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| Anna with Chase |
"Miss Anna, meet me in the garden," Colin said, his dark eyes sweeping along Anna's body.
It was a warm summer day, the day Anna Scott had waited for since she was a little girl. Now the day had finally come. Maybe not exactly as she had hoped, but it was happening with the perfect man she pictured from her youth and she knew it had to be right.
Leslie, her maid of honor, woke Anna early. Leslie shook her awake and plopped into a chair as Anna moved to the mirror to brush out her hair. She thought it strange she had dreamt of Colin after so many years.
"Anna, can you believe it?" Leslie gushed. "Today, finally, you're getting married. Are you scared?"
"Terrified. More than you will ever know." Anna didn't know which of them was more excited. She tried to calm the butterflies in her midsection. "This is what I planned. This is what I've always wanted." She reassured herself as she turned to Leslie, and bit her lip. "So, why am I so terrified?"
"Probably because of tonight." Leslie blushed at her own words.
"Ugh. I don't even want to think about it yet."
"Oh, I am so happy to hear you say so." Leslie jumped up and hugged her.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Anna put down the brush.
"You told me Chase always got his way and you were worried about—well, you remember the conversation. I was afraid you and he… Well, I worried for you all this time."
"You needn't worry any more. I was able to fend off Chase's advances. He loves me and I am pleased to become his bride the way I have always wanted to: virtuous, above reproach, and pure. This night I can give myself to him with no fear or regret. Maybe some fear. Perhaps a lot of fear." She laughed. "It’s the only thing that will be my way on this day. But, no matter."
A look of relief crossed Leslie's face. Her blush faded and she hugged Anna again. "I am so happy for you. Could you be any happier today?" She positively bubbled.
Anna turned back to the mirror and thoughtfully studied her reflection. "I don't think anything could make this day better, Leslie. My dream is coming true."
* * * *
Her mother and father were chattering at each other when Anna and Leslie came down to breakfast. Mr. Scott was in his pride as he remarked on the perfection of his new son-in-law. If only he knew what Anna had gone through to make him proud to give his daughter in marriage. Even if she was not to wear white, she was at least worthy of it.
Mrs. Scott’s words intermingled with his as she reminisced about the day she was led to the altar, dreamy-eyed and innocent. Neither one of them heard what the other said. It didn’t matter. They were both happy and that was what did matter.
Anna poked at her food for a short time before she announced, "I need to get away from all of the fussing going on." She pushed away from the table and stood.
"Anna, are you all right?" Mrs. Scott’s eyes glistened.
"Perfect. It’s just—watching all of the flowers arrive is making me nervous. I want to get away from the servants scampering around. I need quiet."
Leslie stood to follow but she raised a hand.
"Please, I want to be alone before all of this gets away from me."
"All right." Leslie sank into her chair, but her eyes followed Anna to the door. "If you need me, call out."
"I will."
Anna was relieved as she stepped out into the warmth of the day. She slipped out to the garden to rest her mind confused by all of the preparations. The birds sang; the air was fresh with the salty scent of the sea. She sat on the bench, looked up at the sky, and watched a solitary cloud drift overhead. Anna reveled in the feel of the sun on her face as the cloud continued on its way. It was peaceful and quiet, the perfect day.
"Mrs. Trent must have special-ordered the perfect day from God for her son's perfect wedding." She smiled at her joke, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply the scent of roses as she relaxed for the first time in what felt like months.
"Absolute beauty. No other words this side of God's Heaven truly describe a young lady on her wedding day."
Anna knew the voice though she hadn’t heard it in so many years. It was deeper, perhaps. But it was he, all the same. She wanted to open her eyes but feared if she did, he would be gone.
"Colin." Anna kept her eyes closed, his name carried on a breath. It took a moment to continue. "If I open my eyes, do you promise not to disappear into my dreams?"
"I promise you, Miss Anna. I’m not a dream."
Anna opened her eyes as she stood and ran, throwing herself into his waiting arms.
"How did you get here?" She didn’t really care how, but was overjoyed he came.
"Just like in the old days, between the wall and the hedges." He was well dressed; his dark eyes still held their sparkle. His dark hair was thicker and still wavy. One lock fell on his forehead as always. They embraced before he held her at arm’s length, and surveyed her from her auburn hair to the tips of her shoes.
"You have changed, Anna, but for the most part, it is an improvement." His face had aged slightly. He had the look of a man of sorrows.
