The Girl Without a Name

by Rachel Burns

  “Boys, I want the grounds cleared up. Not even one leaf should be lying around. Trim the hedges and make this place look immaculate. Go now.”

  We scrambled off. Charlotte was overjoyed. This was the first time that anyone had ever come to look at her. Daddy had been gone last week looking at a girl for Shane. He didn’t like her. That happened too.

  The next afternoon, we stood ready to meet the parents. They came in and greeted Daddy. Then Daddy introduced them to Charlotte.

  Charlotte was so nervous that she started to giggle. Once she started, she couldn’t stop. The parents were insulted.

  Daddy laid his hand on Charlotte’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze that made her stop. She was so nervous that she could hardly speak.

  They asked her questions that she was either too nervous to answer, or she didn’t know the answer to. She started to cry, knowing that she had failed.

  I stepped forward and gave her a hug. “Charlotte is very nervous. She wanted to impress you so much that she can’t find her tongue.” I explained to them.

  “I doubt that’s the problem. Shall we stay to eat?” The mother looked at her husband. “Or should we leave?” she asked him.

  I walked over to her and linked my arm in hers. “I think sharing a meal is the perfect way to relax and get to know someone. I’m sure once you get to know how wonderful Charlotte is, you’ll want her for your son.” I escorted her into the dining room and sat her down towards the front of the table where Daddy sat. Charlotte sat down beside her future mother-in-law and tried to stop crying.

  The afternoon was a disaster. It turned out that the parents were Tristan’s parents. They weren’t impressed. Tristan was now an air captain with his own airship. He had been the best in his class. His parents told us that Tristan’s teachers compared him to Daddy. He was going to have a bright future. He deserved to have a wife now, his mother told us.

  A wife meant sex. They were looking for a sexual partner for their son. They weren’t interested in a grandchild yet. Once Tristan was married, he would be a true adult. He needed to be an adult to get his crew to respect him. The marriage would be a strategic move. They weren’t concerned about love.

  I knew that Tristan liked Charlotte. He would want to marry her. His words about not wanting to marry a Reeves’ orphan had been said because he didn’t want to be told who he would marry from a girl. Only his parents had the right to choose for him.

  Charlotte ran to her room after they left. She needed to be alone for a moment or two. Daddy was too shocked to spank her for being so Charlotte-like.

  Daddy and I traded glances after everyone else had left. “At least, Kyle is famous,” Daddy muttered.

  “What does this have to do with Kyle?” I asked him.

  “Both Kyle and Charlotte were bought by their parents and not born to them. I didn’t know that when I adopted them. Nevertheless, they have become very dear to me. It breaks my heart to see her suffer like this. It is going to be next to impossible to find her a husband.”

  “But she is beautiful and good-hearted. That is the most important thing for a wife and mother. It might be a good idea to visit Kyle and take Charlotte with. The other players will fall in love with her and beg their parents to let them marry her. She can have a famous husband and lots of children with him. That could serve you well. More publicity if you ever need it.”

  Daddy nodded at my logic. “I’ll do exactly that.”

  “Perhaps you should go up and tell her about your plans and let her know that you still love her.” I had taken Amy’s place as far as organization was concerned. That meant that I could talk to Daddy differently than the others did. I was the person he bounced ideas off of.

  “My idea?” Daddy grinned at me.

  “Yes, it was yours. I’m sure about that.” I winked at him.

  “It’s a shame. I had wanted Tristan to marry Charlotte. I planned it for years. He is a gem. A man who is exactly where I need one.”

  I nodded at him. If Daddy had a son, he would have been exactly like Tristan, but a lot nicer.

  I turned away and went out to have a swim in our long pool. I needed to put in my hours. Maggie was also in the pool. She was expecting her second and third child. Her belly was huge with her twins.

  We chatted as we swam. We both hoped that Daddy wouldn’t spank Charlotte. She couldn’t help the way she was.

