Month: January 2020

Elizabeth

Standing on the steps of her childhood friend’s home, Lady Elizabeth Harrow’s heart raced at the prospect of seeing him again. Surely he would forgive her silence these past several years when he learned it had not been her choice.

The door opened and there he stood, tall and at attention, formally waiting to receive his guests. His dark hair was still short, trimmed, and polished. The suit he wore with casual grace couldn’t hide his lean muscled frame. He had definitely grown stronger by the look of him, standing there all tense.

As his eyes fell on her, she pulled her shoulders back. He bowed stiffly, unsmiling. “Welcome Lady Elizabeth. Please excuse me, I have work to do.” He turned to leave.

“Jameson?” She called out in shock before hastily correcting herself. “Forgive me, Your Highness.” His cold greeting astounded her. He paused at the sound of his name in his retreat before continuing his hasty escape.

She shuddered. It appeared that her best friend now abhorred the thought of being in the same room as her. 

Elizabeth had no time to dwell on this new development as her mother bustled into the room. “Ah, Elizabeth. Come. We must get you ready.” And as quickly as she came in, her mother hustled off continuing to talk even as she walked away, expecting Elizabeth to simply follow and listen. “Now, I filled your dance card with the men you are to seriously consider.”

Elizabeth continued to stare in the direction Jameson had stalked out.

“Elizabeth!” Her mother called. Reluctantly Elizabeth followed.

The frenzied hours of preparation that followed grated on her exhausted nerves. She silently endured, lost in thought over Jameson’s harsh greeting. Elizabeth braced herself for a long night. Her mother had provided the dress for the evening and Elizabeth cringed. They did not share the same taste. It was a pale pink confection that made her waist appear skinny but did nothing for her complexion or anything else.

As she descended the front stairs, she had to pause and shake off all the memories of the times she had skipped down those same stairs to meet up with Jameson. 

Her mother had certainly filled in every available moment of her night, as well as her dance card. Elizabeth was beginning to wonder if she could make it. After dancing without any rest for several dances, she was reeling but desperately fought to maintain her outward composure. None of her dance partners seemed to notice her discomfiture and whisked her out onto the dance floor before she could protest. As the night went on, she fought to not stumble or break down in tears. She felt alone, in pain, exhausted, and starving with no hope for relief.

Dances blurred and Elizabeth stopped paying attention, focusing only on staying upright. When her next partner moved her away from the dance floor instead of onto it she didn’t notice until the cool outside air hit her face. Abruptly she struggled to alertness and looked up into a familiar face. “Jameson?” She whispered. Her feelings vacillated between relief and hurt. Yet she couldn’t relax, remembering once again how he had so carelessly brushed her aside that morning.

Jameson politely inclined his head. “Lady Elizabeth, you appeared to need a bit of a rest.”

Elizabeth leaned up against the cold stone wall behind her. “How is it you can’t stand to be in the same room as me for more than a few seconds and yet you are the only one to notice when I need help?” Her eyes closed as she struggled to recover from her nonstop evening. She missed his startled look. At his irritated huff she forced herself to look at him. All she could see was how phenomenal he was looking. 

“You left.” He growled.

Startled, she attempted to hide behind cool indifference. “I did. Do you honestly believe I did it by choice?” 

His guilty glance to the floor made it obvious that he had thought exactly that and still did.

“Jameson. My mother told me we were going for a ride together. She didn’t inform me that I would be going to finishing school until I was at the gates. I wrote you. So many times. To explain. I never heard back from you.”

She laid her hand on his arm when what she really wanted to do was force him to give her the huge hug she had been craving since before she’d arrived.

When he didn’t speak she tilted her head to catch his gaze, “Is that why you had other business when I came home?”

His nod gave her hope. He glanced away, and when he looked back into her eyes she saw a wisp of sadness. “I missed you Liz.” She had no warning. He went from not touching her at all to enveloping her in one of his hugs. She collapsed into his arms. 

