May 25, XX45

Today is the day of my brother, Ramon's birthday. The servants are preparing for the thousands of family and friends who will be attending. I was helping but mother sent me to my room to continue my studies; of course I could careless. I'm locked in my room til the get together starts...

I put down my pen, close my worn journal and look toward my vanity's mirror and see a broken woman instead of a radiant young lady who was engaged to marry,Tom La-Flu, the richest young man alive. Me a 15 year old girl betrothed to a decade older man! My mother could not arrange a more terrifying way to punish me. My entire family agree to this, except for my grandmother, she's hates the way he's so friendly with other girls. I just hate him because I can; barely 16 and I'm already being removed from the one place I grew up.

There's a knock at the door, "Come in, mother..." She enters with a cream color box in her arms. "My dear daughter I've brought you something!"

My mother sets the box down on my bed obviously pleased with whatever is inside. I rise from my seat at my desk and slowly make my way to her. I sit on my stool at the edge of the bed then reach for and open the box. My eyes widened and rose to my mother who was grinning like the young girls smitten by Tom La-Flu. "Am I suppose to wear this, to Ramon's get together?" Mother nods her head. I observe the dress, the extra small waistband, the low cut top, the laced-up back, the long train, and the aqua color. My mother squeals in excitement.

"You must wear it tonight, Sir La-Flu bought it just for you. See it even has his family crest on the left breast, introducing you as a fiancee!" I see, he must have used one of tramps to size it.

"Thank you mother, I'd be honored..."She merrily left my room saying she'll send Maria in to help me dress. Of all things he sends a dress as a engagement announcement to take away the attention from Ramon on his day and its an disgrace to be seen in such a skimpy gown. I set the dress back in the box and walked to my balcony. Leaning over the rail I spotted the florists bringing in the vases of flowers mother ordered also the caterers pulling into our drive. I was startled when Maria spoke my name; calling for me so she my help me into my girdle and slip on my dress. After that she fixed my hair where my brown sparrow locks rested on my shoulders with a white rose on my right side. "There,my lady, you look very delightful. Your mother may have to inform the law enforcers to attend." I look at her grey eyes in the vanity mirror seeking her meaning behind her words. She places my brush down and opens my jewelry box, "What I mean is that Master La-Flu might ravish you;your quite the looker you know Lady Lawrence." She presents a diamond choker that was sent to me by my father while he was conducting business in Belgium. A few minutes later after she 'made my face' is what mother calls it, Maria left to accompany my mother on last minute preparations.

I still saw a broken woman in my vanity mirror even in a gown such as this I felt like my mother had thrown me to the wolf to be mauled.

As the old Lawrence clock struck 8 many of the guests started to arrive. Old men leading in young ladies, fathers bringing forth their daughters, and the La-Flu carriage coming around the corner of our block; I cringe in hatred as I see many of the young ladies and daughters running from their dates to the gate to wait for Tom. I left the balcony heading for my door, placing my had on the crystal doorknob only to have it open itself to reveal a tall, handsome dark haired man. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on you dressing. I just sensed a troubled heart..." The man before was dressed in a black suit with a crisp, clean white shirt and blood red rose on his left shoulder.

"Lady Lawrence are you alright?" I snapped to when called my maidan name. "I'm very sorry Sir..." I bowed with his hand reached out toward me. "No, please don't call me by my Sir name, its rather embarrassing really." I noticed his blue eyes which seemed to glisten from his pale skin. "My name is Ashton, Ashton Lanning." I felt that I need to place my hand in his. Once I did he kissed my hand his lips were soft and gently on my skin.

His face then rose to admire my green orbs. I was lost in the moment as Sir Ashton leaned closer to my face, grasping my bare forearms pulling me closer. Our lips mere centimeters from contacting the other, our eyes drooping to savor the moment when our lips touch but then my eyes widen to see a sharp vampire like touch sparkle from the moon light shining through the windows. I pull back with hands over my mouth. Is he? Sir Ashton looks at me puzzled and slightly surprised. "I didn't mean to frighten you.I thought you also felt this-"

"Sir Lanning, I see that you've met my daughter." For once I was glad to see my mother. Ashton turned toward my mother scratching the back of his neck. "Yes your daughter is quite the beautiful blossom..." he glanced at me with his blue orbs, "I was telling her how much I admire her evening gown it really does make her shine like a star." Sir Ashton gestures to me with his right hand.

