That One Love Story
By: Riley Wells
Tags: Historical Fiction, First Person, Series, Jane Austen, Lovestory

CHAPTER ONE

I am not usually puzzled. I consider myself decently smart and have heard the word ‘intelligent’ used often when describing me. I don’t get embarrassed easily and I am not easily manipulated. I don’t believe in revenge but won’t let myself be trampled on.

Unfortunately, it seems that I have been walked on and embarrassed, and I am very confused as to why and how.

It started with Peter Thomas Lee.

Well, that’s not quite true. Technically, it started when my mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Weathers, moved to Blackburn from London. I was not in the picture then, but my siblings were. Sisters being of ages 7, 4, and 3 named Bambi, Emma, and Rebecca, respectively, and brothers being of ages 9 and 2 named Gale and Russell, respectively.

I came shortly after, the smallest child they had, with bright blue eyes and strikingly blonde hair. I’ve grown into more brunette hair, but my eyes are a stupid blue. Why stupid? Blue eyes are flirtatious, I am not flirtatious. No, I wish I could switch with my sister Rebecca, her green eyes show a level of intelligence she simply does not have. Blue eyes would suit her fancy much more.

Moving on, the Weathers’ were given the nicest house warming gift from their new neighbors, a dinner invitation to the most respected household in Blackburn: the Lee’s. Who were also their neighbors.

You see, both families were of nobility and it was fitting that they would be acquainted. It was a pity the Lee’s were unable to have children, they would have had many friends at the Weathers household. Luckily for Mrs. Lee’s honor, they had their first son, an only child, in the same month the Weathers’ had another daughter, their last child.

Peter Thomas Lee and Ida Lucy Weathers. Only two weeks apart, they seemed destined for each other.

Wrong.

I am currently nineteen, three seasons have passed and many suitors have proposed. Every single one has been denied. I want to go to college and become a doctor. Marriage has never appealed to me and never will. Men have a way of taking the most beautiful, intelligent, and kind souls and turning them into mindless, submissive wives without free thoughts to think. They embed in their wives that producing children is all women a good for.

I will not become a mindless machine to make children with. I want to put my talents and mind to good use.

Now, my puzzlement comes from a certain obvious boy who only serves as a nuisance in my life.

Yesterday I received a telegram from Peter Tom inviting me to dinner at the Lee’s. Just him and his parents. This wasn’t unusual, as I am closest to him but every time this invitation arises, I am always scared out of my wits of a proposal.

The invitation was for five o’clock so naturally, I started getting ready at three. I picked out my new, never been worn, lavender dress that has long, light sleeves that flare ever slightly at my wrist. My dress follows the silhouette of my corset down my mid-drift and straight down to my feet. The outer fabric is stiff and forms a nice figure, it slits in the front to reveal softer, lighter material which gives the dress some character. The neckline is a florentine, quite modest like me, but the back is a bit lower then what is in fashion, I’m not boring, you know.

I put my hair up in an easy updo, fitting for dinner, and walked down the stairs where my mother was waiting for me.

“Mother, how does my new dress suit me?” I did a slight twirl for her.

. “Dearest, you look breathtaking. Hopefully, that boy will finally propose tonight,” she teased me but she looked distant.

“Mother, you know how I feel on that matter,” I intended to make her smile with my corny reply but she seemed distraught.

“Ida Lucy, promise me you will accept a proposal tonight if there is one.”

“What is the matter? You speak with unusual force,” I was concerned at this point. My mother and I have always been close, and we tease ofter about my none-wish to marry Peter Tom.

Mother sighed and rested her hands on my upper arms, “Ida, you are a smart girl. Your father and I have supported your ambition to be an educated lady and become a doctor. I believe, truly, that you could do it, and do it well. But-,” she looked down.

“But?”

