Unworthy (24 page)

     “You must be Grace. I’ve heard so much about you.” And she gives me a firm handshake as I try to get rid of my own fear and hatred.

     “Yes, that’s me. It’s nice to meet you.”

     “I must say you are just as Samuel described you. Beautiful.” Without being able to control myself I can feel my face blush at the thought that Samuel thinks I’m beautiful. Me. Me, the fat and shy Grace Ford, is described as beautiful in the eyes of The Samuel Harding. He’s just being nice; he wanted me in his bed, as another conquest and I allowed him to do it. He could never think of me as anything else no matter how much I love him he will never feel the same about me and I was too stupid to walk away.

     “I’ve brought a selection with me, why don’t we have a look through them.” The woman says as someone else comes through the door pulling a clothes rail with her. As I take a look they are all beautifully packaged, but you can see the beauty that lies beneath the clothes bags. The two women start to unzip the bags and all too soon I am greeted by an array of different colors and shapes of cloth that take my breath away. I have never been one for fancy clothing, maybe it is because I simply can’t afford them, but as I go through each dress, look and feel what is on offer I fall in love. That soon vanishes as I realize there is nothing here that would be suitable for me. The two ladies show me different dresses, putting them up against my frame, but nothing seems to shout out at me. They all seem far too sophisticated for little old me, but just as I am starting to lose all hope I come across a dress that looks perfect.  The two women push me into the bedroom and as I put the dress on the silk slips across my skin and the dark color is perfect.  I open the door and am greeted by two smiley faces.

     “My work here is done. Simply perfect.”

     “Are you sure?” I ask. I could feel like Cinderella, but I want to make sure that it’s not just me thinking I could look like I belong.

     Half an hour later I am told to take a shower with a mysterious bottle so that I am all ready for my next stage of transformation. Samuel trusts this woman so I trust her as well. I take my time as I lather my body with the moisturizing foam which smells of strawberries and after I dry my wet body I notice how soft my skin feels. I wrap up in my robe and as I step through into the dining room I am greeted by one familiar face and two new ones.

     “Grace, these are my collogues and they have come to do your hair and makeup. I’ll be back in an hour or so to help you get dressed. You’re going to look so beautiful.” I can feel the blush heat up my face, but I manage to say thank-you. As soon as the first lady has left the other two start with my nails and face and soon after my face is applied with too many products, I can’t keep count. True to her word, just as the other two are finishing the first lady comes back and as she approaches I can hear her talking to Samuel.

     “Thank-you for all your help.”

     “She’ll love them, Mr. Harding. I hope you have a great evening.”

As the door is opened I try to see him, but he has already walked away. I turn to look at her and she gives me a smile.

     “You look so beautiful, just as I thought.” The hairdresser adds some finishing touches to my hair and then I watch as the two women walk away.

     “Mr. Harding thought you may be getting a little nervous so he asked me to give you this.” She moves an arm away from her back to reveal a single red rose and a card. With shaky fingers I take the rose and note and I am overwhelmed by the rose’s strong scent. I open the note and am greeted by his masculine handwriting.

Please don’t be nervous.

You’ll be perfect,

Just as you are perfect to me. Xx

     Perfect to me. I can’t help, but keep looking back at those words.

Is it possible that Samuel thinks I am perfect? I can’t help, but hope that that could be the case.

I am helped into the beautiful gown and shoes and the woman who has been so nice to me leaves me to my fate. I can hear Samuel out in the hallway finishing getting ready just as I take a last look at the woman staring back at me in the mirror. The dress fits my frame perfectly and the shoes give me just a little height without making me feel uneasy on my feet. My hair is in a half-up half-down do with soft curls falling down the plain back while my makeup looks natural yet sophisticated with just enough to make my eyes appear larger and full of life. As I take one last look I wish my mother could be here to see her unwanted daughter look so good, but she isn’t here and Samuel is so I decide to just get on with it.  As I walk out to meet him I am left speechless as I see him in his tux. I thought the man looked good in a suit, but the vision before me is better if that is even possible. I see his whole face light up as he turns around and sees me all done up for the first time and my heart melts.

     “You look amazing.” He steps towards me as I see him pull a small box from his jacket pocket.

     “But you need one extra thing to go with it.” He steps up in front of me just as he opens the box and all I can see is a matching gold, grey pearl necklace and earrings set. They look so delicate and beautiful that I know they will go so well with the dress. I watch as he takes the necklace out of its box and unclasps it and puts it around my neck. As his fingers graze the sensitive skin I can feel my skin fire up with the heat of his fingers and his cool breath. Once the necklace is secure I feel his hands move down my chest and to my stomach where they settle, keeping me close to his body as he leans in.

     “You’re so beautiful and all mine. Never forget that, Grace.” I feel him leave a small kiss just below my left ear and I can’t help, but give a moan at his touch.

     “Not enough time, let’s go.” And he takes a hold of my hand and pulls me to the door.

     “Bastard.” I can’t help, but mutter and I’m sure I can see him smile.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

GRACE

Once in the limo we head north to his parents’ estate.

