Southern Gentry closed for

[teazme]

Melissa Marie Main grew up in South Carolina in the 1840s. Her daddy owned one of the largest cotton plantations in the state. He doted up his daughter and sent her to the best school in Charleston for young wealthy ladies like herself.

While attending school she met Charles Lester Cain, whose father owned the plantation next to her daddy's. She and Charles grew up together and she grew to dislike his rude behavior and comments.

Eventually Melissa and Charles grew into their adulthood. One day Melissa came home from riding to see her father and Charles' father in the den. They were there discussing the marriage between thier two children.

The next night Melissa's father threw a party and at the party he planned to announce Melissa and Charles' engagement.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

Chalres stood within the room..he was diffrent from the mischievous boy he was in his youth, tormenting Melissa in a way a little boy does to a girl..but as he grew he changed more into a standoffish, almost cold man. A man of business like his father. A pair of disinterested green eyes looked towards Melssia as she entered the room..his face showing a cold disinterest. Arms crossed across his strong chest, though he was dressed finely, he far acted like a southern gentlemen. He gave a polite nod towards Melissa, mostly because his father was there. He said nothing the whole night. The next night he was there..in the corner nursing a glass of whiskey. His friends crowed and congratulated him, he was to marry the daughter of the richest man in South Carolina. He looked less then thrilled "Yes..being forced to marry his spoiled, irrtain' daughter..that makes me very lucky man.." he spoke "..what little success I shall have with my life shall be stolen by er to feed her tastes in useless material goods..never done anything herself..always rides on the back of others success..done not one thing useful in her life.."

 

[teazme]

Melissa walked into the room, dressed in her finest, an hour after the party started because she was late getting back from the hospital. Her parents wanted to make sure she had some useful skills if se was to be the wife of a plantation owner.

She noticed Charles nod at her and she nodded back. Neither of them excited about the annoucement that was to come later in the evening.

Eventually her father stood on the steps of the staircase and made the announcement. Melissa smiled politely even though in her mind she was sneering with disdain at her future husband. Her friends came over and told her how lucky she was to be marrying such a handsome man.

Her father announced the wedding would be next week and all were invited. He thought the newly betrothed should have a dance together. She and Charles moved to each other and started the dance.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

He seemed to chug his drink down when the dance was told "well..might as well get it over with." he took her and like a gentlemen began to dance, but it was cold..dishonest, programming his father gave him. His Face kept that cold chill the whole time, green almost lifeless eyes looked into hers.

 

[teazme]

Melissa, determined to make the most of her marriage, tried to smile at her newly bethorthed. She tried to tell him he looked dashing in his new clothing. She was trying everything to make this work. Eventually she just gave up and followed his lead, tears welling up in her eyes.

Finally the dance ended and she ran from the room, knowing her marriage was going to be a loveless one. Her mother followed her, worried about her daughter. Her mother told her that when she married Melissa's father she had been in the exact postion Melissa was. Melissa asked her how she was able to get to have the wonderful marriage Melissa had seen. Her mother told her that sometimes the coldest man actually has the warmest heart.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

-he said nothing in response. those cold eyes piercing through disinterested. He just gave a soft nod in response to her comment. As the dance finished he moved back to his corner, almost as if he was politely removing himself from someone that disgusted him. He felt a cold glare from his father which he responded with as he walked over to him, grabbing his arm to question why he acted like he did. "Father..I am not going to pretend I like this. Don't expect children from me..would have rather died alone.." he yanks his arm away to leave the party. His father followed "You know you can't change this boy..you are marring that girl." Charles looked back for a moment coldly "That does not mean I am going to get you grandchildren with that.. thing you paired me with.." luckily Melissa's father was not there to hear his response, but many did, starting a whisper amongst each other as Charles made his way out.

 

[teazme]

Melissa walked back into the room to whispers about her, many from her closest friends. She walked over and tried to find out what had happened and she was told by her friend Daisy that Charles didnt want to marry her, and he had insulted her.

Melissa, who had been raised to be a gentle woman, walked over to Charles who was on his way out and stood in his way. Looking up at him big blue eyes and blonde curls she yells, "just because you dont want to marry me doesnt mean you cant at least be civil to me. you are stuck with me as a wife, just as i am stuck with you. I however will not be in a marriage where the husband can't even dance with his wife respectfully."

