Hello everyone! This, and you may have already figured out, is LockNessMonster13's and Dpower's coauthored story! This is our account, and any of you who read either of our many story's will enjoy this because there is much of each of us in here. Well, that's about it. We hope you a good read, and hope to review!
Chapter One: Southern Belle
I awoke to the sounds of angelic bird songs outside my window above my bed, and filtered sunlight. I opened my eyes and raised my arms for a cat like stretch. It was a late, leisurely morning for me as I lay envisioning my day. A combination of dread and excitement washed over me. Today was a party day at the highly illustrious plantation of Twelve Oaks, home of my dearest friend.
Nevertheless, sadly this day was one of utter dread. It just so happened to be the eighteenth anniversary of my mother's death. Unfortunately, she died while giving birth to me. Consequently, as my birth may be a celebration, it comes with a large black cloud hovering and poised to rain down unrelenting sadness and depression.
My loving father has done everything in his power to give me my hearts desires. I have most everything a girl of youth could want. Daddy spoils me with a plethora of the finest things money can buy.
I have a wardrobe filled with beautiful silk and satin dresses, hats, shoes and other finery that daddy believes fit for a Southern Belle such as myself. Charm and beauty is considered the mark of a perfect woman. Many admirers say my beauty is beyond compare.
However, for me, I have found it hard to subscribe to the "rules" of proper behavior that a lady should adhere to, if she is to be accepted by society. My personality seems to be unfit, for my boldness is seen as a lack of charm. Personally, I could care less as to others opinions.
That is why today, I must demonstrate my skills of deceit, and plaster a false happiness to my face. I shall first attempt to play the part for my melancholy father who is undoubtedly suffering from the memories of my mother.
As I lay in my bed trying to adjust my mood, I find it difficult even to think of pretending and portray such happiness. Thus, with heavy heart and dispiritedness, I decided to muster the courage to face my day.
I ripped back my satin linen and jumped out of my four-post queen bed. My feet landed on the cold, oak floor and I hurried to the threshold to call out to Jill.
"Jill, I am in need of your assistance."
Jill is my personal servant. Her family died of Typhoid fever and she was left at an orphanage. Not only did she suffer the tragedy of losing her family, but then was dealt an evil twist of fate as she fell into the hands of money hungry unscrupulous men and sold into slavery. Daddy seemed to have a soft spot for the little girl of only twelve and paid the asking price for her servitude. The fates must have been smiling down on her that day for it saved her from a lifetime of abuse. She is grateful for the home he has provided her and caters to my every need.
"Yes, Miss Rose?" Jill responded politely with a bow.
"I wish to prepare myself for the party and I require your assistance." I said curtly, carrying emotion in my voice. I did not intend to be short with her, but my bad mood seemed to leak out.
"Yes ma'am. How shall we proceed?" Jill asked attentively.
"I wish to bathe; therefore you may draw my bathwater first. While I am indisposed you will retrieve my new dresses that daddy bought for the occasion and place them on the davenport." I spoke my words pointedly. It made me feel bad, for the girl was adorable and full of life; I hated to bring her down with my words like this.
She nodded and scurried off to draw my bath. I walked to my vanity and took a seat. Picking up my brush, I worked though the tangles of my long dark brown hair. Looking at my reflection, I noted the deep sadness and lack of light in my sorrow-filled eyes. I wondered for a moment if I was talented enough to hide that sadness behind my practiced mask.
Minutes later, Jill had returned and reported my bath was ready. The water was heavenly and for a moment, I had forgotten my unhappy disposition. My mind drifted to how I would wear my hair for the party and other trivial things and soon enough I had completed my task.
As I took in the dresses daddy had acquired for today disappointment washed over me. "Why must he insist on getting such prudish clothing?" I said with disgust as I shook my head at the things.
After much deliberation, I finally settled on my dress for the day. Happy with my choice of the dark scarlet red gown that had a tight fitting bodice, which incidentally revealed the perfect curves of my body, I had Jill help me into my corset and then into the dress. She fixed my hair and retrieved the matching hat, gloves and shoes.
My reflection was a sight to behold. Incredibly satisfied with my appearance, I made my way down the grand staircase of the Tara plantation. With the decent of the stairs, I worked to put my mask firmly in place. Pausing at the base of the elegant staircase, I took a deep breath and looked around, giving me a much-needed moment to rein in my emotions.
For some odd reason, I felt that today had some significance. It seemed that things were on the verge of great change. Yes, I was coming of age, an adult now, but something more was stirring in the humid summer air. The grand foyer took on a different light as I looked around the familiar walls.