We reach the grand gate forty minutes into the journey and once again I am left speechless by the beauty of Samuel’s childhood home. It looks even more beautiful in the twilight with the light glow of candles leading the way to the house. We pull up to the driveway and I can see the driver step out and go towards Samuel’s door.

     “You look simply beautiful. Are you ready to enter my world?” I can see he looks concerned as he says the words, I feel almost concerned as well, but as Mr. Harding’s assistant I have to do this.  I could never be anything else, I’m not worthy enough and I know it.

     “Y…yes.” He continues to watch me and as he looks into my eyes I can see the corner of his lips curve up into a smile.

     “You’ll be fine. I’ll be right there with you.” And he places a kiss on my head just as his door opens and we are met by the warm air. Samuel takes my hand and we step out of the car and I follow as he leads me through to the rear of the property. There are little tea lights on the ground showing people the way to the party and I am overcome by how many people are here as we walk further into the grounds. The men are all in tuxedoes and the women all wear the most beautiful gowns I have ever seen. Some people I recognize from magazines back home but others I have no clue, but it is apparent that everyone here is of a certain high standing, here in the States. I can feel my breathing coming in quicker as I take in all the high people and release I shouldn’t be here. Samuel must sense my panic as I feel his hand leave mine and then graze around my shoulder giving me some much-needed protection. I feel way out of depth and if I go any further I will drown from my own depth of despair.

     “Just breathe and try to relax.” He whispers to me as he leads me around the corner to where all the guests seem to be chatting amongst themselves and we are greeted by two enormous tents which are linked together as one. A young gentleman comes to us in a suit and offers us each a glass of champagne. I gladly take it and as I take a sip the bubbles dance on my tongue and the cool liquid is almost refreshing as it goes down my throat.  With his arm nestled safely around my waist Samuel introduces me to an array of different people, some are friends of the family, but mostly they appear to be the odd actor, musically talented or the CEO of other businesses the aspire to be as powerful as the Harding company. Everyone appears to be kind and friendly, but the lavish scale of this event can’t take me away from my thoughts of not belonging here. The champagne continues to flow nicely and I can’t help, but hope that dinner will be served soon.

     “Samuel, Grace, you came.” We both turn around and are greeted by one of Samuels’s sisters, I think, if I remember correctly, that her name is Kimberley. She’s dressed in a beautiful sleeveless dark blue gown that fits her slim figure perfectly, she looks beautiful. She greets us both with a kiss on the cheek and I can feel her watch me.

     “Oh, the two of you make such a lovely couple.”

     “I don’t know about me, but Grace does look stunning.” I can feel Samuel bestow another kiss on my head as he smiles down at me.

     “What do you think of the place, Grace?” Kimberly asks me.

     “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Maybe that is why I feel so uncomfortable because I have never been to something like this before and so feel so out of my comfort zone. Kimberly smiles at me and then looks to her brother when she says

     “They will announce dinner shortly.” Again she looks at me.

     “We are all sat together and you will get to meet our grandparents. They’re so excited to meet you, Grace. Samuel has never brought anyone to one of these before.” Samuel gives his sister a look, but she is unaffected as she continues.

     “He’s never brought anyone home before to be truthful.”

     “Thank you, sis. I’m sure Grace doesn’t need to know all that.” With his arm still around my middle Samuel takes me away from his sister muttering to himself as he does so.

     “She’s right, you know.” He turns to look at me.

     “What?” I say as I watch him taking me all in, undressing me like he always does with those eyes of his and I can’t believe I have allowed him to actually see what lies beneath. I shudder at my stupidity, but he seems to be unaffected as he watches me.

     “You’re the only woman I have brought home. You’re the only woman I have had so many firsts with.” He places a finger to my face and lightly touches around my lips and then my cheeks as he looks deep into my eyes. I can feel his need to say something else to me and I hope to God that it’s not the same thoughts that I have been feeling for him recently, because nothing good ever comes from getting too close to someone. I have already let him in too deep and I can only hope I won’t burn in the aftermath which I am sure will follow.

     “Ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to go over to the West Tent your dinner will be served shortly.”  The two of us watch as the crowd of people make their way to the tents.

     “Come.” There’s that word again and its effects are still as powerful as the first time he spoke them to me. Samuel leads me through all the people and we make our way through the white tent. When we get inside I am blown away by what I see. The inside of the tents are simply stunning. There are two beautiful chandeliers that leave an array of beautiful colors over the white of the room. There are so many tables all scattered around the tent in an almost diamond-like shape with a large platform at the front where I assume the auction will take place. The tables and seats are all covered with white linen that shows off the effects from the chandeliers, giving such a beautiful vision. Everyone stands by the seating plan to find their allocated table and Samuel soon takes me off to a table near the front. His family are already there when we get there and I am introduced to everyone again and it’s remarkable how much I feel like I am a member of this family. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it feels like I have known everyone for as long as I have lived, that they are all a part of me and I of them. As we take our seats I notice that there are two empty seats and out of the corner of my eye I see an older couple reach our table. Samuel’s father stands up and beckons the older couple over.

     “Grace, I would like to introduce you to my parents.” The older couple look towards me and the woman looks toward Samuel and then back to me again with a big smile. She begins to hold out her hand to me as she says.