Instinctively he held her up. “What’s wrong?”

All the stress, the emotions, and even her mother’s good intentions overwhelmed the firm control she had been clinging to. Tears threatening, she moaned. “My feet hurt Jay. And I haven’t sat down since hours before the ball. My mother wouldn’t let me eat to make sure I fit into this stupid dress.” 

His eyes raked hotly over her dress. “You definitely look good in it. Even when I was making it a point to not look your way, I noticed. Is your mother still husband hunting for you?”

“Yes. Apparently you let her know that you were not interested in marriage with me so I’ve been ordered to not talk to you.” She admitted. 

“I told her that the day before you left because I didn’t want you to be forced to be with me. I wanted you to choose for yourself.” He pulled her tighter to him as he whispered in her ear, “When you left so suddenly I thought that you were giving me my answer.”

“Jay.” She smacked his arm but stayed nestled in close. She had missed him far too much for proper distance.

“I never received any letters.” He sighed, hugging her tightly once more. 

They broke apart as they heard footsteps clicking closer to them. Within moments a footman appeared. With a cough he turned to the prince. “Prince Jameson. Your mother is looking for you. Apparently you have missed the last three promised dances with her friend’s daughters.”

“Thank you. I will be in momentarily to soothe the ruffled egos in the room.” He bowed to Elizabeth. “It may not have been a long enough break for your feet but I don’t intend for you to dance with anyone else tonight as I will require my fiance by my side for the rest of the evening.”

“You have a fiance?” Elizabeth struggled to support herself on pained feet. “Since when?”

His boyish mischievous grin caught her by surprise. “Hopefully since right now?” He knelt down in front of her. “Will you marry me Liz?”

Jenna

Jenna almost didn’t step into the ballroom. She felt as though she was cheap taffeta in a room full of silks. Of all the places to meet on a blind date why had she agreed to this event? This was the social elite of the city.

Not that she was poor, she just didn’t make enough to be invited to this party on her own merits or money. Alise had insisted on setting her up on this date and had reveled at having her best friend and this mystery guy, Evan, meet.

At first the idea of going to a fancy event in a gorgeous formal dress and sleek new heels sounded incredible, like a princess fairytale for a night. Now that she was here, all the prepping and primping done, she dreaded the inevitable disappointment that was sure to appear in her date’s eyes. Unfortunately Alise, as a well-meaning friend, tended to talk her up. It was hard to recover from that sort of disappointment in the course of one date.

Braced for what was sure to come Jenna scanned the room again. Amidst all the men wearing tuxedos she had no chance of finding him. Instead, she would have to wait for him to find her. While she stood there, a horrible thought crossed her mind. What if he couldn’t find her? Or did and bailed before introducing himself?

“I’m going to be alone all night.” She muttered.

“Not if you don’t want to be.” A low voice right behind her rumbled with a chuckle.

Jenna swirled gracefully around in her shimmery cream ball gown, secretly loving how gracefully the skirts effortlessly spun.

Standing in front of her was a hulk of a man, all broad shoulders, narrow waist, and bulging biceps his tux couldn’t hide. Tearing her eyes away from all that muscle she found herself once again staring, but this time into amused green eyes framed by short tousled hair the color of burnt sienna. Her heart stirred.

Met with silence he deferred, “Unless you wanted to be alone?”

She shook herself out of her obvious ogling with a blush. “I…no…sorry. I was just looking for someone I was supposed to meet here.”

The smile he beamed her way pulled at her. He cocked an eyebrow. “Maybe I can be the one you are looking for?” With a formal bow he announced. “My name is Paul Carson, of Carson Tech.”

Disappointment marred her smile for only a second but he noticed.

“You are looking for someone in particular? Do you only know their name?” At her nod he smiled. “May I escort you while you search?” He leaned in. “I can be an invaluable help. Introductions and all that.” He looked so beseeching she couldn’t help but relent with a laugh.

