Thread: Chaste love can't remain chaste [DOM + Confrazzled]

??Felicity, dearheart, there are certain . . . items that we have waited for a long time before bringing them to your attention. But it seems that we can no longer shield you from them.? Felicity??s father??s tone turned serious here. He??d been working up to saying something important all afternoon, the college student knew. It had been written across his face, the set of his shoulders. She just wondered why it had to be said here, in the stiff parlour, perched on Chippendale chairs used only for the most genteel company. It was something important enough to summon her away from Saint Angela??s College for Refined Young Ladies, from orchestra practice, from the concert that loomed two mere evenings away. It was only hours later that her father approached the crux of his summons. ????you have to understand, we wanted you to have a happy childhood,? her mother interjected. ??But it is time for that childhood to be over now,? her father stated, the final word on the topic. Wanted? Felicity clutched the handle of her clarinet case in her lap, her knuckles turning as white as its ivory. ??But I do not understand,? Felicity murmured, ??this is not about Aunt Kay, then?? A long pause. ??No. This has nothing to do with your aunt. It is far more??? ??Stop drawing it out!? hissed her mother, green eyes flashing. ??Caroline, it is not like it shall be the end of her life.? ??I just wish you had consulted me before doing something so rash,? her mother interjected again, looking out of the sunny window. Her father ignored this last pointed comment, and plowed onwards. ??You are in college now, dearheart, and hardly a child anymore. And certainly at a girls?? school there are few enough prospects for you. And even so, you have been far from forthcoming about those that do exist. Now, we had hoped that some of your ??bosom friends?? would perhaps possess inheriting older brothers or somesuch, but it seems not to be the case . . . but then, our old neighbours the Naismiths approached us with a very commendable offer for your hand . . .? ??Eddie? Eddie Naismith?? The words were scarce more than a whisper, the flutter of an outpushed breath. Her spine propped erect like a wooden doll??s in the outmoded corset that she still wore, she sat stock still, refusing to tremble. It took Felicity a moment to compose her thoughts into some sort of order. Little Eddie, flax-haired, taunting Eddie, who??d chased her about the gardens and she??d chased him right back for all of those summers of their childhoods. And, ashamed as she was to admit it, her first kiss and her last. Not that she??d ever told a soul, no, that had been up to one of the maids cleaning the second-floor windows. ??B-but this is ridiculous!? Felicity replied, completely flabbergasted and apple-green eyes reeling madly, wringing her pale hands and struggling to remain perched, toe-length seafoam-green day dress, ruffles, bustle and all, on that dratted uncomfortable seat. ??We hardly know each other and I . . . I have school . . .? ??That is part of it, Felicity dearheart. You will not have school, not unless you marry Mr. Naismith. You little childhood companion, Edward. He and his family have graciously agreed to finance the rest of your education, among other things. We really need not speak to the dean about ejaculating you, hmm? I would think you would be a little more grateful at this serendipitous turn.? His father??s tone was velvet-soft, but steel hovered just below the surface. ??Just when . . . when would I be meeting this . . . fianc?? the girl forced out the words, almost afraid to ask. Certainly too afraid to meet her father??s eyes with her own emerald set, hiding instead behind a curtain of a few lightly waving tendrils of jet hair, escaped from their old-fashioned upsweep of tortoiseshell combs. ??As a matter of fact . . .? her mother wrung her hands nervously, and glanced at the parlour door. ??Momentarily.?