Although Elizabeth did not feel comfortable with any of his affluent choices, her father was adamant about getting her married off to one of them. She blurted out that she would want to marry the first man she saw out of frustration. She instantly regretted what she had spoken, seeing how foolish her choice had been, as that stranger showed there. Elizabeth was standing in the opulent, dazzling estate as the sound of inane chatter filled the air along with the quiet clink of champagne glasses. Men and women in beautiful clothing filled the room; their laughing was hollow and their smiles trained and polished. She felt her stomach turn over at how fake it all was. These people were everything she hated—perfectly presented, shallow in their speech.
Richard, her father, blended in perfectly—always self-assured and relaxed. She looked up at him, perplexed as to how they could be so dissimilar. Rather than dressing in gowns and pearls, Elizabeth’s thoughts drifted back to her early years, when she used to laugh and run around in the yard barefoot with the gardener’s son. She let out a deep sigh. Richard suddenly moved closer, a man standing next to him. Richard grinned and smiled as he stepped closer to Elizabeth, dear. “I stopped by to visit with you. You appeared disinterested.” He gestured to the tall, well-dressed man standing next to him.
Elizabeth put up a false smile and held out her hand. She said, “Hello,” anticipating a handshake. Rather, he took her hand and planted a kiss on it. Elizabeth’s fingers jerked back, concealing her annoyance as she felt her stomach twist. “This is Tom,” Richard declared with pride. “He is a big business owner. You two seem like a wonderful relationship to me.” Blinking, Elizabeth wondered if she had heard correctly. “What?” she inquired, shifting her gaze from Tom to her dad. Richard paid no attention to her perplexity. “Pardon us,” he said to Tom as he led Elizabeth a little distance away. Although he spoke softly, his remarks were incisive. “I already told you. To receive your inheritance, you must get married. It does not get any younger. Grandchildren are what I want.”
Heart pounding, Elizabeth fixed her gaze on him. “Marriage? I am only 23 years old! And he is only forty years old?” Richard calmly let out a sigh. “Avoid creating a fuss. Tom is a decent man. He is just thirty-six.” Elizabeth gave a headshake. “A decent man? His business was sued for discharging toxins into the atmosphere.” Richard gave a nonchalant shrug. “There is nobody perfect.” Elizabeth squinted her eyes. “I would not mind marrying the first man I meet over any one you choose.” Richard grinned. “I want to watch that,”
Next, observe!” With her father trailing closely after, Elizabeth lost control, pivoted on her heel, and hurried outside. Elizabeth felt the cool night air brush across her face as she dashed past the estate gates, her heart pounding. She could still hear her father walking steadily behind her at all times. She could not stay where she was; she had no idea where she was heading. A young man approximately her age emerged as she hurried along the road. His hands were rough and callused, his clothes were worn, and his shoes were scuffed from hard work.