[ WP ] A couple falls in love with each other , even though they 're already married to each other

It was either marry Lord Martin, or be destitute. My mother commissioned a portrait to send to him and assured in her letters that I would make an agreeable wife. I wanted to be anything but agreeable. I wanted to go out on my own, to learn, travel, and explore. I wanted to be my own woman, but that was n't done. No, every woman must be owned. Valued by her beauty, not her intellect. 
 
 Apparently Martin thought I was pretty enough to sit by his side at dinner parties and mother his heirs. Lucky me. I am sure he is just the wealthiest of the older lonely bachelors my mother found. The pressure to father an heir seems to kick in once men pass their prime, leaving young and desperate women like me to become their new bed mates. Our wedding was planned in a weeks time and Mother is keeping an eye on me every second so I ca n't run to relatives and friends to avoid this union. 
 
 I met my husband just before the ceremony and was pleasantly surprised with his physique. He was n't the overweight old man I had imagined, but an athletic and younger Lord. He was actually quite handsome. His servants moved my belongings into my own chamber as he assured me he did n't want me to feel any matrimonial pressure or fear. I, of course, put on the face of a doting wife when guests arrived, but otherwise, I was left to enjoy his vast library and thoroughbred horses. 
 
 One night at dinner he kept staring. `` Is there something on my face, my Lord?'' 
 
 He smirked, `` No, I just could n't help but notice my copy of The Greene Knight was missing. Did you enjoy it?'' 
 
 `` Oh, I am so sorry. I have been borrowing books at my pleasure, I should have asked.'' 
 
 `` I am happy you have found something you enjoy. It is one of my favorites, did you know that?'' I realized I knew very little of this man I was married to. Maybe if I gave it a try and opened my heart I would feel less trapped in my guided cage. 
 
 She surprises me. The way her mother described her, I thought I was marrying a beautiful, yet ornamental wife. I did n't expect her to show so much interest in the arts and to be so quick witted. Watching her at parties, I ca n't help but smile. She can run circles around the gentlefolk of this town with her mind. She can twist her words to express a compliment, while she is really criticizing the vapidity of the women of court. I must know more about her and hopefully have her want to know more of me as well. 
 
 We spent the following weeks doing everything together. She and I had lively conversation, enjoyable activities, and she even discussed business opportunities with me. 
 
 `` Why did you marry me?'' Ah, there it was. She finally needed to know if this was real. It was. I was n't supposed to fall in love, I was supposed to marry and father a son. I was supposed to die shortly after. The seer predicted it, just as he had with my father, who died before I was even born. How was I going to tell her that I think her loved saved me from my lackluster life and early death? I ca n't tell her that my dying day is set for next week. I hope she will forgive me.
