Scarlet Rose

Chapter 1 - Forced Marriage

On May 20, year 1402, young lady Katherine O'Sullivan was just turning 17. She was a daughter of wealthy and influential aristocrat from London, 50 years old lord Michael O'Sullivan, very loving, but also firm and strict father. Katherine, as a lady from a wealthy home, was spoiled and seemed unbearable at times, but not to her father - he didn't react to his daughter's whims, especially if they were unjustified. Michael O'Sullivan was the real head of the house, and he showed it at every turn, inspiring immediate respect even among people who saw him for the first time. Katherine, usually doing what she liked with the servants and other people around her, could not bring herself to oppose the father on anything. Additionally, despite his age, lord Michael O'Sullivan was still a good-looking man, tall and muscular. The black hair was slightly dusted with gray, but that only added to his charm. However, the most beautiful part of his appearance was undoubtedly the navy blue eyes. He was also an excellent horse rider and fought well with both saber and firearm.

Another important person in the life of this young lady was Patrick O'Sullivan, her older brother, who was 24 years old. He loved his sister very much and liked to pamper her, which surely only contributed to young lady Katherine's sometimes unbearable character, but for him her obnoxious behavior was just simply cute. In many ways, he was very much like his father, differing only in being more gentle towards his sister. Peter was just as good horse rider and fighter, his face features were practically identical and physique also tall and muscular, as was the black color of his hair. Only eyes were the same emerald color as his mother's.

Lynn O'Sullivan was the wife of lord Michael and the mother of Patrick and Katherine. If she lived, Lynn would be 45 years old. She was a head shorter than her husband, slim, had emerald eyes and light blonde hair. Unfortunately, lady O'Sullivan died when Kath was 7, and Patrick 14 years old. Katherine remembered her as a good, gentle woman and wonderful, understanding mother, therefore the harder it was to lose her, and no matter how many years had passed, she still missed mother dearly.

Just as her brother was an almost faithful copy of father, Katherine was remarkably similar to her mother, especially in terms of height, slim figure and hair color, light blonde, or even the features of her face, though there was more of a mixture here than on Patrick's face, also her eyes were exactly the same as her father - navy blue color. This meant that maybe she was not as beautiful as the other girls, and didn't have such delicate features as expected from a lady born in a good home, but that did not mean that she lacked admirers. However, what deterred men more from Katherine and drastically different from mother was her personality. Katherine O'Sullivan was proud, haughty and unpleasant, sometimes unbearable and capricious, behaved like a spoiled child, could be really mean and showed little empathy towards others. However, there was also another side to her nature that no one really knew - except maybe her brother, because father didn't pay Kath enough attention to notice it, but even he guessed that his daughter wasn't as mean as she wanted to appear. Both Patrick and lord Michael O'Sullivan knew well that Katherine was acting this way because of losing her mother too early. Having grown up mainly with her father and brother, condemned to the company of strangers, she did not have the right model of how a lady should behave, and it was not only about savoir-vivre, but mainly about working on her character and delicacy.

Indeed, Katherine missed her mother very much and could not come to terms with her death, the more so because she did not know exactly why she died. Her father said she was sick, but Katherine had a feeling he wasn't telling her everything.

Overall, Katherine had a good heart, but felt very lonely and desired to experience true love. Reading a lot of books, mostly romance novels, she dreamed of meeting someone by chance and falling in love at first sight. Position or money mattered little to her as far as love was in the air. Unfortunately, Katherine knew well what kind of world she lived in. Sooner or later, father and brother would choose her a husband, although they had been delaying it for a long time. Perhaps it was because every mention of the marriage made Katherine go crazy and they did it mainly for the sake of peace? Maybe, but she knew it wouldn't work forever. Father clearly did not want her to be called an 'old maid', although there were people who did it already. Therefore, Katherine felt that the inevitable was soon to come. But still, she was shocked when, on her 17th birthday, during breakfast, father informed that it was time to marry her off.

- No, father! I don't agree!- Katherine got up from the chair, stamping her feet, and felt tears forming in her eyes.

- Katherine O'Sullivan, sit down now.- her father spoke firmly and slammed his hand on the table, causing the entire table top and everything on it to shake slightly.

