"Nora, you're being unreasonable." My father rubbed his hand with his palm, probably wishing this night was over, just as I was.
"You've already forced me into the marriage, but you can't force me to attend my own party, because I certainly don't want to celebrate this arrangement." I wasn't looking at my father, but out the window of my bedroom window, knowing if I looked into his heartbroken eyes I might give in.
"Nora, Mr. Samuelson could have any girl he wishes-"
"Good, let them take him." I cut him off, letting my anger take the reins.
My father sighed, trying a different tactic. "He'll be humiliated if you don't make an apperance."
"Perfect." I huffed. "That can be his one wedding gift to me."
"Please Nora, I'm begging you!" My father came and sat next to me on my bed.
"Who, as the banker who can't afford to have his name tainted, or as my father, who should care about me, about how I feel?" I asked, finally turning to him and looking into his eyes, my eyebrows raised in question.
"Can't I be both?" My father asked, his voice small.
I rolled my eyes and turned away, hurt.
"Okay, okay, I'm saying this strictly as you father." My father took a breath, preparing. "Will you please go downstairs," I opened my mouth to reply with a definite no, but my father continued, before I could get a single word in. "If only to talk with Mr. Samuelson? As your future husband, he should know what's on your mind; the poor chap has no idea you feel such strong emotions, such as these, and how could he unless you tell him so?"
I paused a second. Voicing my emotions to Mr. Samuelson were about the only way I was not going to explode on the next innocent passerby. I was about as angry as a wild boar, and letting off a little steam did seem like a good idea. But on the downside, I'd actually have to see Mr. Samuelson, in person.
"Okay then, I'll go downstairs." I decided, wringing my fingers, feeling a bit anxious as well as excited.
"Great!" My father stood up, ready to finally get the ball underway. He moved to leave the room, but paused, and turned around, thoughtful. "Speaking as the banker, I advise you go easy on the poor chap. He is the ticket to your future financial stability, and-"
I laughed, "Oh, don't worry father, I'll leave him in one piece." I took the crook of his elbow, and we walked down together, both of us not really ready to face the crowds.
*
"Nora! Just the person I wanted to see!" I laughed internally. Mr. Samuelson might have wanted to see me, but I in no part wanted to see him. I'd much rather turn and run the other way. I was half tempted to do just that, but the only thing stopping me was the fact I was standing in a large group of woman, including my sisters, who were gushing to me about how wonderful Mr. Samuelson was. Charlotte Evans had stayed quiet through the whole conversation, something I found unusual.
Fortunately for me, Mr. Samuelson had no idea that he was the topic of intrest, or I'm sure he would be gloating. As if he weren't already.
"Mr. Samuelson!!!" Nelly squealed and raced to the man, grabbing his legs in a hug of massive proportions. Normally, I would have felt embarrassed, and scolded Nelly, but under the circumstances, I felt Mr. Samuelson deserved whatever uncomfortable situations that arose.
"Well, hello there!" Mr. Samuelson scooped her up and spun her around, and I frowned. I forgot how extremely adaptable he was to any situation. Of course he could handle whatever Nelly would do to him, and it wouldn't embarrass him at all.
"I wish father would have set me up with someone such as Mr. Samuelson." Minevera sniffed, already fanning herself very quickly as she scanned the room for bachleors, or one bachleor in particular.
She didn't even have to say the name, and we both knew she was talking of Mr. Scotts. I could only hope and pray, for hersake as well as Mr. Scotts that father didn't try to set them up. He'd only have to look to Mr. Samuelson and I to see it would end in disaster.
"Count your blessings." I muttered to her, just as Mr. Samuelson approached us, bowing in the process. I gave the smallest of curtsies, only to be polite.
"I think I have something that belongs to you, Miss Ainsworth." Mr. Samuelson seemed to be not quite as smooth as usual, his eyes darted left and right, as if a frightened prey.
"Oh?" I was surprised. That wasn't what I expected him to say at all. Maybe something more along the lines, of a polite hello or a question of how I was doing, or maybe even nothing at all. But this, this was totally unexpected.
