Arranged Marriage

by P. Torres

  Arranged marriage

  PART I

  by

  Pet TorreS

  Copyright © 2011 by Pet TorreS

  http://pettorres.blogspot.com

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  This is a work of fiction. The names, places, characters and incidents are products of the author's imagination and have been used in fiction and not to be taken as real. Some remembrance of characters, living or dead, current events, venues and organizations are entirely a consciousness.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used and reproduced in any manner without the permission of the author.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Arranged Marriage: Part I

  SYNOPSIS

  PART I | Chapter I

  This story has got 2 parts | Arranged marriage: PART I | Arranged marriage: PART II

  DEDICATION

  To my parents

  To my sisters

  To my nephews

  To my family

  To my soul mate

  THANKS

  To my dear readers

  To the band The Verve

  For inspiring me with their music:

  "Bittersweet Symphony"

  SYNOPSIS

  XIX century

  Most marriages in high society were arranged in order to benefit both families. Not taking into account the victims of this forced union.

  The chosen ones were forced to sacrifice themselves, giving up their dreams and their wishes, to attend to the vagaries of their lineage.

  Not taking into account that the main element for this intimate construction would be left out.

  Because it doesn’t matter or isn’t accepted by many who have never known it.

  PART I

  Chapter I

  A painting was taking shape, with splendid contours, coming from light and delicate hands.

  The painting featured light colours, recounting the mood of its creator. A young woman with curly black hair, dark brown eyes, and on her delicate face, there was a scar on the left side. It could only be seen through critical eyes.

  The housekeeper, a strong lady, entered the room, walking toward the young woman who was concentrating on her masterpiece.

  -Miss Ebellaine, your father asks you to come into his office. -Said the housekeeper, standing by the door.

  The girl turned her gaze to one side and stared at the image of the woman in her everyday uniform.

  -At this very moment?

  -Yes. -She replied to her in a patient voice.

  -Did you notice he was angry by his face? -Asked the concerned girl, thinking that her benefactor might be angry with her.

  -He's calm.

  -I hope it's no big deal. -She deduced, the girl, abandoning the painting against her own will. All she wanted was to finish that picture and insert it into her collection of amateur works.

  The housekeeper looked at the painting and finished it, without analysing it.

  - It's getting wonderful! Where did you learn to paint like that? -She asked her, admiring the painting of her master's daughter.

  -I did not learn, I was born with the gift, Alfina.

  She sat down on the bed and thought about life. She had forgotten about her commitment to her father.

  -You'd better go and meet your father. – Warned the housekeeper.

  -I was forgetting. -She jumped up and left the studio in a hurry.

  She was pacing the halls of the house, anxious to meet her father and find out what he had so important to tell her.

  When she reached the office door, a gentleman in a dark uniform was waiting for her. He had white hair and a beard.

  -Your father is waiting for you in the study, miss. You're welcome,-he said, opening the door for her to enter the office.

  -Thank you, Mr. Gós.

  Mr. Gós was Mr. Alfidelles' right-hand man in that house. His existence in that house was just before Ebellaine's birth. He was inside everything that was going on in that family.

  Ebellaine, as she walked through the door, looked at her blue silk dress and noticed a visible stain of ink on it. Desperate, she raised her hand to her lips, wetted it with saliva, and rubbed the spot with force. Seeing no result, she reached for the blur to hide the small accident.

  When she looked up, she saw her father sitting, smoking a good cigar, and apparently fed up with waiting for her.

  He was a handsome man, despite his advanced age, he looked like an individual in his thirties. He wore uncontrollable charm without even trying.

  -Did you send for me, Daddy?

  -Don’t waste your time with inopportune questions.

  -Pardon.

  -Sit down! There is something I have to declare.

  Ebellaine noticed a flourishing countenance on her father.

  She hadn’t noticed him that long since the death of his wife she had not seen him speak like that. He carried a contented smile on his lips.

  -Sit down dear,-he ordered impatiently.

  The young woman sat watching him, she was distressed. She did not know the reason for that meeting. Ebellaine knew that her father always summoned her in his study every time he wanted to have a serious private conversation with her.

  -I got a letter from the Jordan family this morning ...-Alfidelles put off the cigar and looked back at his sole heiress. -Sr. Zemalter Marques, the guardian of the Jordan family ... Who cared for the son of Lord Messiah Jordan after his death, wrote us.

  Ebellaine frowned uncomprehendingly. She only managed to assimilate the surname Jordan being announced several times.

  -We know Mr. Allen Jordan is about to lead Mistoposen. His family has been in control of the city since its foundation and everything is in the hands of Zemalter Marques right now. -He paused. -Mr. Allen Jordan, the only heir will take his place shortly. Although the heir of Messiah already manages a part of the family fortune.

  -I heard that Messiah Jordan died so young. -Ebellaine commented, shocked.

  His carriage fell off a cliff, his body was disfigured.