  Chapter 17

  “Tristan’s parents have made a decision.” Daddy said one evening at the dinner table. “Now Charlotte, you didn’t make a very good impression while they were here, and I really hope that you have learned something from this experience, and that next time you will do better.” Daddy glanced over at Kyle. “But we have a plan for Charlotte, don’t we, Kyle?”

  “My friends would love to meet Charlotte.” Kyle gave her a polite smile. He was home visiting because he was between seasons. Kyle Reeves had been voted most valuable player this year. Daddy was proud of him. He was making the family look good, like I did too.

  “Needless to say,” Daddy continued. “They have decided against Charlotte. But they decided yes to Sophia.” His eyes locked on mine.

  “What? Me? But I’m not even old enough.” This had to be a mistake. I was only seventeen.

  “Sophia, they were really taken with you. It will look bad for our family if a girl doesn’t get picked. We can save face this way.” He tried to reason with me.

  “But my age?” I was willing to say anything to get out of having to spend time with him. I even felt desperate not to be anywhere near Tristan.

  “He will marry you as soon as you are eighteen,” Daddy told me.

  “But we don’t know when I’ll turn eighteen.” My spirits rose up with something like hope.

  “We will take the day that your mother gave you away,” Daddy replied.

  Tears pricked my eyes, and I peeked around at the others to see who heard him. They all had, and they were looking at me very surprised.

  “Excuse me. I’m full.” I got up and pushed my chair in and grabbed my plate so I could clear it away.

  “Sophia, are you going to cause problems?” Daddy stopped me from leaving with his question. He sounded tired.

  “No, Daddy.” I looked him in the eye. I wouldn’t cause any problems. It hadn’t worked for any of my older brothers or sisters either. They all had to marry whom he said. For the most part, they were happy. Tristan was an airship captain, who was rarely home. Maybe it would work out.

  “He will be coming over this weekend to meet you with his parents.” I kind of had a feeling that Daddy sounded sad.

  I nodded and left. I had a lot to chew on. None of my sisters had to get married the second they turned eighteen, only me.

  I wished I weren’t part of this whole secret weapon war game that Daddy wanted to play. I hated it. He didn’t even love me. He wanted to use me for his stupid cause. At the moment, I didn’t even care if I died because some enemy aliens wanted to kill us. Let them. That had to be better than being married to a man who hated me and thought I was ugly.

  I cried all night and into most of the next day. In the afternoon, I got up. I had kind of figured that Daddy would show up and beat on me for being lazy, but he didn’t. It was probably because I had agreed to marry Tristan.

  He was getting what he wanted. But then again, he always did.

  ~

  I stood in front of my mirror staring at myself. I had a pretty ribbon in my hair. I was prepared to give Tristan a fair chance. I hadn’t seen him in over a year. He had probably changed a lot in that time.

  I was all grown up now, and I had breasts and a tiny waist. My face was nice too. Not as beautiful as my sisters, and I was the only girl with brown hair, but all in all I looked okay. My sisters had black or blond hair. They had pretty eyes. They were gorgeous. I was the exception.

  “Sweetheart, Tristan is here with his parents,” Daddy called up to me. I had spent all day making myself pretty for that jerk. I hoped that he would appr
eciate it.

  I looked myself over one last time, thinking that I looked okay. With a smile, I would look even better. I smiled at myself. That really did make a difference.

  I hurried down so Daddy wouldn’t get mad at me. The last thing I needed was to have Daddy spank me in front of Tristan again.

  I paused at the top of the stairs. Tristan was standing in the entryway, looking like a fairy-tale prince. He had his back turned to me, but he turned towards me when Daddy looked my way.

  Tristan was smiling until he saw me. His face dropped into a look of shock. “Her? Of all the girls in this house you match me up with the only ugly one?” He shook his head.

  My heart was so heavy, and I couldn’t breathe anymore. I felt as if he had punched me in the stomach, knocking all the wind out of me.

