And If You Wrong Us

Part 6: The Dilemma

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for coming to read my story! If you end up enjoying this section, please vote and leave a comment! While you read this chapter, here are some things to think about : 1. Do you like the poem at the beginning? (I haven't decided if I should use poems at the beginning of my sections or not!) 2. Why do you think Sarah decided to visit Mr. and Mrs. Raven at their home?

I feel a heat surround me

I blame it on the summer sun

But it is not the rays that blind me

I feel a chill upon my spine

I blame it on the sudden breeze

But it is not the wind that cools me

I feel a pressure in my chest

I blame it on the bag I carry

But it is not the weight that slows me

Everything that troubles me

I will find something to blame it on

For you, my heart, are blameless

"Why are you bleeding? How clumsy of you..." He held a handkerchief out. "You need to practice more patience during your grooming. Stop slouching! And look at those cheeks — you're using too much rouge! Your mother was so skilled with the brush, an artist, really...Don't look at the floor when being spoken to! You're getting too old for this nonsense. If you don't start acting as the lady of this house..." He sighed heavily, raking his trembling fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Father...I don't mean to disappoint you."

He scoffed. "You have disappointed me since the day you were born. That won't ever change." He took a long swig of brandy from a glass on the nearby table. "What I need from you is not to disappoint the public. You're the mayor's daughter — act like it! Head held high, shoulders back, smiling! Painted face, perfect hair, fine clothing — it's what they all expect! Your 17th birthday is not that far away. You must be married by then."

"Married? But Father —"

"Do not argue with me on this! Once the marriage ceremony is complete, the vows made, the rings exchanged, the certificate signed, they will have to accept whatever is to come."

"They won't keep silent."

"Oh, yes they will." He sneered. "They'll keep silent because I'm the mayor and I'll find a reason to put them in debtors' prison if they don't. They will keep silent and uphold the marital vows. Whether they take a mistress or not is entirely up to them, I care not what affairs they have...but they will keep you as their wife and they will hold their tongue."

"Then I shall be a wife...but more a maid."

He slammed down his glass. "Unless you would prefer I simply sell you? I, in my generosity, had decided to choose a respectable and wealthy husband for you and to allow you the courtesy of courtship before the wedding. But if you would prefer that we skip such formalities and I simply take the highest bidder..."

"No! No, Father...I didn't mean to be ungrateful. It is very generous of you to allow courtship."

"Yes, it is...I know men who would pay handsomely for a girl of high social standing. Very handsomely."