Our home is one of the most beautiful in this area of the Deep South. It's a glorious vision with its white pillar entrance, expansive porch, and large windows; built only a handful of years ago in 1829. Now in its glory, we have over a thousand acres and just as many slaves.
"Good morning daddy." I said with a faux smile, knowing full well that today was not a good morning for him.
"Good morning, my beautiful Rosemarie." He replied as he did each morning.
"How do I find you this morning, daddy? Are you well?" I asked with concern lacing my voice.
He glanced up at me, a small gloomy smile lingering on his lips. He took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze, and a second later let it drop. "I am well my daughter, and you?" he asked.
"I am... well." I said simply, not wanting to show any of my sadness for this day. I mentally cursed myself for my voice stopping midway through my sentence.
He smiled. "You look lovely my dear, but I see you have not chosen one of the dresses I had delivered for you." He noted pointedly, his voice was slightly gruff with minor disapproval.
I groaned as my shoulders dropped slightly. "Must they all be so prudish, daddy?" I asked, rolling my eyes with agitation.
"Rose, my dear, you must conform to the likes of a proper lady." Abe insisted relentlessly, the same old song and dance that I hear from him on a daily basis.
"Father!" I groaned, probably a little louder than I should have, but honestly, I couldn't help it. This was just not my day. I hardly had a grip on my emotions. "You must see that my personality is not the likes of what you would call a lady!" I said in frustration. "I will not blindly go along with things simply because it is said to be so!"
"Ah, my darling little girl, you are far too independent for you own good." He said gruffly, yet there was a little joking underlying tone, but the twinkle in his eyes spoke to his genuine love he felt for me.
"Yes, and quite proud of it!" I insisted.
"Enough of this nonsense! Sit and eat, you need your nutrition. I will have the carriage brought around for you." He said changing the subject completely, he jumped out of his chair and headed for the door.
"Thank you, daddy." I said with a smug smile, knowing that I had won for now. Then I placed a kiss on his cheek as he walked past me.
"And Rose?"
I turned my head to meet his eyes. "Yes daddy?"
"Happy birthday, my dear." He said with sincerity and placed a kiss to my cheek.
After my breakfast, I headed off to the party.
I walked into the large entry room of Twelve Oaks, studying the splendor around me. I was accosted with envious glares and anger from the women. From the men, I received looks of lust and admiration. I smirked at the unsolicited attention.
Studying the crowd for friendlier faces, and spotting the person I was looking for, standing by the French doors leading to the garden. I rushed over to Lissa Dragomir, my dearest friend, whose wonderful house this was. She instantly began gossiping about whatever the newest scandal was that had rocked our little town.
"Did you hear about Mia Rinaldi?" Lissa asked in a secretive tone as we started to walk around the large outside garden.
"No! Have you heard about the Captain?" I said raising my eyebrows with a sly smile.
"You must tell all!" Lissa sang getting excited at the possibility of more scandal.
"You first." I nudged her, wanting to hear the latest news.
"All right, well supposedly, she has been taking late night buggy rides with-" She looked around and leaned in closer to divulge her information. "Adrian Ivashkov." She whispered with a hiss.
I gasped, pulled back, and covered my mouth with my gloved hand. "No!" A gust of wind came up my large hoop shirt and started to blow my hat off. I grabbed it, and tied it securely around my chin.
"Yes!" Lissa hissed, straightening her own hat.
"That Ivashkov Yankee trash?" I asked her, still unbelieving.
She giggled, "The very same one who you slapped just the other day."
I harrumphed. "He deserved it. He tried to kiss me. I could have stuck my Papa on him and he would have never seen the light of day again."
"True, but now that he is out of our hair... and, I here tell, he is planning to marry her and bring her north." Lissa said, looking at me with horror written all over her face.
"A Southern Lady up North? She won't last a day!" I chuckled, imagining the poor, fair Mia in the North.
"Yes, well we will get our chance to see them here today. I was told she would be on his arm." Lissa reported.
"Now that will be a sight to behold!" I said sarcastically.
"So tell me about the Captain," Lissa brought up with renewed interest.
I lowered my voice and leaned into my dearest friend. "Well, actually, I haven't been acquainted with him yet... Though apparently he is quite a-"
"I, Miss Dragomir, am a scoundrel that many people don't like to associate with because of my reputation." We halted, and gasped at the bowing figure in front of us.
