I took a deep breath as we walked in hearing the music stop then grip my uncle's arm as everyone stared at me. "It will be fine dear" "mostly everyone from town is here" "deep breaths love." "Where is my son?!" "where do you think sir, in the back" "that boy, make yourself at home Ember, I will be back with my so-called son" I nod feeling my heart beating "I need air" I run back out the door and lean against the wall putting my hand over my chest "Ember" "I can't do this uncle, I apologize, but I can't handle everyone looking at me" I felt a hand on my head then lookup "Ember please" "Francois?" "I apologize, Ember is freaking out" "I see well how about you go inside and I will have a talk with her" "if you insist, I will." My uncle goes inside as my future father in law came over to me "what is making you so scared dear?" "I-i'm not use to crowds" "I see, well how about I accompany you in and take you straight to my son, and I will make sure no one looks at you" "I-I don't know" "trust me, my dear."
I take a deep breath as we enter again but with my future father-in-law. My heart started racing but I just looked at the ground while I kept my head up straight. "Son your future wife is here" "well never thought I would meet you again Ember" I look up seeing James sitting down in a rustic-looking chair very laid back. "You've met already?" "Just a short meeting in the town father saved her from Grayson" "I see, well make yourself at home mademoiselle" James' father left leaving James and myself alone. "You're welcome to sit down" I nod and move over to another rustic-looking chair and sit down. "Never thought my father would pair me with such beauty" I smile at him then look over at my uncle chugging beer. "Uncle!" I get up but a hand grabs me, I look down seeing James holding onto my arm "let him drink Ember, and come sit with me" He smirks and gently pulls me into his lap "James can I sit in my own chair?" "why would you want to do that?" He smiles and runs his hands over my stomach to my hips "James I-I don't think we should do this here" "so?" "James boy, you treating my niece correctly?" "of course I am" "well since you two are having so much fun, I am just gonna head home" I get up but get pulled down "Ember how about you stay here for the night" "w-what, that's would be unnecessary, I don't even have my nightgown" "ah it will be fine, I will just send Sharon over" "uncle I am sure this is..." "you don't want to stay with little old me?" James wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my check "I mean, I don't think we would sleep in the same bed until we are married" "I am sure we have a spare bedroom for you" "then it's settled, I will send Sharon over with your things for the night" "but..." my uncle walked away before I could get another word out, and James went over and talked to his father "don't I get a say in this?"
I pace the room biting my thumbnail when there was a gentle knock on my door. I ran, opened the door and pulled Sharon in then closed the door. "You ok my dear" "no, I'm not ok, that James fellow isn't all wine and roses he's a poisoned wine with thorned roses" "well his father is a tricky short" "please get me out of this, say that I am suddenly ill" "they would just call for a doctor then Ember, he may be a rose with thorns but he's smart, and so are you" "what do you mean?" she smiles and leans in closer "if you are smart enough to sneak out of the house and go to the book shop, then your smart enough to get out of this tavern" I nod as she puts a bag on the bed "anyway I am off, see you tomorrow dear" she winks at me as she exits and I open the bag and see my cloak with a pair of boots, my everyday clothes, and nightgown. I take a deep breath and set my cloak on a hook nearby and my clothes on the dresser.
I sat on the bed reading when there was a knock on the door, I jumped, placing my book down "yes?" I look at my door seeing James enter just with a shirt and pants on. "Can I help you, James?" "Just wanted to see how you're doing" "I'm fine thanks" He smiles and gets in the bed, "I know how you feel about not sleeping together before marriage but could tonight be an exception?" He slides over to me and places his hand on my thigh. "Um I don't see why not, if it's just for tonight" I place his hand on the bed, I pick up my book going back to reading. A few minutes go by and James sighs "yes?" I look over at him "just thinking" I smile and place my book to the side "night" I blew out the candle. I closed my eyes but opened them again when I felt a hand trailing up my body. "James, what are you doing?" "I've been wanting to touch you since I saw you in the market, please just let me" "um..." I bite my lower lip feeling his hands on my body. "I-I don't know" I look up at him as he smirks at me "I don't feel comfortable with this" I look up at him "I think you should leave" "heh thought you would say that" He covers my mouth and tears my nightgown off, "I am afraid you have no choice."