Longstride

Chapter 3: Harvey Smith

"Haaarveeyy", my mother exclaimed. "What is it now?" I groaned, "I have a surprise!". No. I hated surprises from her, I love my mother very much, she's sweet but she's always worried about my love life. Once she threw a grand ball and told me a day before. Now what was she up to. I do not understand why she cannot understand me just wanting to travel the world? Then my mother said, "I have invited 4 girls to come here to see which one you want to marry". "What! Who said I was going to marry?!", I exclaimed. She patted my shoulder and said, "Now child, do not worry, it is not a big deal-", I cut her off, "Yes! Yes it is mother! How many times to I have to tell you that o have no intention on marrying unless I meet the right lady for me!". She took her hand off my shoulder, "Fine. You do not have to marry but you must get to know some of the women, it would be quite rude not too" I agreed and then told my mother that I was going hunting with my brothers.

Henry and Charles understood me, they knew my hopes and dreams of traveling. On our way back we were talking about the mother situation, "You need to know that mother loves you" Charles said. "Yes! I understand that but do I have to marry for mothers sake?" I said. "You have a point there, Harvey", Henry said. We laughed and talked about our day of huntimg until we reached the house.

We got ready for dinner and on my way to put something away in my library, I bumped into a brown eyed girl with auburn hair. She said, "Pardon me" and I thought, here we go again another flirtatious and snooty woman interested in my wealth. I looked at her then turned away to show her my uninterest. Then I heard footsteps and felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, shocked and saw the young lady facing me and she said something about how rude I was treating her. And when I looked at her the second time I noticed more about her, she had hints of hazel in her eyes, she had her silky auburn hair up, and was strikingly beautiful. I also realized when she spoke that I could tell she was well educated and was not, at all, trying to flirt. I imeadietly became embarrassed and felt ashamed for the way I had treated her. Her cheeks turned bright red and when she finished speaking, she turned on her heel and walked to the dining room.

I suddenly felt awkward and quickly set my things down and went into the dinning room were there was no seat available except for one next to the browned eyed lady I had rudely treated. She looked at me then looked down at her plate. I sat down and everyone was talking so no one could hear me. I touched the young ladies hand and said "Excuse me, Miss", her head shot up and she quickly said, "Ms. Ruby Jane". I looked at her then she said, "that is my name". I started, "Well then, Ms. Jane please do forgive me for the way I have rudely treated you, I am Mr. Harvey Smith". She nearly choked on her food and I asked her if she was ok and she said, "I am quite fine, thank you very much and I forgive you". I sighed with relief then said, "Shall we be friends now?" and she laughed and nodded.