Having said her peace, and her bosom heaving in anger, she storms from the room.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

He paused looking back seeing her yell. He said nothing in return..letting his cold eyes respond for him as he turned to walk out. He getting his coat and hat before taking a walk out on the street. His mind boiled in thought as he made his way back home on foot, glad to be living in a more upper class town, he not worring about being mugged.

 

[teazme]

Melissa ran from the room and decided to go for a walk out on the street. She starts walking in the direction of the wharf and sees a man laying in the curb having just been mugged. She starts to help him and tries to fix him up, using her training from the hospital.

She knows he has to go to the hospital but she cant carry him. She starts to yell out to the figure walking this way...yelling for help. Slowly she realizes the man is Charles. As he approaches she looks at him and tells him...lets put aside our differences and help this poor man., can you help me take him to the hospital?

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

((Will make a change in my last post))

He pauses seeing her again..and seeing the man wounded. He after a moment gives a silenlt not walking to the man gently helping carry him to a safe place where they could properly call help to the hospital. Soon he waves a carrage driver over, paying the driver to take the three to the hospital.

 

[teazme]

Melissa is surprised when he actually calls a carriage to help the man. The carriage driver takes the three to the hospital, and Melissa pays for the man to have all the care he needs.

After the man is taken care of she turns and asks Charles if he would be willing to walk with her. They have much to talk about.

As they walk she asks Charles if he really is againt this marriage and if so what did she ever do to him to make him hate her so.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

he gives a slight nod as he does so walking by her side. "..to be honest..no I do not hate you..I just lost my enjoyment in doing anything. All that I have been trained to do..is what my "father" wants. I need learn to be a bussiness man and make money because my father wants it..I need to marry and have grandchildren because my father wants it. All my life I've been effectually forced to do what my "Father" wants..so I guess lost my passon for everything.

 

[teazme]

Melissa looks at Charles, well maybe he wants to force you into a loveless marriage. "But do you know what would change his plans, having a marriage you are 100 percent happy." Melissa smiles, "i mean you are going to have a gorgeous wife." She giggles softly. "I know I wasn't your first choice for a wife, but I hope I am not all bad." As they walk Melissa gets a little bold and grasps Charles' hand.

They reach Melissa's house and she smiles up at him gently. Taking a deep breath, "You since we are engaged you are allowed to kiss me."

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

Charles looks back to her sighing "I..don't know.." he responded looking ahead sighing "I..just..am not sure about this..you know?" He was silent as he felt her hands take his as she asked. "..I..guess not." he spoke leaning in to give her a kiss..it was soulless and cold, but for a brief second she could feel a tiny bit of passion..like he wanted to lower his defenses of his cynical coldness but not sure of it yet..

 

[teazme]

Melissa feels is reticence in his kiss, she had hoped that he might open himself up a little more. She looks at him and says, "well good night Charles, thank you for your help with that poor man. " She goes back into the house a little disappointed.

Her father looks at her and asks where she has been. He has been worried about her. Melissa tells her father she went for a walk. Her father sees how unhappy she is, and asks her why. Melissa looks at him a little surprised, "because you are making me marry a man who hates me."she screeches at the top of her voice.

Going to lay on her bed, Melissa cries, knowing the rest of her life is going to be spent in a marriage where her husband hates her.

In the morning her mother tells her they need to go pick out a wedding dress. Melissa goes with her mother into town to pick out a dress. Normally Melissa is so happy shopping for dresses, but her blue eyes have lost their luster. While in town Melissa and her mother sit down for lunch and watch the people in town.

Finally they return to the house and Melissa goes to her room, telling her family that does not want to be bothered until the day of her wedding, she is leaving all the details to them. She does not care about them.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

Charles returned to his own home, immediately as he walked in the door, a hand gripped around his collar and pulled to the face of his father, rage filling his face "Where the hell were you!? You know you embarassed me tonight. Should be happy that your getting married." Charles cringed a moment from the sudden grab but then grew cold again, silent. "Well? Going to tell me?" His father yelled again before being pushed firmly away causing the old man to stumble back and almost fall "Get your hands off me.." Was Charles only words before he began to walk to his room. The following days he responded to no one, He kept himself busy with his books..soon the day of the wedding came..and he and his father were nowhere to be seen..

 

[teazme]

Over the next few days Melissa thinks about being married, and she slowly gets used to the idea of having a husband to protect her, and hopefully that turns into love.

