A Forgotten Memory

Chapter 13: Family and Dresses

Chapter 13: Family and Dresses

Something was nagging me at the back of my mind, and it wasn’t about what Lionel was doing or trying to accomplish. Rather it was who could I trust, and who was my family.

“Colin?” looking up from the food I had brought him, he looked at me almost in expectation.

“Where are my parents or siblings? Shouldn’t they be here with me to “celebrate” my getting married?” I asked. He looked a bit uncomfortable and shifted in his spot almost as if he wanted to avoid answering my question.

“Well Diana I don’t know what’s the best way to put it. But I won’t lie to you, your parents and brother have been dead for almost a year now” he said almost in a whisper. At that moment all my other problems seemed small and this almost was like an arrow going through my heart.

“How... how did they die?” I asked my voice shaking. He gave me a look of understanding, pity even before speaking.

“Your mother died not long after you were born. But your father remarried when you were around 3. Or at least that’s what you once told me” he paused. With a nod I motioned for him to continue.

“When you were 8 your step-mother had a son. That was your half-brother Christopher, about a year ago the sweating sickness broke out and both your step-mother and brother died. Not long after your father contracted typhoid and died as well” he finished speaking and looked at me.

“You’re his only surviving child and in a week you’re going to receive all the land and money your father left” I looked up at him, before it all suddenly made sense. He looked at me almost as if he had the same thought.

“That’s what Lionel is after he wants.....” he was cut off by the sound of footsteps approaching the door.

Hide! I whispered urgently. Quickly he hid and I went toward the door just as a loud knock was heard. Slowly I opened the door.... lo and behold there stood Lionel a smile on his face and a bouquet of roses in his hand.

“Lionel” I said with surprise “I didn’t expect you to come. Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?” In reality I just wasn’t so sure I could keep up the facade that I was glad to see him or be marrying him. Amazing really how a persons perspective changes so quickly when you find out the truth.

“It’s actually I can’t see you in your wedding gown before the ceremony. I really needed to see that future Mrs.Bonnefoy was safe. Colin is still out there and I want to make sure you’re out of harms way and not under his influence.” He said his voice edged slightly with worry, if I didn’t know any better I would have believed him.  

“Thank you for the roses they’re lovely. But I really must go soon Lionel, my cousin is going to help me pick out the dress for the wedding” he nodded and stepped out the door. Before I could even close the door he leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He left with a small smirk and I was left frozen on the spot. Getting out of my state of shock, I closed the door with a bit of worry. Colin came out of hiding with his jaw set in a firm line of distaste and suspicion.

“He knows something” Colin said “Not once in your time of being engaged has Lionel shown any advances of kissing you, not even on the cheek.”

“I have to go I’ll be back soon, and try to stay out of trouble Colin” and with a quick peck on his cheek for good luck, I left to go find my cousin. It didn’t take long I found her out in the gardens near the kalmia flowers.

“Oh. There you are Diana, shall we go and choose your dress now?” she asked. With a small nod I followed her to where the dresses would be. It was a simple but quaint store that looked plain on the outside but the inside seemed more elegant. A petite elderly lady appeared from behind many dresses. She had this motherly look to her and ushered us to the several selections of dresses. It was quite common to either wear blue or green in a wedding dress so of course Diane (I found out her name finally) found several and sent me to try them on. The first dress was obviously not the right one.

“Diane, I look like a chicken with ruffled feathers” she was obviously thinking the same because all she could manage to do was stifle her laughter. Going back I tried on another one it was a light green and would have been a good choice if there wasn’t one bad side to it.

“I am not wearing this. It’s too indecent, it’s quite revealing” I was uncomfortable wearing it and didn’t plan on trying it again. It showed too much skin and showed off more than any dress should. Probably leaving much to a persons make that men's imaginations. This time I went with a dark blue color and again I had another problem with it.

“This one is too flamboyant, I know its a wedding and the attention is on me but I don’t want to attract that much” by this point I had a feeling Diane was regretting coming with me. Even I was getting annoyed, well that is until I spotted one that caught my attention, when I came out with the gown on I had a feeling this was the right choice.

“Now this is definitely the one I want” the blue was the same color as the sky on a clear day and intricate gold embroidery that made it look simple but elegant as well. As happy as I was to find such an amazing gown after becoming a bit frustrated. Yet as I looked in the mirror and at my reflection, the girl staring back was another person. No matter how I looked at myself the only thing that came to mind was. If Colin and I didn’t find a way to stop the wedding, soon I wouldn’t be Diana Collins. Rather I would become Diana Bonnefoy the wife of none other than Lionel Bonnefoy and I wasn’t sure I would survive it. But there was a small fluttering hope deep inside that I would be with someone else.

And he was my best friend. Colin North.

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Hi Readers! 

Happy Valentine's Day! Here is another chapter like I promised you guys. Suspense is getting annoying right, and A Forgotten Memory is almost done. Soon enough you'll find out what will happen to Diana and Colin. Oh and for the 2nd book I'm taking up requests to be in it as a character. Just write your character sheet and I'll choose. 

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