"She's engaged don't you see the La-Flu family crest?" I felt his eyes on my chest as his eyes seemed to lose their glow. "Oh, it didn't occur to me she was engaged to La-Flu. Excuse me, Madam and Lady Lawrence but I believe Lady Hersh is here." He briskly walked by my mother; my eyes wide in shock he knows my grandmother but they were unable to leave the young man's retreating back and broad shoulders that seemed to sway with masculine power.

I look to my mother who yanks me to follow her to the ballroom. "I don't want you speaking to Sir Ashton Lanning. He was such a troublesome young lad. Always causing problems at your grandmother's estate during the summer months. Let alone NEVER look at him understand, Abigail?"

My mother just spoke the name that she said was a sin to speak; my name, the name that my father had picked for me; naming me after his grandmother who died hours before I was born. The name my mother hated to let roll of her Southern tongue only because my great grandmother hated the fact that my mother was marrying my father for his money and political power.

We made our way down the spiral staircase seeing Ramon and his nannies greeting everyone by the large marble doors. "Now dear just smile and wave also don't forget that-" Mother was interrupted by Tom La-Flu; he appeared out of the crowd with the young ladies and daughters watching his ever move. "My, my Madam Lawrence you look mighty pleasing to the eye. Are you sure your husband is alright with you being around all these men who would gladly whisk you away?" Mother giggled like a school girl. "Oh Sir La-Flu your to much. Now take your new wife-to-be and mingle among the crowd." She stepped past him to accompany Ramon and his nannies.

"Lady Lawrence, my I take your hand?" No, leave me be is what I wanted to say but mother was watching the whole elite neighborhood was watching me and how I'd react to my arranged engagement. I took him arm just as the butlers announced that dinner was to be served. La-Flu lead me inside the large archway. The ladies and young girls moving out of his way but spitting words and menacing eyes my way. Tom brought me to the left side of the polished ivory table, pulling out the plush velvet seat for me and let me sit as he took his seat next to me. Just my luck Sir Lanning is watching me from the right side of the table at a angle. I blush, what has come over me why all I so infatuated by this man I don't even know? A man who tried to steal my first kiss?

For Ramon's dinner chose we had stuffed turkey, with baked potatoes, and southern sweet tea. As we waited for the dessert to arrive Tom La-Flu went on and on about his wealth, power, and his strong 'love' for me. More like lust, I wanted to say. I acted like I cared but I was watching Ashton. He was speaking to a older man who had his daughter next to him. The older man seemed to be offering his daughter as a mistress but Ashton, nervously, declined the man's offer. Just as the young girl glanced away from the decline, Ashton looked in my direction and smiled. I saw the sharp tooth from earlier I gripped my neck in fear. "Lady Lawrence, are you alright?" I turn to see a butler who had brought Sir La-Flu his rum. I shook my head as I wiped my sweaty palms on my cotton napkin. "No, I'm fine don't worry about me." A older man next to Tom La-Flu laughed. "Just like her father, is she not Tom my boy?" He sipped his rum and grinned toward the older man as he continued to talk about himself.

I turned toward Ashton who had a frown on his face, surely worried about what had happened to me earlier. He then signaled a butler, whispered something in his ear as he looked my way slipping the young man something from his coat pocket. He then disappeared into the kitchen only to return with a platter. "My Lady Lawrence.." I turned to the young man who had called my name, "I have a treat for you from Sir Ashton Lanning." Tom La-Flu spit his rum all over the young ladies sitting across from us. I signed in relief that'll show them. "Sir Lanning, huh? He best not be trying to steal my wife?" Tom gripped my shoulders trying to kiss my cheek, I pushed away from his foul smelling breath. He then rose from his seat and called out to Sir Ashton, "C'mere Ashton let us talk man to man." I saw Sir Ashton Lanning rise from his chair excusing himself and Sir Tom from my mother, Ramon and the other guests quite embarrassed.

As the two stepped out, the butler placed the platter in front of me and removed the top. My eyes drooped in displeasure. "A note? Is that all?" I stated rather annoyed. He nodded then leaned closer to whisper in my ear, "Sir Ashton Lanning requests that you do not read it in front of your betrothed or your mother dearest." I placed it in my breasted area, it must be important if mother can't see it. "Your quite the sly young lady like your father, aren't you?"stated the older man across from me as he knocked down the rest of his wine and turned to flirt with the lady on his right. I smiled his way not really replying to his statement. I couldn't wait to get away from them so I can ready my note.