Page 21 of A Seductive Beauty
“My what?” I stammer.
“Your betrothed.” My mum smiles.
I feel Moira’s hand on my arm, and it keeps me partially calm.
“I’m not sure what Patrick has told you, but we are not engaged, intended, or even dating. He was just a friend.” I don’t say more because I don’t want to give my parents any more ammunition against me.
“Don’t be foolish, Fiona. Patrick came and asked for your hand like a proper gentleman.” My mother reaches out and grips my other arm, her nails digging into my flesh. “Come with me.” She pulls me away from Moira and guides me back into the hall. She closes the door on Moira when she tries to follow us.
“Mum, I’m not even dating that man. I won’t marry him.”
“You listen here, you little spoiled brat, I won’t have you ruining this for your father and me. He wants to marry you and has a good job with lots of potential. You will stop this foolishness and marry like you were meant to. Quit this hobby you think is a job and come back home.”
I’ve had enough. I turn to see the butler making his way back toward us. I know he’s about to announce dinner, but I’m done.
“Please get my and my friend’s jackets, we will be leaving. Mother, thank you for the invite, but I will not quit my job and I won’t marry that man. He’s vile and rude. Plus, I don’t even like him like that.”
“Fiona, if you leave right now, you will regret it.” She threatens, but I’ve already turned my back on her and opened the drawing room door.
“Moira, we are leaving,” I tell her, and she nods, not even fazed that I’m upset.
“You won’t be using our car to leave,” my mother says from behind me.
“That’s okay, I’ve already got a lift on the way,” Moira says as she holds up her phone.
“Fiona, don’t you dare do this.” My mother threatens again, but I take the coats from the butler and slip mine back on.
“Mum, I was hoping this dinner was going to be a start, but I can see you haven’t changed your mind. Father, it was nice to see you, but my friend and I are leaving. I have an early shift tomorrow.”
“Fiona, I think it would be best if you stayed and heard what your parents have to say.” Patrick tries again to get close to me.
“I told you yesterday that I wasn’t interested in you. I told you not to come to the bakery anymore. Now I’m telling you to stay away from me.” I turn and walk outside. I know our ride isn’t here yet, but I’d rather take the snow than the ice-cold feeling of this house.
“I wonder why they think you’re engaged?” Moira says as we start down the long driveway toward the road. My feet are cold and my toes start to chill from the wet snow, but I won’t turn around. This is my life and I’ll choose who I marry and love.
We only have a short wait once we get out to the main road until the auto pulls up to take us back to town. By the time we get home, I’m tired and hungry. So when we step through the door, I only want to change into something comfy and make something to eat. Maybe I’ll order delivery instead.
“Hey, thought you were having dinner at your parents’ house?” Arianna says as she steps from the kitchen into the living room. I give her a half-smile. I don’t want to discuss what happened at my parents’ yet. I look at her five-foot-six slim build and perfect golden blonde hair and brown eyes, and I see the image of what my mum would be proud to call her daughter. Except for the fact she likes to work as a nurse, she’s what my mum wished I looked like.
“It didn’t happen, they only wanted to try to marry her off,” Moira says as I make my way up the stairs, ignoring the conversation.
I collapse on my bed and want to cry but the tears won’t come. I can’t be upset anymore. I knew they were up to something because they hadn’t tried to talk to me until now. With a big sigh, I stand up and change into a pair of leggings and a baggy T-shirt along with my favorite fleece lined fluffy slippers, then I make my way downstairs again.
“Let’s just order in instead of making something,” I say as I hit the bottom step. When no one answers me, I look over to see Arianna and Moira both staring at something.
“Crikey,” I exclaim when I see the note. It’s on the same paper as the others I’ve received.
“What is this, Fiona?” Moira shakes it at me. “It’s like the other one you got.”
“Is it? Let me see.” I try to play dumb, but she’s on to me.
“Have you got others?”
I avoid her eyes and try to reach for the note, but she pulls it back. Her hands go to her hips, crumpling the paper in her hand.
“Okay, I’ve gotten a few,” I admit.
“A few. How many is a few?”
