Episode 2: Arranged marriage
1489 Words
She fought the tears that welled in her eyes. ―May I please be
excused?
―Yes, you may, her father permitted.
She walked to her bedroom and shut the door behind her
so no one would see her crying. Of all things for her father to tell
her, this was the last thing she expected to hear. She looked at her
many elegant dresses, skirts, and shirts hanging in her large closet.
Her large bed had a beautiful lacy purple canopy above it, and her
jewelry sat neatly in her jewelry box. She loved all her
possessions. She enjoyed the things that money could buy.
But she didn't love them enough to marry Mr. Monroe. What good
were things if she was going to be miserable? She couldn't
imagine that he would have anything of interest to say to her.
She sat on her bed and ran her hands over the soft purple
comforter. She used to take comfort in her bedroom, but as she slowly absorbed everything that was about to happen, she couldn't
find peace in her heart. She hated the fact that she couldn't make
her own decisions.
Why did she have to be at the mercy of her
father's wishes? She wiped the tears from her eyes.
She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror over
her large oak dresser. She knew she wasn't the most attractive
woman to look at, which was why she hadn't received more than
one offer at courtship. Her dark brown hair fell in soft curls to
her shoulders. She had deep brown eyes and was of average
height and build. Nothing—absolutely nothing—about her stuck
out. She was just ordinary. No wonder her father felt he had to
arrange a marriage for her.
After she cried for a good hour, she was exhausted and fell
asleep. She refused to go to breakfast or lunch the next day. She stayed in her bedroom. It was on Thursday. In two days she would
be Mrs. Leo Monroe. She gagged at the thought.
A light tapping on her door brought her out of her misery.
―Jessica, may I talk to you? Brian asked her.
She sighed and decided to open the door. She was
relieved to see that her brother was alone. She didn't
feel like seeing her father who arranged the horrible marriage for
her.
Brian closed the door behind him and sat in the chair
across from the bed where she sat. ―Why does the thought of
marrying Leo displease you so greatly?
―You know why she said. ―I can't stand the thought of
even talking to him. How can I be expected to marry him? You
enjoy those boring investment conversations, so naturally, you're
thrilled that he's marrying me.
―He doesn't just talk about investments. He has other ―He doesn't just talk about investments. He has other
interests as well. He enjoys the theater, dinner parties, animals,
and the beach. You share the same faith and financial
background.
―The money would certainly do me some good right now. If
Father still had some, I wouldn't be forced to marry him. You
may think he's funny but I don't. Harrison is a lot more
entertaining.
―You've only talked to Harrison twice. You haven't even
officially courted.
―True but I did have fun talking to him.
―Give Leo a chance. Maybe in a month, you'll have as
much fun talking to Leo as you do talking to Harrison.
―We don't agree on this issue.
―I assure you that he's going to treat you better than
Harrison would.
―It's easy for you to say that since you don't have to marry him.
―I'm your brother. I want you to be happy.
She knew he meant well but he couldn't fully appreciate
her situation since he wasn't in it. He didn't have to marry
someone. He was granted the ability to work, and since he was a
man, he was free to marry whomever he wanted when he chose to
marry. Women were not granted the same privilege. Sometimes
she resented the fact that she was born a woman. If she had been
a man, then she would have freedom.
―I got a chance to speak with Leo today, her brother
began, ―and he's looking forward to marrying you.
She didn't hide her disgust. ―Why? He doesn't even
know me.
―No, but he knows me. He is aware of your reputation in
town, and face it, you are a very nice person. You do a lot of
good for others. He figures that you will make a good wife and mother. And he is a very influential man with a good reputation
that is just as impressive as yours. You will make a good match,
both publicly and privately.
―That is a matter of opinion.
―It's a fact. He stood up. ―There is something I must
warn you about before I leave.
She frowned. She already didn't like the sound of this.
―Leo's uncle has arranged a dinner party for you and
Leo to announce your engagement before our family and
friends, he informed her. ―It is tonight at seven.
―What? she shrieked.
―Leo's uncle and Father decided on this earlier today.
We will be going to Leo's house.
―And if I don't feel like going?
―Please don't do this, Jessica. Leo doesn't deserve to be
made a fool of in front of everyone.
She narrowed her eyes at him. ―Is that why he's getting married to me? Does he hope I will impress his friends?
―No. But you will humiliate him if you don't show up
tonight.
She gritted her teeth in aggravation. No choice. Not one
a single person was giving her a choice in any of this! And she
hated it. Somehow, someway, she had to find a way out of this
marriage.
Later that afternoon, she reluctantly bathed and got dressed for
the dinner party since her father made it clear that she didn't have
a choice in the matter. She combed her hair and pulled it back
with a popular hair clip that matched the black dress she had
picked to wear for the evening. She intentionally wore it because
she felt as if she was attending the wake before her funeral, which
she considered her marriage to be.
Her father wasn't amused by her dress. ―Jessica, you are acting inappropriately. This is a festive occasion.
―For you perhaps, but it is a morbid one for me.
Her brother looked like he wanted to comment so she
glared at him. He immediately shut his mouth. He knew when it
was time to be quiet.
―Go change, her father ordered. ―Put on something with
a lot of colors.
The doorbell chimed. It was one of Leo's servants who
would drive them to his house in his stagecoach.
He groaned. ―You timed this so you couldn't change.
She crossed her arms and nodded. ―I'm not stupid,
though this whole arrangement is.
―I can only hope the Lord will show you the folly in your
thinking. He sighed. ―Very well. Let's go.
She slowly followed the two men out of the house and to
the stagecoach.
―Good evening, the driver told them. ―My name is Franklin Jones. Turning to her, he said, ―After the wedding, I will
be your driver.
She simply nodded and entered the stagecoach with her
family.
―You see, Jessica, her father said. ―Leo is already
treating you very well.
In two days, my entire life is going to fall apart. Who cared about
personal drivers when she was denied the basic freedom to choose
her spouse? She closed her eyes, determined that she
wouldn't burst into tears.
After the driver started the stagecoach, her father
continued, ―I want you to be on your best behavior tonight. Do
not disgrace me and your brother by acting defiant in public. It's
one thing for you to act this way at home, but I will not tolerate
such behavior in front of others. ―What will you do if I am defiant? Marry me off to
someone I can't stand? she snapped.
―You don't even know him. How can you detest him so?
―The very fact that I don't know him is exactly why I
shouldn't marry him.
―If you were to marry Harrison, you would end up
miserable before the first year is up. You don't have as much in
common with him as you think you do. I know you think he
would make you happy but you're wrong. Marriage is more than
attraction and excitement.
―Both of which Leo sorely lacks, she bitterly added.
- Writer