  “Tristan, your manners.” His mother tried to smile, but she was horrified by what he had said.

  “No, anyone but the spoiled princess.” He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

  I bit my lip and took a step back.

  “Tristan, come back here.” His father went after him.

  His mother smiled at me. “Tristan is going through a lot at work right now. Forgive him for taking that out on you. Believe me, he will marry you. He is just pouting. It was nothing personal.” She looked over at Daddy, who looked hurt too.

  He was staring at me, and I couldn’t stop the tear that ran down my face.

  Several of my family members had been gathered here to greet Tristan and his parents. They had heard what had happened. My cheeks burned with shame.

  Daddy found his tongue. “Sophia, will you please excuse us. We still have several things to discuss before the wedding.” He held out his arm to Tristan’s mother and escorted her to his office.

  I went out the back door once I was sure that I could. I hurried off to the orchard. I sat down under the tree where I’d met him. Tristan had even said back then that he didn’t think that I was pretty. He told me to go get my pretty sisters. Whenever he had come over, he was always by them. He wasn’t interested in me. I was the ugly duckling.

  I hoped that his parents would reconsider and pick Charlotte. He would want her, and Daddy could have the match that he wanted. Everyone would be happy, and I would never have to see Tristan again. I laid my face on my arms and bawled for what I was worth. In tears, I was worth a lot.

  “Sweetheart,” Daddy called out to me.

  “I’m here, Daddy.” I lifted my head. “I wasn’t trying to run away. I just need a moment–or two.”

  “I understand.”

  He sat down next to me. “I’m really sorry that happened. He isn’t right. You are very beautiful. There is even something about you that reminds me of my wife, and I thought that she was the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  I peeked at him, and he was smiling up at the stars.

  “Do you think that people are gone when they’re dead?” I asked him.

  “No, I don’t think that. If they have children, then they live on forever in them, and if they don’t,” he shrugged still looking up at the stars. “I think that their souls are up there floating around peacefully. I think that they watch over us.”

  “Your wife loved you, so she would watch over you, but I don’t have anyone watching over me. I wasn’t wanted. Besides, my parents are alive somewhere so when they die they won’t want to be bothered with me then either.”

  “You don’t know that. They may have had a good reason to give you up. They probably thought that you would have it better without them. Keep in mind that you were sick. They may have given you up so you could live. I’m positive that you have it better than you would have otherwise.”

  I didn’t believe him. My parents didn’t want me, and Tristan didn’t either. I cried some more.

  “Sweetheart, you are the only child that I have that I can talk to like this. If you marry Tristan, then you can stay at home.”

  “What?”

  “He has to work so far away. His parents are willing to let you stay living here, with me. I’m not ready to let you go yet.” That wasn’t surprising. Daddy never wanted us children to leave.

  I looked up at the stars too. On one hand, I wanted to leave. Daddy was so strict. I would have liked to get away from that, but because Tristan hated me, it was probably a good idea that I didn’t have to be alone with him.

  Would he really go through with it? He was clear that he didn’t want me. As an important captain, I couldn’t imagine him going through with it. Someone like him didn’t marry unless he wanted to.

  “Do you think that he will back out? I mean he obviously doesn’t want me, and no one can make him do anything.”

  Daddy smirked. “His parents can. They have raised him to know that they, and not him, would be picking out his wife. His mother was certain that he would obey them.”

  “But why? His life with me could go on forever. His life with his parents is over now.” I didn’t understand why he would marry me when he hated me.

  “It is a question of honor. His parents invested a lot in him. Only because of their grace, and through them, was it possible that he could get where he is now. He owes them.”

  “But that’s terrible. How can anyone live with someone they hate for the rest of their lives?” I made it sound as if I were worried about Tristan, but I really meant me. How could I live with someone who hated me?

  “I’ll bet you anything that he will end up loving you and being thankful that he got you. I offered them Charlotte again, and his mother shot that right down. His father remained adamant too.”

