Lonesome | Arthur Morgan

Chapter 1

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Tonight was the night. The Jackleson family are chosen to hold this years mayors garden party, inviting many families and friends to join them from in and around the area. The party started from five and continued on till Lilian's father and his associates had drunk themselves into a stupor.

"Ow Maggie!" A sharp breath fell from the Jackleson  family's youngest members lips, as one of her servants tightened the loose ends of her corset.

"Now hold still, Miss Jackleson." Maggie fumbled her words out as she tried to get the corset as tight as it could go. Maggie was an elderly woman with wirey grey hair that was always in slick tight bun. She had been looking after Lilian and her four brothers since they were babies, changing her position from nanny to house servant as the years went by and the Jackleson children grew up.

"Ah, Maggie! You trying to kill me by suffocation! My ribs are being crushed." She scowled as she looked in the mirror at her shrinking waist.

"Now Miss Jackleson, don't use that tone with me. Do you want to have the body of one of the pigs out back and not find a suitable fine fella tonight... or are you going to behave?" Maggie stopped fiddling with the corset and put her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow as she looked over Lilians shoulder to the mirror. Lilian didn't reply, just pulled a face and stood still, waiting for Maggie to finish with the corset. "I heard those lovely Braithwaite boys are visiting this evening, how about it?" She still didn't reply, just a roll of her eyes, her body moving towards the dress that was laid out on the bed. "Listen I know you ain't happy about Mr and Mrs Jackleson's choices, but your parents only have the best interest in you."

Lilian rapped Maggie's hands away from the corset before she started to shuffle her underskirt on and turned to Maggie with crossed arms. "I really don't think they have my best interests at heart when marrying me to a Braithwaite. Thank God they don't live that close to us or I would have to see more of the revolting beings."

Maggie couldn't help but chuckle at Lilian's response. "We shall see what happens. You can't be unmarried for the rest of your life. Having connections for the family is important. Now, eat something, I'm not having you passing out."

"I'm not eating." Lilian huffed and pulled the dress over her head. It was a white dress with a green leaf pattern to it. "I'll burst out of this corset." She sat down on the bed and crossed her arms, refusing to look at the silver tray of pastries and tea.

"Uh uh." Maggie brought her hands to her hips and slid the tray closer to Lilian. "Miss Jackleson, if you're going to be lady tonight and have your a glass of wine with the other ladies then you're eating. Empty stomach and any drink is not a good idea. Why do you think your father can stay up so long drinking? Now eat or I'll tell your mother." Lilian could get away with a lot when it came to her father but with her mother it was more on strict terms.

Lilian gave a sharp huff and a stubborn look before she began to scoff down the pastries. She was hungry, but had the habit of skipping breakfast out of nerves. She sipped slowly at her tea as her eyes wandered off to the window as she began to get lost in thought. Her heart began to quicken at the thought of the many men who will be arriving tonight in proposal of being wed to her. She knew her father only invited associates and their sons on the behalf of her being married off. Nothing felt more foreign than learning to love a person that your parents had chosen for you. She knew it was the ideal for the daughter of a wealthy founding family, however she sometimes yearned for more and the delirious idea of someone loving her she felt a connection with was becoming lonesome.

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Before Lilian was allowed to attend the party, her father wanted to have a quick talk in his study. She skipped her way over to see her father, closing the door behind her and sitting down on a leather arm chair across from his desk. In one of his best suits, of course, a blonde haired man, stocky built and intrusive belly from too much wine and beer. "Now listen, Lilian." Her father walked over and took a chair next to her. "No funny business tonight. A few rules have been set out for you and for your brothers too, but you mainly." She rolled her eyes and folded her arms, slouching more in her seat. "First of all, pull those sleeves up." He tutted to her dress as the it hung on her shoulders in a bardot style, causing her cleavage to be on display. "Most importantly, do not and I repeat because you have a hard time at listening to me..." He said through slightly gritted teeth and she could only respond with sour face. "Do not embarrass me or your mother. The mayor is going to be here tonight and I will not have you looking like a damn harlot. Be kind to the gentlemen, but do not mix with the wrong gentlemen. I have men here tonight who are here to make deals with me, the mayor and other associates. Just be careful who you talk with that's all." Lilian didn't question her fathers ways as it would only make him angry and make him feel as if she thought wrong of him. "Ah well nothing for you to be bothering your pretty little head of yours about." He finished his glass of whisky and placed it down on his desk, removing himself from his chair and offering Lilian his hand which she took. They both stood up and he placed a light kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.