"Where have you been all this time? Do you know how much I’ve missed you? There were a thousand things over the years I wanted to tell you, share with you, and you weren’t here. Life was so empty sometimes." Anna longed to retreat to the safety of his arms again.
"You’ve been too busy with your Mr. Trent to be worried about where I’ve been. I’ve been around. I was keeping an eye on you, as I promised. Big brother, remember?" Colin stepped past her and offered a seat on the bench. Anna sat, and he took the place beside her.
"What have you been doing with yourself?" she asked, not wanting to speak the tales she'd heard. If they were really true, he would tell her.
"What have I been doing," he began, eyes cast down. He folded his hands in a half-hearted attempt to cover the gold band on his left hand. "You know me, always out for a good time."
"Really? What good times have you had?"
"Anna, good times are fairy tales and don’t exist. Everything has a price. Sometimes the cost can be too high." He hesitated for a full minute as he searched the garden with his eyes. "You know I married." Their eyes met. He waited for her reaction.
"Yes." It was her turn to look away. It was painful for some reason to hear the words come from him. "Who was she? I heard she left you, the foolish girl."
"Yes, she did. For a better man. Elaine was not the girl I thought she was. But then, I was not the man she expected either. She didn't know what my father would do—like you and I knew. It was the money, not me." He took her hand, and folded it in his. "She took a chance. Took me—my money—my name. She took it all. But," he smiled, "she could not take my sense of humor or my responsibility to watch out for you. I decided I should let you know I have become fairly good friends with Mr. Chase Trent in the past few weeks."
"You have?" Anna was delighted to hear it. Chase was the reason Colin had disappeared from her life. She was pleased he was also the means of restoring her friend to her. "I couldn’t have had a better wedding gift than this. Colin, nothing could have made me happier this day." She threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him tight.
Colin's hands slipped down her back as he reluctantly returned her embrace. He released a relaxed sigh, then pulled away. He stared at her as if he were going to say something but changed his mind.
"Is this the way to act on the day you are to marry my best friend?" he scolded, and caressed her cheek.
"I thought I was your best friend?" Anna pouted, and crossed her arms.
"That, Mrs. Chase Trent, would be inappropriate and unacceptable in the eyes of society. I am your new husband's friend, madam, and I will see you at the wedding and, hopefully, many times in the future. Be sure to have me to dine now, as I have no one to hostess my table."
"You can be sure of it. Where are you living now?" Anna was excited at the prospect, and dropped the pouting pose.
"I'm living in a fine house, but not too fine. It is about five minutes from your future home and I am thrilled we will be close neighbors again. It is a nice estate, affordable only because my father gave it me on the occasion of my marriage. It is too large for the two servants I am able to retain and myself but it allows me to be close to you, and that in itself makes it perfect. Although there is not a large tree close by where we might meet in the dark of night." He winked, stood, and offered his hand as she stood.
"No matter." Anna waved a dismissive hand. "We will have you over often. I promise. I can't wait to have you so we can catch up on all that has happened. I must confess I have heard much from gossips and busybodies. I want the whole truth from you."
"I’ll have to think about it. You may not be truly interested in my sordid past."
"I can picture the three of us dining together. We will have wonderful times, I know it."
"We will see. Now, I must get out of your way so you can prepare to take your final journey down the aisle. I wish you all the best." Colin took her hand, and kissed the inside of her wrist as she stroked his cheek. His eyes sparkled as her hand slipped from his. He left the garden the way he had come.
Nothing could ruin this wonderful day, not a meddling mother-in-law, servants, champagne-colored wedding gowns or thousands of candles in a church. Nothing could mar this perfect day. Mrs. Trent, Sr. couldn’t have planned anything that would make the day more perfect for Anna.
She would ask Chase if they could have company as soon as possible. She would suggest he invite some of his friends to avoid looking too obvious. It would be perfect. She braced herself for the return to the house and to all of the chaos sure to come.
* * * *
Mrs. Scott began to cry as Anna descended the stairs.
"You look beautiful, Anna. Mrs. Trent was right about the color. It suits you very well, even in this light." She blotted at her eyes with a lace-trimmed handkerchief.
"I don't care what color it is, Mother, I’m happy to be marrying Chase—Mr. Trent."
"This is what you’ve always wanted. You said so yourself. Are you nervous, dear?" Her mother fussed with her gloves.
"How could I not be? Where is Father?" Anna plucked at the cuff of her sleeve, the lace scratchy at her wrist.
