m it's urgent," Annabel said stiffly as she gave the already wr

her myself and see if I can change his mind." Annabel said solemnly that

u dress up before delivering the lette

"Deliver it now, Eunice," Annabel said as she went to stand before the

't argue with her any further; "Yes, my lady, I will

ed into the room, smiling brightly as they carr

hey received from Annabel wasn't there. She only glanced at t

e they calmly went about filling the smal

s said courageously again as they looked at the unusually

her hair while she bathed. When she was done, they chose a floral purple dress fo

"thank you" and walked out of the room s

r was gone and her father was seated

more meekness than she

n he heard the small squeak-like voice. Realizing who it was, a beautifu

been abandoned by he

d the table, walking to his daughter with an open hand. He kissed her

l anymore, papa?" A

re. Are you mad at Papa for traveling for

ked up at him as

was he acting as if he hadn't just made a d

feel lonely staying here all by yourself?" Thomas asked as he began to le

t visitors and talk business. The women could do their t

ng." Annabel gently attacked again as she

ions and words. He narrowed his eyes, trying to u

asked when he realized he didn't hav

ng me off to a total stranger!" Annabel d

led nervously as he went

t's very unladylike. "If your fiancé had caught you, it would have been an emb

to break this news to her,

can't force me to marry a man

mile on his face. "Not every lovely marriage starts with love. Many didn't even love their wives at first. Take

ve. Look at me now. It's been twelve years since your mother passed away and there is still no room for another woman in my heart. That is

much for her good, what could he do? She was the

are different!" Annabel exploded,

arriage was arrange

eyes darkened, but she continued anyway, "You didn't have anyone in your

f a mere infatuation that you seem to have?" Sir

Sir Gerim, and you certainly cannot marry off a woman who is already betro

g with this so-called Sir Gerim to discuss his intentions of marrying you, and I am not going to

just busy. It's not an easy task to be the king's pers

e him, and none of them took advantage of any young lady by delaying her in the prime of her

our peers, and arousing the interest of worthy suitors, but you isolated yourself! You stayed cooped up in this house over a mad phenomenon called "loyalty" for this man. This ma

, papa!" Ann

year you would have passed your prime and won't be amongst the women suitors seek as a wife. You

our conversations, I heard him demand my hand as if I was some commodity waiting to be sold!" Annabel argued as she

than the brute you want to marry!" Sir Thomas roared

ll from

hristopher Blakemore. That was yet another reason she couldn't

he is a proud and selfish man who believes he is superior to everyone; no woman in Berkshire or L

her future had never seeme

provide for you and all your unborn children. He doesn't go about frolicking with all sorts of women, which means he would be very faithful

promised mother that you would make me happy, remember?"

d and she would be amongst the thousand women

. Everything I do is for your good. The wedding wi

ther fit of crying and