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.”
