October 1
These past few days have been dreadful. If I had accepted Mr. Huntingdon’s proposal I believe I would have been in happier day. He is quite upset with me and refuses to seek out my company. Again he spites me by openly indulging his time with Annabella.
How can a man confess to love me when he so quickly changes and intentionally works to hurt me? I know now that I have made the right decision no matter how hard it was.
My aunt has not spoken to me of this matter, but I know she is proud that she was right. I know her pride would not have been the same if I had chosen the wrong path, for she dearly loves me and would have been hurt to watch me live with such a decision if I had chosen wrongfully. I am thankful for her scolding and am blessed that I had listened and heeded her warnings.
Milicent is also glad that I has declined Mr. Huntingdon’s proposal.
‘I do not know why you had like him to begin with. People are correct to say that he is handsome, but there is something reckless about him that I do not like.’
‘Yes, I see that now my dear Milicent. What a fool I had been.’
‘Besides,’ she teased me. ‘I do not find his red complexion flattering at all.’
I laughed at this - it felt good to feel some sort of happiness again.
Her tone then became rather serious. ‘Helen, I hope I am not too rash to say this, but I have often imagined that you would one day be my sister. Walter is to arrive next season, and I truly think you would like him for there are no two people that I like best in the world. Well, besides mamma, but in unison you two would be one flesh. Besides, he’s also far more distinguished-looking, and nicer, than that Mr. Huntingdon.’
‘Oh, Milicent, you flatter your brother too much as you are his sister.’
‘Very well, but I honestly think your patience will reward itself if you wait to judge him for yourself.’
‘Have you told him about me?’
She blushed, ‘Yes, and I do not apologize for doing so. From my kindly and honest reports I do believe that he most desires to meet you.’
We discussed the matter no further for Annabella entered the room to announce that Mr. Huntingdon - or, Arthur, as she calls him - had asked for her hand in marriage, which she most gladly accepted.
For both of their sakes I pray that they will be happily married. Perhaps their wildness will tire each other out and they will live a comfortable and peaceful life.
note: This is the fifth part of a short story fan fic for the Summer 2013 Writing Challenge. The prompt was to change a relationship from the original.
In the original, Helen had accepted Mr. Huntingdon's proposal and was to be married after Christmas. As well, Annabella and Mr. Huntingdon later had had multiple affairs while being married (Annabella had married Lord Lowborough in the original), so I have decided to have them get married so that they do commit such a sin.
