'She's beautiful, and therefore to be wooed; She is a woman, and therefore to be won.' - William Shakespeare
Cotswolds, England: 1811
Blossom St. Claire sat down at her vanity mirror, while her sister helped to style her hair. Anna brushed her hair backwards, and then braided it round like a crown. Though, she made a poor job of it.
"Is it to your liking?" Anna asked Blossom, hoping to get praises for her work well done; her hands were clasped and her eyes big, as she looked at Blossom in the mirror expectantly.
"Yes. Yes it is indeed. You did a wonderful job." Blossom smiled, and then tried not to flinch at the reflection her poorly dressed hair presented. The St. Claires were impoverished; they could not afford common handmaids. So Blossom and Anna dressed themselves in turns.
Anna smiled big in return. Her face looked almost comical with that grin. Standing up, Anna helped Blossom to don one of her best day gowns. The gown was of a deep coral colour; it brought out the brilliance of her eyes. The coral cotton of the gown, fit her figure like a glove with its full skirts.
Blossom will be introduced to her betrothed today. Charles Phillips Esq. He is a wealthy, country gentleman that papa had promised her to. He was the only hope for her family's financial crisis. Looking at her self in the mirror, and taking satisfaction, Blossom turned to Anna.
"Do I appear presentable?" Blossom asked.
"Yes! You look most positively radiant in that coral dress! I'm sure Mr. Phillips will be dazzled." Anna said excitedly, then with a dreamy look on her face.
"Surely you exaggerate." Blossom chided as she smiled at her sister. Anna. Silly, silly Anna.
"I do not!" Anna pouted. "I'm sure mama will agree with me."
"I do not dispute you, Anna."
"Oh! I should go and give mama a hand in the kitchen." Anna exclaimed and quickly left the room.
Shaking her head at her Anna, she sat down and expelled a long breath. Any moment from now and Mr. Phillips would be here. She squared her shoulders, gathering courage. She must be brave. It is for her family that she must be on her best behaviour.
Though, a small part of her hoped that Mr. Phillips would be young and handsome. She'd heard he was an old man without any wife or sons to sire. Blossom had always dreamed of marrying a handsome young man, who would sweep her off her feet. But, the crushing realization of reality shattered her dreams.
The door was suddenly wrenched open, breaking into her thoughts, making Blossom jump. It was Anna.
"Blossom, Mr. Phillips is here!" Anna said in a rush, standing in the doorway. "Everybody is downstairs seated, waiting for you."
"I'm coming." Blossom said. She expelled a long breath, squared her shoulders once again and gathered resolve. Anna looked at her with concern on her face. Walking towards the door, Blossom followed Anna out, closing it.
Charles Phillips Esq. sat on a sofa beside her father, conversing. Blossom descended the stairs with dignified elegance. Noting her prescence, the two men stood up.
"Charles Phillips Esq., this is my beautiful daughter, Blossom." Angus beamed with pride as he said so.
"And Blossom," he continued, "This is Charles Phillips Esq." Angus introduced, gesturing towards Charles.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir." Blossom greeted as she courtsied.
"And I, you." Charles took her small hand in his big, rough ones, and layed a sloppy kiss on her knuckles. Blossom barely suppressed a shudder.
Charles was a fat, paunchy old man. His beards were long and grey; they filled the lower part of his face. His hair too, was grey and, so were his eyebrows and moustache. His small, beady black eyes looked at Blossom greedily. Blossom concluded there and then that, she didn't like Mr. Phillips very much.
Mrs. St. Claire entered, bearing a tray of tea and freshly baked biscuits. Anna rushed to help mother, and set the tray infront of Mr. Phillips.
"Thank you Mrs. St. Claire. You shouldn't have." Charles smiled at mama. He used his handkerchief to wipe the sweat, from his face.
"It's no trouble at all, Mr. Phillips." Clara replied, smiling back politely.
"Blossom, why don't you sit by Mr. Phillips'?" Angus mentioned, motioning to her with his eyes, to do as he just instructed. Blossom nodded and reluctantly sat beside Charles. The two men began discussing the engagement while Blossom's mind wandered. She was jolted back to the present by the occassional brush of Charles' elbow on her waist.
Clara and Anna were not in the living room. They were probably in the kitchen peeking and chattering. Blossom felt alone; she felt like a lamb in a wolf's clutches.
Sometimes, when Charles thinks that Angus isn't looking, he would run his hand roughly on Blossom's arm suggestively. Blossom felt like she wanted to bolt out of the drawing room and lock herself in her bedroom.
She felt sickened, at Charles and at the horrible, horrible realization. She would be stuck in marriage to this man, for the rest of her life! Blossom didn't even want to imagine it. Just when she thought she couldn't possibly stand any of this, her father from his seats Charles struggled to rise up also, but his pudgy self made it a harrowing feat. Her head swirling with worry, she stood up also.
"It's an honour once again to have you as a guest." Angus said as he shook Charles' hand.
"It's no trouble at all." Charles replied smiling, returning the handshake. He took Blossom by the arm, putting her hand by the nook of his own. "I should like it very much, if your daughter can escort me out. I hope that wouldn't be a problem?"
"No, not at all." Angus shook his head. "Go right ahead."
Blossom felt very unhappy that her father will sell her out to this uncouth esquire. Papa seemed to pretend that he didn't notice his advances on her. Her palms suddenly felt sweaty and she was nervous about being alone with Charles. As they were exiting the door, Angus quickly took Blossom to the side.
"Be on your best behaviour and do not ruin this. Remember, it is our only chance out of our financial strait." He said, with a stern look on his face. His eyes were cold and his mouth, a drawn thin line. Blossom gulped in fear.
"I will not disappoint you, papa." Blossom answered in a small voice.
"Good. Off with you then." He patted her back. The Good Lord save her from the clutches of this marriage.