“Deal.” She nodded. “Where to first? I am all yours.”

“Tempting.” He smirked. “If you were mine, I would be keeping you all to myself.”

A blush flushed to her face in a flash. “I didn’t mean that. I meant… I should have said…”

He interrupted. “I know what you meant.  A man can dream. Now, I will need to know who we are looking for if I am to be of any help.”

She smiled. “I am beginning to wonder if you are actually going to help me find my date or if you will purposely keep me from him.”

“The thought had crossed my mind I confess but I quickly chose the honorable thing so I would have a shot if your date didn’t go as planned.” Once again he let loose his smile, leaving her dazed. “So how do you not know what your date looks like? Did he not ask you out?”

“It’s a blind date.” Jenna admitted.

“Ahh. If only I had the right name then.” He smirked. “He should have picked you up.”

Jenna inwardly agreed but didn’t say it aloud. They stood there looking at each other in silence with happy contented smiles until he leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially. “His name? And while we are on the topic, your name?”

“Oh yeah. I’m Jenna.” She blushed and gave herself a shake to focus her brain as she nodded. “His name is Evan Cranston.”

He did a double take. “And you don’t know what he looks like?” Surprise and doubt covered his face and tone.

“No.” She confided softly. “Should I?”

It took a few long seconds of him studying her face for him to answer. “It’s just that most people do.”

“Hmm. Well” She shrugged, “I trust my friend who set me up to not set me up with a psycho.”

He nodded, appearing thoughtful and oh so charming. “How are you supposed to know it is him when you find him?”

Promptly she hooked her arm in his, secretly thrilled to be so close to so much gorgeousness. “That’s why I have you!”

In a low rumbling growl he admitted, “I’m finding it difficult to stay motivated in locating your errant date.”

“Why?” 

“The longer it takes, the more time I get with you.” The smile he shot her way was nothing short of devastating.

It was her turn to study him. “You do know what he looks like?”

“Ah yes. I assure you. I know all too well what he looks like.” His eyes scanned the crowd before them.

“And you’re sure you’re not the Evan I’m looking for?” She asked.

“I wish.” He inclined his head to her. “Shall we begin our search?” With a nod from her, they stepped into the press of people.

Over the next hour Paul took the time to introduce her to everyone they passed, and kept her laughing and distracted from the fact that she hadn’t found her date.

“Where do you propose we look next?” She sighed. Her date was officially past late. “Or have I been ditched?”

“It seems your persistence has been rewarded.” He pointed over at the door leading into the grand ballroom. “Evan has made an appearance.” Paul sounded disappointed. She stopped to glance his direction before turning to get a look at the man who was her date.

When she didn’t move toward the man Paul had pointed out, he nudged her.

“Jenna?”

Jenna startled at the sound of her name. She fidgeted with her dress. Here she was, over an hour into this grand event, had met dozens of very important people and still she was nervous. With a sheepish smile she shrugged, “Now that I’ve found him I find I am regretting it.”

“Already?” Surprise was apparent in his tone. “Not many people are ever disappointed finding Evan.”

“Not because of him. He’s handsome enough.” She flushed.

“Then what’s wrong Jenna? We’ve spent all this time looking for him.” Paul pulled her close with the slightest touch of his hand to hers.

Her silence and inability to meet his eyes suddenly made it obvious. Leaning down till their noses touched he snared her gaze smiling, “Save me a dance?”

Jenna’s relieved sigh was answer enough, but he chuckled when she straightened and looked boldly up at him. “Deal.”

Elena

Creeping down the stairs, mindful of her father’s voice rumbling angrily in his study, Elena closed the front door with the barest of clicks. Even after sneaking out, she was irritated that a woman her age had to sneak from her parent’s house.  A 22 year old should not have to sneak. Again the thought crossed her mind that maybe she should finish her degree away from home. With it being online, she could finish anywhere. As she walked down the street to the 24 hour IHOP, she thought back on all the memories that had held her together while Sean was gone.