I sucked in breath when I saw his appearance. He was very tall, in fact, towering over me, with his deep brown eyes, boring into my own chocolaty ones. His hair was neatly placed at the nape of his neck by a hair tie, like mine that was currently flowing down my back. He lifted himself back up to his full nearly 6'7 height and put on his hat.
"Captain Dimitri Belikov at your service ma'am." He had a smug smirk gracing his lips.
"Good day, Captain." Lissa said politely, though not meeting his eyes. Being the hostess, she had to be cordial.
"Please call me Dimitri." His smoldering eyes sent shivers through me as he raked his eyes up and down my body, as if I was something delicious and he wanted to eat me up.
"How are you two fine women doing this beautiful day?" he asked curiously, though his eyes didn't leave mine.
"Quite fine, thank you for asking sir, and you?" Lissa asked, though it was clear his question, addressed to the both of us, was more or less directed to only me.
"Brilliant, now that I've seen you." His words were charming, and I felt my cheeks heat up, his gaze on me not helping.
I smiled shyly. "Excuse me, Captain Belikov," I said embarrassed by his forwardness, "but Miss Dragomir and I were speaking. So if you don't mind…" I drifted off, pulling on Lissa's arm to direct her away. Thankfully, she allowed me to tug her away.
Once we were out of earshot, Lissa let me have it. "Why did you do that, Rose? He was staring right at you!"
"Yes, as if he knew what was under my shimmy!" I said back.
Her eyes widened. "Rose! You shouldn't talk about things like that so openly!" She hissed in a whisper and clutched her chest, looking as if she was about to faint. I could vaguely make out chuckling behind us.
"Oh, get me some water, I think I shall faint!" She said melodramatically, cooling herself with the delicate lace fan she held in her white gloved hand.
"Don't you dare, Vasilisa Dragomir! With all these men around, you'll get more attention than you ever fancied." I glanced around to see if any were watching. To my dismay, we had several onlookers.
She immediately stood up straight, frightened with the prospect of attention. "No! I'm all right. I'm completely fine."
I sighed, and we started walking again back to rejoin the rest of the party.
The party had been quite a delight. I had several well wishes as I made my rounds. Since I was the honored guest for the evening, it seemed everyone was vying for my undivided attention. After several hours of socializing, I really just need a break. Slipping out the French doors once more to the beautiful quiet garden, I hurriedly snuck off to have a stroll in the crisp clear night.
"Oh Rose, you know you want me…" I knew that voice… Adrian jumped from the shadows and he grabbed me by the arm, pinching my skin in his grip, he forcefully shoved me into a corner of the dark secluded garden, where no one could see us. I gasped as he aggressively pressed his lips to mine.
I reached out and slapped him as hard as I could across the face splitting his lip. "How dare you!" I shouted as I spit in his face!" He pulled back for a moment, and I froze in fear as his cold stare bore into me, wiping the blood from his lip.
He growled as he jumped at me again slamming my head hard against the rock wall lining the garden. He grabbed ahold of my dress, this time trying to get under my skirts.
"Adrian! Get off of me!" I struggled against his iron grip. "Please!" Tears sprang to my eyes as he started to rip my skirt. His hands jerked me around as he greedily pawed at my body.
"I will have you one way or the other, Rose!" Adrian snarled as I fought and fought, the struggle felt as if it had gone on forever, but with exhaustion weighing on me, my mind was telling me that I had no choice but to finally give up. He was to strong, and I was getting so tired of fighting him.
I sunk down in defeat, trying to shield myself, but it was no use. He had the upper hand. I just sat and whimpered as he man-handled me. Adrian had almost achieved his goal.
Suddenly, another body shielded mine in the darkness, and when Adrian came back at me again, the person in front of me punched him square in the face with enormous force, and he was flung back into the sharp, vengeful awaiting rose bushes. He didn't move after that, and the person before me turned to face me. "Miss Mazur?" He whispered, though his voice was husky.
"Cap-Captain B-Belikov?" I stuttered in relief at his timely appearance. I had to cover my face, though, for I was completely embarrassed by the state of my appearance.
"Oh Roza." He said in a comforting voice as I burst into tears, desperately trying to cover my ripped dress with my hands. He swooped me up in his strong warm embrace, and held me as I shivered from shock and cried my eyes out into his shirt.
The next thing I knew, I was gently being placed in a carriage. It abruptly started moving, and I shivered again. The Captain comfortingly draped his big strong arms over me, keeping me warm. I unconsciously snuggled closer to his warmth feeling safe, and soon the crying stopped and I just fell asleep in my savior's arms.
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