Unwilling Union
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Today is the day of the engagement dinner. I need to go upstairs to change into my dress and I hate the one I'm being forced to wear. I don't get why we're having a dinner now, it should have been a couple days after my birthday, when we were first promised to each other. Well maybe that's a good thing, I would've had to deal with him for over a year.
But that was also only a few months before Sadie got married. I guess they didn't want to overshadow her day. And no one really knew who I was betrothed to. How my mother, the biggest talker in the city, kept it a secret for so long, I may never know.
I've heard many rumors that Thomas was to marry a girl from Liverpool. But I couldn't tell them the truth about his betrothed, mother would have had my head for that. She wanted my marriage into the most prominent family in the city to be a secret. That she had a hand (orchestrated the whole affair) in the marriage of a Quincy and possibly becoming a social matchmaker.
I can't believe the invitations will be sent next week and I'll be banished to this house. Not that I'm really a huge social person. I got to keep Saturday, which I'm pleased to say, she figured out she couldn't talk me out of it and (grudgingly) gave in.
Father must have really put her in her place for her to give in like that. If that's true I'm glad my father actually stood up to her, that would only be a handful of times that has happened. Makes me proud to be a Harrison, even if I'm only one for a few more weeks.
I haven't seen Tommy since the day I was measured for my dress and I'm not sure how I feel about that. A few days ago I was certain that this is how I wanted it but now I'm not so sure. I keep remembering how he pulled me to him and kissed me on the cheek as if he had every right.
"Jude, what are you thinking about?" Sadie's voice interrupted my daydream, I was thankful for the distraction. When did she come in here anyway? I thought she was helping Beth get ready for tonight.
"Nothing in particular." I tried to keep my face blank as Sadie scrutinized me. I'm not sure why she studied me as she did but I was two seconds away from slapping that look off her face.
"You're thinking about Thomas," she said very singsong. I sputtered quietly, not wanting everyone in the house to hear my craziness. I need to say something to her quick or she might think she's right. Even if she is, I can't let her know that. Her ego is almost as big as Tommy's.
"Whatever gave you that ridiculous notion?" I tried to keep the fear from my voice. Fear that she would see through my lies. I'm not sure why I was thinking about him, but I don't want to. I hope she won't study me again, she'll know in a heartbeat if I am lying or not.
"Ridiculous?" I turned to see Tommy standing behind the chair I was in. How long has he been here? Why don't I notice when people come into the room anymore?
"I think I should be going. Anna needs me," Sadie went to leave but I called to her. I don't want to be left alone with this person. He might try something worse than what he did a few days ago.
"Where do you think you're going? We're not allowed to be left alone." I think I started to screech with desperation.
"You're not. Mother's right in the next room." She hurried out of the room, her shoes clicking in the distance as she nearly ran upstairs.
I watched as he sat in front of me. I got a bit nervous as he looked at me. I held in a frown as he spoke. No one but Beth has the right to call me these pet names. And she only calls me 'Dear'. The slight argument didn't last long until he wanted to take me somewhere.
I'm not sure if I should go with him. I don't know him at all and frankly I'm still frightened at the thought of being alone with him. I was brave with my words, but that's about it.
I reluctantly took his hand and let him direct me towards the back door. His grip on my hand was firm but very gentle. It sent chills up my arm.
I went ahead of him and heard him close the door promptly. I stood with my back to him, my hands twisting nervously on the banister. I'm not sure what's going to happen right now, but something tells me I'm not going to be able to remain undaunted.
Hearing his soft footsteps coming from behind me, I turned slightly to see his figure coming up on my right. He was leaning against a beam as he looked at me intently. He spoke quietly, his gaze straying only once, he pulled a box from his jacket pocket. He placed it in my hand and I looked at it as if it would explode if I opened it.
Slowly, carefully, I opened the box. I looked at the gold ring laying inside. It wasn't like anything I've seen before, with the few, five to be exact, round diamonds running across the narrow band.
"Its very pretty Tommy- Thomas." Did he catch that? I really hope not, why must I keep referring to him as Tommy in my head? I knew it would slip out in front of him sooner of later. I continued on with how it wasn't like the rings my friends wear.
"You really like it?"
"Yes, very much." I thought back to the last time I saw him. "Is this the reason you kept touching my hand?" He nodded lightly, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips. "When you were doing that I thought you were crazy. I'm glad I was wrong." Why am I telling him all this?
Everything moved strangely. Tommy moving closer to me, an odd look in his eye. He carefully pushed the ring onto my finger. I actually liked the view of the ring on my finger. What is happening? He brushed a bit of hair back but didn't remove his hand after.
