disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: This is an A/U (alternate universe) story that takes place in the late 1860's. I got this idea from a dream, Clint Eastwood movies, and Taylor Swift's song Love Story. So to make it easy on ya'lls imaginations, Sam looks like Taylor, except she has red hair.
xXXXx
The Civil War had just ended. All our men were coming home, every girl's dream . . . except mine. Most girl's would have been ecstatic to be in my position. But not me. While I was happy that the war was over . . . that just meant that Ryan would be coming home. My beau, Ryan Slocum. Handsome, rich, was made a Captain in the war, but he's also an arrogant, male-chauvinistic, self-worshiping, belligerent, shoe-rag.
There was to be a ball that night, in honor of the return of the "conquering hero", yippee. I had the feeling that Ryan was going to propose that night too. After all why shouldn't he, honors, medals, commendations, rank, why would any girl turn thatdown?
Problem was . . . Daddy would love for me to marry Ryan. Mama died when I was little, so I know Daddy's just trying to secure a good future for me. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize that I don't care a lick for Ryan.
Now if only I could get out of attending . . . too bad I've been in good health lately. Ah, well. A girl's got to sacrifice sometimes.
Daddy and I were en-route to the Slocum mansion. Located in the most upper-class neighborhood of Boston. If only I were ill . . .
"Aren't you excited to be seeing Ryan again?" Daddy asked me smiling. Oh, so excited, I'm jumping in my boots, wait I'm not wearing boots!
"It will be very nice to see him again." I said lying through my teeth "You are looking so beautiful tonight, just like your mother." Daddy complimented me. "Thank you, you look very handsome Daddy." He wore a black tux, and white dress shirt, with a ruffled collar.
I wore a gold silk gown, and had my long red hair curled and piled up on top of my head. (A/N: think Taylor Swift in Love Story)
Oh, we're here, yay. Can't we just drive around the block a few times . . .
"Allow me to help you from the carriage miss." said a footman in green livery opening the door
"Thank you." I said gracing him with a smile, I think he swooned a bit . . .
Daddy offered me his arm, and we walked into the mansion. I plastered a smile on my face, and prepared to act.
"Ah, Wyatt Forster, and why Miss Samantha!" Linc greeted us enthusiastically "I declare you get prettier every time I see you Samantha!" his great booming voice could be clearly heard throughout the ballroom. Linc is Ryan's daddy and my daddy's best friend.
"Father why don't I show Samantha around?" Rachel said stealing me away. Rachel . . . Ryan's twin sister, who I have an ally in. She is . . . in a word, a snob. She doesn't want me to marry Ryan, I'm not good enough for her standards apparently.
"Ryan will propose tonight." Rachel said quietly, leading me out onto a balcony. "Yes, I thought as much." I replied sitting on a bench.
"Well? What are you going to do? My brother doesn't give up easily." She leaned gracefully against the balcony
"I don't know . . ." I sighed, smoothing my skirt.
"Ah, Rachel there you are, I should have known you'd steal Samantha away." Ryan came out onto the balcony, wearing his military dress (A/N: means a dress uniform, not an actual dress), medals proudly displayed on his chest.
I rose and curtsied to him, saying "Ryan, it is so good to see you."
Rachel suddenly knelt, and picked up a fan lying on the ground. "Oh, Samantha you dropped your fan." she pressed it into my hand, shooting me a look. I glanced at it, a piece of paper was wrapped around it, I slipped it into my pocket.
"I must go find father." Rachel said going back inside, leaving us alone on the balcony.
"Would you care to walk with me?" Ryan asked, offering me his hand. No, I wouldn't Ryan. But you aren't really offering me much of a choice.
"I'd love to take a walk Ryan." I smile, blushing accordingly. I really am too good at lying.
He leads me to the steps, and we stroll into the garden. The sweet perfume of roses surround us.
"Please, Samantha. I must ask . . . " Ryan kneels down "will you do me the honor of being my wife?" The honor? Honor? Oh, that's rich . . . so now its an honor to marry the jerk!
"Why Ryan, I'm flattered . . . but, I cannot accept until you receive my father's blessing." I say smiling, like I'd marry you, you insolent, stuck-up, little-
"I shall seek his permission then." Ryan stood, smiling broadly. "Would you care to join me in a dance?"
"I would be honored." I use his own words against him.
We re-entered the ballroom to see our fathers busily getting drunk and flirting with every woman in sight.
Ryan signaled the musicians and a waltz started. We took our positions and danced. Spinning, twirling and circling until the music ended.
"I need to powder my nose." I told Ryan, when he looked like he was going to ask me to dance again.
I sat on a bench in the bathroom, and took the fan out of my pocket. I unrolled the paper from around it, it was a letter from Rachel. On the envelope it said: Samantha, read this once you get home
How very mysterious. Perhaps Rachel had come up with a way out of this mess.
Exiting the room, I looked around for Daddy. Only to find him sleeping in a chair in the corner. I sighed, and called for a couple of the serving men.
"Carry him out to our carriage." I directed, following behind them.
We arrived home shortly, where our butler Dallas helped Daddy inside to bed. I went to my room, and changed into a simple nightgown. Finally I'd be able to read Rachel's letter.
Dear Samantha,
I'll get right to the point. Ryan has proposed, but you don't want to marry him. The only way for you to get out of it is for you to leave. Tell no-one where you're going. I'll cover for you, but you must leave tonight. Get out of town and as far away as you can. I've included some money for you. Ryan will stop at nothing to have you as his wife. Leave no trail for him to follow,
Rachel Slocum
I sighed. I didn't really want to leave home, but it seems like the only option I have. I sat down, grabbing paper and my quill. I wrote:
Dear Daddy,
If you're reading this, I'm long gone and far away by now. I want you to know that I could never marry a man I don't love. I don't love Ryan. I never have. I love you, but this is goodbye. If I never see you again, I want you to know that I know you did the best you could for me. All my love,
Samantha
Dear Ryan,
Well, I'm gone. So what are you gonna do about it? And for your information, its an honor to get the hell out of here. Goodbye loser,
Samantha
xXXXx
A/N: please review.