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“Why are you turning on me now Will? What have I done to find such displeasure with you?” Anna asked with every bit of strength she could muster, feeling so confused and betrayed.

“Anna, we are not displeased with you. I had to make a tough decision as head of this household now, and I knew it wouldn’t be a popular one with you. I’m only looking out for your best interests, since you don’t seem able to yourself.” The Duke said in a calm tone trying to dismantle his sister’s anger that filled the room, but before he could say more Anna was challenging his comments.

“How can you profess to be looking out for my best interests, while marrying me off to some Duke I’ve never met!” Anna walked over to where the Duke was seated.

She continued to speak as she looked into his eyes, looking for some compassion. “Have you asked the Duke if he would treat me as an equal, because I refuse to be treated as an inferior? I tell you Will, I refuse to live as our sisters do. They are nothing more than a shadow of their husbands, appearing on their husband’s arms as wilting flowers.”

(Check back tomorrow for part 11 of Chapter 1…)

“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…)

The Duke did not laugh back though, as he began to speak, while he kept his eyes cast downward. “Anna, I have made arrangements for you to marry the Duke of Nottaway.” Hearing her start to speak and he held up his hand as though to hush her and looked up.

Anna was too independent for her own good and the Duke of Charlesmere believed she needed a good man to take control of her. He cleared his throat and began speaking again. “The Duke of Nottaway and myself have come to a gentlemen’s agreement on this matter and it is settled. Your dowry will be titled over to the Duke, as our family’s financial gift in this marriage. I have no doubt that he will treat you properly as his wife and provide for you royally.” He added with no expression on his face.

“What! Oh Will, how could you! The very idea that you are trying to match me up to some nimble-headed Duke, when father is not yet cold in the grave! What is it? Don’t you want to deal with your younger sister any longer?” Anna streaked as she turned her face away from her brother.

“Anna, I can see you are struggling to handle this news, but please let me continue.” William managed to drag out of his mouth and waited for a moment before continuing.

She shook her head in agreement, as she kept her head turned. What else could she do? It seemed he had her whole life planned out for her. She felt sick to her stomach and betrayed. How could he?

(Check back tomorrow for part 9 of Chapter 1…)

The Duke of Charlesmere had been thinking about what he was going to tell his sister all week after working out the details with the Duke of Nottaway, but now he was finding it hard to find the right words to explain to Anna. He hoped he had made the right decision. William couldn’t help wishing he hadn’t been left with this burden of finding a suitable husband for his sister, but since he was head of the household now, it was his responsibility.

“What position is that Will?” Anna prodded further.

“I need to discuss something of great importance Anna. The news may not be what you want to hear, but I need your promise that you will listen to me completely before reacting. Do I have your promise?” He asked waiting for her reply.

Looking at Anna was like looking at his mother in her portraits at that same age, with her long wavy red hair, emerald green eyes, highlighted by soft delicate facial features worthy of a queen. The only difference between the two had been their skin tone; his mother had a fair complexion and his sister had inherited his father’s olive complexion.

She looked at her brother a little puzzled and said, “Of course Will, but you are starting to scare me.” She scolded as she let out a little chuckle.

(Check back for part 8 of Chapter 1 tomorrow)

“Whatever could it be Will to make you squint your face into that awful frown. Is it something to do with father and the will?” Ann stared at her brother, worrying.

“Please have a seat Anna.” He waited for Anna, to sit back down on the chaise then he walked over and took a seat at his father’s old desk. “In a way this does have to do with father’s will. Anna, father left you our upper highland property for your dowry.” William hesitated.

“So, what is it Will? Do you need the property for the estate? You know I would be more than happy to sign it over to you.” Anna responded smiling at her brother, thinking her news would make him happy.

“No, Anna. That’s not needed at all. The estate has plenty of property to stand on it’s own. We both know what a good businessman our father was and I still own well over two thousand acres of some of the richest land in southeast England.” He said as his deep voice sounded guarded.

“What is it Will?” Anna asked with concerned tone.

“Right now, I’m upset with father for putting me in this position, as he should have handled the matter I want to discuss with you, years ago.” William mumbled looking down at his hands he was wringing out behind the desk.

(Check back tomorrow for part 7 of Chapter 1…)