Episode 2: Arrange marriage

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

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.

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