A.N. Numero deux. I was completely blown away by the reviews and favourites and alerts that I got for just one chapter! This will be the last post of the week, as it is Sunday today. I will try to post once between Monday and Friday, and then I will be posting over the weekend; school comes first. Thank you so much for everything you guys, and remember, the more reviews, the better the chapters! That's really bad bribery, but who cares?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Yet. –Evil laugh–
Behind Closed Doors
Part Two.
The strong wind whipped around her face, knocking the air out of her lungs, and momentarily forcing her to loose her footing. Dressed in her favourite vibrant red dress, with black corset, she heads homeward. There is only so much shopping one can do without becoming slightly bored. She had been at it for hours, searching everywhere for that perfect dress for Mr. Whitlock's ball in under a week. She had to look perfect, as on that very night her plan will be shot into action.
If her plan would go well, she was certain that she be wed before the year closes. The very thought made a smile spread wide across her face, and her hands tremble in rich anticipation. This was a definite conclusion, as she was absolutely positive that there was no way her plan could fail. Who would not want to marry Lauren Mallory? It was basically fool-proof.
It was not long on her way home before a strong, warm, recognisable arm slipped through hers.
"Good evening, Lauren. A bit late to be wondering about on your own, is it not?"
"Evening,
Emmett. I could say the same for you. I'm not a bit as fragile as
you think."
"Maybe, but for a young lady…" He trailed off.
"And it's so cold. Yet you still refuse to dress in anyway
appropriately."
"Emmett, please, stop fussing. The month has
not even passed July." Emmett fell silent as he listened to her
soft breathing, and her light footsteps.
"Lauren, listen. This plan that you have designed, the one that involves Mr. Jasper Whitlock; I think it is wrong" He rushed.
"Why ever would you say that?" Laurens footsteps were now ceased, and her torso was twisted to see him.
"I think that… I think that he will see through the plan. I think he will realise what you, and I, are up to, then your name will be in the paper for the exact opposite of what you really wish." She was stunned. She had never thought of it not working. Now, as the thought processed in her mind she felt her forehead produce a new layer of sweat. That could not happen. She would not let that happen. After several moments of deliberation, her torso straightened, and she re-linked her arm with Emmett's.
"That
won't happen."
"How on earth can you be so sure, Lauren?"
He replied, disbelief colouring his tone.
"I won't allow it. Even if he does find out, I will be sure that he not tell a soul. I will keep him silenced whatever the cost, trust me." She sounded so sure, and so confident that Emmett dare not disagree. They were both silent until they entered the Mallory home.
The rest of the evening passed smoothly. To Lauren's disappointment, Emmett returned home to long after twilight had fallen. Emmett was a very trust worthy friend, Lauren had discovered over the years. She could not remember how they met, but she was sure it was not soon after she 'came out' as a lady. He was one of the only men that Lauren had met that had not become putty in her hands within an hour of meeting, and Lauren found this very intriguing. Whenever she had asked if he found her attractive, his reply would always be the same.
"Of course I find you attractive. The only male on this planet who would not instantly find you attractive would be a blind man. I, on the other hand, am more of a gentleman compared to many of the men you are acquainted with. I would rather get to know a young lady before giving my heart away. I am glad I controlled my actions when I first met you, otherwise we would never have been where we are now, and our friendship is something I could not live without, Lauren."
When Emmett had first told her this, she instantly felt rejected. She also felt as if her heart had been ripped from her chest. This was not because she necessarily had feelings for Emmett, but he was the first young man to ever say that he did not have the urge to marry her. Since the age of fourteen, she has had seven proposals of marriage. If she was left to choose herself, she would have said yes to the first offer, who happened to be Mr. Michael Newton. Her mother had made up excuses each time, because she was afraid that Lauren had only just come out to the public as a lady, and could so easily make a mistake. Her mother would be forever ashamed of her only daughter if she were in a marriage that was clearly wrong. She used to be able to see herself married to Michael Newton, but never again did she think of him. She was above him now.
"Lauren, darling, you seem to be terribly distracted. Is there something on your mind you would like to share?"
It was true. Lauren was hardly in the room. She felt as if her spirit had left her body, and was floating around in a sea of old memories. But there was nothing she would like to share. She would soon have to share, but nothing that she would willingly, happily share.
"No, mother." There was nothing more Lauren wished to add, so she was excused from the room.
Upon entering her bedroom, her shoulders immediately fell from their correct posture, and her eyebrows creased in a way that felt natural to her. She found it harder every day to keep her posture and facial expressions correct. If there was so much as a faint line anywhere on her face, her mother would fuss and worry. If her posture fell only ever so slightly, someone would pick up on it and it would be in the paper in no time. Lauren was watched very closely by writers. She was disgusted at the posture of some of the young 'ladies' that walk the streets. The very sight makes her nose wrinkle in disgust.
Isabella Swan for example. She calls herself a lady. Lauren pitied the naïve young girl. She more than pitied her; she envied her, although Lauren would never admit this. She was an innocent woman, with child-like features. She was beautiful, yet this was another fact Lauren would never admit to. She was the only other woman in town who was more desired than Lauren.