Kissed by a Rose

1. The Morning of my Sixteenth Birthday

Forbidden romances have always been my favorite kind of story. There is something so sensual in the way a man and woman have to overcome the world just to be together for one night, for that is what their love is made of—secret meetings and stolen kisses to keep their shared bond alive.

I suppose that is why I felt this unrelenting urge to touch him. We spent more than a fortnight together, but our love was just a flicker never to ignite. We were never meant to be together forever, but I regret nothing.

Our story begins on the morning of my sixteenth birthday. One would think that a young girl on the verge of womanhood would be happy on this day of celebration, but I was terrified. For on this day, I was to be engaged. It has been a tradition in my family for the women to be engaged at the age of sixteen. This is as it was ever since our family had risen to aristocracy decades ago.

I was dreading breakfast for I did not want to find out who I was intended for. I feigned ill and had Flora, my servant, bring my food to my chambers.

"Miss, did you not want to join your father for breakfast? He has some awfully exciting news for you."

"You do not need to feign ignorance, Flora. I am well aware that his news is regarding my betrothed."

"Then why is Miss still in bed? Do you not want to know whom you are promised to? I overhead your mother, and I do believe he is quite the catch, a Duke or something at that. He owns the port in Vaheera. The whole port, Miss! Your life will be one hundred times what it is here! And I do hope you bring me with you!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm. For all her talking, Flora always could make the worst situations tolerable.

"Flora, when did you marry Harold?"

"I was just thirteen."

"Thirteen! Why ever would you decide to marry at thirteen? I could not even focus on my studies at thirteen."

"Well, I loved him, Miss. He is most tender. I remember when he was courting me—he was so clumsy. This one time, he brought a cake to share during a picnic and the poor lad became soaked by one of those sun rains, but presented the cake anyways. It was sopping in the basket! I would have tossed it by then!"

Flora's laugh made me giggle. It was difficult to imagine the Harold that Flora was speaking of. The Harold that I knew was a strong fisherman, respected by everyone at the port on Coroneos and known in the farther lands. He is twelve years, Flora's senior, but they made a happy pair.

"Are you frightened, Miss?"

"Pardon?"

"About your engagement? I do not mean to speak out of term, but I guessed that is why you claimed ill today."

"There are just so many unknowns. What if he is fat? Or what if he is mean to me? Or he does not like animals? Or what if he snores? Or is old? And what about the wedding night? I am not ready for that! I will not make love to someone if there is no love to give."

"Calm yourself, Miss. These stray thoughts are just going to continue to plague you until you have some more knowledge. I urge you to meet your father in the parlor and to hear about your betrothed. You are his only daughter, and I believe he just wants to maintain your comfort and safety."

"I know, I know. You are right. Will you help me get dressed? I would like to wear my blue gown."

As I moved from my bed and headed towards the room divider, there were so many thoughts running through my mind that I hadn't seen the gown and jewels Flora laid out. Amongst them was my favorite blue gown. My mother had given it to me for my fifteenth birthday and I wore it always. It was definitely not the brightest anymore, but it was still my favorite.

After I was done getting dressed, I descended the stairs and moved towards the parlor. Upon entering, the smell of smoke filled my senses and I let out a sigh. My father was quite the smoker and his parlor always seemed to be full of the smoke. My mother refused to enter due to the smell, but I never minded. It was the smell that reminded me of him and I had grown accustomed it.

"Papa, I hear that you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes my dear; have a seat. Are you feeling better?"

As I sat down, I had briefly forgotten that I feigned ill that morning. Smiling to my father, I said, "Much better. I do think I just needed something to eat."

After I had sat down, my father stood up and began to pace slightly in front of the fireplace. Without looking at me, he said, "Well that is very good to hear. As you are aware, you have become of marriageable age. Your mother and I have found the perfect man to become your husband. He is..."

His explanation had ceased as he shuffled through the papers on his desk. Curious, I had moved forward in my seat a bit. "Ah! Here you are my dear."

I swiftly glanced up, noticing the photography my father was pressing me to take. I looked over the image quite intently before letting out a breath that I had not realized I was holding. Well he was neither fat nor old. Relief. He was rather handsome and refined-looking. I suppose I had been smiling for my father interrupted my thoughts.

"I'm glad he pleases you, Rosie. To be honest, I have been quite the wreck about this. After all, you are my only daughter."

"Oh, Papa!" I stood up. "I have been terribly nervous and frightened as well!"

My father let out a laugh and pulled me in for a hug. "It does this old man proud to know that you are to go somewhere that will make you happy." He placed a soft kiss into my hair, and I could barely feel his mustache graze the top of my head. I will miss him terribly.

As he let me go, I wiped the tears from my cheek. "Do tell me more about him, Papa."

We both sat in his parlor and talked for what seemed to be an eternity. His name was Quinton, and as Flora had mentioned, the owner of Vaheera's port. He was twenty-three years old. Papa talked of his love for travel and reading, which only piqued my interest and fueled my attraction for him. He was loved by the men working beneath him and tended to his servants needs as much as his own. My fantasy of our life together was cut short.

"Ah, my dear. I must be off. I have a meeting with the counsel in a little while." I hugged my father before he left and thanked him for arranging such a fortunate match. As I looked down at my soon-to-be beloved's photograph, I could not contain the elation that I felt. If only I had known what was to come.