This exclamation was often heard in the Ashlea household. The young daughter, Alicia Hope Ashlea, was arguing with her mother again.
"Now Alicia, we have told ye time and time again, that ye must marry. Tis nae proper for a wee lass like yeself not to." Her mother was exasperated.
" I dinnae care! I shall never become the property of a man! No man will ever own me!" Alicia was also exasperated. Why couldnt her parents see that she was not going to give up her independence? The very thought was absolutely horrid to her. She tossed her waist length long jet black hair back. Why would anyone want to marry? She would never understand.
"Alicia, what have ye to worry about? Tis nae that ye will nae find a lad. Yer a verra bonnie lass. And yer 18, past the marrying age." Alicia didnt believe her mother. The last time she looked in a mirror, all she saw was a pale plain face with ugly green eyes and dark hair. Not that she cared. She was going to be perfectly happy being an independant woman. "At least come to the ball tonight. For an english affair, theyre quite fun." her mother giggled.
"Alright mother. I'll go with ye to the ball. But thats all, I willnae have fun."
"Perfect! Oh lass, do wear yer green dress. Ye look quite lovely in it" her mother giggled again, then quit the room.
Alicia sighed and looked out her window. Just one more ball, and then she would find some way to convince her mother that Prince Charming didn't exist.
"Benjamin, you must come to the ball with me tonight. It would be simply boring without you." Jessica purred and stretched out next to Benjamin's long manly length. For an english Lord, he was quite masculine. Strong muscles, a brown tan, and dark hair and hazel eyes made him quite a catch. She was quite lucky. She pouted her lower lip in a way that always got her what she wanted from him.
"Jessica, balls are not my style. I abhor them and you know it." But he knew he was lost when she stuck out that lip. Was quite annoying, actually. "Alright, I'll go. But only for you dear."
She giggled. "Oh, we'll have so much fun. I love balls! I'll even wear the pink dress that you like." Ben got up from the bed. He looked out the window. It was almost time and he needed to get dressed. But just one more romp with Jessica....he dove for the bed.
Later that night, Alicia was ready and waiting in her room. Her mother came in. "Now my dear, I ken ye hate these things, but I have something for ye." She sat down next to her and handed her a cloth wrapped item.
Alicia unwrapped it and saw a beautiful emerald necklace. She gasped "Mother, tis beautiful! Thank ye." Her mother took the necklace and clasped it on her daughter. Her daughter didn't know it, but that necklace was what made her husband become so attracted to her. She smiled to herself and hoped it would do the same for her daughter.
Benjamin smiled down upon Jessica as they danced again. He knew that everyone's eyes were upon them. That just made him smile even more. All the guys were jealous because Jessica chose to be his mistress. She was achingly beautiful. The very sight of her could make a man grow hard. And when she wore that low-cut, form-fitting pink gown of hers, he was often that man. He was causing a scandal, but he didn't care. He could not give up Jessica. As they were whirling around the floor, he heard a murmer at his side. He turned and looked and saw that someone had entered. And that someone, was very beautiful and very bewitching.
As Alicia walked into the ballroom, she noticed that many people turned and stared. Feeling very self-conscience, she demurely hid behind her fan. Her best friend, Ceidre, ran up to her. "Alicia! I am so glad youre here. Have you heard of Lord Klaemon? Well he's Eric's best friend, and he actually brought his mistress! You must see!" she grabbed her friends arm and they made their way through the mass of people. Ceidre said, "See the man over there in the black? The exotically tan one? That's him. And that little wanton in the pink dress dancing with him is his mistress!"
Alicia looked across the floor and saw him. He was, as Ceidre had said, exotically tan, and very handsome. Her lungs forgot to breathe and she felt dizzy. He was incredibly handsome. And taken, she thought sadly as she saw his dancing partner. Lady Jessica, as she had heard, was one of the most sought after ladies in the ton.
As she was watching them dance across the floor, he turned and looked at her. Her heart stopped as he continued to stare. She dropped her eyes to the floor and hid behind her fan. Ceidre, not missing a thing, said, "Alicia! look! He's coming!" Alicia looked up and saw indeed that he was heading his way.
