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“Look at me Anna.” He commanded and waited for her to turn her head in his direction before he continued. “I know father and you had a agreement that you could choose your own husband, but that has proved not to be a sound decision. At the time of the agreement, you were sixteen years old and now six years later you are still unmarried and rejecting every suitable offer. Anna you’ve had fifteen suitors you’ve rejected, and this can’t continue. Our father was not prudent in his decision he made with you years ago, so I’ve had to handle this for you.”

The Duke stood up and walked toward the window without saying a word. He sat on the windowsill as he drew more strength and continued. “Anna you know that both our sisters were married when they were sixteen to suitable gentlemen of noble blood. I refuse to allow you to go on unmarried. It’s just not descent. You should have been married years ago, and I’m not going to allow it to continue any longer.” He said with sternness as he tried to draw up his last bit of strength in his deep voice.

“Will how could you? I haven’t accepted any of those marriage proposals, because those arrogant self-serving men, whom you call suitable, would have used me only as an ornament on their arms. They considered my artwork and writings a silly hobby that could be easy tossed away.” She took a deep breath then continued. “I know men in this country treat women as objects or prizes to be trotted in front of their friends but I refuse to be only an object set aside! My mind is as good as any mans, father said so many times, and am I not my father’s child? I know that English men are esteemed more highly than women, but you were raised to know better. You knew father respected my feelings and understood how I felt about marrying a man just for the sake of marrying!” She could feel her own flesh starting to boil with anger.

(Check back tomorrow for part 10 of Chapter 1…)