Trevor and Co. would have the world believe that I bewitched Lucretia into loving me, and that was the catalyst for everything. In truth, Lucretia was the witch. The only part they got right was that she was what started it all.
Even though I didn’t see her for a while after our trip on the cart, I continued to think about her. Days turned into weeks, and she remained the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing on my mind when I went to sleep. Was she thinking about me? What could I do to expedite seeing her again? I went to town a lot in the hopes that perhaps she’d be flaunting her assets to the mayor some more. No dice.
Just when I was about to walk over to Purchase Hill and knock on her door, a fancy envelope came in the mail addressed to the Hermanson Family. It didn’t have Dad’s name specifically on it, and I, being a member of the family, had every right to open it.
Written in fancy script was an invitation from the Delorne residence to a housewarming party. A party that would no doubt double as a way to find more suitors for Lucretia. Good thing I had a new suit in the closet that I’d only worn once. Did I bring flowers? Yes, that would be a smart decision, I decided. This is the perfect way for her to meet my parents too. They’ll have to approve of her, also. Not like they wouldn’t. How could they not when she’s so...perfect? I smiled and ran my fingers over the invitation, lost in a daydream.
My father slammed the door open, startling me out of a rather beautiful image where I’d been dancing with Lucretia under a golden chandelier. I jumped, and he sniggered, enjoying that. Probably why he made such a ruckus in the first place. That’s the kind of guy he was. He walked over and snatched the invitation from my hand.
“A party,” he murmured.
“Yes, from the new residents in town. The fact we were sent one means they must be good people,” I said. Reminding him that the Purchases hated our guts would make him think the world of the Delornes.
For a long time, he stared at the invite. “I’m not sure going to this party is a good idea.”
“Why not!”
Dad glared at me.
I bit my lip, counted to three, and tried again. “I would just like to understand because this is the family that…I’ve met their daughter. She…we…”
“She’s the one you’ve had your head stuck in the clouds over all of this time,” Dad finished. I nodded. He sighed. “If I’d known that, I would have nipped that idea in the bud right away. She is not the type of woman you should be pursuing.”
My hands clenched into fists. “Why—”
“Not?” Dad ripped the invitation in half. “The Purchases didn’t leave their home willingly. While the rest of this stupid town goes to bend over backwards for this new family, I won’t. My integrity is more important than status.”
“Maybe the Purchases deserved whatever happened to them!”
I expected my dad to lose his mind at my outburst. He hated when I spoke out of turn or dared to question him. The fact that he didn’t scared me most.
Instead, he looked me in the eyes. His gaze was so cold and serious. “This girl might be beautiful, like a goddess even. You will not see her, and you will definitely not attend that party. Do you understand?”
I thought I could get out of lying by saying nothing. Hold my tongue, look down all sad and dejected like. Let him see how devastated his order made me, yet how I would begrudgingly obey it regardless.
He slapped his hand against the kitchen table. “Do. You. Understand?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “Do you know something more than what you’re telling?”
“Stories are going around, and I don’t believe gossip to be fact; however, it always stems from truth.” He might have been a jerk, but he sure was a wise one. “The one thread all of these stories have in common is the devil. I won’t be selling my soul right along with them.”
“I…see…”
Naturally, because he said she was forbidden it just made me want her all the more. Somehow, I’d find a way to that party. My father’s approval never meant anything to me before. Why would that suddenly change?
Satisfied with my supposed submission, he left for his bedroom where he’d probably sleep until my mother came home from running her errand. I waited a solid thirty seconds before finding a piece of paper in a drawer, so I could write a reply. It’s a good thing I knew the address for the old Purchase Hill mansion by heart. Everyone in town did.
Lucretia,
Please accept my apologies for replying to your invitation in such a manner. My father did not have a favorable reaction to the gesture. I would very much like to see you. Soon. I’ll be waiting for you nightly in front of the library until the evening of the party. I promise I’ll make the mile walk worth your while.
Regards,
William
I looked over the letter a few times before sealing it into an envelope. The grandfather clock from the den rang three times. I could make it to Lucretia’s house and back before dinner. I had no problem running the entire way. She was worth all
