Echoes of the Heart Read Free

no appeal.   The sense of impending disaster shadowed her
thoughts and sitting next to Christopher seemed only to enhance her
frustration.
    While everyone
dined and talked of the wedding, the dark shroud of doom enveloped her as she
stared blankly, barely touching the food on her plate.   However, she consumed several more glasses of
wine, warming her insides and the effect rushing to her brain. The dread of the
following day and all the preparations worsened her melancholy.   Should this not be the happiest time of her
life?   Instead, she felt trapped in a
snare with little hope of escape.   She
picked at her dinner and eventually stopped trying to eat.
    While Mary cleared
the table, the men drank brandy on the porch surrounding the entire front of
the house to enjoy while they smoked fragrant cigars leaning on the rail.   She poured a glass of brandy for herself
hoping the warm liquid would help settle her nerves.  
    Preferring the
outdoors on such a warm evening, she joined Christopher out on the porch.   Christopher, an extremely good-looking man
with his blue eyes and long lashes, stood over six feet tall and by far the
most eligible bachelor in the area.   Most
woman would be happy to have him for a husband, she apparently not one of
them.  
    She could not
understand exactly why she hesitated.   Christopher made a good companion and she did enjoy his company.   He could make her laugh and they discussed
books they had read, politics and shared stories from their childhood.   Always a gentleman, he treated her with
respect but deep down Raeden knew she would not be happy in the life expected
of her as a woman of society.  
    Christopher’s
voice held a slight note of sarcasm as he looked down into her eyes.   “So, my dear, don’t you think you have had
enough to drink tonight?   I noticed you
did not eat supper and consumed a lot of wine.”  
    Startled by his
authoritarian comment, Raeden stood straight backed, chin held high while a
hand dropped by her side, her mouth furrowed in defiance.   “Well, I don’t know what business it is of
yours.   We’re not married yet.”   He could not order her around in such a
fashion even though he attempted to make it appear concern.   She turned briskly and stormed into the house
letting the screen door bang behind her.   After downing the remainder of the brandy, she raced up the stairs,
slamming her bedroom door.   She plopped
on her bed in defeat, wondering why she had been so rude.   She stared wildly across the room, knowing
deep in her mind he had no right to make such comments.
    Within minutes,
she heard footsteps approach and a knock at her door, “May I come in, Rae?   I certainly didn’t mean to upset you.   Perhaps we can talk.”
    As tears stung her
eyes, fury mounted.   “Go away.   I don’t want to see anyone.”   She threw herself on her bed and began
sobbing.   What on earth is wrong?   Am I going mad ?   While her body trembled, a nauseous feeling
crept into her stomach as she pictured him returning downstairs, face flushed
with embarrassment, a deep frown curling his lips.   Knowing her mother would be in a state,
probably overheated and fanning herself.   She did not look forward to tomorrow when she would have to face all the
criticism sure to await her at the breakfast table.  
    She heard her
father’s voice out her bedroom window drifting from the front porch.   “Come out and join us, Chris.   Finish your cigar.   Don’t worry, son.”   She visualized her father putting an arm
around his shoulder.   “Once she is
married, she’ll settle down.   I am sure
she just has a lot to consider and we both know she can be temperamental at
times.   It’s a big adjustment.”   She knew her father really did like
Christopher and considered him almost as a son and she never liked
disappointing him.   “Sit down and tell me
about the house you purchased.   I
understand it is the