September 19
We are to have company over for the next little while. I should say that I dread it all, and I do. However, I do look forward to being in Mr. Huntingdon’s presence once again. These past couple of months seem to have been an eternity without him for he is always in my thoughts and dreams.
They all arrived the day before yesterday. For two hours I was by the window refusing to be dressed by Rachel until I saw that Mr. Huntingdon had arrived. Mr. Wilmot, Annabella and Milicent were the first to arrive. Milicent and I conversed as I watched the guests arrive - she is such a sweet girl I wish I were more like her.
Mr. Boarham then Lord Lowborough arrived in their carriages. Then at last Mr. Huntingdon made his appearance, which is when I finally submitted myself to be dressed for dinner.
And what a tormentful dinner it was having to sit in between Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Boarham. Afterwards I was granted a relief from my sufferings by conversing with Mr. Huntingdon for a few minutes.
Annabella accompanied herself on the piano as she sang for us a couple of songs. I was pleased to notice that Mr. Huntingdon paid more attention to my drawings than to her singing.
But my delight was soon cut short when he vexed me by sitting down by Miss Wilmot for the rest of the evening. I am sure he did that to spite me for he knows very well how I regard him.
I then soon quitted the party to find refuge in the library. Once the guests began to retire for the evening I then ventured out of my seclusion to fetch a candlestick from the drawing-room. I was surprised to run into Mr. Huntingdon. He held me close and I could not escape his grasp. He taunted me with my jealousy, telling me that I hated not him but Annabella. I burned with such indignation and informed him that I certainly did hate him at the moment. He then laughed and had the audacity to kiss me before he released me from his embrace.
I then fetched the candlestick and fled to my room.
At breakfast Mr. Huntingdon was peculiarly kind to all, especially Annabella and every member of her party, as well as Mr. Boarham. His cheerfulness angered me as he talked to all but myself.
I spent the morning in the library with the desire to paint. Not soon after I had begun Mr. Huntingdon made his intrusion. He bothered me with his inquiries of my painting and his browsing through my unfinished sketches, of which I do not let anyone view. He would not let go of a sketch, I pleaded with him to return it and was forced to snatch it from his grasp in order to obtain it. I then tore the piece into two. He then stormed out of the room.
Being too agitated to finish my painting, I showed Annabella and Milicent the beauties of the country. After a pleasantly long walk we returned just as the men were from their hunting. Mr. Huntingdon continued to spite me by devoting his attention to Annabella. My aunt was quite pleased at this change, however, I was most enraged. Annabella smiled down at me, rubbing in her victory over me.
I wish they all could be gone, but there goes the dinner bell and I can hear aunt coming to my door to scold me for having spent the entire day at my desk.
September 22
Mr. Huntingdon has continued to infuriate me these past few days with his doting on dear Annabella. She was the first person he walked up to today, and after dinner he asked her to play and sing for our entertainment.
Yet I cannot stop thinking about him, I toss and turn in my sleep. Milicent does not understand and tells me to forget him. If only I could simply forget him just like that! - how he torments my mind.
Annabella’s sweet music was beautiful, I can see why he would be charmed by her.
Once she was finished I departed the room to find solace in my favorite spot, the library.
My solitude did not last long though as I heard the door creak open. Supposing it to be only a servant I continued to softly gush out tears into a cushion.
Then I heard his gentle voice which I had not the strength to answer.
‘Helen, what is the matter?’
He then knelt down beside me on the rug.
‘Please, you must tell me.’
‘It does not concern you, Mr Huntingdon.’
‘Say the word and I shall leave you. But I enchant you to tell me for I will then have something to say to you.’
‘Leave me, or say what you will then depart.’
‘I can not do both, for which do you prefer? For me to depart or for us to share a few words?’
I did not dare respond for I neither wanted him to go and I feared for what he wished to say.
‘I will take your silence as a yes, and grant that your tears were for me. I fear I have afflicted you with my actions of the late.’
‘Yes, sir, you are correct.’
He then half embraced me and poured out his affection for me.
‘I am driven mad by you. Annabella is but a distraction, for you are the real gem, the diamond of my eye. I cannot live without. Helen, I must have you as my own.’
His excitement caused me to panic and I struggled to free myself from his embrace fearing that he would squeeze me to death.
‘Please let me go, for you know that I cannot accept you without permission from my uncle and aunt.’
‘They would refuse me, you know it.’
‘One could not say for certain.’
‘Grant me your approval and I will win over your uncle and aunt. Helen, do you love me?’
I looked up into his eyes trying to determine what kind of future we may have with each other, I opened my mouth to speak-
note: This is the third part of a short story fan fic. The prompt was to end mid-sentence.
