Title: Unwilling Bride

Author: Neamh1

Disclaimer: not mine

AN: Thanks for all the great reviews, you're all wonderful, please keep them coming and enjoy the next chapter.

Buffy felt only slightly better as Molly escorted her to the dinning room as the pain Mr. O'Connor had awoken within her was ripping her apart and she felt like screaming at the top of her lungs. She could barely
recall what had happened over the last few days, she briefly remembered yesterday when her father's trusted solicitor had read out the will to her as Molly sat with her in her chamber. She couldn't remember all the
specifics but it mattered little now that her fiance had arrived. Soon everything she owned would be his, including herself. He would take care of the household and all her father's belongings. She couldn't even
recall his face from earlier, she had been so closed off from everything the only thing she remembered were his dark piercing eyes that had beckoned her from her shell.

As they reached the dinning room Molly walked her inside then backed out closing the double doors behind her. He was standing by the fire, a glass of whiskey in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. At the
sound of Molly closing the door he turned to face her. Had she expected a warm welcoming smile she would have been severely disappointed, as it was it seemed they were both loath to spend time in each other's company
but thanks to their predicament, they had little choice.
He gestured to the table and she took the seat that had been set for her at his side. He said nothing to her but rang the bell and the
servants brought in their food. Nothing was said between them as they sat and ate and she wondered why he had wanted to dine with her in the first place. She didn't want to speak with him but the silence was
driving her insane and she felt as though he was continually watching her eat.
"Please excuse me," she said as politely as she could muster, standing from the table.
"No, sit." was his simple reply as he continued to eat. He watched as she sat back down, a frown marring her features and he noted how pale she looked, the dark rims around her eyes.
"Eat your food Elizabeth, you're not leaving this room until you have." he said.
"Firstly you will address me as Miss Summers until given permission to use my first name, Mr. O'Connor. Secondly, if I wish to return to my room I will do so." she said and stood again.
Angelus also stood this time, a dark menacing look on his face as he stared down at her down. "I will not argue with you Elizabeth." He said, accentuating her first name, "I am to be the master of this house and you are to be my wife. I will not marry someone who is on the brink of causing herself harm."
"I would never" She began but he cut her off before she could finish her protest.
"You've scarcely eaten since your father passed away; you've let yourself rot away in that room and I'll not have it. Every mealtime from this point onwards you are to join me here and we will eat together. You will not leave the dinning room until I permit it and you will eat everything that is put before you. You will speak to me in a tone befitting my future wife and you will cease arguing and fighting me, are we clear?" he boomed at her.
She was fuming with anger at his arrogant manner, the way he ordered her around after only being in her home for a few hours. Had she the energy to fight him, she would have gladly put up one hell of an argument but she was emotionally drained. 'Pick your fights Buffy, there are bound to be plenty of them.' She told herself and sat back in her seat and resumed eating her meal.

Angelus slowly sat back down, wary that his victory had come too easily. What was she planning? Why had she chosen not to fight him? Inwardly smiling to himself he counted this as his first victory, there would be plenty more to come, he assured himself. Briefly looking up he saw the corners of Elizabeth's mouth curve up in a small smile and his confidence
faltered. She hadn't given in to him, she had chosen not to fight with him, and the realization dawned on him. Very well, this would be all the more fun; perhaps he would finally get to meet the daughter that Hank
Summers had described in his letters.

tbc..