Only With You [Arranged Marriage]

I calmly sat in my seat, as prim and proper as any lady were ever bred to be, after the big announcement. Don't get me wrong. The gears were grinding in my head aspanicked thoughts ran rampant and unsubdued. But, on the surface, nothing was wrong. My face was the smiling austere epitome of our social class.

His,however? Well, let's just say my frustrations with the situation were most certainly being revealed through his speech.

"This is nonsense, Father! Is it even legalanymore?!" he exclaimed, pacing back and forth through the parlor in which we currently sat. "This is ridiculous! I cannot...no will notmarry someone I have never met! i hardly know her!"

"Which is why the engagement is to be a matter of months, dear," Mrs. Carlisle calmly told her son.

"MONTHS?! What happened to marrying for love? I can't love..."

"Tyson Carlisle! You will not speak that way in thepresenceof your fiancee," Mr. Carlisle bellowed.

It was as if Tyson had forgotten I was even there. His gaze jerked in my direction and he looked surprised to find me sitting on his family's chaise, watching the entire debacle. I watched the blush creep onto his face as he apologized and I nodded slightly. He turned back to his parents and continued his futile attempts at changing his parent's minds.

"Tyson, it is set in stone. You will---"

"But what about the company? Father, if I'm to inherit Carlisle, Inc. I need to be ready and I can't do that if---"

"Tyson. You are going to marry Miss Waters at the end of the year whether you like it or not. This conversation is over."

End of the year?

Mr. Carlisle turned his attention towards me and held out his hand in a gesture of apology. I placed my hand in his and he helped me from the chaise while placing a small kiss on the knuckles of my white satin gloves. I managed a smile at the older man and looked to my parents smiling warmly on the couch facing us.

"Miss Waters, I hope you will excuse my son's blatant insolence and enjoy your stay at our home. I'm sure you wish to rest before dinner is served, as do your parents," heconfidentlystated. "I'll have Charlotte show you to your rooms. Your luggage should already be there."

He smiled and turned to face my parents as they stood from their place and thanked him for his wonderful hospitality. I took in a deep breath and let my eyes roam the parlor until they fell on...myfiancee. He frowned as he saw me and huffed in anger. I smiled gently, hoping for...i don't really know what I was hoping for. He was completely repulsed by the idea of marriage to me. I really didn't know what to think.

Mrs. Carlisle glided to my side and took my hand in hers before saying, "Miss Waters..."

"Please. Call me Camille. We are, after all, to be family in the future."

Mrs. Carlisle smiled graciously and nodded. "Camille, then. Dear Camille, I'm so sorry if my Tyson's behavior has...unnerved you in any way. I assure you, with time, he'll be much more personable."

"I don't doubt it, madam. I would have been worried if he hadn't been upset."

Mrs. Carlisle frowned slightly and nodded her head as she looped her arm through mine and began to walk towards the door.

"Why, yes, I believe so. But, my dear child, you don't seem so angry about the situation. Not even a bit surprised. Why is that?"

I paused in my step and Mrs. Carlisle turned to face me. I swallowed before taking a deep breath and telling the lady the truth.

"I was bred for this. Since birth, my parents have taught me to except the unexpected and never to let surprise show. They've always planned to marry me off on their terms. I guess, you could say, I've become used to it. And, really, it's not that bad, I suppose. They have my best interests at heart, do they not?"

I knew every word I said was a lie. I never wanted any of this. But it was what I'd come to expect. i was bred for this world. This social standing and I loved my parents.

"Yes, well..." she looked to where they stood with her husband and sighed before returning her gaze to me. "If there's ever anything you need, dear, you know you can come to me."

I smiled and nodded, following my parents out into the corridor.

"Oh! And Camille?" Mrs. Carlisle called.

I stopped in my journey to my rooms to answer the woman who was to be my mother-in-law. "Yes?"

"Call me Elizabeth," she said with a smile.

I returned the gesture and waved before picking up my step to rejoin my parents and dear Charlotte showing us to our rooms.