CH 2

Hildridge was a small and insignificant village of Gathaea, simple yet beautiful. Jonathan would ride miles from the bordering town, Kalane, for his visits. The memory of the last one still vivid in my mind.

***

It was a comfortably warm day and I found myself in such a good mood that I was practically skipping on my way back from market. Today along with the flour, eggs, and other necessities I was sent out to buy, I was carrying a special surprise for my family. I had in my arms a bag of freshly picked red apples that looked so tempting that I was considering sneaking one on the way home. Usually Papa is against spending our money on anything he didn't specifically ask me to purchase, but a farmboy had offered to sell them to me for half price, and who was I to resist such an offer on my favorite treat? I opened the bag and peeked at the small glistening red orbs, if Papa scolded me it would be well worth it.

When I arrived home the door swung open before I could even knock and my father stood there with an unusually wide grin stretched upon his face. Perhaps I wouldn't get scolded after all.

As I was ushered into the sitting room I could hear mother and Jonathan engaged in some sort of discussion but their talk ceased as soon as I came into view. Mother was smiling warmly at me, looking nearly as pleased as Papa. And Jonathan, well, Jonathan was staring at me as was normal for him. I still was uncomfortable with the way he looked at me, and I shifted my weight around awkwardly, trying not to meet his gaze.

"Hello Rosaline," he uttered with perfect diction.

"Hello," I mumbled while setting my bags down. Jonathan was always so prim and proper, unnaturally stiff and reserved. It drove me crazy at times and I wished he wouldn't take every little matter so seriously.

"Would you like to accompany me on a walk?"

"Sure," I sighed looking at my bag of apples longingly, but I figured they would still be there when I returned. Besides it was a lovely day outside and I doubted I had the option to refuse.

Papa scrambled out of the doorway practically tripping over himself in an effort to quickly make room for us. It was normal for him to act thrilled whenever Jonathan stopped for a visit, but he was way overdoing it this time.

I let my mind wander over the possible reasons behind my father's excessive excitement as we started out on our normal path. Jonathan was a pleasant person to walk with. He never bothered me with trivial questions on how my day was or attempted to make small talk about the weather. Actually he never said much of anything, which I didn't mind, it was nice to just relax and listen to myself think.

Jonathan Guyers was tall and lean. Clean-shaven with light brown hair and eyes that matched, all together he was not too disagreeable to look at. He was the talk of all the young ladies in the village but I never understood what they found so remarkable. He was nice, but plain, and not to mention terribly unexciting.

Hildsridge's countryside was beautiful. The recent rain had the foliage alive with a gorgeous crisp green color and the sent of the wildflowers in bloom permeated the air. I eyed my companion and noticed he was once again staring at me. Acting as if I hadn't noticed I bent to pick a small flower we happened to be walking past. It was the tiny lilac type, one of my favorites. So delicate with its detailed little petals, it was stunning. Beautiful by itself yet if it were to be placed back with the others it could belong in the group and be a small part of the big wild bouquet. It wouldn't stick out from the pretty scene, separated by its looks…

"Marilyn tells me you are quite proficient in gardening," he interrupted my thoughts bringing me back to reality. I frowned automatically. The little patch of dirt where I was attempting to grow a few seeds I had collected could hardly be called a garden. Although some of the weeds had begun to flourish nicely.

He didn't notice or he ignored my negative reaction to his statement because he smiled and continued speaking. "I'm starting a large garden on my property in Kalane."

Two whole sentences, the man was on a role. Why was he telling me this though? It was unusual for him to start a conversation.

"I was wondering if you would be interested in taking care of it for me?"

Help him with his garden in Kalane? What was he getting at? "I appreciate the offer but I doubt I would be able to visit frequently enough to do any good."

He blinked twice as if he wasn't expecting my response. "I wasn't talking about visiting. I want you to live with me. I want you to be my wife."

I froze mid stride and spun around to face him, my mouth wide open in shock. Jonathan had been seeing me for quite some time yet somehow I never imagined this moment would come. I was still so young, I only knew of one other girl who was already getting married and she was a year and a half older than I. And to Jonathan? A lifetime trapped in his picture perfect estate where I would be shown around at parties and displayed in the windows like some pretty little trinket. An eternity of Jonathan's silence and distance. Or worse a lifetime spent under the watch of those eyes and the hungry way he sometimes looked at me. I shivered; spending the rest of my days like that would drive me insane. I couldn't do it. My head was spinning and I felt like I was about to be sick, but I didn't have the chance to say anything before Jonathan was down on one knee taking out a golden ring from his side pocket.

"Marry me Rosaline Henson."

I was panicking now. I knew what my family wanted; I knew this had probably been their plan. They must have known what was coming before I even arrived home today, no wonder they were in such a good mood. One little utterance of the phrase "I do" would set them for a life of luxury. I loved mother and Papa so very much but I couldn't do it. I wouldn't condemn myself to a life of misery and hell. I didn't love him and I never would. If I said yes to his offer I knew I would spend each day wishing it was my last. My body had begun to shake. I couldn't do it. I couldn't. I couldn't.

"I, I can't." I finally managed to get out. My eyes started to water. I was betraying my parents, they had given me so much and this is all they wanted in return and I wasn't going to do it. Would they ever forgive me? I had just taken away their one chance at a better life.

Jonathan's face was ice. "Why not?" he said harshly with an undertone I wasn't used to.

"I just can't." The tears came as I backed up the path moving away from him.

He looked furious, I had never seen him like this before. "No one refuses the Guyers, especially not some Carpenter's daughter," he said those last words with a sneer and added on, "it would be wise of you to reconsider."

I was running now, the tears leaving salty streaks on my face, running far away from his cold piercing gaze. I ran to the outskirts of the forest not far from my house, to a tree I used to play on in the years of my childhood. Climbing up the familiar branches once more, I leaned against the rough tree bark and sobbed.

18