THE COLONIES ~ 5 ~ A WEDDING WORTH REMEMBERING

It was the fated day. A day I had dreamt about my entire life which had now become my nightmare. I was sixteen. A woman in the eyes of the state, but property in the eyes of my father and soon-to-be husband. Even the thought of this impending wedding made me ill.

"Darling," Ali knocked on my bedroom door.

"Enter," I called out.

She strolled into the room wearing a delicate green gown.

"Hanna," she began, "I know you're devastated, but this is your wedding day. Can't you find something to be joyous about?"

"Have you any idea how horrible this is," I reminded her. "After the wedding, we are sailing for the new world. I may never see you again."

"You let me worry about that," Ali replied. "In the meantime, just try and enjoy today."

Ali won the battle and manged to help me into my bridal gown. Once I was dressed, she applied vermillion to my lips and cheeks and then fitted my veil.

"You look beautiful," Ali said

"It's a shame I won't be sharing this day with someone of higher standards," I retorted.

"Nonsense," Ali smiled. "You'll be sharing this day with me."

"You are an angel," I told her. "If I am going to survive an eternity with this man, I'll need you by my side."

"Come on," she stood up. "Let's get you married."


I stood in front of my closest family and friends, in addition to everyone that resided in Kent. Peppered in amongst them all where the family and friends of the Rivers family. Standing in front of me, was the unscrupulous bastard to whom my father had entrusted me. Beside him, the priest presided by reading from an old leather-bound book.

"Dearly beloved," the priest announced. "We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless..."

My thoughts drifted to the fact that these were my last few hours in Kent, the home I had grown up, and I was spending these last moments being bound in holy matrimony to a man she did not care for in the slightest. It made my heart melt knowing that not only was he taking my virtue, he was taking me away from everyone that I loved.

"Lady Hanna?" the priest jolted me to reality.

"Beg pardon?" I shook my head.

"Will you have this man to be your husband," he asked, "to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in healthy, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I will," I breathed.

Then the priest turned to Sir Caleb and asked him the same. He responded in the affirmative. It was done.

"Will all of you witnessing," the priest now addressed the others in the room, "these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage."

"We will," they responded in unison.

The priest pronounced us married and we were whisked away toward the duke's estate where the festivities were to take place. I mindlessly stumbled through the various traditions and attempted to appear at ease as friends approached myself and Caleb to offer congratulations.

"I'll have you know," Caleb said as he steered me toward an empty corridor, "that I won't have you sulking by my side for the rest of my life. If you intend on behaving in such a way, I will make your life more miserable that you can imagine."

"I'm not afraid of you," I retorted.

"I don't need you to be afraid," he responded. "I need you to play the part of the attentive wife."

Then he strolled away leaving me to ponder how to continue. I had always been in control, with Alison as my best friend, it was easy to find ways to manipulate everyone into doing my bidding, but Caleb Rivers was unlike any other. He didn't falter or show fear. He had no weakness that I could prey on. He was invincible and I was his for the taking.


It had been mere hours since the wedding. My feet still ached from an evening of dancing, and my heart yearned for my dear friend Alison and the mother I had deserted. I found myself staring at four wooden walls. I sat on a rickety bed and my trunk lay at my feet. The floorboards below me swayed as the ship traveled through the rough waters. I was sailing for the new world and I was frightened.

Then I heard a pitiful knocking coming from underneath the bed. I threw aside the covers and looked underneath only to find a mess of blonde ringlets.

"Alison?" I breathed. "What in heavens name?"

"I told you," she smiled. "I would find a way."

"I love you!" I squealed in ecstasy. "I feared I would never see you again."

Then a knock at the door interrupted our tearful reunion.

"It's Caleb," I told her. "No doubt he's here to consummate this marriage."

"I have a plan," Ali smirked. "Tell him you're ill. The turbulent waters have upset you."

"Brilliant!" I smiled as the knocking continued.

Alison hid under the bed once again and I answered to door to find Caleb's silhouette standing in the hallway.

"I'm sure you know why I'm here," he said.

"Sir," I told him innocently clutching my stomach, "I think I have been plagued by the motion of this ship. I don't believe I am well enough."

"If you say so," he responded, "but expect to fulfill your duties as soon as we arrive on soil."

Then he turned on his heel and disappeared into the dark abyss of the ship. I closed the door securely and then saw Alison peeking from under the sheets.

"It worked!" I smiled. "You did it!"

"Darling Hanna," she took my hand. "I told you, together we will always succeed."


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