Chapter 1 - I'll Be Unhappy All My Days

March 1912

Robert's head was splitting after the night he'd had with Cousin James. They had spent the night celebrating what had finally become official, Mary and Patrick's engagement.

Robert cringed as he remembered about the previous night's events (at the Grantham Arms of all places!) and continued to try to ignore the pain that was throbbing in his head while he sat eating his breakfast and perusing the paper.

Robert heard the click of footsteps approaching and as he looked up he saw Mary enter the room

"I see you're up early," Robert said with a smile. "Is your Mama taking you to London to look for a dress today?" inquired Robert. Cora had gone on and on about finding the perfect dress for Mary after Patrick had announced their engagement yesterday afternoon.

Mary did not answer him and instead looked down at her hands that were fiddling with her long necklace. There was something wrong.

"Mary is something the matter?"

Mary's dark eyes looked up at Robert.

"Papa, I can't marry Patrick, I simply can't."

He couldn't possibly have heard correctly.

"What do you mean you can't?"

Mary hesitated.

"I won't marry him Papa," she said firmly.

Mary had always been a contrary girl but this was going too far, Robert felt the anger rising in him, he smashed the newspaper he had been holding in his fist and slammed it against the table (he winced at the sound, and he hoped Mary hadn't seen it).

"You won't marry him? Not too long ago you agreed to this arrangement. You have always wanted what would have been rightfully yours if you'd been a boy and now it can be if you marry Patrick, all of it, the money, the estate, the title, it's all yours to take and now you say you don't want any of it" he shouted.

Mary behaved uncharacteristically and flinched at Robert's words. Robert was even more surprised when he saw tears beginning to form in his daughter's eyes.

"Papa, please, I'll be unhappy all my days," she whispered.

"Oh my darling girl," said Robert as he walked toward Mary and took her in his arms.

Well, that's chapter one. They will all be this short and there won't be that many chapters (probably just 3). R&R and I will be eternally grateful ;)

Next chapter's title - "They Gave Each Other a Pledge"