Episode 3: The engaged couple speaks to one another

Her father closed his eyes. She knew he was praying because his mouth was moving though she couldn't hear what he was saying.

―Is Mr. Monroe an intelligent and good man? she suddenly asked as an idea formed in her mind. Her father and brother seemed shocked by her question.

―Yes, her father said.

―Am I going to get a chance to speak with him tonight? she further inquired.

―Of course. It's only right that the engaged couple speaks to one another.

She nodded. Then she would do just that. Perhaps she would be able to reason with Leo. Surely, he would understand why it was a bad idea for them to marry each other. Seeing as how he had as much to lose as she did in the marriage, it made sense that he would listen to her. She felt much better now that this course of action was set. Once she spoke with him, he would tell her father and his uncle that this marriage wasn't going to happen, and she'd be free to get a job and marry someone she loved.

―What are you planning? Brian frowned at her.

―I'm going to talk to him, she replied. He didn't look convinced.

―Now Brian, don't assume that she's up to something, their father admonished.

―How am I going to get to know him if I don't talk to

him? she asked Brian.

―What are you going to talk to him about? Brian

wondered.

―I believe that will be between me and my future husband. There was no way she was going to reveal that information to him.

―Brian, some things are private, their father remarked.

―I think it's a good sign that she's willing to talk to him without being forced to.

Though her brother kept quiet, she could tell that he didn't trust her. She didn't like the fact that her brother knew her so well. She decided she would find a way to avoid him during the evening, which wasn't so hard to do considering he usually took center stage while she hovered in the background and watched others around her. Except, tonight she would be of particular interest to the people there since she was the fiancée of the host.

When they arrived at his two-story home, she groaned. A lot of people were there. Everyone would know of the engagement after tonight. The hot Virginia August air seemed to push down on her, making it hard for her to breathe. She suddenly felt like a caged animal. She could only hope Leo was as reasonable as her father and brother claimed.

She had never seen his house before. It was in a neighborhood with similar two-story houses, and it was just as immaculate and beautiful as the rest of them. It was light blue and there was a light blue picket fence to match it. A sidewalk led to the front door. The lawn was a beautiful shade of medium green, and two large oak trees decorated the front yard.

Someone in Leo's position had to maintain an impressive home.

And I just happen to be another addition to his impressive house, she

bitterly thought.

―You'll enjoy living here, her father assured her.

―This is one of the nicest homes in Virginia. It has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, two parlors, an entertainment room, a large kitchen and dining room, a basement, and a large veranda outback that

overlooks a good-sized lawn that has flowers, a fountain, and a gazebo. He has a butler, two cooks, a maid, and a stagecoach driver. He plans to hire another stagecoach driver so Franklin can

be at your beck and call. He is generous and will provide you with

everything you wish.

She hoped that included a way out of the marriage. She followed her father and brother out of the stagecoach and into the house. If his house had looked impressive on the outside, it was not nearly as gorgeous as the inside. The front door led to a large hallway that was the size of her father's dining room. There were three benches in the hallway. Two benches were on the left and one was on the right. Some guests were seated on the benches.

The entertainment room was to the immediate left, and she could see the large circular room where

half the guests danced to the music that the live orchestra was playing. There was a staircase on her right that led to the top floor where the bedrooms and two bathrooms were. The hallway on the main floor led to a parlor on the left and the right. The hallway ended at a door that led to a large dining room. She suspected that the door on the right led to the kitchen. She wondered where the staircase was that led to the basement.

The dining room had a french door that led to the veranda where some people stood around and spoke to each other. There were several round tables and chairs on the veranda too. Leo Monroe stood by the french doors talking to one of the chefs. He motioned to the dining table. He wasn't a bad looking man.

He was cleanly shaven with medium wavy brown hair and green eyes. He was 5'8" and slender. He maintained himself with an air of confidence that made him appealing. He seemed very secure with himself. He didn't need a wife to make him look good. Surely, he would see that this marriage wasn't necessary. She took a deep breath as she scanned the people around her. She recognized most of them.

 She noticed that Harry wasn't there. She wasn't surprised.

―Julie Muse and Amber Duff are here, Brian whispered to

her.

She looked to where he motioned and saw her two closest friends in the corner of the entertainment room. They sat on one of the sofas. She and her friends usually sat to the side at these

dinner parties and kept mostly to themselves. It was Brian and his friends who dominated the room.

―Good evening, Leo's butler greeted them. ―My name is Geoffrey Crow. I look forward to serving you in the future, Miss Allen. Mr. Monroe is eager to speak with you. I hope you won't have to serve me after tonight. She smiled, said thank you, and followed her father and brother further into the

house.

―Will, you follow me? Geoffrey asked.

She sighed. Did she have a choice? From the look on her father's and brother's faces, she knew that the answer to that question was a resounding no. She reluctantly let the butler lead her to Leo who was still talking with the chef. She noted that he wore a dark blue suit. If he wore black, we would match.

As the butler left, she glanced back at her father who nodded encouragingly to her. Her brother was already talking to some of his friends in the entertainment room.

―Jim put salt instead of sugar into the pies, the chef complained to Leo.  So the dessert is ruined.

―Is there anything else in the kitchen we can use for

dessert? Leo wondered.

―We might have enough ingredients for ice cream.

―Go ahead and make that then.

―Sir, I don't wish to be disrespectful, but is it wise to keep

Jim on the payroll?

Leo took a moment before answering the head chef.

―Louis, I understand your frustrations but Jim hasn't even been here for three days. He has no experience and is a bit clumsy but he does have a lot of motivation and hasn't repeated one of his

mistakes.

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