Thread: Home From War (Dr. Curiosity&Sweet Angel Jocelyn)

Susanna had kept many of the letters she'd received from Anthony but the most important to her was the one she'd written on her wedding day. She should have been marrying him, not Paul Landry. And it weighed heavily on her mind. The day that should have been the happiest day of her life had turned into something like a second funeral to her. She had been forced to grieve anew, without the benefit of the black gowns that had become her costume for nearly a year. But in the end, what was a seventeen year old to do? Deny her father's wishes and remain a spinster forever? It had not been acceptable that the only child of such a man not marry. The belle was sitting in front of her mirror as her servant tied the stays of her corset, re-reading the letter that had spilled all of her emotions to Anthony. It broke her already deflated heart even thinking of all she'd lost through the war. Her final good-bye to her now long-lost lover would be kept close to her heart so that she never forget what it was like being with him and suddenly losing him, twice. 'My Dearest Anthony, I still cannot grasp that this will be the last letter I ever write to you. It is a letter a year in coming, but still I do not know what to write. I want so desperately to tell you of my love. To tell you that soon I will see you and will be welcoming you home with wide arms so that we may be married finally. Instead I am writing on my wedding day to another man that I do not love. There is a whole missing in my world. A place that you belong with no exceptions. My long dead heart screams to be re-awoken by your kiss, but that I know will never happen. I wish every night that we could have been married before the war, and that I would have your child at least, if I could not have you. What is supposed to happen to me without you? Well, let me tell you. I am marrying Paul Landry, a man of my father's choosing who can further his faded image. The man was one of the first sent out to war, and he is twenty years my senior. He was shot and listed as unable to continue with the fighting. So, he has come back to the county looking for a bride. I suppose that he was simply waiting for bad luck to befall. I was barely able to fight my father on this marriage, as you are no longer around to take me as your bride. I would rather be in mourning of you for the rest of my days. I cannot say good-bye to you, my love, my Anthony. Mother recommended this letter to do just that, but I cannot find the right words, or the right feeling to truly tell you farewell. My heart died when word came of your death. If I could deliver this letter to your body, I may feel less empty of the loss, but I've been told we may never have your body to bury. It is nearly as upsetting as the thought of marrying some body else. So, the day I trade my black gowns for the white of a bride, I must also find someway to clear a part of my heart for the man who will be my husband. For my father, I will try. But for you, I fear I will never succeed. Take care of my heart, my love. Forever in mourning, Susanna.' Nothing her husband could have done would have made Susanna as happy as having Anthony would have. They both knew that she wasn't wholly into the marriage, but it was no worry of either of them. Paul had his mistress, and Susanna had her memories. Their's had become a marriage of image. And it was the way it would always be. Susanna, the once wild young Native girl was the perfect lady and wife, giving Paul the person at his side that he needed. However, next on the couple's plate was the hardest for Susanna to accept. They would have to start a family have an heir for the Landry name and fortune. Mrs Landry. A voice came from the doorway. Susanna turned to see Paul's head servant looking at her. The man was a black and so Susanna wasn't concerned about modesty. She had known the man since she'd been married and he'd shown no inclination of violence or carrying about her being nearly nude around him. Master Landry wanted me to remind you that you will be leaving in close to an hour for the festivities. Susanna nodded and waved him away, stuffing the letter into the box she'd always kept it in.