She snapped up and stared deep into my eyes, her concern poured into my soul, “Ida, marriage can’t be about love-”

“Mother, I will not compromise my life-”

“Ida. I am your mother and you will listen to me,” she shook me hard and released me, “Ida, Peter won’t try to shrink you, he is the perfect match for you. You know that he isn’t looking for marriage either but his parents and your father and I have planned this since you were in a bassinet. You wouldn’t hold him back, he wouldn’t hold you back, it’d be perfect,” Mother explained it as a business deal.

“Mother. It would not be perfect. What happens when I meet someone else or he meets someone else. There is no love between us, Mother. Not to mention needing to have children,” I countered.

Mother’s face turned red and she replied with finality, “You will accept his proposal tonight, Ida Lucy. And you will grow to love him.”

I pressed my lips into a straight line and clasped my hands together, “My life is not mine, I suppose.”

She stared at me and walks away. I knew that I cannot go against her and that uncontrollable reality stung my eyes and quivered my lip. I walked outside and climbed into the carriage. I let a few lonely tears fall onto my lap. I wrapped my head around marriage with Peter Tom and cursed my predicament.

The carriage ride was only a few minutes so I whipped away my tears and composed myself.

I was led into to drawing-room where I was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Lee but not Peter Tom, instead, there was a young, dashing man, who seemed to be important but also humble.

“Ida! How are you, my dear?” Mrs. Lee came over and hugged me tenderly with her small body.

“Mrs. Lee, I am well, thank you for the invitation,” my voice wavered, it was hard to lie to her.

Her eyes glazed with concern. I just smiled and shook my head. She nodded and exclaimed, “Well you must meet this young man!” She led me across the room to the stranger, “Arthur Clark, this is Ida Weathers.”

I lowered into a curtsy and we made casual conversation for at least half an hour before Peter Tom walked in.

“Ida Lu, I see you’ve meet Arthur,” he observed as he walked over to us.

“Why yes, Mr. Clark was just telling of his schooling,” I said and then added, “Where have you been, Peter Tom? Not chasing chickens I hope.”

This made Arthur chuckle, “You’ve chased chickens, Pete?”

“It was a one-time thing but this one capitalizes off of it whenever she meets another friend of mine,” he said as if annoyed.

“Ah, she is the one you grew up with?”

“In the flesh.”

“Oh, Peter Tom, do you talk of me at school?” I said airly.

“Only to express my desire to have male company at home, dearest,” he matched my teasing in his response and we all shared a laugh.

“Dinner is served.”

“Ah, yes, finally. Come along you three,” Mr. Lee summoned.

“Ida, come with me dear,” Mrs. Lee commanded gently from her couch.

I glanced up at Peter Tom but he shrugged and followed his mate and father. So I was alone. I walked over to her and sat. She took my hands and said, “Dearest, please be dainty tonight. Arthur came with intentions.”

I was utterly confused at first and blurted out, “But I thought that Peter was going to-”

“You thought what of me?” I turned and there he was, not quite out of the room yet.

And this is where I pause to realize my mistake and soak in my puzzlement. My mother was wrong about Peter’s intentions and so was I. At this moment, I feel my face get hot and my throat catches on my next words.

“Uh, nothing. I misspoke,” I managed as a terrible excuse.

Peter doesn’t buy it. He steps closer slowly and suspicationally says, “You have never misspoken in your entire life. What’s going on, Mother?”

. “I think I’ll leave you two alone,” she dodges the question and walks out, ignoring my words of resistance.

“What did you mean by that, Ida Lu?”

“Nothing, Pete.”

“You never call me ‘Pete’.”

“I’m going to dinner.”

“No, you’re not,” he grabbed my arm as I try to walk past him. I stop dead in my tracks. He softly asks, “Ida Lu, what’s going on?”

He releases me and I say, “I was told by my mother to expect a proposal from you tonight, that’s all. I was just confused. Nothing else.”

“Oh, so that comment was out of shock, that’s all,” he concludes.

I let out a short laugh and reply teasingly, “You didn’t actually think that I wanted a proposal from you, did you?”

“Ida Weathers, wanting a proposal from someone? Never,” He counters with a smirk.

“Come on, dinner will be cold by the time we get there.”