"Chase said he would find a way, but Leslie, I'm not ready for it. It is not what I planned. I won't even consider it until after we are married."
Anna was beside herself with worry. She knew Chase too well. She was so worried over the past month she could no longer keep it to herself. She had to confide in someone.
Leslie Yarborough was her only friend. She lived across the street and spent much time at the Scott residence now that she was home from school in London. She had dark eyes and long dark ringlets that stretched down her back. Leslie had a little girl quietness and was overly shy when it came to boys. Everyone doubted she would ever marry unless her family could secure her a man.
Leslie listened, wide-eyed, and shifted as she lay across Anna's bed. "Do you think he will marry you if you put him off?" There was a note of deep concern in her voice. Anna didn't know if it was for her or for the marriage.
"I don't know. I think so." Anna fell back in the chair. "He has been leaving early. He has something important they are working on at the office, contracts or something. He wants to be well rested and sharp in the mornings, so he said. I don't think it has anything to do with my refusing him." She didn't want to admit the thought had crossed her mind.
"What if he decides not to marry you?"
"Leslie Yarborough, bite your tongue at such a thought. That could not happen. I plan to be married to him. I won’t consider it a possibility that he would not marry me. He told me he would on the day we met."
Anna acted hurt at the suggestion, which caused Leslie to apologetically lower her eyes. As Anna watched her, her face slowly lit with a devilish grin. She cocked her head a little to the side and asked with the greatest of wide-eyed innocence, "What of Colin?"
"Colin," Anna repeated. Something deep inside stirred at the sound of his name. She tried to show indifference.
"You remember. Colin?" Leslie baited her, offering his name as if it were a desired treat.
"Of course, I remember Colin," Anna said, annoyed. "How could I forget him? He was part of my life for so long."
"Where is he now?" She gave an impish smile as she sat up on the side of the bed.
"I don't know." Anna managed to speak though her voice came out soft. She stared at the floor. "I haven't seen him since the day I met Chase." She couldn’t hide her regret.
"I know what happened to him," Leslie finally offered after a painfully long silence.
Anna snapped a hard look at her. "Has something happened to him? Is he all right?"
"Some one happened to him—to be more precise." Anna knew her friend made this as slow and painful as she could.
"Tell me."
Leslie eyed the toes of her shoes, and bit her lip. "Well, I don't think I should repeat such things…"
Anna was wild with anxiety. She rushed at her friend, and took her by the shoulders.
"Leslie, if you don't tell me what has become of him, I'll not let you out of this room until you do. You will grow to be an old hag in this room."
"Oh, all right," she answered in disgust. "He's married."
Married? The word stung like a slap in the face. Anna couldn’t breathe. How could he have married?
Leslie broke into Anna's thoughts as she continued. "Anna, his wife is named Elaine. She comes from some lower class family. Her father runs a tavern outside of town and keeps cows. Colin's father has given him a token inheritance, barely enough to stay respectable on, a small home and then he disowned the poor boy."
The thought of Colin married pained Anna. She recovered an air of indifference—she hoped. "Well, I can't say it surprises me—about his father, I mean. I always said he would disinherit Colin altogether if he married me."
Leslie was wide-eyed again. "Did he want to marry you?" She sounded very much surprised.
Anna walked to her dressing table and picked up her brush as she thought back to one special moment—one special kiss.
"Sometimes I think he did. He asked me if Chase was what I really wanted and I said yes." Anna felt melancholy engulf her at the memory. "The last thing he said to me was 'I wish you luck.' Why on earth would he marry some scullery maid? He knew what his father would do. He couldn't love her."
Anna turned at Leslie's prolonged silence and found her biting her lip again.
She stared at her. Leslie shrugged her shoulders.
"He didn't have a choice."
"Not have a choice? How could he not have a choice? He didn't have to—"
"She's with child." Leslie looked away, seemingly apologetic for what Colin had done.
Anna slammed the brush down on the dressing table as the reality sank deep into her heart.
"That fool. That gypsy fool." Anna hissed, genuinely angry with him. "How could he be so—foolish?"
* * * *
During the months that followed her conversation with Leslie, Anna heard many rumors concerning Colin. He had forfeited his dream of traveling the world; that was certain. He fell for the temptations of a young girl with the same dream as Anna but lesser morals. They had been married before anyone was supposed to find out about the child. She conveniently miscarried while visiting her family a month or two later.
Personally, Anna agreed with some who doubted she was ever pregnant, but Colin could not be cleared of the possibility due to his indiscretions with her.
