, but he had a reputation of being a libertine.
If it weren't for his debts, my father would've never considered him as a suitor for me.
I felt as I was a "cow" sold to the highest bidder!
Despite his fair appearance, Arwel Quinnell was quite coarse in his manners.
I remember when we met, after we were informed abut the decision.
The young man seemed in awe, but he still had his boldness. "Miss Honeyfield, I assure you the decision made by our fathers is as unpleasant to me as it is to you", he said to me. I replied, teased: "Did you expect a spouse
from a wealthier family?",
"Marriage wasn't in my plans at the moment",
"Well, unlike you I cannot afford to live without getting married",
"I had better plans than living with a woman to provide for", provoked by his words, I asked him: "What kind of plans?",
"Other things...",
"Such as spending time at the gaming table?", Arwel was visibly annoyed, "Are you trying to tease me?", he said, "You should be grateful that my father has accepted you as my spouse, given your family's situation",
"Grateful to be given to you?",
"I was in a far better company this morning, before being called by my father to receive the 'good news'. I have agreed to take you as my wife, but don't expect anything else from me", he told me, "We agree on that", I said before he left.
I couldn't believe I was getting married to such a brazen man!
I certainly did not intend to share the bed with him.
I conversed with my lady-in-waiting about him and she too agreed that Arwel was rough in his manners. "What else do you know about him?", I asked her, "I know he uses to see a lady, named Lady Constance", she replied, visibly in awe, "Was he courting another lady?", I questioned, surprised, "No, Miss. Lady Constance is a courtesan. They are lovers", she replied. Bewildered,
I said with disdain: "What I needed too! Gambling wasn't enough", I stood up, "Where can I find this woman?", I asked her.
"Miss, such places are not appropriated for a gentlewoman!",
"I'll be discreet",
"The company of women with such a reputation is inappropriate for a good family lady",
"Will you tell me where I can find her or not? Otherwise I will find out for myself", I urged her.