He fumbled around in his pockets nervously, until finally his fingers seemed to grasp an object, whatever apparently belonged to me. "Here it is." He gave a half smirk, and pulled out a ring with a diamond attached the size of a small dinner plate. Needless to say, my eyes probably grew to the size of the diamond.
What it was was the most gaudy, expensive-looking ring, that was ridiculous to even think about trying to wear it around.
"That's not mine." My voice caught, as I'm sure a worried expression passed over my face. I almost cringed at the sight of it. Sure, I had to marry the guy, but I didn't want to go parading around the fact, and reminding everybody. Without a doubt, the size of the ring would do just that, just like Mr. Samuelson wanted. He probably only got it to show off his wealth, through me, which gave me all the more reason to resent the present.
"Of course it is!" Mr. Samuelson took my left hand, and placed the ring on the appropriate finger, as all the other girls Oooed and Awwed over the fact, well except for Charlotte, who glowered. What I wanted to do was take the ring off and fling it as high and as far as I could, maybe even by chance aiming it at Mr. Samuelson's face.
"You're so lucky Nora!" Minevera whispered, putting my hand up to her face so she could study the diamond closer.
"Can I borrow it just to see what it would look like on my finger?" Hettie asked, her eyes sparkling.
Charlotte sniffed. "I'm sure my father won't have to rope anyone into marrying me." She shot me a look, which meant almost nothing to me. She was right, for once.
"Do I actually have to wear it?" I whispered, so only Mr. Samuelson's ears could hear.
A confused expression passed his face, and he opened his mouth, whether to say something, or only in surprise, but was quickly pulled away with a "Over here Mr. Samuelson!" From a someone or other from town.
"If you'll excuse me ladies, seems I am wanted elsewhere." Mr. Samuelson scooted away, shuffling his feet as if unsure. "Miss Ainsworth." He bowed again, and I didn't curtsy this time, too stunned by the whole thing.
*
"Would you care to dance?" I turned slowly, saw Mr. Samuelson's face, and grimaced. Just as I thought he had forgotten about me, here he was again. I had been sitting, talking with Mrs. Lettington about her last shopping trip, and of course, the size of my ring, only to be interrupted as her husband asked her to dance. Too soon to follow, here was Elliot now, asking me quite possibly the last thing I wanted to do.
"I suppose people would talk if we didn't." I took the lead, not looking back to see if Elliot was even following me to the dance floor.
We stood across from each other, he gave a smirk, and I fake smile, anger and annoyance boiling to an all-time high.
The music began, and we stepped forward, as was custom.
"How is your family, Miss Ainsworth?" Mr. Samuelson asked. A simple question enough, but now was not the time for such questions, not in my agenda.
We stepped back, leaving me no time to answer nor to say what I wanted to say.
We stepped forward again, this time weaving around the couple next to us. "If you think that you can just come in here and charm me like you have the rest of the girls you are sadly mistaken." I whispered harshly, just before we broke inbetween the couple.
Now we stood still as the couple weaved around us, and Samuelson looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"
We stepped forward again. "I know your kind. You think you're chrisma can save you from any situation, well not this one." We were forced to take a step back, putting the conversation on hault.
The next time we stepped forward, we had to take hands and walk, until we switched places with the couple down from us. "And, I won't have you even trying to court me, Mr. Samuelson, because there will be no need. No amount of your money will win me over, I can assure you."
Mr. Samuelson seemed to choke a little. "Me, trying to win you over?" He asked, confused.
"My father may have agreed to this arangement, but I want little part in it. In fact, it would be to both of our greatest pleasures if we had little to do with each other until the actual ceremony, am I clear?" I stated, feeling a little better now that Mr. Samuelson knew. Perhaps even he would back out now that he saw the true me, the me that wasn't going to be submissive and meek like a good wife should.
"But I thought-?" He was caught off guard, that much was sure.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I seem to be wanted elsewhere." I looked over, seeing Nelly sitting in a chair, about ready to fall asleep. If I didn't put her to bed, she would be downstairs all night. "Mr. Samuelson." I stated polietly, curtsied, then turned away, leaving Samuelson spluttering behind me.
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