wondering if they would ever stop talking about this. She paced back and forth like a caged animal helpless; unable to escape from captivity. She turned around and stared at her reflection in the mirror as she started mumbling, “What do they want from me? Do they hate me this much? Do I mean nothing at all to them to the point of treating me as merchandize that they are selling off to the highest bidder? …. Why can’t they see that I am a human being and have feelings. I doubt that they will ever understand or see this.”

With anger rising in her helpless eyes, she turned her head towards the door (and snared) as it was opened slowly and yelled knowing it would be her mother coming to resume one of those meaningless lectures, “Don’t waste your breath mother… I will not accept him. I prefer to die than to marry this wrinkly old pig.”

Her mother replied with a sigh, “You know talking like this will anger your father. Why do you keep defying his decisions? You know this will only win you another ten lashes and a night in the stocks with no dinner again. The man is rich, and all his children are married now so you will live in that big castle alone. You are going to be the mistress of that house. I am sure he will do everything in his power to make you happy. He is captured by your beauty and charm, my child.”

Marie stared at her mother, “But he is so old. His grandchildren are close to my age. Why do you want to do this to me, mother? We are not poor… we have more than enough. My father is a Baron and you are from a family of nobles. Isn’t all this enough for you?”

“My dear child, you are too young to understand how life goes around here. There is nothing called enough. It is never enough …not even close. The man is an Earl and his word has its weight in the royal court. He is your father’s partner in business and if your father refuses this marriage he will end this partnership and your father…. All of us will lose so much. Do you want to be responsible for such? Do you want us to lose our station and be shunned in our community because of your childish actions? You know I want the best for you and …”

Her last statement was cut short as Marie glared at her with a mix of anger, frustration and resentment. Her voice shaking with fury, “Don’t you dare speak about love… You don’t love me… no mother who loves her child would do that to her. You love only yourself and your pretentious life. You love no one and nothing but you. I hate you… I hate you all…. Get out!”

With a look of shock on her face she stared at her daughter, her little girl, in disbelief, “You hate me? You are ungrateful thing… I will leave you alone but before I go let me tell you this, young lady. You will marry the Earl and you will do all your father orders you to. You will have your father to deal with. I will not try to stop him nor come between you anymore. You know what he will do if you continue acting like this and speaking the way you are now.”

She lifted her chin up arrogantly and turned around forcing the words out, “Good Night!” She shut the door behind her firmly and her firm footsteps could be heard as she walked away.