Once he had left she had no idea what step to take first to leave her parent’s agoraphobic house but she knew she had to go.

It didn’t take long to reach IHOP. She stepped into the brightly lit foyer and scanned the room. He was in the corner, blue eyes beaming her way.

“Elena.” He wrapped her up in a warm welcoming hug. “Six months was too long.”

Elena bit back her retort. She didn’t want her first words to be bitter. She settled for, “I missed you too Sean.”

His hug tightened briefly before he released her, looking into her eyes. “Come. Sit down and tell me everything I’ve missed.”

They settled back into the booth he had previously been waiting in and Elena stared at her best friend and at all the changes that must have happened over the past several months. It startled her into wondering how different she looked now? His once shaggy blonde hair was now impeccably trimmed with no sign that he ever let his beard grow out. There was a power in his eyes now, as if he was used to being in charge and expected to be listened to and taken seriously.

“I am thinking you need to laugh more in your life.” Elena let slip.

Sean’s eyes widened, rapidly followed by a bright smile. A laugh twinkled through his eyes. “You never did have a problem calling me out. Especially when I needed more happiness around.”

Elena blushed.

But Sean continued, “Are you doing alright E? I’ve worried about you.”

So simple a confession but still it warmed her senses. And out it all came. Her plans to leave, her secret apartment shopping, chafing against the strictures that had long held her in her room, even her desire to find a new job out of state once she was finished with her degree. The longer she talked the more she felt the months spent apart becoming inconsequential.

Sean listened to it all. And after she finished spilling out everything she had been wanting to tell him, out came the questions that had bothered her over and over again. “Where have you been Sean? Why did you have to leave? And why for so long?”

He almost looked guilty but quickly straightened, reaching out for her hand. She didn’t, couldn’t, move away from the searing heat his touch instilled. It had been lonely without him.

With his other hand he rubbed his face. “Elena, I am so sorry. I made a deal with my father. Once I graduated college he wanted me to go straight into the family business and train to take over. I wasn’t ready and demanded a break before I committed so fully to the company. I wanted a life. I didn’t want to be me for a while.” He paused to squeeze her hand. “He agreed to two months of complete freedom in exchange for six months of full dedication to the company.”

Elena stared at him. This man in front of her was not the vacationing, happy go lucky guy she had known and fallen for. He wasn’t entirely different but definitely more focused, polished even. She had been drawn to his confidence before. Now, it was as if he glowed with self assurance. Sean had become a force of nature to be reckoned with.

“So, what’s the family business?” she asked, tentatively.

“You don’t know?”

She cocked her head to the side, staring honestly over at him. “No. Should I?”

Sean shrugged, almost looking embarrassed. “I guess I just assumed you would look me up at one point.”

Elena shook her head. “I don’t pry into anyone’s life on the internet. Too many lies and half truths.”

It was Sean’s turn to grin, sheepishly. “I should have known you wouldn’t.” He let out a big sigh. “My dad founded Trelling Conglomerate. It started out small but two years ago it went international. Since I left here I have been traveling, helping cement new business partnerships around the globe.”

“Oh.” Elena wanted to say more but she sat back in shock. That was not what she imagined at all. Son of a huge multi-national business. Heir to a fortune. How small she seemed in the big picture of his life when he was such a prominent part of hers. She ventured, “How did you find time to come all the way back here?”  

When he leaned forward, across the table, her attention was riveted. “Elena, this trip back here has been in my schedule and unchangeable since the second I left. I promised my dad six months with no social distractions of any kind, but I wasn’t going to wait a single day passed that to come back to you.”

She mentally staggered under the immensity of emotion his confession charged in her. “What now?” she whispered.

