EPOCH

EPOCH 1

I turned my head up at the sudden knock on the door. Wondering who could possibly be asking for my presence only minutes after I had woken up. I haven't even changed out of my nightgown, and my parents knew better than to bother me this early.

"Who is it?" I asked, confused about who was at the door. The door opened slowly, as if the person on the other side of the door was cautious; which they should have been.

A young maid finally revealed herself with her eyes on the ground. Murmuring, she said "La... Lady De Clare is seeking for your company. Her lady said that she would like to speak with you immediately". The poor girl had just started working for the Baron and Baroness, and coming from a modest background, was terrified at everything about my stiff and strict parents. She kept fidgeting, and I could see her discomfort, so I quickly dismissed her.

"Tell my mother that I will be down soon." Normally I would refuse to have audience with my mother, seeing as the only thing we did was argue. However, it was beyond strange that mother asked me so suddenly and so early. So, the maid and I prepared by slipping into a light blue day dress that matched the flooding rain outside.

After a short while, I bounded out of my room and down the spiral stairs to the drawing room where mother would be. I slowed down and brushed my dress out when I came to the entrance of the drawing room. There was no doubt that mother would give me another scolding for my horrid, unladylike behavior.

I slowly pushed the doors open seeing my mother sitting rod straight on the plush chair sipping on a cup of tea. However, there was a stranger in the room. A very beautiful stranger that looked about mothers age. In fact, the two older ladies looked strikingly similar with the same light blue eyes and chestnut hair. They both held the same graceful composure that I lacked very much. When they noticed my appearance, they both looked up and smiled.

I, on the other hand, was beyond confused. It was unusual for me to be invited to morning tea with mother. I had never had a reputation of being well behaved, and there have dozens of instances where I had been forcefully excused for breaking china, spilling tea, or starting an argument with another lady.

So I suspiciously curtsied with my eyes trained onto the stranger before seating myself across from mother, but still far from the other lady. I had a feeling that this would not be good news.

"Florence! You have grown up so well. It seems that the rest of the world has been missing out on such a gem. You truly do have the most beautiful hair" The lady exclaimed while reaching her hand out to stroke my hair as if we knew each other. This stranger thinks she can just touch my hair? Not a chance.

I was not amused and shifted away before the lady could touch my long, thick champagne colored hair that had been fawned over my entire life. The lady's smile faltered slightly, and I smirked silently inside. However, my mother's face was covered in a grimace. It seems that she was not amused by my behavior, meaning that this guest must be important.

My mother let out a forced laugh to ease the tension. "Florence, this is Lady Van Meer, my second cousin from Otterbuilt. The two of us used to be the best of friends as young ladies. And she has fortunately taken the time to travel all to way to visit us." My mother smiled nostalgically at Lady Van Meer. However, I saw through my mother's practiced grace and poise. It was clear to me that she did not exactly love this Lady Van Meer.

"It is nice to meet you Lady Van Meer" I reluctantly greeted. "However, if I may be as to rude to ask...why have we been gifted with your presence this fine day"

Oh man, mother's face was filled with displeasure, not only because I had rudely questioned Lady Van Meer's presence, or even the fact that the weather today was horrid. No, it was because Lady Van Meer had the solution to my family's recent financial troubles. On the other hand, Lady Van Meer seemed not to be offended, in fact, she was amused by my sharp tongue. I hate her already.

"I'm sure that you already know this, but you are coming of age very soon," Lady Van Meer began, "and I have only so recently sent both of my daughters off into the arms of their husbands." She paused briefly only to see the dread that flowed into my eyes. "Seeing as our family position for a debutant is empty, I believe that you should be the one to fill that spot. After all, this year is to be an exciting one".

While mother was smiling softly, I was in no such state to smile. My worst nightmares had been filled with being tied to another man for their money and status. Even though I knew that both my cousins had become betrothed to a respectable partner, I did not think that mother would be so rash. I am not ready for this. I am not as weak as the other girls my age who obeyed their fathers and brothers. I have seen the bruises on married women, and I have also seen what men do behind their wives back. I never want to be tied down in such way. I am young and I want to live freely before being tied down.

"Me?" I asked.

Lady Van Meer gives me a soft nod, all the while keeping her smile.

"My deepest apologies, but I must reject your offer. I am in no position to be married anytime soon, and neither is it in my interest. I do hope you understand" I said without even a hint of remorse in her voice. This is not something that I will agree to, even though rejecting an offer in joining the season is like turning down free money.

"Florence!" mother exclaimed. Most likely horrified that I had outright rejected such a generous offer. Mother turned to Lady Van Meer. "I do apologize. Florence is simply surprised by the abruptness of your generous proposition. She is such a young girl, and she has enjoyed freedom for so long that she does not know her manners" The Baroness explains. "What she really means is that she is honored and that she will be working hard to represent the family well". The baroness looks over at me with sharp eyes that would scare even the toughest men, and as ashamed as I am to admit it, even me.

"Mother, I do not wish to marry or join the season anytime soon. I understand the situation fully and I am rejecting it." I said defiantly. No amount of fear would make me agree. I turn to see mother's face flushed, most likely with rage.

The Baroness will hold it no longer. "Pardon me Lady Van Meer, would you excuse my daughter and I while we discuss this over. I'm sure I can get her to see some sense"

The lady nodded and encouraged them to go ahead.

Meanwhile, after being dragged out, I was furious at being shut down by my mother.

"Florence De Clara. What is going on in your head. Are you not my daughter? Do you not understand that you need to marry within the next year or we will end up no better than a beggar? Come to your senses. You will be entering the season" Her mother spat out through gritted teeth.

"But mother, -"

"No. Whether you agree to this or not. You are getting married. I will personally drag you to the palace if I must. Do you not see how much you can help your family; how much you can help me? You are going to be a debutant, that's the final line." mother ended, struggling hard to keep her composure.

"Albert!" Lady De Clare yelled out to their butler. "Escort my daughter to her room and make sure that she does not come out before Lady Van Meer leaves." She held her daughter's arm with an iron grip before passing me to our butler.

"You cannot do this to me!" I screamed. "I will not see this through!" However, my voice was drifting off as Albert dragged me back into my room and locked the door.

I pounded on the door for hours, screwing my lungs out hoping that Lady Van Meer would see how this was cruel and would take back her offer. However, after seeing her carriage leave my house, I was sure that my violence would do no good. I slump onto the floor, suddenly filled with furious tears. The family situation must not be as light as I thought it out to be, and mother was more insistent than ever. The realization sank in; I would be joining the season.