Little Lily, Ch. 1: Happy Birthday

I watched the leaves slowly fall off the trees into the steady stream. They would fall so softly only to be swept away and carried who knows how far till they met the bay, if they could make it all that way. I sighed as I looked up at the sun. I knew I best be on my way home. I slowly got up and brushed some dirt off my blue dress with white trimmings around the bottom and top. It was one of my birthday presents. It showed off my figure quite well and was cut lower than any of my previous dresses. I loved yet hated it. Everyone knows what my 17th birthday meant.

My step father can officially start trying to send me off to be married. My two eldest sisters were able to marry at their own will. As for me, Amaryllis, and Magnolia we'll have our husband chose for us and soon. My step father kept Amaryllis around for her sheer beauty. He knew it wouldn't be hard finding a man for her. Magnolia has avoided being married off by striking up a bet that she will when Amaryllis and I start. Well, now my father has said it is time for all three of us to be married off and by next year. My youngest sisters Camillia and Holly are lucky they don't have to worry about this yet. Camillia being only six and Holly being fourteen.

I on the other hand am 17 and deeply worried. Tomorrow night is the first official ball I must attend with Amaryllis and Magnolia. I doubt that anyone will see me standing next to those two. Amaryllis has huge blue eyes and the most golden blonde hair anyone has ever seen. She always gets everyone's attention. Magnolia, Amaryllis's twin might not be as beautiful as Amaryllis but her hair is a darker shade of golden blonde and her eyes aren't as puppy dog like as Amaryllis's but they still are a dashing shade of blue as well. They are two of the most beautiful people you will ever meet.

I, unlike them, have light brown hair that doesn't like to stay brushed or tame and have green coloured eyes. I look much more like me actual father though I share my middle name with my mother. Rose, my mother is another absolutely stunningly beautiful person. Her strawberry blonde hair with her forget me not blue eyes makes her one of the most pretty women to ever live in England. As for my step father, he has blonde hair with light brown eyes. I can't say he's not somewhat handsome but he's mostly just wealthy.

Speaking of the devil guess who was waiting for me at the door. He did not look happy, at all. "Lily, dear," he said with a scowl like grin. "I belive we need to have a little chat." I came up the steps and approached him saying "As you wish father, but may I inquire as to what you may need to address me about?" He then smiled and said meet me in my study as soon as you clean up. If you would so like to know it regards your 17th birthday that just passed." I stormed inside I knew he was really going to tell me off about it is not proper got young ladies to wonder about and play in the river. I did as he requested but was a bit surprised to find Amaryllis and Magnolia there when I arrived.

Father told us to sit as mom entered and joined him standing in the front of us all. She didn't smile but instead took a seat in the corner of the room and waved her hand as if to say "continue." He took a step forward and cleared his throat before starting "You know it is about time we find you proper husbands and marry you off as you 3 put it. I don't care what you've been tought in the past. I will see to it you are married ti someone of class and wealth unlike your older sisters who were given away to whom ever they pleased." At that point Magnolia had cut his next line off with "They willingly chose to marry them. Both are very nice fellows that love them more than all the money in the world."

Though he did not tolerate that very well at all "You have seem to be the most rebellious when it comes to this subject. I say this is nonescence. All of you will be given to whom I think best." At that my mouth flew open and I said it. "You mean to whom will pay the most." A dead silence fell over us all.

My mother got up and exitted the room without a word. As soon as she was gone he came towards me. "You do not know what is best for you but I do. I will not stand here and have all of you tell me how I am suppose to handle this matter. In other words, yes, whoever will pay the most gets his choice but don't worry I have made a special deal for you, little Lily." His voice was low and he came closer and closer. "You who can not act like a lady, running about the streets and frolicking in the fields near the ponds and streams. You shall be given to the man of MY choice and I think you should be quite content for where I'm sending you there are no propper ladies only the scum of the Earth."

Magnolia screamed "What in heaven's name are you talking about?" He turned to look at her then back to me and hissed "Delvid Sherter, have you heard of him?" Amaryllis jumped up and shook her head "No, Not him, he runs the trade! He sells the women he gets!" He turned to her and tried to calm her. "He actually is paying a rather good price for an actual wife. A daughter of mine. Though he wanted you and I refused. Told him the younger one would be more to his liking."

I was in shock. Did I scream? Did I run? Did I refuse? No, I didn't do any of those things instead I sat there watching my sisters horrified faces. Amaryllis started to cry so Magnolia took her into her arms to confort her. Then he started to speak again, his voice calm as if we just had a discussion about what was for dinner. "I gave him three months to come up with the money so you still have some time left. Though don't think for a second I'm not watching you. You will still attend the socials and go about looking as if you are not already promised to someone. Now, in news to you two. There is a man from London who will be staying with us. He will arrive tomorrow just in time for the ball. His name is Johnathon Aster. He's a very wealthy poet who has spent most of his time in Eastern Europe but has returned to England feeling that it is time to settle and find a wife. I expect you all on your best behaviors Even you, little Lily." He said those last words almost as a threat.

Both my sisters nodded their heads in agreement and walked out. I slowly rose and followed to the door before turning back over my shoulder to see him smiling at us. I threw a dirty look with a low mutter of "You are no father of mine." then turned to walk quietly but swiftly to my room. I avoided everyones worried eyes, even my mothers. I knew my fate now but I still had time. What about my poor sisters? What man is this that they must fear? What type of poet whom I have never heard of makes deals with an evil man like my step father? Will he take one of my sister's hands and which sister will it be?