"Right here, Anna. Getting my coat on." He came down the stairs behind her as he wiggled his way into the tailored coat of his tuxedo. He pulled it into place as he reached the step beside her. Mr. Scott offered his arm. Anna took it and he patted her hand. "Are you ready?"
"You're acting like a child on the way to a candy store. Are you so eager to give me away?"
His excitement was evident; he looked as if he would burst. He stood tall, puffed out his chest as they descended the last two steps and crossed the hall. "Not so much to give you away as to receive my new son-in-law. You seem to have succeeded in catching the most eligible single man in Southampton, even if he is imported. You always said you would find the perfect husband." There was a definite note of pride in his voice.
"I did so, didn't I?"
Mrs. Scott followed Anna, and their gowns competed for the loudest shushing sound as they moved. She wore pale pink chiffon nearly as full in the skirts as Anna's. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes bright, and reminded Anna of the details she had given of her wedding day. Her mother was as blushing as the bride should be.
The Scott family entered the coach that would take them to the church. Anna was consumed with a sense of loss as she looked at the house as they drove away. She thought briefly on the child who had lived there with her plans and dreams of a better life. She would miss her old room, but this, after all, was what she had always wanted.
* * * *
The pipe organ blared as the doors opened before her. Her father had her arm firmly in his as a thousand people, or so it seemed, stood, turned and looked at her.
Anna couldn't move. She was frozen in her shoes and they were frozen to the floor.
Mr. Scott started to move and she pulled on his arm.
"Are you all right?" he whispered.
"Is it too late now to run?" she asked, and smiled nervously.
"Don't worry, Anna, everything is going to be fine." Mr. Scott patted his daughter's hand and pulled her forward, toward the man in the bright white tuxedo at the end of the long walk.
Chase Trent, always the flashiest, the center of attention, wore brilliant white. Had his mother not told him it would not look right in the candlelight? Anna supposed not. Just as well, this was "his" wedding. She was only the bride. It didn’t matter. Anna Scott would shortly become Mrs. Chase Trent and that was all that did matter.
As they stepped forward in time to the pipe organ, Anna saw many faces smiling at her in the candlelight. Some she knew but most she did not. She searched for Colin, amazed at how dreamy-eyed he looked in this light when she found him. He did not appear as happy as she thought he should be for her.
Perhaps he thought of his ill-fated wedding day. Anna found comfort knowing he was there.
Cold fingers started at the base of her neck, and crept upward through her hair. A chilled sensation ran down her forehead and poured down her face in frozen rivulets.
"Who gives this woman..."
Anna could hear the words but could not concentrate on them. She watched her arm her father held.
A pale blue mist dripped from her shoulders, collected along her arms, clung to her gown, to the sequins that a moment ago brought sparkle to the bodice and sleeves. It dimmed the glow, and spread down her veil before her eyes until she could barely see.
"Her mother and I do."
Anna reached for Chase. The mist went unnoticed by her father, Chase, and everyone else.
It flowed down her arms and fell like teardrops from her fingertips as she reached for Chase's hand.
Mr. Scott faded away. Chase pulled Anna forward, toward the altar. In a panic, she turned to look for her father.
The mist crawled along the full length of her train: it rolled away toward each side of the aisle. A watery mist curled away, becoming a thick wake she glided through.
"Anna." Chase tugged gently on her hand, and guided her forward. "Remember me?" He smiled a dazzling smile; his dark eyes reflected the flickering candlelight.
"Chase." She tried to smile, and focus on the moment. "I remember you."
"It's a good thing." He leaned toward her so the minister might not hear. "By tonight, you will know me well." He winked as he pulled her forward.
Anna couldn't remember the vows. She waited for years to say them, to hold to them, to honor, cherish—what was the rest of it? Until death?
She felt alone, as one in solitary confinement; perfect solitude in the midst of chaos. The loneliness was so tangible she struggled to keep from crying out.
The minister announced "Mr. and Mrs. Chase Trent." The church exploded with cheers and applause. Anna forced a smile as they turned arm in arm to meet their guests.
Leslie and Mrs. Scott cried—again. Mr. Scott was so puffed up Anna thought his buttons would pop. Mr. and Mrs. Trent, Sr. looked on, with Mrs. Trent proud of her perfect wedding, no doubt. Mr. Trent, an older version of Chase carved of granite, extracted his pocket watch from his vest, and checked the time.