“Well, as far as plans go, I had hoped to spend time with you for the week I’m here. I was hoping you’d still be willing to go on a few dates, talk things over and figure how we can best move forward together no matter where that is. Then, in a week I will have to head back to New York to settle things.” He paused, looking beyond anxious but excited. Elena couldn’t figure out how to feel. It was more than she had hoped for in all the time she had ached to be with him. Her gaze zeroed in on his very kissable mouth as he began to talk again.

“When I leave, Elena I was hoping you would come with me.”

Shock again coursed through her, leaving her energized and giddy. She smiled and began to nod when she noticed he was holding out a small box over the table. He pulled it open to display a diamond ring. She smothered her gasp with her hands as tears rolled.

“Elena, love. I know it has been a long time, but there has never been any doubt for me that you are the one I want to spend eternity with. Will you marry me?”

All she could do was nod and cry. Sean stood and slid into her side of the booth, easing the ring onto her finger and whispering into her ear, “I love you E.”

Deah

“Deah Rose!”

Deah’s head popped up from the garden she was tending. Her father’s voice echoed off the stone walls surrounding her. Seconds later, her father appeared at the arched doorway.

“Ah there you are, my dear. I have the most wonderful news.” His jubilance was infectious and she found herself smiling. “I’ve found him!” He exclaimed, waving his arms around.

“Who? Found who?”

“Him! Your future husband. It’s all arranged!” In his excitement he didn’t see his daughter go pale and drop the shears she had been holding. He heedlessly continued, “It solves everything for both him and us.  He needs a wife and I need you married before any of those thieving warlords cast their eyes your way.”

“Papa.” She breathed, scolding.

“Oh, do not worry about a thing. It will be a small exchanging of vows in a week. Nothing big. Nothing to fret over.” He patted her shoulder.

Papa!” Deah ground out.

It was as if he was deaf as well as blind, rattling on about how much her marriage would benefit him.

“Papa!” She yelled, stomping her foot, determined to have his attention.

He blinked, finally focusing on her. “What’s wrong Deah? I thought you would be happy for me.”

“Papa, you have just told me that I am going to be marrying someone in a week’s time and you still have yet to tell me who!” Deah fought back her frustration.

“Oh.” He only allowed a few seconds of worry before jumping back to jubilation. “Alarik Carrington.” He proudly proclaimed.

The hope of having at least met her future husband was crushed. She recognized the name, but had never met the fearsome lord.

“He’ll be here in a matter of minutes. Go throw on something pretty.” He nudged her toward the door before taking off down the hallway himself.

Deah stumbled and leaned against the doorframe. Closing her eyes she tried to reconcile her suddenly turbulent mind with what she had to do.

“Might as well go get pretty.” She muttered sarcastically. Turning to go to her room she found herself toe to toe with a stranger. A tall stranger with a sinfully strong, muscled chest. A fact she could see quite well, her slim nose being inches from it.

The man caught her by the shoulders to stop her from bumping into him. “Hello.” He rumbled in amusement.

Her gaze flew up and straight into his mischievous smile. “Who are you?” 

His smile burst from his core into a full-bodied laugh and she found herself smiling up at him even as she blushed. “Nice to meet you too, Miss…?” He tilted his head to the side.

“Oh!” With a gasp she remembered why she had been in such a hurry. “I have to go! I’m late!” She didn’t wait for him to say goodbye. Instead she ran.

As she made it to her room she could only spare a second of thought for the handsome stranger she had literally just run into. He was probably one of the hundreds of business associates of her father’s constantly coming in and out of the house, yet she couldn’t figure out how she hadn’t noticed him before.

Quickly she pulled off her dirt-streaked gardening dress, replacing it with her only jade velvet gown. She tried not to care about how sudden this all was, but in the back of her heart she was still stunned. It was too much to handle too fast. 

It had only been a few minutes since her father had sent her off to change but she still felt rushed. Her breakneck run to her room had done little to escape the hypnotic pull that the handsome stranger had held over her. However, she no longer had the luxury of such distraction, engaged as she now was. Instead, she had to focus on her future husband. Hurriedly making her way to the great hall she focused only on moving quickly yet gracefully.

