This must be a nightmare. It couldn't be nothing else. The church was a full house as usual, for the Sunday mass.
How much Rose wished she was anywhere but here. The glances and sudden quiet when she walked in was telling her there was no doubt everyone in this town suspected something was amiss. Beautiful Rose was marrying Samuel Bolton. In a few months time a lot of them will be even more suspicious when she starts showing. No way she could hide it forever.
From a corner of her eye, she spotted Beth sitting with her own parents and siblings. It was an ordinary day for them, but for Rose it was life altering event. A few days ago Beth came for a visit and that visit only added to her misery.
"Samuel Bolton! Rose!" Beth was not hiding her surprise.
"You think I want to marry him? I have no choice, Beth. Adam is long gone."
"Oh Rose! What will you do? We could run away together."
"And go where? With no money? What would we do?"
Beth had to agree with her. "Yeah, it was just a thought. Why him?"
"Who else would have me? In a few months everyone in town will know."
"A baby Rose. I kind of wish I could have one."
"A baby is fine Beth, but only if the father is around to support you. Don't do something foolish. You know I wasn't planning this."
Beth rose up and gave her a hug.
"No, I won't, don't worry. I wish to stay longer, but have to go my parents are waiting for me. Just wanted to see how you are doing."
"Thanks Beth. You are a dear friend."
That was a few days ago. Rose blinked out of her thoughts when her father came to stand beside her.
"Ready?" He asked her as they were going for a picnic.
This was the end of life as she knows it. There was no going back.
Slowly she started putting one foot in front of other hanging on her father's arm.
Samuel her future husband stood by the altar in a dark suit looking at her coming down the aisle.
After that it was all a blur. The next words she became aware of being.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister's hand move in a customary blessing of the union.
Rose didn't even want to look at him. Her husband. What an irony. She was now Mrs. Bolton. She hated him. He didn't need to agree to this arrangement. Deep down, she knew she wasn't being fair. It was easier to blame someone else for her stupidity.
After a short reception at the local community hall where she couldn't eat a bite, they were on their way to her new home. Sitting beside her husband, on the ride
there she didn't say a word.
Samuel lit a cigar gently pulling at the reins nudging horses to go. He also kept quiet as letting her have her way.
When they stopped Rose climbed down not wanting his assistance.
The house was a huge dwelling, situated on about two acres of land, with balcony on the side, and wide double doors sitting in between two large posts. Windows were massive with rich drapes adoring them.
Rose shifted from one foot to other, squishing handkerchief in her hands, waiting for him to say something.
"This is your new home Rose. Go in and make yourself comfortable. I'll put horses in their stall." He appeared very calm.
She didn't hesitate for long just to get away from him. She hurried in and looked around. The stairs she faced were wide and grand as was all she saw so far in and out of the house. If her situation wasn't so pitifully and sad she would probably admire her new home. She climbed up to the upper floor without any enthusiasm. The tall panelled walls greeted her as a prison closing down on her.
Rose wanted to break free, but it was smarter to find where she'll sleep tonight. The first bedroom looked manly and she concluded that it was his. The last door down the hallway she found a room with a single bed covered with a floral quilt. Right then she claimed it for herself. If he thought she'll share a bed with him, he was wrong. No way, and, nohow. She shivered at the thought of him touching her. The content of her bag was put away fast. What she brought with her were only her clothes and a small bible she got from her mother. It looked miserly in such a luxurious place.
Samuel looked for Rose. His room was empty, but he could hear her down the hall. So Rose decided not to share a bed with her husband.
He limped down to the bedroom and stopped at the doorway. It was open.
"What are you doing here?" Rose stood up. It sure wasn't very warm welcome she gave him.
"It is my house! I'm looking for my bride." He stayed calm, and tried to reason with her.
Rose rushed and closed the door in his face without saying another word.
