Here is Chapter 14...one of the most dramatic so far. Thank you for reading!
Chapter 14: Once Upon a Night (Sarah's POV)
I never thought I would ever be so thankful for rain. James grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the horses. He was a gentleman and helped me up onto my horse. Once James mounted his horse, we galloped back to the house. Theodore was standing at the front door, so we handed our horses off to him.
As we walked inside I saw Mother walking out of the sitting room. She turned and saw James and I. Of course, her being the mother she is ran over to me and started fussing over my hair and dress. James took a couple of steps back.
"Sarah, why are you wet?" asked Mother.
"It started raining outside Mother, and I got caught in the rain," I answered.
"Very well then, your Father wants to talk with you in the sitting room," said Mother. James started walking towards the sitting room. Mother stepped in front of him, "Alone."
James nodded his head and walked over to the stairs. He walked up them and then disappeared down the hall. I looked back towards Mother as she led me into the sitting room. She guided me to the couch and had a servant bring me a blanket. I wrapped it around my shoulders.
Suddenly my Father came into the room and stood in front of me. "Sarah, your mother and I have made our decision...and we say yes."
My heart stopped. I felt like I could not breathe. My parents said yes. That meant if I said no…I would bring shame to my family. What am I to do?
"Now Jonathan will be here in thirty minutes, so you must get ready," said Mother with a smile. "You don't want your future husband to see you like this!"
My future husband is not Jonathan. I do not know who I want to be my husband. I feel for James, but I am not sure of those feeling yet. Oh, why can I not think straight!
A group of servants ran into the room and led me into the ballroom. There they had set up a dressing area, hair, shoe, and face area. I went from area to area, getting dressed in an emerald green ball gown, having my hair put up, getting makeup applied, and shoes slipped onto my feet. I felt like a doll I used to dress up as a child.
After the servants finished, they brought in a mirror and placed it in front of me. I could not recognize myself. I looked beautiful. I always thought of myself as somewhat beautiful, but now I looked better than that.
I did not get to stand there for long because I was pulled into the hall by the servants. They made me stand in the middle of the hall. Father and Mother walked in smiling. My Mother hugged me and whispered, "I am so proud of you."
After Mother left go, she walked over to the door. Then Father walked over to me and hugged me. I looked up at him and he smiled, "You will make the right decision, Sarah. You always do." As he walked away he winked at me.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Father opened it. Jonathan walked in. He was dressed in the exact same clothing that James wore the night of the ball. He walked over to my parents and they talked in hushed whispers…that ended with Jonathan walking over to me.
He took my hands and knelt down in front of me. He pulled a ring out of his pocket and looked back up at me, hungrily.
"Sarah Phillips, I have known you for multiple years and with your parents' blessing...I ask you one question. Will you marry me?" asked Jonathan.
I did not know what to do. I should have thought this over more! If I say no…I will bring shame to my family, but be able to marry the man I choose. If I say yes…I will be living in misery for the rest of my life, but my family will be fine. I do not know what to do. Should I decide with my heart or my head? My head would say yes. My heart would say no. Then Father's words echoed in my ears: You will make the right decision, Sarah. You always do.
I knew what I had to do. I took a deep breath. I planted my feet. I gathered my courage. I looked Jonathan in the eyes and told him what my heart wanted to say:
"No."