It moved down the skin of my neck. I couldn't do anything but stare back at him. He can't really be thinking about doing this. Breathing became more difficult as the space between us shrank. I wanted to twist out of his gentle grasp, but some part of me was telling me not to.
With the shrill yell from mother, he jumped away from me. I mildly missed the warmth I got from him. I hurried into the house and kept my pace as I went to the sitting room. I sat there for what seemed like forever until Tommy came into the room; white, as if he'd seen a ghost.
I was close to being in me own world, even with Tom in close proximity to me, when I heard Sadie speak. Why did she have to bring the 'bastard' up in front of him? I hope I don't have to explain that to him later.
"So, you've decided to grace us with your presence?"
"That's the ring?" I noticed Tom looking strangely at Sadie. Try to talk your way out of this one Sades. "You were bound it get her a ring sooner to later." Nice cover.
"Sadie, there you are," Matthew came in and hurriedly took the seat next to Sadie. I don't think anyone was going to take that seat, so...
I was looking at my ring again when I felt Tommy stiffen next to me. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was looking at Matthew with malice. I saw that Matthew was returning the glare. I don't think I'll ever understand men. I don't think I want to.
I walked Tommy to the door, giving him his ring before he left. I don't think I should keep it until the party. I'll probably lose it or hurt it. After he got the ring put away, he just stood there. I met his waiting eyes; the room began to warm dramatically.
I was giving him his coat when his hand touched my face. I'm not sure what he was doing but I'm not sure I know what I'm doing.
"Remember, you're coming to visit my family the day after tomorrow. I'll see you tonight," he turned and left, leaving me to prepare for the disaster that is sure to happen tonight.
♥UuUuUuUuU♥
I looked at my green dress lying on my bed. This is really happening. I'm about to go downstairs and have my engagement announced to the society my mother tries so hard to fit me into. All the women will be scrutinizing me throughout the night. Beth helped me with dressing before she went downstairs the check the preparations for the dinner.
I felt self conscious about showing so much skin. I pulled at the top of the bodice trying to cover myself better. It didn't help with my insecurity. Sadie came into my room, without being called. "Yes?"
"I was just seeing if you're almost ready. Need help?" I shook my head, smiling sadly. She turned to leave but stopped and looked back at me. "Thomas is here."
"Thanks Sades," she left the room without another word. I relaxed slightly and took a deep breath.
A few minutes later mother came in to see how my appearance was coming. She pulled at my dress, making it impeccable. Once she got my hair the way she thought it looked best she shoved me out of the room.
I could hear the guests arriving. Footsteps blended with the chatter. I'm going to have to suffer through hours of being in their company. Sadie is the only way I'm going to make it through this. Maybe Tommy will be of some help.
I carefully made my way down the stairs. I felt my every movement being followed. I could feel his presence before he actually came into view. I did my best to hide my discomfort, it wasn't easy with some of the jealous looks I was getting.
I'm not sure it was for how I looked or how a certain someone was looking at me. I was safely on the main floor when Tommy stepped forward.
"You look beautiful," he told me as I latched onto his arm. I don't want to be left alone with the lady vultures.
"Thank you," I muttered as I looked to the floor. Compliments are not something I'm used to receiving. I usually get complaints from mother when I've done something not to her standards.
We walked into the parlor, I saw my friends sitting with their families and escorts. All of them thought I was to be a spinster. I never really had boys flocking to me. I, in turn, kept my distance from them as well. Even if I had the boys attention, doesn't mean I could've married any of them.
I looked at the people surrounding me and wondered who half of them were. I don't think I've met them before, but I'm not going to say that I payed attention when I was introduced to my parents friends.
"Don't you look lovely Jude," Matthew came up and took my hand briefly before pulling away quickly, his eyes flashing to Tom. Sadie walked up and took his arm, her smile as beautiful as always.
"Thanks," I smiled my appreciation, noticing a few seconds later he couldn't keep his gaze on my face. I turned into Tommy more than I should have at that point. I guess Tommy saw what Matthew was looking at because he took a menacing step forward, pushing me behind him in the process.
I saw a flash of terror from Matthew before he mumbled something and pulled Sadie into the next room. Well he's good from something at least, keeping away people I don't want to see.
"Jude," I was greeted by a nasally voice. I guess I shouldn't have thought that. It's coming back to haunt me. "And who is this?" Her lust filled green eyes raked over Tom.
"Hello Amanda," I smiled as sweetly as I could. I can't stand this girl and she's to be my maid of honor. "This is Thomas Quincy. Thomas this is Amanda Grey."
He nodded in her direction but didn't take her hand as she wished. He kept shooting looks at me every few seconds, as if I were going to disappear if I wasn't in view.
