The Risk of a Kiss

Chapter 6

The next couple of days were quiet and pleasant.  To her surprise her aunt and mother released her from her society lessons and allowed her some freedom. She was sitting in front of a window that over looked the garden reading a book when her mother came into the room, “Your father wants to talk to you.”   She was smiling happily at her and was almost bouncing from one foot to another. Sarah stood up and eyed her mother suspiciously.  She walked out the door with her mother trailing in her wake.

“Yes father,” she said as she walked into the study her father had claimed as his own. He motioned to one of the chairs. Sarah noticed her mother behind her closing the door.

“I have some great news.” He smiled at her. “Lady Dimple nephew has approached me about marriage.” He was happily speaking, “And I gave him my permission.”

All the color drained from Sarah face, “What?”

Her father looked confused from his daughter to his wife, “Lady Dimple nephew, you were talking to him the other night at the ball. He seems an intelligent gentleman, who has a nice estate and he is even titled. Everything we could hope to find in a husband.”

Sarah looked blankly at her father. He spoke of marriage as if it was something that could be bought and sold. That the fact that a man with a title made a better deal than just a man. “No,” Sarah said, “This must be a mistake?” She turned to look at her mother. 

“No mistake, they are coming over tonight for dinner to finalize the marriage contract. Lady Dimple is excited to see him married finally.”

“Contract?” She turned back to her father, “This is not some business deal, Father. It is my life.”

Her father eyed her and his face became hard and stern, “You should have thought about that before you kissed him that night.”

Sarah hand rose to her month and she shook her head. “He kissed me, it was not like that.” She looked at both of her parents pleading, “How many people saw that?”

Her father crossed him arms across his chest, “Enough.”

Julie Douglas strolled forward and laid a hand on her daughter shoulder. “I am sure we can work this all out tonight.” Sarah shook her head and began to tear up. 

Her mother squeezed Sarah shoulder. “I think it is time you go up stairs and get ready.”

Sarah slowly rose and walked from the room. What was she going to do? If indeed a lot of people saw that kiss in the ballroom her reputation would be ruin if she did not marry Lord Wright. But how could she marry someone she hardly knew and did not even really like. She did not care for titles or property. She wanted love. She wanted to find someone who wanted her for her and not as a piece of jewelry to be displayed and then put away when there was no longer a need for it.