Her mind froze as he gave her a dazzling smile and said, "Good evening ladies. Lady Ceidre, I believe you have yet to introduce me to your friend."
Ceidre giggled. "Of course Ben! This is my best friend, Lady Alicia. Alicia, this is Eric's best friend, Lord Klaemon." Alicia dropped a curtsy and Ben took her hand and kissed it.
"A pleasure" he murmered over her fingers.
Ceidre piped up and said, "Ben, since Lady Jessica seems to have another dance partner, maybe you would like to take Alicia here dancing. She can dance quite lovely."
"Is that so?" he said.
Alicia blushed and said, "Ceidre exaggerates, m'lord. I'm sure that me dancing is childs play compared to what I saw with ye and Lady Jessica. Ye dance splendidly."
He gave her that smile again and said, "Nonetheless, I would be honored if I could have this dance." Alicia agreed, and he lead them out.
Benjamin couldnt believe it. This dazzling beauty was dancing with him. And quite wonderfully, he thought. Even Jessica couldnt hold a candle to this dancing. He grew disturbed as he thought that, for he knew Jessica could be very jealous over nothing. And this is nothing, he thought. He was merely interested in her dancing abilities, nothing more. The closeness of her body had nothing to do with the sudden rush of blood to his loins. Those emerald green eyes of hers had no effect on him whatsoever. Liar, some voice inside of him said. As the dance ended, he was surprised to find himself disappointed. As she curtsied and walked away, he watched the gentle sway of her hips. She was quite enticing, he supposed. He felt a gentle hand on his arm and saw Jessica, with an unhappy look on her face.
"Who was that?" she demanded.
"Just a dance partner that Ceidre introduced me to."
She still wasnt happy. "Well, that dance partner of yours just managed to get the eyes of every person in here to look at her falling all over you! Do you know what they're going to say?"
He looked at her. "My dear, whatever are you prattling about? That little chit means nothing to me." he lied.
She looked at him warily and said, "Alright. I'm ready to go home." He took her hand and they left.
"Alicia! Did you see the way he was looking at you? My god, the way you two were dancing you'd think you were lovers. Alicia?" Ceidre was excited. She loved playing matchmaker, but Alicia was staring out the window all starry eyed.
She hated when she didn't pay attention to her. Alicia's thoughts were a million miles away. "Of course I saw the way people were staring at us. How could I not? My god, what if I've started gossip? I cannae believe ye! Ye were the one who made me dance with him." She got up and started biting her nails, a bad habit of hers.
Ceidre walked over and grabbed her hand from her mouth. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that? If you want to capture Ben's eye, you must work hard to stop!"
Alicia yanked her arm back. "Ceidre! I dinna want to capture his eye! He was merely a dance partner, tis all."
Ceidre stepped back and looked at her with that stubborn look in her blue eyes. "Alicia Hope Ashlea. You are my best friend so don't try to hide things from me. I'm not blind. I saw the way you were looking at him, and I saw the way he was looking at you. Lady Jessica is a frump. Let me talk to Eric and he'll be yours in no time."
Then she turned and left the room before Alicia could say anything. When the door had closed, Alicia stood there in stunned silence. Ceidre trying to match her with someone like Lord Klaemon? It was absurd. But, Alicia thought with a hopeful heart, what if she succeeds?
The carriage ride was a long ride home. Benjamin thought it would never end. He half-payed attention to Jessica's ranting about his "dance partner". In truth, he could not get the girl out of his mind. Alicia, he thought, she must have a title. And she's Ceidre's best friend. Well, when Eric and Ceidre are finally together, I'll spend a lot of time with them.
Then he snapped up. What was he thinking? He shouldn't be thinking these things. He had Lady Jessica, one of the most sought after ladies in London. Why should he risk it because of one girl with an incredible Irish accent, long dark hair, and emerald green eyes. Greener than the emerald necklace she wore, he thought.
Then his thoughts switched to Jessica, and the promises she had made earlier. But as he looked into Jessica's dark brown eyes, he found himself wishing they were green.
"Eric, you know your best friend Ben? Well, I think he likes Alicia." Ceidre told Eric one night as he gently stroked her hair after their lovemaking. "And I know Alicia likes Ben. Don't you think it would be nice if we could get Ben to lose Lady Jessica and marry Alicia?"