  -How horrible! -Ebellaine was puzzled and put her hands to her lips.

  -Let's forget about this tragedy and continue our conversation. Zemalter suggested, realizing that the subject was taking a different turn. -We were talking about Mr. ZemalterMarques's letter ...

  Alfidelles made an interruption to continue the subject.

  -I received the statement from Mr. Zemalter Marques, saying that the son of the late Messiah Jordan urgently needs a companion, a suitable lady, who meets his demands, someone of his esteem, of course.

  Alfidelles got up from his chair and went to his daughter, who was sitting in the seat facing him. He put his hand on the girl's chin, holding her very fondly.

  -You don’t even know how special you are, my child. -He smiled at the young woman, who kept her eyes on him all the time. -I dreamed of having an heir like all men. But you came to bring us joy, honour and glory.

  Ebellaine was worried about her father, she had noticed that he was very excited.

  - Dad, are you okay? -she asked when she saw her father holding his hand to his chest, toward his heart.

  -That's one of the happiest days of my life! The happiest will be when you’ll get married, my dear.

  She was confused.

  -What are you trying to tell me, Daddy?

  -You are the most prestigious girl in this town ... Mr. Zemalter Marques has chosen you to be the bride of the only heir of the Jordan family.

  The news came as a bomb in Ebellaine's life, an
arranged marriage.

  She restrained herself from crying in front of her father. But this news hurt her in the depths of her soul.

  -You'll soon be Mr. Allen Jordan's wife, you'll be Mrs. Jordan! Wife of a member of the richest and most respected family in our society.

  Ebellaine couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Her dark, crystalline eyes ran sideways. She looked completely lost, with no ground, nowhere to lean on.

  -Do you really think Mr. Jordan really wants to marry me? -She asked indignantly.

  -Of course, yes, they did a survey with all the girls in society, and you were the one who met their prerequisites.

  -I understood the prerequisites of Mr. Zemalter Marques and not Mr. Allen Jordan.

  -That does not matter now. What is considerable is that you have been chosen, no matter who.

  -What if I do not like him and he does not like me?

  -You're being silly, put it in your head, that an arranged marriage doesn’t need feelings.

  - Sorry, Dad. -She froze at her father's painful response.

  He was simply underestimating the feeling she admired most in the universe. Poor Ebellaine grew up fantasizing this love in her sentimental life.

  -You must feel privileged my dear, for arranging a marriage like this. There are hundreds of girls who wish they were in your place.

  The father said, looking wonderfully at the daughter who was born to rejoice him, even with the young woman not being a man as he had dreamed before she came into the world.

  Minutes later, Ebellaine came to her room in panic.

  She had realized that her life was a card game, where the players did their best.

  Alfina then appeared in the room to know the state of the young woman after the secret conversation with her father.

  Ebellaine, seeing her, rushed to meet her, weeping, and buried her delicate face in the stiff shoulder of her housekeeper. Because despair had consumed her in that abstruse moment.

  -What happened to you Ebellaine? -she was worried with the young woman sobbing. -Did your father fight with you?

  - More than that. -She replied, her face buried in the governess's shoulder. -It's so awful, I feel shivers just thinking of it!

  -Speak! What are you so upset about, my dear?

  -I was chosen to marry the heir of the Jordan family.

  -And you do not think that's wonderful? This family manipulates Mistoposen, they own it here!

  -You do not understand! I thought you understood me- She slipped out of the woman's arms and sat down in the chair beside her bed, looking crestfallen. -I'll have to leave here, leave my wonderful garden, leave this room that I have so dear and I may not see you again, and worst, daddy will be alone in this house ... Now you understand?

  -Now I understand. -Answered the housekeeper, feeling sorry for the young lady.

  Ebellaine toyed with the lace of her dress, still with her head down.

  -I'm afraid I do not want him to be my husband.

  -I think I did wrong to tell you all those love stories. I should have known that girls like you get married by family, not love.

  -I did not just listen to your stories, I read several books in secret, which told of the love between two people.

  -You shouldn’t have put those stories in your head.

  -Do you think he will like me as in his stories and the books I read?

  -What man would not you want to have by their side, someone like you? And if they chose you ... You must have had his approval, too.

  -What if I do not like him?

  -You'll like him.

  Said the housekeeper trying to comfort her.

  Chapter II

  Ebellaine had dinner with her father. Both sitting around a table with dozens of chairs and only two seats were occupied at that moment. The candle flames on the candlesticks on the table lit the golden food on their plates.

  Alfidelles had noticed that his daughter had eaten very little. The gentleman was worried about her reaction after the news of the marriage between the two families. He did not imagine she would react so negatively to this wonderful news.

  -Your mother would be proud to see you marrying the heir of the Jordan family. After that, he made a sign with his hand, for the footman standing in the hall. - Wine rags, please!

