I’ve decided which story to post. It’s not one of the ones I”m actively working on and seeking to publish. It’s a story that I started and just pushed to the back burner a while ago, but I do love it.
So I’m going to share it by chapters with you fine folks.
Enjoy!
Chapter One
I stared out my window and watched as the snow fell softly to the frozen ground. My mother finally cornered me in a room of the house and started her lecture.
“Anne, you need to listen. Your behavior is atrocious. How do you expect to find a wealthy husband?”
“Mother, calm down. My behavior is just fine. Besides I don’t want to get married.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want. You will find a respectable man, and you will get married. In fact Charles Darlow will be here for supper,” mother said heading for the door.
A very short lecture this time.
“I don’t want to see that man,” I protested.
“Get over it , Anne dear. He’s a good man from a good family,” she said promptly shutting the door behind her.
It wasn’t fair. I didn’t love Charles Darlow. I didn’t love any of the men that my parents deemed suitable. Hell, most of them were my parents age. I grabbed the silver hairbrush that sat on the table in front of me and threw it at the door.
I won’t marry who they want me to! I shouted in my mind.
“Miss Anne, it’s not very lady like to throw ones possessions at doors,” the deep drawl of Thomas came from the doorway.
“Thom,” I said with relief.
“Ma’am?”
“Don’t call me that,” I pouted.
His lean muscular body was hidden beneath the cotton trousers; starched, white shirt; and wool jacket my parents made him wear.
“It’s only proper ma’am,” he smiled.
I could feel my heart skip a beat.
“What do you want Thom?” I sighed pushing the unlady like thoughts he dredged up to the back of my mind.
“Your mother asked me to bring this to you,” he held up a chocolate-brown, silk dress.
“Of course she did,” I ran my fingers through my auburn hair and stood up.
I reached out for the dress, but Thomas grabbed my wrist and pulled me in close to him. His intoxicating scent flooded my senses. The delicate dress fluttered to the ground as he wrapped his arms around my waist, and mine around his neck.
“This can’t last forever,” he whispered in my ear.
“Sure it can,” I nuzeled his neck.
“You’re almost nineteen.”
“So?” I asked.
“You’re going to have to get married,” his green eyes stared into my own blue ones.
“It’s not fair that they get to pick who I marry.”
“I know,” he leaned in a kissed me softly.
As I pushed into him the door knob creaked on my door. I quickly broke the moment and reached down for the dress.
“Why was the door shut?” the tall, beautiful, blonde asked who pushed it open.
“A draft must have blown it shut, ma’am,” Thomas said to her.
“Hmm, either way, Anne, mother said to get dressed and get down stairs.”
“Okay, Elizabeth,” I mumbled at my sister.
“It wouldn’t hurt for you to actually put effort into looking decent tonight. You know I can’t marry until you do.” She turned her nose up at Thom and retreated from the room.
“I can’t stand her,” I muttered turning to my closet.
“She’s your sister.”
“She’s horrible.”
I slid out of my cotton day dress and pulled the prison garb on.
