She saw them again the next night; the blonde beautiful boy and the crazed, evil man. They came to her in her dreams. She couldn't avoid them, she couldn't escape them. Not that she wanted to escape the first. She'd spend all day dreaming of the first. It was almost worth it to see the second. Almost.

One morning, about a week later, she awoke to the sound of a knock on her door. Wrapping her dressing robe around herself, she opened it just enough to see who was calling so early. It was her father, still in his dressing robe, his hair slightly disheveled. She widened the space between the door and the frame and stuck her head between the two, "Yes, father?"

Nicholas looked distinctly uncomfortable as he asked, "Can I come in, darling?" Mary braced herself before opening the door to allow him entry. She didn't know what would happen, but she was sure it wouldn't be pleasant. Silently she wracked her brain for what she might have done to merit such a visit.

Nicholas cleared his throat and crossed to the arm chair in the corner, while Mary sat back down on her bed, waiting patiently. Nicholas's eyes flitted from his daughter to the floor, to the window and back to his daughter. "Mary," he began, still unsure how to begin, "you know I haven't been very… patient with you since… well, since your sister was born." Both squirmed in their seats, neither wanted to approach the subject of Mary's mother. "But, you know, it's all been for your own good. I've been trying to raise you right, to… to keep you marriageable, and…safe. You understand that, don't you?"

Mary kept her eyes on the bed as she answered quietly, "Yes father."

Nicholas seemed to gain slight strength from her quiet conformation, as he cleared his throat again, sat up straighter and continued, "Yes well, you've grown into a fine young woman, you have. It's almost time to think about getting married. Certainly it's time to at least begin forging relationships between yourself and… um… young men of your age." He noted Mary's blush with a slight chuckle and said, "With that in mind, last night I arranged for myself and you to make a call on Mrs. Landings and her son this afternoon."

Mary's breath caught in her chest as she remembered the chubby brunette boy from her childhood. Charles. She remembered him as cruel, a boy who picked on those smaller and weaker than himself to get pleasure. She shivered and asked, "Father, is there no one else?"

Her father chuckled slightly and said, "Now, Mary. You haven't seen the boy since you were ten or so. For all you know he could be soul of kindness. Give him a chance at least? You don't have to marry him today."

Mary hung her head and said, "Yes father."

There was an uncomfortable silence before Nicholas stood up and said, "Well, that's a good girl. I'll see you at breakfast." And with that he left the room.

Mary sat on her bed confused. Marriage? She'd never even thought of marriage. She was only fifteen! The times were changing, a girl didn't have to get married so early. They could go out and work, they could have a life before childbirth and imprisonment on a hearth. Why is it that her social standing and fortune barred her from that?

More importantly, how could she keep a husband, when every day she had an episode? Any sane man would certainly find her to be the opposite. She'd never keep a husband, and then she'd be shamed more deeply than if she remained unmarried. Maybe she'd just scare off the suitors with unladylike behavior? No, that'd hurt her father. She sighed deeply. She'd just have to deal.

The day passed quickly and before she knew it, her governess was rushing to get her ready. She was dressed in a periwinkle satin dress with a high collar and a modern cut. Her hair she had piled up on top of her head and pinned securely. She was stunning, with her big sapphire eyes and her porcelain skin. But she was certain to be uncomfortable the whole time.

Soon, her father and her were riding in the carriage down the lane to the house of the Landings. "Remember, darling," Nicholas started, "be nice, be gracious. They're inviting us into their house, and we must respect them." Mary nodded slightly and let herself be helped from the carriage.

The house belonging to the Landings was a large one, larger than the one Mary and Nicholas occupied. It was easily four stories, with yellow walls and white shutters. A wrap around porch added another bit of comfort. Behind the house stood a few barns, where livestock as well as farming tools. A dirt road led into an orchard of apple trees, and another led to a small pond flocked by weeping willow trees. As she approached, there was a stirring as three or four hunting dogs sounded their warning cries and rushed towards them. Mary, startled, clutched at her father's arm while her father tried to shoo the beasts away from Mary's costly dress.

"Orion! Apollo! Down boys!" a loud booming voice issued from the front of the house. Mary's head whipped up and her mouth dropped slightly when she took in the sight. The speaker was a young man, maybe a couple of years older than Mary. His face was full, fuller than necessary. His grey jacket strained over his rotund stomach, and looked as if a button may shoot off at any moment. His pants were tight across the bottom of his stomach, and created awkward lines and creases around his crotch, and caused his pant legs to be short. Wool socks showed under scuffed shoes. The face was blotchy, his complexion poor. His muddy brown hair was cropped short and displayed the widows peak and shiny crown that denoted his tendency towards baldness. His eyes were beady and a dull brown, his nose was large. He was chewing on something, tobacco perhaps, with his mouth open. Mary felt nauseated.

He squinted into the sun. "Is that you Mr. Brandon? So it is! So, this is Mary? My, I haven't seen you since I was twelve or so. Well, you have grown up quite nicely. Yes, very nicely." His beady eyes took in Mary and made Mary feel as if she were being undressed. She could feel herself perspiring under the yards of heavy fabric as she struggled to find her voice. "Hello, Charles. You're looking well, I'm sure."

Charles's mouth stretched across the expanse that was his face into some resemblance of a smile. "Well, don't stand out in the hot sun! Come in, come in. My mother and father are waiting in the parlor.

Mary took another deep breath and entered the large house, and watched her possible fiancé amble through the hallways.