The mist dispersed, and left no evidence of its existence. Anna searched through the crowd of people, and assured herself she only suffered from nerves. It hadn't really been there at all.
Her eyes met Colin's. His were dark and shiny, like the water of the Channel under a full moon. He smiled at her and she felt a release of tension. She returned his smile, and turned to her new husband. Chase applauded himself as he reveled in his triumph and, by the look in his eyes, Anna had no doubt that he thought of the triumph to come.
* * * *
"I am so glad to be out of that dark place. Even with all of the candles, it was horribly dim," Anna commented as she blinked at the brightness of the day. She embraced Chase for the chance to stand in the open air for a few moments before they climbed into his coach that would carry them to the reception. Dinner for five hundred came next. With music and reveling, all of the perfect plans were set into motion by the forward movement of the coach.
"Well, Mrs. Trent, how do you feel now?" Chase pulled Anna close to him.
"Nervous. How do you feel, Mr. Trent?" She returned the question, and smiled easily now.
"I feel like running away with my bride, finding a quiet place, maybe by a stream with some trees, some grass and a blanket."
"And miss your mother's party? Never. She would be publicly humiliated and she would kill you—and me." She hugged his arm as she looked out the window.
"I want to be alone with my bride. Are you trying to deny me already?" Chase laughed, and reached for her bodice.
"No, I'm not denying you. I want to live past my wedding day. Stop it." She pushed his hand playfully away. This was going to be a very long night. Now she was really nervous as she thought what the night would bring. She didn't want to think about it. She glanced out the window behind her husband. "Chase, where are we going? This isn’t the way to the reception." She leaned closer to the window, and tried to determine where they were.
"Don't worry. We'll get there—fashionably late, as my mother would say."
As she watched out the window, Anna saw they were headed out into the countryside. In a few minutes, they came to a stop and the driver's assistant leapt down to open the door. Chase smiled and jumped out. He turned and offered his hand. "Surprise!"
Reluctantly, Anna allowed him to help her out, and lead her over a small hill to some trees beside which flowed a stream. The driver and his aide followed, carrying a large blanket, two glasses and a bottle of champagne. The blanket was spread on the grass, the bottle was deposited in the stream to be chilled and the men disappeared over the hill, leaving the newlyweds alone.
"Chase, your mother will be furious with you."
"It won't be the first time." He reclined on the blanket, and held out his hand for her to join him.
"Do you know what your mother spent on this gown?" Anna protested. "It’s worth more than my entire wardrobe."
"So? It's not like you'll be needing it again."
"You want me to sit on the ground in it?"
"I'd rather have you out of it." His face smiled, but his eyes were serious. Anna sat carefully beside him. He pulled her over, and pressed his mouth hard on hers.
Anna thought he would never let her breathe again. Finally, she was able to break the kiss and sit up.
He grinned. "Good idea." He spoke more to himself than to her. He sat up, and reached for the buttons on the back of her gown.
"What are you doing? What about those men?" Anna glanced toward the hill, and hoped to be interrupted.
"They've been well paid and have better things to do than watch what we’re doing. Don't worry, they're watching for intruders. No one will interrupt us here." He continued to unfasten the buttons. "Must be ever so careful with these things. I wouldn’t want Mother to know I already opened my present before the reception."
"You've been here before. As a matter of fact, you described it in the coach." Anna tried to hold the bodice of her gown up as it fell loose.
"Yes, I love this place. I come here to think. It's quiet, peaceful and, most of all, private." Chase carried on with what he was doing, oblivious to the fact that Anna was opposed to the idea. "This is where I wanted to bring you many times before and you wouldn't allow it. Today, you can't refuse me." His smile turned evil as the last button was undone.
"Here?" Anna protested as she belatedly realized what he proposed to do.
"Here," he stated flatly, and rose to his knees. "Now—Mrs. Trent." He removed his coat and unfastened the cummerbund. He pronounced her new name as if it were a death sentence. There was no tenderness in his voice. It was a command, not a request. It was now his right. Chase would have his way, finally, regardless of what Anna wanted.
"Come now, this will only hurt for a moment—maybe two. I promise you." He laughed.
* * * *
Anna's body felt bruised as she accepted the glass of champagne he offered. She’d never indulged in alcohol before but she swallowed it as she wished for any comfort from the shame she felt.
"Better not drink too fast, my dear. We wouldn't want you to become ill at the reception." Chase knelt behind her, and fastened the last button on her gown. He kissed her neck. She shuddered. "Are you cold?" He picked up his coat, and pulled it on in one smooth motion.
