Chapter 2

"The Dinner Party & Proposal"

The sun is dipping low in the sky, behind the ocean. You can hear the noise of people laughing downstairs, probably in the ballroom. You check yourself in the mirror, admiring yourself.

The dress fit like a dream, showing off your curves very well. You put on your best diamond earrings and ballroom shoes. Your hair is dangling down your back in soft waves and curls. You hear a knock on the door.

You: Come in.

The door opens and in walks Elizabeth. She looks dazzling in a deep purple ballroom gown. Her hair is tied back in a ponytail. Her warm brown eyes are sparkling.

You: Elizabeth!

You run over and hug her.

Elizabeth: (Your name), I'm so glad to see you. You look beautiful!

You blush.

You: No, I'm not as pretty as you.

Elizabeth smiles and shakes her head.

Elizabeth: The skeptic as always. Come, let's go downstairs. Will is probably being chattered to death by the old women.

You both link arms and go downstairs. The ballroom is marvelous as always when there was a party. The candles on the chandelier lit up the crystals, casting prism rainbows everywhere. Hired musicians played lively music while well-dressed couples danced. A long table was covered in food and drinks. Elizabeth leads you to a young man being talked to death by a very old woman. You instantly recognized the man as Will Turner, Elizabeth's fiancé. He looks handsome in a white shirt and black dress pants. He has on a brown cape and a hat with a feather in it. Will sees you and Elizabeth coming over to him, so he says excuses me to the old woman and meets you.

Elizabeth: Will, having a lively chat with Ms. Wilkems?

Will: Not really. Mainly about how she's been having an odd time..

Elizabeth: Will.

She says this with a harsh tone. Will laughs and turns to you.

Will: Hello (your name), how are you doing?

You smile.

You: Fine, thank you.

Will: So, what have you been up to?

You: Well, I've been busy attending boring parties and being dragged to expensive stores with my mother.

Will laughs.

Will: You poor dear. I just hope Elizabeth doesn't drag me to every store in the world. She knows how much I hate to shop.

Elizabeth punches Will in the arm softly. Your father walks up to you and asks if he could speak with you alone.

You: Will, Elizabeth, if you'll excuse me, my father wishes to speak with me.

Will and Elizabeth nod their heads and walk off. Your father beams at you.

Father: (Your name), I have a surprise for you.

You: What is it, father?

Your father leads you threw the thick crowd to a man. A man turns around and smiles at you.

The Man: (Your name), you look stunning. I have not seen you in many years.

He takes your hands and kisses it. You carefully wipe your hand on your dress and look at your father.

You recognize the man as Thomas Brown, a very respected doctor from London. You met him a few times, but each time you did, you felt like he could see through your dress. He wore a white wig with a ponytail and a gray tux. He had gray eyes and thick black eyebrows. He constantly smelt of sulfur, which made you gag.

Father: I'll leave you two alone.

You glare at your father as he walks off. You look back at Thomas who is grinning like a gorilla in a banana patch.

Thomas: Well, (your name), I have known you since your little, and well, I must say you have grown into a beautiful young woman, both classy and respectful.

You sigh. Thomas was thirty-four, you are twenty-two. You always saw him as a creepy man.

Thomas: Your father wants the best for you and not the less, and I agree with him. I promise you a happy life.

The music dies down and your mother and father motion for everyone to sit at the table. You quickly dodge from Thomas and sit by Elizabeth.

You: Thomas Brown, what a lunatic.

Elizabeth: That creepy guy you always told me about? Reminds me of Norrington.

You and Elizabeth shudder. Your father taps his wine glass for silence. He beams at everyone.

"Welcome, welcome everyone! I'm so glad to have you all here in my home. I do hope that the party has been going nicely so far."

A murmur of yes's fills the air. Your father smiles more.

"This party is not just the usual get together, but a celebration!"

You stare at your father as you take a sip of wine. He turns to the person beside him, Thomas.

Father: Mr. Brown has informed me that my daughter has accepted his proposal for marriage!

You choke on your wine. Elizabeth stares at you with a puzzled look.

You: What? What proposal?

No one hears you over the clapping. Thomas stares into your eyes as realization dawns on you.

You think: I was set up! My father and Thomas have been planning this all along! I have no say!

Everyone begins to eat, many congratulating you and Thomas. You get up and storm off out to the patio. Thomas follows you.

Thomas: (Your name)! (Your name)!

You stop and glare at him.

You: So, you and my father have been busy planning my life and how it should be run?

Thomas takes in a breath and stares sympathetically at you.

Thomas: My dear, please know this. You father asked me to marry you the day you were born. Your father is a very respected man and I couldn't help but take his offer. After all, you are a very fine woman and I now you'll make a great wife.

You: I see I have no choice. It is not uncommon for a girl born to a family like mine to be set up.

Thomas kisses you on the cheek. He removes a beautiful diamond ring and slips it on your ring finger.

Thomas: I'll give you time. I promise to make you happy and live a wonderful life.

He leaves alone to your thoughts. You stare at the ring on your finger. Your mother met the same fate as you. She was engaged to her father without knowing it, but her parents seemed so happy.

Elizabeth and Will walk out on the patio.

Elizabeth: I didn't know you and Thomas were engaged!

You: I didn't know either!

Will: So, you mean you were set up?

Tears plague your eyes.

You: Yes.

Elizabeth: Sounds like something my father would do, but can't you simply turn Thomas down?

You: I wish it were that easy, but now that my father's big shot friends believe Thomas and I are to be married, I can't. I simply can't!

You break down into tears. Elizabeth hugs you. Will pats you on the back.

Elizabeth: Don't worry, we'll find some way to help you out.

You kiss Elizabeth on the cheek and hug Will. You feel so blessed to have such friends. You say goodnight and go back in the house, avoiding your father and mother. You go upstairs and out on the balcony. The moon's light reflects off the ocean, calming your nerves as you watch and hear the waves crash on the shore. You decide a walk would calm your nerves, so you carefully slip down the balcony and onto the ground, still hearing the party going on.