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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single women must be in want of a man with good fortune. In the case of when a women lives in a household where she already holds good fortune, then she must be married to a man with a higher fortune. This was the case for Willow Tewksbury, who lived in a high established family, and was now strained to be engaged to a formal gentlemen.
"Head up. Shoulders back."
Willow followed the instructions given by her tutor. She was currently being trained up to be the 'perfect woman', which Willow definitely wasn't too fond on being, but when living in a highly respected family, ends must meet. "You're slouching Willow." the teacher, who Willow knew as 'Madame Becks' criticised the girls slouching posture.
"But it hurts..." Willow frowned, rolling her eyes while reluctantly returning to the perfect posture.
"I know you don't enjoy these lessons, but Sir Watson is on his way, and you need to look your best." Madame Becks explained, fixing Willow's appearance.
"Oh yes, Sir Watson. I cannot believe i'm being forced to be betrothed to a man who I don't even know!" Willow huffed, crossing her arms and falling back into a chair behind her. Madame Becks watched the girl fall and sighed, putting her hands on her hips.
"You may enjoy his company miss, don't judge too quickly." Madame Becks shrugged, smiling at the younger girl. Willow was about to argue back, when her mother suddenly came rushing into the room. Madame Becks stepped back to allow Caroline, Willow's mother, past.
"Oh Willow hurry, Sir Watson is here!" Caroline fussed, grabbing her daughters hands and rushing her out of the bedroom and down the stairs to the main hall. She placed Willow in front of the door and was then joined by her uncle and grandmother.
A moment later, the door creaked open and in-walked Sir Thomas Watson, who smiled at the family in front of him.
"Sir Watson, what a pleasure it is to have you here!" Caroline smiled, walking towards the man. Thomas smiled at her and nodded his head.
"It's a pleasure to be here, thank you for having me." Thomas replied. Caroline smiled at the boy and then moved to the side. Willow stood in place and took in the man in front of her. She hated to admit it, but he wasn't that unattractive. He had dark brown hair which structured his face well, and he had brown side burns that complimented him. The man looked up to Willow and slowly started to make his way towards the girl. Willow gulped and looked up as the man stood in front of her.
"Lady Tewkesbury, it's lovely to meet you." He smiled, grabbing the back of Willow's hand and kissing it. As much as Willow hated this interaction, she pushed away her emotions and bowed slightly.
"It's also lovely to meet you too, Sir Watson."
The two silently stared at one another, taken in each others appearance. I mean, they would be marrying each other, so they better get used to one another's looks. Unfortunately, her mother saw the awkward staring and pushed Willow to make the first move.
"Oh Sir Watson-"
"Please, call me Thomas."
"Thomas, you should let my daughter show you her painting room! She is the most wonderful artist!" Caroline gushed.
"I would love to see it." Thomas grinned, and Willow guided the man to the room. As they walked in, Thomas took in the surroundings, almost every wall was covered in paintings, some from Willow herself and others from well-known artists.
She lead him to an unfinished painting that she was currently working on. It was a drawing of a man laid down on a chair, while a women seemed to be reading to him.
"You drew this?" Thomas asked, a trace of shock in his voice.
"It's not finished yet, but I read a page similar to this in my most recently read book and well, I wanted to try and recreate it." Willow explained, tracing her hand around the man on the picture, admiring her own work.
"It is simply wonderful, you're very talented." Thomas complimented, looking down at the girl.
A faint flush crept into Willow's cheeks and she smiled, it was rare for someone to compliment her work, especially since she was a woman. "Thank you, I appreciate it. I shall have to draw you one day."
"You'd have to make sure you capture my handsome good lucks!" He joked, laughter filled the room.
"Might be difficult to do." She replied, Thomas put his hand over his heart and pretended to be shot in the heart by Willow's words.
"You wound me."
Willow chuckled at Thomas. She was happy they were getting a long, he seemed rather pleasant to be around, so maybe this marriage wouldn't be so bad of an idea. However, as Willow was about to start a new conversation, her family came rushing in, panicked looks on their faces.
"What's happened?" Willow asked, stepping forward and walking towards her mother.
"It's your brother. He's got on a train and he's gone!" Caroline panicked. Willow's eyes widened and she looked back at Thomas, who seemed to be confused as to what was happening.
"It's okay mother, we will find him." Willow reassured, putting her arms on her mothers shoulders. Willow looked towards a maid who was stood beside the door. "Miss, ask someone to collect the carriage!"
The family hurried into the carriage, Willow being the last person to climb in. She turned around as she was about to take a step and looked at Thomas who was stood at the door.
"We'll be right back! I'm so sorry!" She shouted, and then jumped into the carriage with the rest of her family. Thomas smirked as the carriage rode away and shook his head, he was already starting to like this girl.