"No. Not at all. The champagne, I guess." Anna wanted to cry. She wanted the sun to fade and the birds that sang overhead to fall dead into silence. She wanted an icy wind to blow to match her husband's heart. She wanted the entire experience to go away, taking with it the horrid pain and memory of it. There was no love in him. There was none of the tenderness she expected at his hands. She focused on his face as he sat down. Anna tried to smile, knowing he would expect her to be pleased as well. "Nerves or whatever brides are supposed to suffer from, I suppose."
"We’ll get you to the reception and feed you some of the wonderful food my mother has planned for us." He bounced to his feet, well pleased with himself. He held out his hand. Anna allowed him to pull her to her feet and he smoothed her skirts so she would look presentable. He touched up her hair in several places, tried to tame it, frowned and cocked his head. He pulled the combs out and let her tresses tumble around her shoulders. "This is it. This is how I want to see your hair from now on, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Anna agreed, respectful.
"If anyone at the reception says anything about it, tell them I said so."
"Yes, sir."
"For goodness sakes, Anna, try to look happy. You are the bride. This is the happiest day of your life, remember?" Chase took her hand, and led her to the coach. The two men scrambled down the hill to retrieve the blanket, champagne and one glass. The other glass was firmly in Anna's hand where it remained for the better part of the day. She could not get enough to wash away the sorrow and the horror. If this was the price she had to pay, she had paid it, in full. Now she would collect what she was owed. Anna Scott Trent felt she had earned her new station in life.
* * * *
Anna sat quietly at the bridal table most of the evening and sipped champagne while her new husband drank heavily and brought each of his friends and business acquaintances to survey his new prize. One by one, she met them. She smiled, was cordial, even entertaining. Chase was proud of her. It counted as something of a relief on this day of unexpected disappointments. When he staggered up with Colin in tow, Anna could barely hide her joy. Colin looked down at her, pride in his eyes.
"Permit me?" Colin asked of Chase.
Chase waved an unsteady hand in Anna's direction. "Colin Marsec, this is my bride, Mrs. Anna Trent."
Colin took her hand and kissed it. Then, unnoticed by Chase, he winked. "I am most honored to meet you, Mrs. Trent. Chase is a lucky man."
"Thank you, sir." Anna felt secure with Colin there. She wanted so much to tell him what had happened, but the thought of it shamed her. Besides, would he understand what she felt? Had he treated Elaine the same way? No. Anna couldn't believe him capable of such unfeeling selfishness. "Have you known my husband long, sir?"
"No, only a few weeks, but I think we have come to be the best of friends." The smile never left his face.
As the night progressed, Chase drank more and Colin gravitated to Anna's table where she was surrounded by a small group of friends. She introduced him as a friend of her husband to keep up appearances. Leslie was the only one who knew Colin other than Mr. and Mrs. Scott. Anna told Leslie to keep quiet. Mr. Scott had drunk his fill and Mrs. Scott took him home, happy and bellowing. No one else knew of Colin or of his disgrace, a satisfying thought on this day of dissatisfaction.
When it was time to leave, Anna regretted she was not able to acknowledge her old friend. As the new Mr. and Mrs. Chase Trent were driven away, Anna saw Colin's lonely face as he stood among those outside to see them off.
Soon, too soon, it was over. Chase and Anna were driven to their new home to begin their life as man and wife. Anna dreaded a re-enactment of the events played out earlier as they came to their new home.
"Shaw, my good man," Chase slurred as he nearly fell out of the coach. Shaw, apparently a family employee, simply took Chase by the arm and helped him stand upright. Once he had Mr. Trent somewhat steady on his feet, he offered Anna his hand. Chase slapped his hand away and offered his unsteady help. Anna was surprised she safely disembarked. Chase pulled her up the steps to the front door that stood open to receive them. Inside the entry hall, five ladies were in a line dressed in crisp gray and white uniforms. Chase introduced each as they entered.
"Mrs. Trent, this is Mrs. Weathers, Mrs. Henderson, Michelle, Liza, and Theresa. Anna, you will learn who all of the servants are, their names and what their responsibilities are. You can begin tomorrow. First, we have more important things to attend to." He dragged her by the arm across the entry and up the staircase.
The upstairs hall ran from the front of the house to the back with a window at each end. There were four closed doors to the left of the landing and to the right double doors stood open to reveal the master suite. The bed was huge, the largest one Anna had ever seen. It was made of dark mahogany, and the coverings and drapes in the room were white and golden brocade. A satin dressing gown lay on the foot of the bed along with a pair of pajamas.
