That got Annabelle. Otto saw no point in telling her that Josephine was very unimpressed with Otto searching for Annabelle. He did not want her to know that they were barely speaking to one another now that he knew she stole money from him to help her daughter on this crazy mission. Annabelle did not need to know that their marriage was in a lot of trouble... unless he needed to use that to sway her to his point ofview.
“What will happen if I come home?” Annabelle gasped pitifully. She was clutching desperately, trying her hardest to find any way to make her father see that this was not the right move for her “What will it belike?”
“Your betrothal to Lord Ashdown is still intact," Otto shot back at lightning speed. "He is not happy, of course, but since the wedding date has not passed, he is still willing to have theceremony."
“He is?” Annabelle could not believe it. What sort of man would still want to marry someone who did not wantit?
Then she remembered what sort of man he was. This would be just another factor he could use to make her life miserable. She imagined the disgusting things that he would say to her, especially if he knew that she ran off with Floyd. He would see her as damaged goods, even though she was not. All she had done was kiss Floyd, not that Lord Ashdown wouldcare.
“But father, I cannot marry him,” she begged. She felt like she would fall to her knees by this point. “I cannot. That is why all this has happened. Why can you not seethis?”
“I am not having this conversation with you anymore. Get outside and into the carriage. We are goinghome.”
Annabelle could feel her resolve weakening. Of course, she did not want to leave her current happy life, the last thing she wanted was to go back to her home, but she knew her father well. He would stop at nothing. Now that she had wrecked their reputation, he would do whatever it took to get her home again. Even if she left Mr. Brentwood’s house, he would follow herforevermore.
“No,” she said determinedly, ignoring her inner thoughts. “I willnot.”
“I will bring men in here to pick you up,” Otto threatened. “Youwillcome with me now, one way oranother.”
He did not say it, but Annabelle feared that her life would be in danger if she did notagree.
“If I come home, I want my betrothal to Lord Ashdown to be cancelled. I wish to remain withFloyd.”
“No.” Otto did not even hesitate. He was not here tonegotiate.
“Floyd will come back with me. He will be given his jobback.”
“No.”
Annabelle darted her eyes from side to side. She felt the need to run, but there was nowhere to go. This windowless room was now her prisoncell.
“Well, let me go and get mythings...”
“No, I am not letting you out of my sight.” Otto refused to be tricked again. “You are coming with me thisinstant.”
“Then let me speak toFloyd...”
“No.” When would his daughter get this? She had lost every scrap of power. The sooner she accepted that the quicker this wouldbe.
“I need to at least say goodbye.” Annabelle wanted to tell Floyd what had happened so they could concoct a plan together. “To Mr. Brentwood at least.” Maybe her father and his need for good manners would outweigh his desire to trapher.
“Mr. Brentwood already knows what is happening, he does not wish to see youagain.”
“Right.” The tears in Annabelle’s eyes started to roll down her cheeks. She could not contain them anymore. Every way she tried to save herself, her father shot her down. She did not want to be dragged from this home kicking and screaming, especially not if Mr. Brentwood already hated her. “Isee.”
“So, come on, let us do this the easyway.”
Annabelle did not feel any sense of pride as she followed her father meekly out of the house. This whole experience was supposed to make her stronger, she was supposed to be more independent and better now. But her father came along and she had reverted back to a pathetic version ofherself.
But what can I do? She begged her brain. Please, think of something,quickly.
As soon as she stepped into the carriage, it was all over. But even as Annabelle followed her father to outside the house, nothing happened inside her brain. She felt as hopeless as she didbefore.
“Do not keep glancing backwards,” Otto commanded angrily. “That fantasy – if you can really call it that – is over now, it is time for you to get back to reality. Your wedding plans are coming along nicely. You need to get in the right frame ofmind.”
She could hardly believe it; the wedding plans did not stop even though she was not there. Her father had so much confidence that he would find her and bring her back that he did not evenhalt.
As Annabelle got into the carriage and she dared to look back at the dream she was leaving behind, everything inside of her fell apart. She had lost, she had not even fought hard, she had given in when really she should not have done. Her working life, her freedom, her time with the love of her life was done. She had left him alone while she went back to her home to marry a man that she hated – unless she could get out of it in some other way ofcourse.
Her adventure was over. It had barely gotten started, and it wasdone.
I am sorry, Floyd, she thought desperately to herself. I did not mean to leave you, I hope someone explains that to you. This was never mychoice.
She could not even begin to imagine how heartbroken he would be to find out that she was gone. Maybe he would be so hurt, so damaged by the experience, that he would not even come looking for her. Maybe he would decide that his riding school was more important. She could not blame him forthat.
I will always love you, and only you, Floyd Brewer. You will never know how sorry Iam.