The noisy chaos within the hall silenced as her father noted her entrance and stood. Everyone turned toward him; all but one. There, off to the side and looking an odd combination of sheepish and alluring, was her stranger. He did not take his eyes off her even as her father began speaking. It made her arms tingle and she had to force herself to look up at her father.

“My friends, I have asked you all here for a wonderful announcement.” He clapped his hands. Deah began to wonder if he might simply be eager to be rid of her. “I have found a husband for my daughter.”

When he motioned for Deah to stand beside him she obediently made her way forward.

“Come on up and meet your bride, Carrington.” He called gleefully

Deah shuddered. Her father sounded as if he were presenting a prize, not his only daughter. Her eyes rose as she saw a pair of shoes step up in front of her. She gasped. Standing before her was her handsome stranger.

As he bowed, he took a gentle hold of her hand and pulled her closer as he stood tall once again. He whispered down to her as she found that she was once again inches from colliding with his chest. “It’s nice to officially meet you Deah.”

Startled at his tone she looked straight into his sparkling eyes, forgetting that she was supposed to be acting appropriately demure. “You knew!” She accused in a fierce whisper, embarrassment clouding her normally calm composure.

Looking around at their audience he gave a slight nod before addressing the men watching. “As wonderful as it is to be with all of you to celebrate our new engagement I must speak with my fiance for a few moments alone.” He bowed with a gracious smile and pulled her along with him to a side door leading to a small patio.

She merely waited until the door closed before she rounded on him. “You knew who I was in the hallway and didn’t tell me!”

He shrugged. “I figured you already knew who you were and didn’t need me telling you.”

Exasperated she folded her arms, “That is not what I meant.”

“I know.” He conceded, gently pulling her into him. She would have pushed him away for his brazen audacity if it hadn’t felt so comforting. “And I’m sorry I could not prevent your father’s method of meeting. I was by that door earlier hoping to meet you before he did all this but it didn’t quite work out as I planned.” His grin was anything but apologetic. “You do run quite swiftly though.”

Embarrassment coursed through her. “I was in a hurry.”

“Yes. I could see that.” He paused.

Deah looked up at him as he held her waist, a small smile dancing on the corners of her mouth.

His smile warmed her skin and tickled her toes with pleasure. “I suppose now would be a good time to formally introduce myself. Alarik Carrington, Lord Dunharein.”

To read part 2 of Deah’s story, click here.

Sandra

The tent they had shoved her into was stifling. She would be married off to a man she had never met, whatever he was willing to pay. The highest bidder. Today she would be sold. There would be no courtship, no party, no celebration, nothing. The vows would be spoken and the contract would be signed; and she would be his.

Oddly, Sandra found herself hoping that she appeared pleasing enough to entice someone to ‘marry’ her. Anyone not auctioned off today was sent into the services of the city’s elite. It was not a fate to be envied. When labeled as un-marriageable you were viewed as less than a person. Assigned to the worst tasks that no one else wanted, many women didn’t last more than a year, succumbing to depression and suicide.

“Vira.” The head guard hollered. The blonde next to her gave a little sob and stepped forward.

Sandra stepped back and fought to hold in the tears as she allowed her long blonde hair to drape down, concealing her face from the rest. She didn’t want to look weak.

In mere minutes the man was back calling out another name. All that registered in Sandra’s mind was that it wasn’t her name.

Name after name was called and time after time Sandra waited, until she was the last woman in the room. She stepped forward knowing that her time had come. Someone had to go last. The head guard stepped back into the room and pointedly did not look her way as he exited, leaving her behind.

Sandra stood there, unsure what to do. She hadn’t been put up to be viewed so she couldn’t be labeled un-marriageable but she wasn’t married off either. This was a middle ground she had no clue what to do with. Several minutes passed before she had the gumption to approach the exit. She pushed open the flap of the tent and stepped out. There was only one guard in sight standing right next to the opening. She drew to a sudden stop when he pinned her where she stood with a mere glance. He handed her a sealed envelope.