There was a fireplace on the far wall and a large window that looked over the front garden. Two winged back chairs, separated by a small table, faced the fireplace. A carpet of floral design covered the polished wood floor between the doors and the bed.
Anna went to the window and looked down on Shaw. He and the coachmen talked together as they retrieved gifts from the coach. She prayed the men said nothing to Shaw of the events of the day. She couldn't face him if she thought he knew what Chase had done.
The slam of the doors interrupted her thoughts. Anna turned to see Chase lean his back against the doors. He smiled at her as he turned the key in the lock and tossed it toward the nightstand. He missed. The key skittered across the wood floor under the bed. Pulling off his jacket, he dropped it where he stood and pushed off from the doors to stagger toward the bed.
Chase tossed back the covers on the bed, flinging the dressing gown and pajamas to the floor, before he continued on toward Anna, one hand opening the neck of his shirt. He held out the other hand and Anna took it. She silently prayed this time he would be more tender, more loving and gentle. He jerked her toward the bed, spun her around, and attacked the buttons once more. The first two opened easily, the third gave resistance.
Anna was sickened by the sound of ripping, followed by a few pearl buttons scattered in all directions. Chase was determined to remove the gown. He spun Anna around, grasped the bodice at her neck, and pulled it roughly from her shoulders.
"Chase," Anna finally said, "let me do this." If she did not, there would be nothing left of her gown.
"All right, Anna. Entertain me." Chase slid back on the bed, leaned against the tremendous bolsters at the headboard, watching as his bride opened the remaining buttons and slipped the sleeves from her arms. The gown dropped to the floor. She pushed back the wild tresses of hair as she tried to offer what he wanted to see. Ignorant of such things, she simply took her time, and undressed slowly, layer by layer.
Before she finished, Chase slipped into a drunken sleep, his chin sagging to his chest. Anna thanked the Lord for it. Retrieving it from the floor, she pulled on the dressing gown, and secured it before she pulled the covers up over her sleeping husband. She straightened her gown and draped it across the back of one chair.
Anna turned the other chair toward the window, watched outside, and waited for the sunrise.
* * * *
Mrs. Weathers was the housekeeper. She was a kindly lady, her husband having passed away some years before. She had worked for the senior Trent family for many years and was pleased to be passed along to the next generation. She was heavyset with gray hair pulled back into a knot at the back of her neck. She was almost like a mother to Anna, but always respectful.
Michelle was terribly young. She came from a poor family who needed money. She was a hard worker, careful to make sure all was done well and everyone was happy with her. She often reminded Anna of a timid mouse. She would huddle in a corner when things became too loud for her. She had soft brown hair she kept braided around her head and what Mrs. Scott had called doe eyes. She was always eager to please and was the perfect lady’s maid.
Roscoe Shaw was the coachman and general handyman. He was a strong Irishman, with red hair and muscle. He could control any animal with ease and could lift any weight put before him. He was a faithful employee, and worked hard around the estate. Anna could tell he took a protective liking to young Michelle.
He was often found nearby when she went out in town or even on the grounds. He was a kind man.
Mrs. Henderson was the cook, and Liza and Theresa rushed madly about the house to clean, polish, and dust.
Anna found it fairly easy to blend into her new life. The newlyweds spent the first month of marriage traipsing all over England and France enjoying their honeymoon. Unfortunately, all she could really remember of it was the continuation of her husband’s uncaring ways and physical abuse. She did learn the value of strong drink during those days. She was ever so happy when they finally arrived home.
Chase would leave in the morning and be gone all day as he ran the shipping business with his father. Anna would sit here and there around the house, embroider, read, and go shopping, entertain friends and attend social gatherings.
They would give dinner parties that included business associates. Unfortunately, Anna would invariably do something that would embarrass Chase before his friends. She had difficulty being the proper wife he expected her to be. She never stopped trying. If she could not handle the servants, Chase would say, Anna should probably be sent to a finishing school for proper training. Anna would apologize and excuse herself to her room for the night.
By the end of the first year, Chase installed himself in one of the bedrooms next to the back stairs to the kitchen. He only came to Anna's room on rare occasions, usually in a drunken, desirous state.
The first year passed so quickly, Anna hardly realized it had.
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.
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© 2008 Jena Galifany/Marge Conrad
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