Katherine, terrified, obeyed without delay, she just clenched her hands into fists, letting tears of rage flow down her face. How was it possible that her father never needed to scream, and yet everyone listened to him? The firm tone in his voice was stronger than many of Katherine's screams.

- There is no discussion about it, young lady.- Michael O'Sullivan continued, his eyes never leaving his daughter.- You turn 17 today, it's about time you started acting like a woman, not a spoiled child. No more talking about love, it's a waste of time. I've been dragging this out too long for you, Katherine. Enough of this childishness.- he added.

- Patrick, say something to father, please...- Katherine looked pleadingly at her brother, who was silently eating without even glancing at them.

- Kath...- Patrick spoke up, finally looking at her.- I'm sorry, but father is right. You're already 17, you should get married. And only father and I can choose the right person for you. We're not doing it out of spite, but we want the best for you.- he explained slowly and calmly.

- If you want my good, you wouldn't force me to marry someone I don't know or love!- Katherine said with resentment, raising her voice again.- You don't care about my happiness, you just want to get rid of me!- she added bitterly.

- How dare you, ungrateful girl.- said father, glaring at her.- But I forgive you, Katherine, you are still too young to understand. You'll see it after giving birth to your own children.- he continued, taking a deep breath.- Love... Love is not everything. You've spent your entire life in prosperity and I can guarantee that you wouldn't survive a week in a poor cottage, even with your loved one. Therefore, stop sulking already, it's useless.- he assured her.- Today you will be packed and tomorrow leave London in the carriage. After reaching the shore you'll take a boat to the other side, then a carriage again, till you reach the Cardiff city center. After a week of preparation me and Patrick will come to the wedding.- father informed her.

- I beg you, father...- Katherine tried the different strategy, but father's scolding gaze made her silent and she lowered her eyes.

- I have chosen a wonderful person for you, not only rich but also kind. I know this man well and trust him, so you can be sure he won't hurt you.- lord Michael O'Sullivan tried to comfort his daughter a bit.

- Father is telling the truth, Kath... I've met him too, you'll be safe and happy with him.- Patrick added.

- Great, thank you. Everyone knows him except me.- Katherine said sourly, getting up from the table, but this time not to stamp feet in anger, but to go back to her room. There she sat down on the bed and began to cry.

Katherine knew exactly what was going to happen to her, so it shouldn't be a surprise. However, she refused to accept being married to a man she had never even seen before. The assurances of her father and brother that they had chosen a good man meant nothing to her. Of course, that didn't mean she didn't trust them - Katherine knew they definitely wanted the best for her. But she wanted to feel love, see what it's like when your heart starts to beat like crazy. Katherine hadn't even expected to marry the person she loved, but at least wanted to experience the romance before someone lock her in this cage of marriage forever. She searched for so long, her gaze wandered over the faces of both young gentlemen and servants, but never once felt that she was hit by a cupid's arrow. Of course, Katherine had no idea if love felt exactly the way it was described in romance novels, but it certainly have to feel special and she has never felt anything like that.

At one point, however, Katherine thought that maybe she would feel love in Cardiff, towards her future husband. Maybe he is the one for her, who knows? It was possible, but she couldn't think of herself loving someone she was forced to marry.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When all of Katherine's belongings were packed and she was in bed, dressed in her nightgown, she heard a soft knock, then the door opened slightly and her brother peeked inside.

- Patrick? What are you doing here? Why are you still awake?- Katherine attacked him with questions.

- Can I go in? I'd like to talk.- he replied, and when Katherine nodded, Patrick stepped inside, closed the door, and sat on the edge of the bed.

- So what did you want to talk about?- she asked, glancing at him.

- Katherine... I want to tell you that father and I really want the best for you.- Patrick repeated the earlier words.- I really understand your rebellion, I know how much it means to you to love someone truly... And it hurts me that we must to send you like that, to a man you don't know.- he continued, apparently choosing his words carefully.- But trust me, if we didn't have to hurry, we would give you more time, and certainly first introduce you to the candidate chosen by us. But unfortunately the situation forces us to speed up everything... We must be sure that at least you will be completely safe. And you'll be safe with him, in Cardiff, for sure...- Patrick paused suddenly, as if realizing he had said too much.

