“You will marry him? Even if he is not aLord?”
“I will marry him... if he wishes to marryme.”
“Your life shall be challenging,” Catherine warned. “But as long as you are happy, that is all thatmatters.”
Annabelle pulled herself out of the carriage to embrace her friend. At least this time she was getting a proper goodbye with one of the important people in her life. Last time she left, she said goodbye to her mother, she had been offered an almost goodbye with her father, and now she was saying farewell toCatherine.
It really did feel much more serious thistime.
“You look after yourself, willyou?”
“Yes, I will. You too.Goodbye.”
“Goodbye,Annabelle.”
As the girls parted their embrace, and Annabelle finally managed to reel off the address to the carriage driver, emotion filled her up. She waved to her friend and watched her life vanish into the distance. There was a pensiveness to her, but no fear. Annabelle had already proven to herself and everyone else that she was more than capable of making it out there in the world,alone.
I am coming Floyd, she thought excitedly. Finally, I am coming back for you. Please just wait for me a little whilelonger.
It was not until she settled back into her seat and she glanced down at her body that she realized she was going to turn up to Mr. Brentwood’s home in a tattered-looking weddingdress.
That was going to make for very awkward conversation. Annabelle hoped the outcome of the story would be amusing rather than heart-breaking.
* * *
Annabelle’s eyeswidened happily as the home, that she had been daydreaming about for hours while she travelled through the countryside, came into view. It stood just as tall, next to the wonderful lake, with lovely trees blossoming outside of it. There was not any sunlight bouncing off it this time, the evening darkness shrouded it, but there was still something veryimpressive.
“Is this it?” the driver asked her, sounding a little sleepy after the long ride. “Is this where you wish to be droppedoff?”
“Y... yes, this is it.” All of a sudden, Annabelle felt anxious. Maybe this was not the great plan she thought it was after all. Once the driver took the carriage off Mr. Brentwood’s land, she was fully on her own. She had the money her father had given to her, but that was it. All she had to wear was her wedding dress, that now felt very over the top. “Thankyou.”
“Do you want your father to know yourlocation?”
Annabelle considered this for a moment. She did not want to lie anymore, she wanted to be open and honest with her family. Being secretive did not exactly work out for her in the past, so maybe there was not any point. He did tell her that she could do as she pleased now. It did not matter that she was doing what he asked ofher.
“Yes, please. Tell him this is where I have stoppedfirst.”
She stood in the grass and stared up at the house, barely listening as the driver turned the carriage around to leave her behind. All the memories she had while living and working for Mr. Brentwood came back to her... including the horrible way that sheleft.
Mr. Brentwood is unimpressed with me for lying. He will not want to seeme.
Maybe there was a way that she could see Floyd without catching his attention. Much as Annabelle wanted to make things right with her former boss, she did not think that turning up in a dishevelled white dress, looking a bit like a mad person was the best way to dothat.
Luckily, he had the staff to answer the door forhim.
Annabelle tried her best to remain determined as she stepped rapidly towards the front door. She did not want to wait until it was far too dark to make this bold move, in case things went terribly wrong and she had to leave in a hurry. Unfortunately, Mr. Brentwood did not live near anywhere, so it would not be easy for her to get somewhere new, but the opportunity had to be there, just incase.
I should have asked the driver to stay, she thought regretfully. That was silly ofme.
But she could not remain in regret for long. Every single step took her closer to Floyd again and she could notwait.
By the time Annabelle reached the huge, wooden front door, her whole body shook anxiously. She could feel her knees knocking nervously together, her pulse racing, her fists curlingtogether.
Just do this, I have to do this. She gave herself a pep talk. I am Annabelle Hathaway, strong enough to run away, strong enough to leave my wedding day. I can dothis.
Knock,knock.
Annabelle bobbed from foot to foot as she waited. It felt like an age until she even heard steps radiating through the hallway. As she finally sensed movement, she pressed her ear up against the door to check that it was smaller steps. It was unlikely to be Mr. Brentwood. That was arelief.