Eric propped himself up on one elbow and looked down on her hopeful face. "Ben? Alicia? My dear, do you know what you're doing?"
Ceidre just smiled and said,"Of course I know what I'm doing. I think it would be wonderful if we could get those two together. It would just take some planning on our part to make sure they're together a lot."
Eric just sighed and said, "Fine. Yes it would be wonderful if we could get Ben and Alicia together. But don't go forcing something to happen." He smiled at her, as that wonderful mischievious look came over her face.
Alicia awoke to her mother bustling around her room. "What are ye doing?" she murmered sleepily. Her mother jumped, looking quite guilty.
"I was just looking for something. I thought maybe it wound up in here somehow."
Alicia gave her mother a disdainful look. "Mother, I know ye better than that. What are ye up to?"
Her mother sighed and faced her daughter. "I heard some of the gossip from the servants. Did ye dance with anyone last night?"
Alicia groaned and fell back in the bed. "Aye, I did. Lord Klaemon. Ceidre introduced us."
Her mother glared at her, hands on her hips. "Alicia Hope Ashlea, ye are forbidden to dance with him! Any man who would dare flaunt his mistress so publicly willnae be dancing with my daughter!" She stormed out of her room. Alicia laid there for a few more minutes, realizing that she still didn't know what her mother had been searching for.
Benjamin awoke to Jessica's creative loving. He vaguely remembered a dream of loving a Irish girl wearing green. He sat and pondered for a moment, then remembered the night before. Lady Alicia, he thought, You not only haunt my thoughts, but my dreams now as well? He got out of the bed and dressed. He tried to get through his day, but the thought of Alicia stayed on his mind. This is absurd! I will not let this mere chit capture me! I have Jessica, I don't need anyone else, He thought. Jessica noticed something was up with Ben, but didn't comment on it. She just chalked it up to lack of sleep.
A few nights later, Alicia found herself somehow trapped into going to another ball, only this time her mother was going to keep a close eye on her. She wore a blood red dress, sure to ward off any unwelcome advances. But Lord Klaemon's advances aren't unwelcome!, a mocking voice inside of her said. She just threw her shoulders back, and put a fake smile on her face, one of her talents.
She danced with many young eligible men, but in her mind she only danced with one man with hazel eyes and a dark tan. When she ended a waltz, she found herself quite breathless. She excused herself and walked outside to the gardens. She was looking at a exotic plant when she heard a noise behind her.
She turned and saw a dark figure behind her. Her breath caught in her throat and she curtsied and said nervously, "I'm sorry, sir. I dinnae ken anyone was out here but me."
Her heart started hammering when the figure stepped out of the shadows and revealed him as Benjamin. "No apologies needed, madame. I think it is I that must apologize. I have been watching you all night, and I saw you leave and come out here. I thought maybe we could talk."
She blinked a few times, as she always did when taken by surprise. She agreed and he started walking next to her. She thought of his incredibly masculine appeal and started shaking.
"My lady, are you cold?" She shook her head, knowing that the temperature was not why she was shaking. It was him, just knowing that he was close. All of a sudden, she got dizzy and light headed. As images of him with her started flashing through her head uninvited, she felt like she would faint.
I can't embarass myself in front of Benjamin! she thought. So she simply said, "My lord, I think it would be best if we went inside. As beautiful as the night is, I wish to rejoin the party."
He looked in her eyes and said, "Is that what you really want?" and he lowered his head for a kiss. When Alicia felt his lips on hers, all reason and thought flew away from her. She responded to his kiss, and pressed herself against him. She trembled a little bit more, because all the emotions she felt running through her was overwhelming. He lifted his head and said "Marry me. I will not be able to rest until you are mine. I will end things with Jessica. Anything it takes to make you mine. "
She looked in his beautiful hazel eyes, and knew in an instant that this was the one meant for her. She smiled a wonderful dazzling smile and said "Aye, I will."
Benjamin was so happy. He couldn't believe it. He knew that he had found the girl of his dreams, and Alicia had finally found her Prince Charming.
� Alicia Marie Hill-Ashlea//Nicole Lynn J.M. 2000