She did her best to keep an idyllic expression as she spoke to me again. "So this is the lucky one?" I could almost hear her thoughts about how she was going to attempt to get his attention, and his affection. She can have him for all I care. The sooner the better.
"Excuse us for a moment please," mother came up to me and guided -pulled- me into the kitchen. "Jude, you need to do better at hiding your dislike of Amanda. Be like I am with her mother." A small smile touched her mouth before she turned and left me alone. So maybe we're not that different.
I reentered the room to see Tommy's face light up in relief of my return. Amanda was fawning over him, she nearly had her hand... someplace it shouldn't be.
The announcement for dinner came as I approached the pair. Tommy quickly took me by the elbow and led me into the dinning room, his fingers digging into my skin. I did all I could to keep up with his frantic pace. I nearly tripped over my dress when we turned into the dinning room.
"So, I see Amanda was using her... charm on you," I giggled slightly as I spoke.
"That's an understatement," he said exasperatedly. "Don't leave me alone with her ever again." I'm giggling a lot this evening.
"Don't worry, I will," I whispered as he helped me into my chair. I saw him trying to hide his smile as he took his place next to me. I felt a familiar gaze on me. I looked up to see Sadie watching me with a knowing expression firmly on her face.
I tried to avoid her stare by looking down at the table, my hair covering my face. Unfortunately Tommy took the opportunity to brush my hair behind my shoulder.
I heard Sadie clear her throat, all I could do is bite my lip to hide the smile creeping up on me. I don't want to be smiling but when he does things like this, I can't help it.
I turned my head away and saw Beth standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Seeing her smugness helped get rid of any signs of the smile.
Dinner was a boring event, unless you were entertained by food and dull people. I felt everyone in the room stare at me from time to time. The women still had their jealousy and the men... didn't really look at my face. But what man did? Only three I could think of. Papa, Tommy and his father. Even though he seemed to have trouble with eye contact.
"I would like to..." I listened as my father spoke. He was going on about Tom, I didn't actually pay attention to all to the words he actually said he said. Tommy was fidgeting at my side, pulling the box from his pocket and balancing it on his knee.
I saw everyone lifting their glasses to toast Tommy. knowing this is it. I'm going to hounded by the women wanting to look at my ring. Asking mindless questions I probably don't know that answer to. And the squeals of how cute Tommy is.
Sadie's lucky she didn't get the squeaking about how attractive her fiance was.
Then it was here. I faced Tommy. He took my hand carefully in his and formally put the ring on my finger. I didn't have to fake a smile as I looked at the delicate ring laying on my finger. The man has taste, I'll give him that.
The night went on, no real end in sight. All the men went into the study for brandy and whatever else they do when the ladies aren't around. I sat down on the divan surrounded by vultures. The questions didn't cease until Sadie brought Anna down. She only did it for me. I have the best sister in the world.
All the cooing from the ladies was overwhelming after the first few minutes. I slipped away unnoticed, taking a few moments to myself on the back porch. "Too much for you?" A man spoke softly to my left. In the darkness I couldn't see his face. With the whispered tone I couldn't make out the voice either.
"Who are you?"
"That's insulting. You should recognize me." He kept his voice low, I backed my way closer to the door. There was still little light for me to see.
I felt a hand touch my arm, fingers tightening around my wrist. I tried to struggle free, if I yell will anyone hear me? "Please let go of me." I jerked my arm harder, wanting the contact between me and whoever to be done.
He was urging me closer to him. Trapping me between the house and him. "Calm down little one, I'm not going to hurt you." I felt tear brimming my eyes as his foul breath moved over my senses. I turned away as much as I could.
Who can I call for help? I don't think pa could do any damage to this person. Matthew? I could knock out Matthew. There's only one person for me to call for help. "Thomas!" I yelled as loud as I could. "Thomas, I need you!"
I heard the of thundering footsteps coming towards me. It was more than one person coming to see what was happening. Even with the door open, there was no way I could see who was holding me.
A hand moved between me and the person in front of me. It grabbed hold of the front of the man's shirt and pulled him violently away. There was a groaning sound coming from the darkness as Tommy took care of the evilness. I stayed flat against the wall, not positive if I could stand on my own.
"Are you alright Jude?" He lightly touched my cheek.
"I'm okay," I replied breathlessly. I shivered from the sudden breeze and... his touch. I knew he was going to let me go in by myself but I don't think my knees can take it. "Tom, could you..." I swallowed the pride I had, "... help me."
I think he knows how hard that was for me because he didn't say anything. He just slipped an arm around my waist and slowly started towards the door.
Review please!
Thanks, Eternita14.
