Arranged (2 page)

She found her favorite tree and climbed up a few branches to where she was unseen, sitting comfortably against the trunk, letting her mind drift towards the clouds. This wasn't the first time she wondered what her life would have been like if her father were still alive.

Instead of feeling bad for herself, she thought ahead to when she would finally be allowed to live in her father's house. She would hire a nice staff, not like her uncle's. His maids were as stiff as he was. She could imagine shopping in the town, maybe finally traveling farther than London. She wouldn't have to study anything she didn't want to. All she did here was math, literature, piano lessons, French lessons, and etiquette. It never changed. Once she was free from all that, she planned to live her life the way she wished.

"Miss Alison?" A voice called.

She rolled her eyes. If they thought she was dumb enough to answer, they were surely mistaken.

"Miss Alison?" The voice called again. It sounded like one of Jackson's maids. "Your uncle wishes to see you."

Alison made herself comfortable in her tree. She knew she was rebelling, but she had good reason. She knew her uncle was only setting up the arranged marriage because he wanted to control her inheritance. If he chose her husband, Jackson could tell him what to do, where to invest
her
money.

The maid called a few more times then gave up. Alison didn't move from her post for about an hour before she decided she was in enough trouble.

As she peeked around the house, she found that the carriage was gone, which most likely meant that her suitor was also gone. She smiled to herself and straightened her dress before walking casually into the house.

Almost as soon as she entered the house, she was pounced on by an older maid. "Where have you been Madame?" She had stern lines written into her face. "The master wishes to see you."

Alison put a look of innocence on her face. "I went for a walk. What does he need?"

The maid eyed her suspiciously. "You were to meet young Mr. James Camden today."

Alison's eyes grew wide as she continued with her lies. "That was today?!"

"Yes," a deep, angry voice interrupted from the doorway to the study. The maid bowed her head and excused herself as Alison turned to face her uncle.

"I went for a−"

"Yes, I heard your excuse already," he said lowly. His eyes simmered with anger. "How dare you embarrass me like that."

"I don't know wh−"

"You knew very well that he was arriving today, and still you left."

Being caught in her lie, Alison lifted her chin. "I have already told you what I think of arranged suitors and marriages."

"And I do not see how your opinion matters. As long as you are living in my house, you will obey me without question," Jackson snarled. His face had taken on a red tint.

Alison grit her teeth.
How dare he try to control me like that.
"I will not! In a few months−" Her speech was cut off by the palm of his hand. She grabbed her cheek in surprise as she stared up at her uncle. His nostrils were flaring as he tried to regain control of himself.

"So long as you live in my house, you will obey me," he repeated dangerously. "Young Camden has come to woe you. I will not have you ruin that." He took a deep breath. Alison continued to stare up at him. He had never laid a hand on her before. She usually did pretty good to stay out of his way, but her rebellion was causing an extreme reaction from him.

"He is from a very important family," he continued. "You should be thankful that such a match was made," he said, trying to sooth his guilty conscience from hitting her. "Now go to your room and dress for dinner. I expect you to be kind to young Camden."

"He's still here?" she asked hesitantly, trying not to anger him anymore than she already had.

"Yes. I have invited him to stay for a week."

The color drained from her face as she lowered her eyes and nodded, playing the obedient child. She quickly turned and headed to her room.
A week?! How am I supposed to avoid him for a week?
And more over, she couldn't believe that Jackson had smacked her. Her father would never have hit her. Then again, her father would never make her do any of this.

She stalled for as long as she could. The maids had summoned her to dinner a while ago. She knew that if she waited any longer, her uncle would come for her and who knew what he would do.

So, with a deep breath, she opened the door to the dining room. Both men present stood as she walked in.

Her eyes brushed over her uncle, who looked slightly annoyed, then drifted to James Camden. Everyone called him the young Camden because he was the youngest of six boys; however, he was a good five years older than Alison.

He rushed forward to pull out her chair, staring at her. She looked away awkwardly. "Thank you."

He took his seat again, and Alison got a good look at him. James had dark blonde hair, brown eyes, and a nose that didn't quite fit his face. He had a nice smile, but something else was off; the smile didn't make it to his eyes. He wasn't ugly, but she still didn't want to marry him.

The dinner was served and an awkward silence hung in the air. The only constant sound was silverware against plates. Alison was used to silence. She had dinner with her uncle every night, and he hardly said a word to her. But this dinner was so much different. James had not taken his eyes from her since she had entered. Every time she glanced up, he was staring at her with appreciation and wonder.

Alison had dark red hair, something she inherited from her mother, green eyes, from her father, and pale skin that looked like porcelain. When she was younger, people would ask to paint her, insisting that she looked just like a porcelain doll.

Now, at the age of 17, she had grown into a beautiful woman. Since Jackson had no idea what to do with a young woman, Grandmother Dorothy had taken it upon herself to keep Alison up on the latest fashion. Alison never cared for the big frilly dresses everyone seemed so fond of. She would prefer a simple, comfortable dress. She only wore the big ones when her grandmother was around, or when guests were here.

Tonight was one of the nights that she'd dressed up. She smoothed her dress, shifting nervously under his gaze. Finally, Jackson cleared his throat. "James, I hope the meal is to your satisfaction."

James ripped his eyes from the pale beauty and turned to Jackson. "Yes. It is delicious."