Curious she opened it and withdrew a note.

Sandra,

You have 15 minutes to gather your possessions. The guard who gave you this letter will escort you. Future clothing will be provided.   -Ethan

Straightening herself to her full height she faced the guard, forcing her voice and expression to remain calm. “I have nothing to retrieve from home.”

“Follow me” he gruffed.

Wordlessly she followed, anxiety for what would happen next weighing her steps. Shock interlaced her apprehension when he eventually led her up the steps of a grand house. Even though she was nervous, she noted that her escort brought her through the front entrance and not the servant’s door. Hope trickled through the fear clogging her thoughts.

The guard stopped in front of a large set of doors just inside the entry. “Wait here” he commanded and promptly left, not waiting for her to respond.

She only had to wait a few minutes before a servant opened the door wide and motioned her in. Sandra walked into the room and over to the large desk dominating the room.

The man seated behind the desk barely glanced her way but immediately dismissed the servant at the door with a careless wave. When he went back to his work Sandra took the opportunity to really look at him.

She blushed as she realized how handsome the man was even as he scowled down at the papers in front of him. His dark hair and well-tanned skin made her prickle with awareness. It was obvious he did not normally sit behind a desk but was a man always on the move. This was not a man to trifle with. Even sitting down, power and authority seemed to emanate from him…and his bulging muscles.

“Sit” He barked, without looking her way.

Glancing around she saw a chair in the corner and retreated to it.

When he glanced up minutes later she silently watched as he had to check the whole room before his bewitchingly intelligent hazel eyes landed on her.

In a softer voice than the gruff demand earlier, he amended “I meant over here.” He pointed at the large, luxurious chair positioned directly in front of his desk.

“Oh.” She blushed. Quickly she made her way back to the desk and plopped into the chair with less grace than usual. To cover up her blunder she smoothed her dress straight and sat up tall. When she braved a glance up she discovered him smiling over at her with such affection her blush deepened.  

“You don’t recognize me.” He stated, almost sadly, while still smiling.

She started in surprise and studied him closer. He had looked familiar but she had brushed it aside as nerves. Now she really looked, trying to figure out why he did indeed look familiar. He allowed her to stare for a few seconds as he continued to smile. His smile alone made her flutter inside, her heart pounding.

“It was a few weeks ago.” He prompted. “Just outside of town. Those boys that were bothering you…” Again he paused.

Sandra gasped. “That was you! I didn’t have a chance to thank you.” She smiled shyly. “Or see your face very well.”

Anger flashed briefly across his face. “I am only glad you were not hurt.”

“Thanks to you.” Her heart warmed with gratitude. At least now she knew the person in front of her was a good, honorable man.  With a wisp of boldness she muttered “Why am I here?”

He leaned forward. “What?”

“What am I doing here?” She braved a peek at his face. A soft smile had replaced all traces of anger.

“You deserve to be courted.” He confessed, almost sheepishly.

Sandra was stunned. The custom he brought up was very old and rarely ever used anymore. Not when the auctions were so simple. “ You don’t even know me.” She argued.

“I know enough to want to court you.” He replied with sincerity. “You deserve a marriage proposal, not a contract.” He paused. “If you decline I will find you a good job in my household or elsewhere if you so choose. You do not have to say yes just to save yourself from slavery.”

She sat there, stunned. What do you say when your world is suddenly upended?

In the silence that followed he stood and moved around the desk, all smooth steady grace, sliding into the equally plush seat next to her. Grabbing hold of her tightly clasped hands he implored “I have been unable to rid you from my thoughts since the moment I first saw you attempting to fight off those scoundrels alone.”

Sandra stared down at her hands held in his. The warmth and absolute tenderness conveyed was mesmerizing.

“I…” She paused and started over with a shy smile. “Yes.”