  The host tried to persuade the daughter with the supposed thought of the deceased wife. He tried to make Ebellaine see that marriage as a unique and exceptional opportunity. After all, the young woman had been brought up to attract a good suitor. Mr. Alfidelles never imagined that his daughter would have the chance to have someone like Allen Jordan as her husband.

  He never speculated that his heiress would be taken at the altar by Jordan's hands. A man who was coveted to extremes by thousands of women. His surname was a magnet for the female eyes to be directed at him.

  -Yes sir.

  The footman obeyed him, leaving the dining room and then returning with a bottle of wine in his hand. Filling the crystal cups, the servant made a retreat and returned to his place. Becoming a man - statue. Ready to serve his boss anytime.

  -Let's have a toast to your future, my child!

  His dark eyes shone in the girl's direction.

  Ebellaine, obedient, did as her father proposed, then lifted her goblet aloft, though discouraged by her bright future with a man she had never seen in her life. She had only heard of his respected surname.

  JORDAN ... JORDAN ... JORDAN ...

  -A toast to the alliance that enters the two families," Bellames and Jordan. "

  The father said, looking at the crystals and then looking at the face of his beloved daughter. Alfidelles could see a beautiful future for her.

  The next day, Alfidelles had received in his office the secretary of Mr. Zemalter Marques, who had been dealing with matters of both families.

  The visitor enjoyed a good wine served by the Bellames family while he stayed with the host of the house.

  -I loved the wine! -Confessed the secretary after drinking two full glasses. But she did not want to abuse the hospitality of Jordan's future father-in-law.

  -Dispense! Exclaimed Alfidelles, raising his glass.

  -I'm grateful. -He shifted in his chair before he spoke. -I came here by request, Mr. Marques. He asked me to inform you that he is waiting for you next week at his address to meet Mr. Allen Jordan's fiancée.

  -We will be present and honoured with the invitation. -He felt very important with the invitation. -Is Mr. Allen Jordan eager to meet the future bride? -He asked curiously.

  -I am very sorry that I can’t answer that question to the Lord, but it is not my business to share his personal interests.

  -I get it...

  After the departure of Mr. Marques's secretary, Alfidelles entered the daughter's room to spread the good news. He glanced toward the bed and saw Ebellaine sitting up, trying to distract herself from reading a decent book. Which she was allowed to read, without having to hide it from the eyes of others.

  -Next week, we'll go on a trip. We will visit Mr. Zemalter Marques and your future fiancé. Looks like they're eager to meet you.

  The girl's eyes widened and she dropped the book on her lap. Surprise had made her act like an irrational person for a few seconds.

  -They ... That ... rem ... me ... see? -she groaned nervously.

  -Yes, and I want to see you happy and beautiful! You need to fill your future bridegroom's eyes with your sweetness and charm!

  He warned her.

  -Does he need to like me?"

  Mr Bellames pulled a side of his coat as he tried to explain his daughter better. He had gotten excited and said things that should not come out of his mouth.

  -I did not mean that. But in the meaning of adoration for your meekness, and appearance of an exemplary woman. I want him to realize how good it is to have someone like you by his side, like his lawful wife.

  He smiled at her and Ebellaine remained serious, still terrified of the second news regarding the future union of
the two families.

  As soon as her father withdrew himself from her bedroom, she went to the front of the mirror on her dresser. She silently gazed at her sweet, unassuming beauty, not pleased with her beauty, marked by a horrible scar on her face.

  Immediately she took her hand in her with such melancholy.

  -It will stay in me forever, until I die.

  The future bride of the member Jordan spent the nights in clear, could not close her eyes. Her nervousness made her consume hundreds of cups of tea a day. The young woman could not feed herself and concentrated on nothing, everything she was beginning to do, she never had the motivation to finish. Even the paintings, which she loved to paint, she had no more inspiration to do such a thing.

  Distracted, Ebellaine stood in the garden and her father came to her. Mr. Alfidelles approached meekly and smiled at the young woman who could not reciprocate her father with the same kind of smile. Since the news of the arranged marriage, Ebellaine didn’t know what it was to smile with spontaneity. Her mouth seemed doomed to live rigid and locked to the smiles she always freed in funny and happy situations.

  -Your Aunt Alva will accompany us on our way to Jordan's palace.

  At this time, Ebellaine seemed more excited to hear the name of her aunt. She thought she would feel more comfortable in her company during the trip to the most important men's house in town.

  -It will be wonderful to have Aunt Alva in our company, I find her admirable and amusing! -She brightened for a moment.

  Good news had hung in her head.

  Chapter III

  The Bellames family was on the road traveling the route to the Jordan mansion.

  Alfidelles sat in the carriage, facing his sister and his daughter. Alva and her brother were lively, they talked during the whole trip, while Ebellaine remained silent. She admired the landscapes that had been hurried through the window of the wagon. She'd never been to that place before.

  Hours later the carriage stopped in front of the central garden of the Jordan mansion.