"You can start by dressing nicely. Hopefully, the rest of it will be alright afterthat."
Annabelle could not argue, she did not have the strength. Instead, she moved over to her mother and allowed her to talk fashion with her. At least thinking about what tight, heavy garment she would wear was better than thinking abouthim.
* * *
Annabelle glanceddown at her dress, wondering if it gave her the right silhouette. Despite the fact that she did not want Lord Ashdown to be attracted to her at all, she did not want her father to notice that she was trying to repulsehim.
Her mother chose her the tightest corset she owned which slimmed her waist and widened her hips. Then she had selected a golden coloured dress with a low shoulder, bertha neckline to reveal a lot of her milky white skin. Her modesty was covered with a pretty, pale lace so she was not too exposed, but that did not shake off the vulnerable experience she was left with. The skirts fell out past Annabelle’s waist and dragged along her feet, even as she sat down on the chair, opposite her father and LordAshdown.
“It is wonderful to have you back,” Watson said very insincerely. “We were all so worried aboutyou.”
Annabelle knew that he was lying, she knew that she had a lot coming to her, but she nodded for now. By keeping her eyes fixed downwards for most of this conversation she could pretend to herself that most of it was not happening... but of course, itwas.
"And, of course, I am over the moon that we can carry on with the wedding planning." Lord Ashdown shot Otto a well-timed look. “That is... if the wedding is stillhappening?”
“Oh yes, it is,” Otto said firmly, almost threatening Annabelle with his words. “Everything is still happening asbefore.”
“Good...” Watson left his words trailing. What he wanted was to be left alone with Annabelle, he just needed to manipulate Otto to leave theroom.
“Oh, would you two like to spend some time alone?” Otto fell straight into his trap. “Come on, Josephine, let usgo.”
Josephine did not want to leave, but she could not disagree with Otto again. She had gone behind his back once and it failed, she could not do it again. She tried to give Annabelle an apologetic look but her daughter would not even meet hereye.
In that moment, Josephine felt like she had lost Annabelleforever.
Annabelle’s heart thumped painfully in her chest, her stomach twisted and churned with sickness. Lord Ashdown had gotten exactly what he wanted, and that terrified her. Now she would just have to sit here and listen to him hurt her with his terrible words. Watson knew how to use his wordswell.
“We really were so concerned about you,” he said softly once the door had closed behind Annabelle’s parents. “It was a terrible, frightening time. It was just so good that your father was willing to throw everything into looking for you.” Annabelle bit down on her bottom lip to keep all her expletives inside. “He has also leaked the story that you were kidnapped, so everyone has kept their reputation as it oncewas.”
He did not!Annabelle wanted to argue. That did not sound like the sort of thing her father would do at all. Yes, he was protective of the family reputation, but he would be much more likely to rise above it. This was clearly something that Watson had donehimself.
“And luckily for me, I can still marry you.” Watson grew angry, he was not getting any sort of reaction from Annabelle. He wanted to make her uncomfortable, and he was willing to throw everything at it. “Even if you have become adollymop.”
Annabelle’s eyes snapped up at Watson. Now that she knew more of the world, she knew more of what these sorts of comments meant. It sounded to Annabelle that she was being called aprostitute.
"Or maybe you are more of a three-penny upright." His lips curled upwards into a smirk as he realized that he was getting to her finally. “That might be more you... willing to get what you need in any waypossible.”
“Leave me alone,” Annabelle pleaded in a whisper. “Please, you know it was not like that. My father has told you I was working in anestate.”
“Right.” Lord Ashdown nodded gleefully. “With the stable boy. That is almost asbad.”
“Maybe you should not marry methen...”
“Oh no, Iwillmarry you. Of course, I will. Then we can have a lifetime of... happinesstogether."
Annabelle knew that was a threat. Watson did not need her for happiness, she would simply be there on his arm at social events. Her only duty would be to have his children and to smile when required ofher.
“You could have any Lady as your wife.” Annabelle’s voice raised, but she no longer cared who could hear them. “It does not have to beme.”
“No, it does not. But I want it to be you.” Watson ran his eyes suggestively up and down Annabelle, reminding her of all the times he had touched her body without her permission. “I believe that you will be the mostfun.”
Annabelle could hardly breathe, it took all of her effort to push herself up and to storm from the room. If she had to marry him then she did not want to spend time with him now. Not when she did not haveto.
There would be plenty of time forthat...