Soon after, as his money dwindled, she packed up the gowns and jewels Colin had gifted her with during their brief marriage. She left him for someone with better money in France. Her solicitors were discreet in obtaining her freedom on the grounds he seduced her and forced her into the marriage. Colin was left with an empty house, little chance of making a respectable marriage, and a fortune in debts Elaine had incurred. His fortune he could rebuild; his good name was lost forever.
Some nights Anna would dream of him and awaken in the dark to wonder how he was. She missed her greatest friend and confidante.
* * * *
Anna didn't think much about Chase's early departures until one evening when a note arrived. Her mother brought the sealed message to her room and left her to read it in private. She was surprised to find it was from his mother.
Miss Anna Scott,
I am writing to ask your assistance. If you should have the pleasure of my son's company at any time in the near future, would you be so kind as to inform his father. He has been missing for several days and I am inclined to think he may be in need of guidance concerning his current activities.
If you know where he is, please send word as soon as is convenient. Thank you.
Cordially,
Mrs. Trent
Anna sat on the edge of the bed, stunned. After a minute, she heard a quiet tap on the door.
"Come in." Anna expected it to be her mother, curious about the note.
"Anna?" came the quiet voice.
"Leslie! Just who I needed to see at such a moment."
Leslie came in and closed the door behind her. She settled into a chair.
"What is the matter?"
"Chase has been here each evening as usual, although he has left early—"
"Is there something wrong?" she interrupted. "I don't know. I believed he was going home. I told you he mentioned working on some project and had to be in the office early. He never mentioned not being at home." She handed Leslie the note.
"If he is not going home, where do you suppose he has been going?" She cocked her head to the side, obviously expecting Anna to know the answer. "Do you suppose he has taken rooms?"
"Well, he is old enough, I suppose, to have taken rooms somewhere, but why would he not mention it to me?" A thought startled her. "Oh!" Anna covered her mouth.
"What?" Leslie jumped at the outburst.
Anna was shaking. "This is not going to happen."
"What is not going to happen?" Leslie echoed.
"What if he has taken rooms so we can be alone? He found a way."
Leslie was as astonished as Anna. Fear marred her face.
"I will tell you this. I’ll not give him opportunity to take me anywhere alone."
Anna was determined. If he did, she knew she would not be able to resist him. "He always has his way. Not this time."
With confidence, Anna went to her desk and wrote a note of compliance to Mrs. Trent.
Dear Mrs. Trent,
Your son has been here each evening. He has left early, desiring to be well rested for his projects at the office. He looks to be in good health, and I hope this report will aid in easing your mind concerning Chase. He will be at my home this evening at seven. Please send your husband to collect your son at that time.
Sincerely yours,
Anna Scott
She hurriedly sent the message and relaxed somewhat, knowing Chase's father would soon put an end to his son's plans.
* * * *
Anna sat waiting for Chase. He always arrived at seven. At seven-thirty, he had not shown. She went to the window, and peeked out. Down the street sat a large, expensive black coach, obviously out of place in this neighborhood. The blinds were closed to conceal the occupant. The driver stood grasping the door handle, and surveyed the street.
Chase came around the corner. The driver of the coach pulled open the door and a large, gray-haired, richly dressed man stepped out. He moved to the curb and waited for Chase to come closer before he stepped out into the street to hail him.
Chase raced past, and nearly struck his father. Mr. Trent rushed back to his coach. The driver climbed quickly up to engage in the pursuit. Anna watched as they disappeared around the corner.
She spent the rest of the evening wondering if Mr. Trent caught up with his wayward son. She feared what would happen when Chase realized she had arranged for his father to be waiting.
* * * *
Something awakened her. Anna opened her eyes and saw Chase climbing through the window.
"What have you done, Anna?" he shouted.
She sat on her bed, her feet on the cold floor. He raised his hand, ready to strike with the back of his hand. She winced, expecting the force of the blow, but it did not come.
Anna opened her eyes. She lay in her bed. A dream; it was only a dream. Her heart pounded as she looked around to reassure herself she was alone. At that moment, her window slid open. Her heart beat loud in her ears. She sat up, and swung her feet off of the bed. The curtains were pushed back as someone entered the room. In the dimness, she could see a man in dark clothing. Chase.
Anna turned to her nightstand, and lit a candle. In the flickering light, she focused on Chase's frowning face.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered. He strode to the door, and listened before facing her. Anna pulled her dressing gown from the foot of the bed, and clutched it to her chest. He moved silently to the bedside, towering over her, and his eyes blazed with anger.
"What was my father doing here?" His fists were clenched at his sides. He spit the words through locked teeth as he tried to keep his voice low.