"Very good," Jackson said, taking a drink. "How is your aim?"

"Excuse me sir?"

"Your aim. Do you like to hunt?"

James smiled, again the happiness not reaching his eyes. "Yes sir, very much. My aim is fair enough to pierce the heart of my prey," he said, turning back to Alison.

The flirt was uncalled for and she felt like sneering, but she held it in.

"Excellent!" Jackson continued. "I know that the two of you will want to spend as much time together as possible to get to know each other and such," he said. James' smile grew. "So I will not insist that we go hunting until Wednesday."

Alison stared down into her potatoes. She didn't want to spend time with him.

The men talked more about hunting. She, however, tuned it all out. She hated the thought of hurting animals merely for sport. She loved nature and everything that came with it.

"Will you watch, Miss Alison?" James asked, leaning forward.

Jackson chuckled; she'd never seen her uncle so social before. "Of course she won't. She can't stomach the violence," he said, as if the thought were ridiculous.

James frowned slightly at Alison before turning back to her uncle. "I know many women that can't."

Again, they went back to talking with each other. It seemed that she didn't even need to answer for herself. "Please excuse me," she said softly.

They both stood. "You cannot retire yet. I have scheduled for you two to have dessert in the study," Jackson said.

Alison groaned inwardly.
It has begun.

James watched Alison force a smile onto her face before she moved to leave. "I only wish to freshen up."

His eyes remained glued to her as she walked by, her fragrance tickling his nose. She was a fine prize to be won. She was beautiful, but lacked some social skills; something he could easily take care of. He settled back in his chair, turning to Jackson. "She's talkative," he said sarcastically.

The older man shook his head. "Give it time. She'll warm up to you."

Alison quickly made her way to the powder room, shutting and locking the door behind her. It looked as if her uncle was not going to make this easy for her. She had a feeling that the next week was going to be filled with numerous plans that involved only James and her and that they would be impossible to get out of.

She walked over to the mirror, studying her face. Her eyes look strained. She couldn't blame herself. James and Jackson were going to be the death of her, she could feel it.

Maybe he won't be that bad,
she thought. But she quickly dashed that thought away. Whoever her uncle chose was bound to be bad.

There was a knock, "Alison?" It was Jackson.

"Coming," she said loudly, quickly opening the door.

He smiled tensely at her. "Is everything alright?"

She nodded, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Good. You will join young Camden in the study," he glared at her in warning. "Be kind."

"Uncle, aren't I always?" She asked, somewhat in challenge.

He didn't answer, however, he did follow her all the way to the study, no doubt suspecting her to run again. He had good reason to, she would have.

James stood as Alison entered. He smiled, setting down his drink on the side table. Jackson left as soon as she was safely in the room.

"I thought we could sit by the fire," he said, motioning toward the seat across from where he was.

She shook her head. "I would prefer to sit on the deck."

He frowned at her statement, "It's dark outside, and I think it would be best if we stay inside."

"But it's nice out."

"We stay in," he said firmly, quickly covering his harsh voice with a smile. Alison sat, studying him. It was obvious that he had an underlying temper. He sat in the sofa chair, across from her. "So, uh…Jackson tells me that you are quite fond of the woods."

She nodded, "It's quiet and free there."

"Free?" he asked, picking his drink back up and studying her over the rim.

She clasped her hands nervously in her lap. "Sometimes it's just nice to get away from the world."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. I find a life of business fascinating. You should not take your privileged life for granted."

She furrowed her brows. "You do not even know me. I do not take it for granted; I only wish to be alone sometimes."

He shook his head. His whole demeanor had changed from the dinner table where he seemed almost shy. Now it was as though he thought he were talking to a child. "When we are wed, my sisters wish to have tea with you, as does my mother. I am afraid that your life of solitude is about to end," he chuckled to himself.

She glared into the fireplace that had no fire going.
How dare he come here and try to change me.
"Is it not my choice whether to entertain them or not?"

He raised a brow, "Well of course you will have tea with them. It is the proper thing to do."

"Pardon me, but I prefer to make up my own mind. I do not care what the town thinks."

He set his drink down, watching her carefully. "Let's calm ourselves. I never meant to make you do anything you didn't want to do…It would mean a lot to me if you would have tea with my mother and sisters. They are excited at the notion of gaining a new woman in the family."

He changed like the wind. But one thing was for sure, he liked to be in control of the situation. He smiled at her, showing his straight teeth. She nodded to him, turning her gaze back to the fire.

"So, where do you go when you are in the woods?"

She shrugged and his smile died a notch. "Everywhere. There is a lake not too far from the manor. On sunny days I like to go there."

"Alone?"

"I can take care of myself."

His smile died completely. "I do not like the idea of you out there alone."

He was getting defensive again, and the tension in the room was making her become defensive in return. "I have been doing it for years. There is hardly a tree in the woods that I don't know."

He eyed her curiously. "You would rather spend time in the woods than with women?"

She thought through her answer for a moment. "There are not many women that come to the manor."

"And in the town?"

"I am usually not allowed to go into town."

He shook his head. "That will all change when I am your husband."

Her heart picked up.
Husband.
The title seemed so final. She didn't want him, especially now that she knew something about his character. Her teachers always told her that first impressions were everything and he just blew his.