The day started off like all the rest. Loretta was wondering why Adam and his parents were still at her parents place. They should have returned home and began work. What was the reason for staying? And why was Adam still buying her gifts? With the thought of gifts Loretta remembered that she hadn't given Adam his present. She had stormed out of the room twice. Her parents must be so ashamed of her?

Kneeling down by the edge of her bed she grabbed her rosary and began to pray. She prayed for strength to make it threw another day and for her parents to understand her wishes.

Finishing her prayer just as there was a knock on her door, she stood and spoke "enter"

The door slowly opened and much to her surprise it was her mother at the door.

"Mother." Loretta said in response.

"Loretta we need to talk about your behaviour." Her mother replied with a sigh. She walked over to Loretta's vanity and took a seat.

"Mother I don't want to marry him." Loretta said crossing her arms. The rosary dangled from her right hand and her mother noticed it.

"I am happy to see you have become more dedicated to our faith. But you are being rude and ungrateful. It is an honour to have such a union found for you."

"But I don't want to marry him." Loretta once again said.

She watched as her mothers face lost the small smile it held and pursed her lips. "What you want doesn't honestly matter. You are our only child and as such you will inherit everything. Sadly a woman can not own such a business and there for we will loose everything."

"Is that all that matters to you mother? Money? Status?" Loretta asked as anger began to build inside her.

"That is all that matters. That is life.  Do you want to be like that.. That woman and her grandchildren you invited?"

"If it means having a life of happiness than ... yes. That is what I want. I don't want a husband that I don't know. How do you know he will love me and cherish me and care for me?"

"He will. His family is honourable and wealthy. He will have the means to give you anything you desire."

"Mother I want to be a nun. I want to take my vows and pledge my life to the good lord." Loretta finally said. It has been what she had wanted to say since she got home. However her mother was furious beyond words and she shot up out of the chair knocking it over and she stormed out of the room.

Loretta was right on her heels. "Mother I was not done speaking. You have been ignoring my wishes since I got home. I am not a child anymore."

Her mother stopped dead in her tracks and turned around. "Your right your not. That is why this marriage is important. No one will want you in another year. You will be a spinster."

"Better a spinster than being you." This time Loretta was the one storm away. She was heading back to her room when she heard her name called.

Looking up she saw Adam. "What do you want?" Loretta snapped at him.

Adam looked hurt but quickly covered it with a smile. "I was hoping to accompany to lunch." He said

"No thank you." Loretta said but a voice behind her made her change her mind.

"My daughter will accompany us for lunch." Her father's voice said behind her.

Frowning Loretta turned around and marched down the stairs.

Lunch was silent. Everyone lost in their own thoughts. The only sounds were clanking of forks against the plates. Adam occasionally looked up at Loretta and finally he decided that this was the only chance he would get. He picked up his glass and tapped it lightly with his fork. Everyone looked at him and he swallowed nervously. "Ummm. I just .... Well I thought...."

"Adam just spit it out." His father said.

Adam looked at his father and nodded "right. .... Well Loretta these are for you." He said as Leteesha brought three slim boxes all wrapped up.

"Mr. Bowtrel I don't want any gifts from you. Leteesha please take them away." Loretta said standing.

"Mistress Loretta I can't take them away until you open them." Leteesha said looking down at the boxes. She couldn't look her mistress in the eyes while she defied her.

Sighing Loretta grabbed the first box and ripped the paper. She threw the lid off the first box and exposed a blue silk gown. Curiously she opened the other two boxes. The second box had a red silk gown in it. The third had a purple one. The dresses were beautiful but Loretta wouldn't admit it. And she looked at Leteesha. "Now take them away." Leteesha bowed and left the dinning room with the three silk gowns. She headed straight to her mistresses room and hung the dresses up.

Loretta looked at Adam. "No more gifts. I will not marry you."

Loretta grabbed her cloak and headed out of the house. She was going to see Charlotte.

~~~~

On the third day of Christmas my betrothed gave to me three silk gown, two glass slippers and a diamond engagement ring.

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Ok everyone please vote and comment. Thank you all. Enjoy

I have successfully been writing this story for a week. And I am happy to say I only need 1,175 words to reach the goal of 10,000.