Solitude

One

The 17th of November 1898 would become in exactly a half hour the most important day for years to come.

It would be the day where two people pledged their vows and promised a life of one till death do them part.
Margaret was torn between being overjoyed and completely terrified.
Being only eighteen years of age, it wasn't uncommon to pledge yourself to marriage.

It was a desire Margaret has always wished for, but what frightened her was that this was an arranged marriage.
Her future husband was a stranger to her.

The only fact known to her was his name; Vincent James Edwards.

In Dakotasville 1898 tradition, pride and family were the three main strings that sowed the town together.
It had been continuing like this for centuries and was considered safe, so no one had the courage to change it.

Besides this Margaret's hope and faith for this journey which came her way didn't die.
Her parents knew her best, so she believed in their judgement in choosing her a husband. 
Her elder sister Amelia was married by her parents and are still happily married to this day.
Margaret also believed that this was no coincidence and her strong belief in The Saviour eased her uncertainty.

It was now exactly ten minutes until the wedding would officially begin and Margaret composed herself.
The clothing maid was halfway with fastening her pearl white corset.

Vincent James Edwards.

This name made her feel the more determined.
She was at peace with it as if she had known this name all her life.

In front of her was the bronze full lenght mirror and she did some final adjustments to her appearance by adding powder to her cheeks.
It was time at last, Margaret's heartbeat raced as the seconds passed.

****

Vincent James Edwards stood in front of the wooden preach podium with clutched hands behind his back.

Never in his life for the twenty years he had been on this earth, would he have expected this devious fate to cross his path.
Arranged marriage? Forced inheritance?

It angered him up to the point to complete bitterness.

His father Willis James Edwards believed in tradition because it guaranteed a larger rate of security.
The 19th century was an unstable time period where economy and health were unpredictable aspects.

He had devoted all his life to the wood furniture factory that had been in the family for generations. It generated an excellent fortune that assured a stable lifestyle.
Which was the exact reason why Vincent would take over and get settled in order to keep the tradition alive.

He was the only child left legible to take that responsibility.
His older brother John who was supposed to inherit the business, rather decided to take the military duty and his younger sibling was practically still infant so he had no choice.

Family was a first priority.
Family had to support one another.

Vincent inhaled deeply and could feel his hands becoming clamier the more he tensed so he released the muscles. 
He removed his pocket watch and held it trembling in his hand.

In exactly one minute those two doors across from him would open and his future wife would stand before him.
Margaret Christine Phillips.
Mr and Mrs George John Phillips knew Mr and Mrs Willis James Edwards well enough to feel at ease with the arrangement. The Phillips had a share in the Wood Furniture factory and therefore would gain advantage from the arrangement as well.

The moment he pressed down the lid of the watch the doors opened and the traditional wedding anthem played.
Vincent immediately stood rigid with an expression of complete indifference.

Margaret stiffened next to her father, her fate would soon be sealed.
They entered, she acknowledged every passing face but when she saw him, she suddenly felt like she would faint any minute.

Margaret couldn't hear anything else but her own heartbeat.
Those eyes, such a deep frightening blue, took her breath away.

Yet she had fallen in love before any of these thoughts could have risen on the surface.

****