- What do you mean?- Katherine asked, rising slightly on the pillow.- What's going on that I'll be less safe here than there?- she continued when her brother was silent.- Patrick, what's going on?- she added even more worried.

- Nothing you should be worried about, Kath.- he replied shortly.- Just trust me, okay? Trust your older brother.- he looked at her with that pleading look Katherine couldn't ignore.- You're my beloved little sister, remember that.- Patrick leaned over Kath a little, kissed her forehead and stroked hair lightly, then also a cheek, pinching it gently at the end.

- Okay, I'll remember.- Katherine replied, and she felt tears in her eyes again, but this time not from anger and helplessness, but from deep emotion.

- Good.- Patrick grinned.- When you get to Cardiff, use the week of wedding preparation to get to know your fiance better. If you get to know him, I'm sure you'll be more pleased with this marriage. Who knows, maybe you'll even fall in love with him, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it will happen.- he added, winking at her.

Katherine just rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her lips.

Patrick got up from the bed, went to the door and turned to face her for a moment.

- Good night, Kath. Sleep well, there's a hard time ahead of you.- he said, and left the room.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Katherine slightly adjusted the pillow under her head and lay for a few minutes, staring at the flame on a candle that was standing on the small table by the bed. She might still be unhappy with this forced marriage, but Patrick definitely cheered her up. Katherine even started to think maybe it wouldn't be that bad... After all, she had never been outside London and was curious about Cardiff. She even found herself thinking what her fiance would look like. He is certainly older than her, but how much? Is he handsome? What is his personality? Yes, her father said he was a good man, but what specific character traits did he have?

Slowly, her approach to this whole thing grew softer, but that didn't mean she was happy to be forced into this marriage. But on the other hand, did she have any other choice? Katherine knew well that if her father made a decision there was no turning back. Arguing and making scenes would only make it worse for her. Besides, Katherine had no one else she wanted to marry. There were a few young gentlemen who sought her favor, but her, having no feelings towards them, chased them away with mean side of her nature. But only now did Katherine regret it, for at least she knew them and had seen those men with her own eyes, and had to admit that many were handsome and kind. Unfortunately, now most of them have chosen other young ladies, leaving Katherine as one of the few maidens in the neighborhood. Also, due to the fact that her former childhood friends got married, Katherine became even more lonely. She no longer had common topics with them, so naturally distanced herself from old girl friends. Those young women were no longer interested in flowers, butterflies, games, drawing, or romance novels. They talked about their husbands, children and taking care of the household.

So, aside from longing for her father, brother and maybe a family house, Katherine had nothing here that would hold her back. That's why she decided to be more positive and embark on tomorrow's journey with a smile on, or at least without a sour face. Whether Katherine liked it or not, she also felt a little excited at the thought of the wedding ceremony. She had seen the servants pack her mother's wedding dress, which Katherine was supposed to wear for her wedding too. This dress was really beautiful, and Katherine felt that, if only to put it on, it was worth agreeing to the wedding. Of course, not only because of the beauty of the dress, but also because it belonged to her mother. Katherine loved wearing her mother's belongings, it made her feel closer to her, as if she was still alive.

But of course she also felt nervous, especially about the wedding night. After all, Katherine had no experience in this matter. On the other hand, she shouldn't have, right? Men appreciated women who kept their virginity until marriage, especially among the aristocracy. She had heard many stories about girls who didn't keep it up and then had trouble finding a husband. And without a husband woman could do nothing, so such girls became 'old maids' and were forced to live at the mercy of their family, which often considered them a burden, especially if the family counted on the benefits of marrying their daughters well.

At least, if Katherine wanted to get up well-rested for tomorrow, she should be asleep by now. Katherine was supposed to leave early in the morning, right after breakfast. A really long ride awaited her, across the country, then the water and back over the land, along forest roads, before she reach Cardiff. So Katherine leaned on her elbow and towards the small table on which the candle stood. She blew the flame out, plunging the entire room into darkness, lit only slightly by moonlight streaming in through the window.