  “What did his dad say?” I asked.

  “Tristan is off blowing off some steam. He will be here when I am sure that you are eighteen. He will take your hand and make you his, and he’ll never regret it. I promise, sweetheart. Now come in the house and work on your translations. I hope that idiot Tristan realizes that he is marrying one of the smartest women in the universe.” He stood and held his arm out to me.

  We walked into the house just as Kyle was coming in the front door. He was holding onto his chin.

  Daddy walked over to him and looked at his chin. “What happened?”

  “I was out for a bit, but I’m back now.” Kyle was avoiding his eye.

  “Where were you, son? Spill the beans.” Daddy was mad. Kyle had clearly been in a fight.

  “I heard what he said to Sophia. I had a talk with Tristan.” Kyle pulled his chin away and turned to me. “He said he would apologize.” Kyle bowed to me before he went up the stairs.

  I stood there with my mouth open.

  Daddy looked unsure too. “Well, Kyle has always felt closest to you.” Daddy shrugged his shoulders and went into his office.

  I went to my room, and hoped that I would grow old slower.

  Chapter 18

  The big day had arrived. Today was the day that my mother had said no to me, and we were going to celebrate it by joining Tristan and me in marriage. He was already here, somewhere in the house.

  I had been very busy lately. Since I already knew that he hated me, I had cleaned up my room and gotten rid of a lot of things. My younger sisters had gotten excited to get my old stuff. I got rid of several books too. I didn’t want him to think that I was too smart. A man needed to feel he was the head of the family no matter what the truth was.

  Daddy knocked on my door and opened it all in one. He seemed to be in a hurry. “Hey sweetheart, are you ready?”

  “No, but does it really matter?” I asked, staring at myself in the mirror with pure loathing on my face.

  He came completely inside of my room and closed the door behind him. “Yes, it matters a lot. Should I go down and tell them you need a couple more minutes?”

  “More like years.”

  “Hey now, don’t get sarcastic.” He warned me.

  “Is he even really here?” I hadn’t seen him since he insulted me. The months had gone by quickly. I had hoped that he wouldn’t be able to land today, or
that some sort of divine interference would save me, but no such luck.

  “Of course he is here. He’s even nervous. Tristan has asked his mother several times if his tie is sitting just right. He wants to look good for you.”

  I turned away from the mirror and looked at Daddy. “Why when he thinks that I am so ugly? What does he care what I think? He has no reason to impress me.”

  “This is his first chance to have sex. He isn’t going to pass it up.”

  “Great.” I didn’t want to think about what this day had in store for me.

  “Sarcasm again? I guess Tristan isn’t the only one who is nervous. Behave yourself. You are still mine until he makes you his.”

  Wonderful, I was in trouble, and everyone was out to hurt me today.

  Daddy held out his arm. I went to him. It was time to get this over with. Daddy slowly walked me down the stairs to my future husband.

  Flower petals had been spread out along the stairs, and I knew that they would continue to Daddy’s office where the ceremony would take place. Daddy was walking very straight. He looked proud of me. He really wanted one of his daughters to get Tristan.

  Tristan had good blood. He was smart, strong, good-looking, and helpful. Daddy had talked to Tristan’s boss and found out that Tristan was a good and fair boss. Tristan had everything that Daddy wanted.

  I only wanted him to be nice to me. I wanted someone in my life who wasn’t basically using me. But Tristan only wanted to have sex.

  Everyone stepped aside as we entered the room leaving a straight path between me that led right to Tristan. I wasn’t looking at him, but I could feel his presence.

  Daddy stopped. I knew that I was standing right in front of Tristan, face to face if I had been looking up.

  I heard the fabric of Tristan’s suit move, so I knew that he had lifted up his hand.

  It was now my duty to raise mine hand to his, but I was afraid to touch him. I longed to run away, but I too was indebted to my parent. Daddy had saved me from sure death. No one else would have come along.