The day of the wedding dawns and Melissa gets up. Heaving a deep sigh she starts getting ready for the early wedding.

She stays in her room until her mother comes to tell her Charles has not arrived yet. Melissa looks a little surprised, "I knew he did not want to marry me but did he really have to stand me up on the wedding day. "

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

Charles appeared later, many hours later then the scheduled marriage..outside he was being literately dragged to the church by a pair of men, his scornful father behind him. After taking a moment to take his chin forcefully, cleaning up a bit of blood on his sons lip, he told the men to let go. "..Make me proud son." he spoke through gritted teeth as Charles picked himself up, taking a moment to straiten his suit, dusting it off, he saying nothing as he walked in to the glares of everyone in the church he speaking "..sorry I'm late.." he spoke softly, hiding the bit of pain in his voice "I had cold feet."

 

[teazme]

Melissa walks down the aisle, hate in her eyes at her husband. She stands there before the preacher and listens to his words. finally he is done and turns to Charles and tells him he may kiss his bride. Melissa looks at him and starts up the aisle on her own, snubbing his kiss.

She waits outside to greet her guests, many of whom ask why she did not accept Charles' kiss. They tell her kissing is part of what is nice when being married, and she looks at them and says, "that is when you are married to someone who wants to marry you."

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

He did responded as he needed looking ahead when he was told "He may kiss the bride he turned to her, approaching the kiss as a necessary formality. Seeing the anger in her eyes as she walked off, he gave a causal shrug as she walked off he following behind..if anything it made the situation quite awkward for the families..Charles feeling his fathers gaze dig into his back, knowing he was the reason why she snubbed him. He was not seen near the crowd, he finding himself a table that one of the guests would sit at, starting to read. He felt the stares and dismissive whispers, how could anyone marry a sweet girl to such a cold man?

 

[teazme]

Melissa's father comes over and tells her it is time for her and her groom to mingle with the other guests. "Truly father, must I, he hates me." Melissa tells her father.

Melissa walks around and visits all her guests, many of them commenting that she is too good for her husband. Melissa bravely listens to each and every guest tell her some sort of comment about her husband, he is a cold man, she deserves better, on and on until her father comes to get her.

Melissa looks at her father and he tells her it is time for her to leave with Charles. Melissa looks at him and nods her head, "Ok he is my husband, whether either of us want it or not." Melissa goes to look for Charles.

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

He was found, away from the crowd, book in hand..seeing her walk to him he closed the book and put it away in his coat he standing up taking a moment to dust himself off. Presuming it was time for them to leave, he nodded to her as he began to walk past her towards their transportation they had set up opening the door and sliding himself in first returning to his book.

 

[teazme]

Melissa gets into the carriage beside her husband, and sees him reading his book. She figures she might as well try to make civil conversation, "what book are you reading?"

They ride to Charles' town home in Charleston and go inside. Melissa gets out of the carriage and goes into the master bedroom, closing and locking the door. She falls next to the door and starts crying out, "I was hoping for a happy marriage, if not a happy one at least one where we could be civil to each other."

 

[Silver_Wyvern]

"Dickens.." he responded calmly and questions she asked, he responded with single one word sentences. As they arrived he looked over the town house they were staying at..a look of disgust crossed his face, knowing his father was going to be there every week with those thugs that dragged him to the wedding brow beating him into every choice.

As he watched her run off to their room he let out a sigh putting the book down on the shelf as he began to look over the items taking a moment to pull out a ledger, he walking to the table as he began to flip through the pages to where he was..a large collection of facts and figures..all involving business as he finished he began to walk to the door knocking on it, figuring it was locked as she yelled he responded through the door, his pitch slowly raised so she could hear him "..That is all I can offer. You require something I shall do my best to get it for you..otherwise do what you wish..you were forced into this marriage..not going to force you to do anything..you don't even have to cook." With that he walked away to leave her be, returning to his ledger.

 

[teazme]

Melissa sits there behind the door crying. Her dreams of a happy marriage shattered. After she has cried awhile so decides to be an adult and confront her problems.

She dries her eyes and storms around the house until she finds her husband. When she finally finds him she lets all of her anger spew out. "What have I ever done to you to make you hate me so much? I am at least trying to be civil to you. I know you hate your father, and I know he forced you into this marriage, but my father did the same thing to me. I am at least being civil to you."

Having said her peace she wants until Charles can respond to her.