"Your father?" Anna feigned ignorance. "Wh—?"
"You know he was here." Chase cut off her reply. "You called him here, didn't you?" He pulled her to her feet; his thick fingers painfully gripped her arms. She tried to pull away. He shook her, and tossed her onto the bed. "Answer carefully, Anna. Did you send for him?"
To lie now would be a mistake.
"Yes. I sent for him after your mother wrote to ask if I had seen you. Where have you been staying?" Anna rubbed the circulation back into her arms.
"I had to leave home. They meddle in my life." He began to pace.
"You didn't answer my question. Where have you been?"
"Don't worry about it. I’ve taken a room at a friend's house."
"Who?"
"I said, don't worry about it." He stood before her as he snapped out the words.
He was hiding something. Anna ventured on into dangerous territory. "Who is she?"
Chase glared down at her. His countenance changed, like a child caught in the cookies, knowing it to be useless to lie. He smirked.
"William's fiancée, Sheress. She said I could stay with her—at her home for a while. I had to get away from my parents."
Fire pulsed through Anna's body. How could he be so casual about the situation? "You're living with a woman? How could you do this to me?" she hissed, finally finding her voice. He rolled his eyes, annoyed.
"Do what? So I am staying with her, so what? It means nothing."
"It means nothing? Are you sleeping in her bed, too?" Anna's voice cracked as she forced the words from her constricted throat.
An evil smile crept across his face as he eyed the floor. He could have at least tried to hide it. The thought obviously entertained him, amused him.
"What makes you ask?" His mouth twitched.
"It's obvious you are." Anna stood, and shoved him away. She flung her dressing gown around her body and tied it defiantly, buying time to think. "Do you love her?" In her rage, Anna was close to tears.
"Why should I? She is to marry William," he said, offhanded, that smile plastered to his lips.
"How could you stay there? Does William know or is he as ignorant as I am?"
She couldn’t stop pacing. Her whole world crashed around her. Her dream was dying and she could do nothing to revive it. Her head felt light and her blood burned, and flowed through her veins like lava. Anna paced so she didn't have to look at him.
"William is furious about it." He laughed in an annoying way. "Sheress is the mistress of her own house. She has her own money and her own ways. William might as well learn it now."
"I find it interesting you use such a word to describe her. Mistress." Sarcasm slurred the word as she spoke. "It's a nice name for what she really is. I hope William realizes it before he marries her."
Chase grabbed her arms again, and set her forcibly on the bed. "You'll not talk about her in that way. You'll not."
Chase raised his hand to strike. Anna winced at the coming blow and held her breath. When it came, she fell backward, and covered her stinging cheek with her hands. She glared at him as she pulled herself up.
In anger, Anna gathered courage. Hard as she tried to stop them, tears escaped down her pale cheeks. One more thing she had to know, had to hear from him. What she feared to ask. "Tell me you don't love me."
"I can't."
"Will you move back home?"
"In a few days."
"Why a few days? Why not now, tonight?"
"I'm not ready to yet." He sounded so casual.
Anna stood slowly, and looked him in the eyes. She dropped her hand from her throbbing cheek, and glared at him.
"Chase Trent," she began slowly, to test the strength in her voice. "If you love me as you say you do, you will come back tomorrow evening and tell me you have moved out of her house. Otherwise, you will tell my father you no longer love me nor wish to marry me."
His eyes caressed the cheek that had suffered his anger. He raised his hand again, gently this time. Anna did not flinch as he stroked her cheek tenderly with the same fingers that had inflicted the pain. He seemed sorry for his actions, yet he made no apology. He turned, and disappeared into the night.
Anna trembled as she tried to evaluate what had happened in the last ten minutes. How did she know it would happen? Chase. In her room! He was bold, she knew, but how had she known he would come through the window?
"I will not be safe if I leave my window open." She closed and locked it securely. Anna curled up under the blankets. She clutched her pillow for reassurance.
Now she could relax and sleep—or cry.
"Come here, Mrs. Trent." Chase called her name. He pulled her down on the blanket, tearing at her gown. He laughed at her fear, and mocked her in her terror.
"Come now, this will only hurt for a moment—maybe two. I promise you." He laughed.
To Be Continued...
____________________________________
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This book may not be reproduced in whole, or in part, by any means, without the expressed written consent of the author.
Any unauthorized reproduction of this book, other than by written authorization or contract by and with the author, is a violation of Federal Law and will be prosecuted to the full extent of that law.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination, or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Any trademarks referred to within this publication are the property of their respective trademark holders.
© 2008 Jena Galifany/Marge Conrad
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