Dearest;

Our footsteps clicked as we walked the paved streets of our city. Our beloved city. It was London, a place of beauty. But this brisk walk wasn't one I was glad in taking. In fact, I was quite apprehensive about this walk. The reason was unspoken of for quite a few years now, until only the night before, when I was eating dinner with my mother and father. My sister and brother were no longer in the house, out with the families, and so I was the last to eat with my parents. My conniving mother and my quiet father. I rather think I took after my father. Not just in looks, for he and I were the only two brunettes of the family. Our hair was more raven haired than anything, the color of the night. My mother and two other siblings, the eldest Katherine or Kitty, and the second eldest Knox. I was the last, the youngest, and the darkest haired, Olivia. Unlike my darked eyed brother and sister, I had the blistering green eyes of my father. His were gray now from old age, but he once told me that they were even brighter than my own. He once told me that his were a light olive color, and that all the women loved to ask him about them in his prime. He was handsome, the older women would often speak about with my mother.

My mother still had a wrinkles face, but her hair was lightening. She would often smile a bragging look to others and speak of how lucky she was, and how lucky that at least two of his offspring came out to be just like her, blonde and beautiful. My sister was curvy and had much more body than I did. I had a smaller waist, and no cleavage to speak of. On my small frame, my hair looked even longer than it was, and was often kept up into a plaited bun. Many times my mother would scold me on that fact, knowing that young women like me should always look their best to please suitors. I never wanted any of that, not now at least. I wanted adventure and freedom. I wanted to get out of London, and fast.

But that all changed only the night before. When my mother gave my father a look. It had only been an hour after a man came to our doorstep, wishing to court me. Shyly, I had turned him away respectfully, but I knew he would be back. He had that look in his eyes. He winked to me and nodded, bidding me farewell and goodnight. I didn't know what to do, other than to close my door and lock it in quiet when he was safely away, sitting down to read a book by the window. But now, it was serious. My mother had reached her limits, she said. She wanted me to marry, being at the age of nineteen. She wanted me to marry now. My father never really cared to meddle in these mishaps. He told me that when I found someone I truly wanted to be with, I would be with them. But now things had changed, and he could do nothing about my mother's crazy endeavors except aid her in them. He said, it was time for me to seek out a husband.

So now my father was striding me down the cobblestone street, the horses and buggies bustling by. The women with their odd hairdos and feathers on their gowns. They always dressed for a party here, even when it was an ordinary day. My family came from old money, money that I knew nothing about. My father always raised me humbly, although my mum loved to buy extravagant dresses and treat herself to all sorts of jewelry. I had no title, unlike my father. I was never sure of it, though. Today was the day I would meet a woman, my father said, a woman who was going to give me someone to marry. I wasn't sure if I should be insulted or glad. I heard that only women who were not so lovely, or plain, came to this woman. Was I plain? I thought as much. I wasn't as beautiful as my sister, who had many men after her in that day. She had the long, blonde hair and womanly body. I was shy, and she was outgoing and smart. I read most of the time, and kept to myself. I was nervous as we walked up to a large manor. It was surprising that a woman who did this sort of thing lived in such an extravagant place. She must be very well off. My mother hadn't come with us. She told me that she wanted to be surprised.

Or she just didn't care enough. She already had one married daughter.

My father knocked on the large cedar door and someone opened it. It was a butler, who actually smiled at us. He opened the door and bowed his head.

"Welcome to Lady Demi's home. Right this way, through the hall." He said in a hurry. We walked in and the door was shut, and he led us through a house with twelve foot ceilings, all covered in paintings of centuries before. The house must be ancient, I thought. Paintings of beautiful people and even animals were everywhere. I looked with shock, and studied them. My father pressed on, and even called my name to follow him. I caught up, nearly tripping over the expensive blue rug underneath my little feet. We were led to a large room with birds flying around everywhere. My sister and mother would be shocked and afraid, complaining until they could leave. But I, myself, was amazed and delighted. One landed on my shoulder and I smiled, petting its back. It chirped and lifted off. An old woman's laugh came from across the way, and I looked up.

"What a beautiful young woman we have here. What is someone like you doing in my presence, dear?" She asked. I became flustered and my cheeks reddened. She was talking to me. I stuttered and my father smiled, holding his hand out to me. I took it and he led me closer.

I smiled at her and she came closer to me, studying my moving eyes, looking at the birds around me.

"You have a beautiful home, Lady Demi." I said as she took my hand. She ran her fingers in the lines of my hand and looked at my fingernails, seeing their cleanliness. She raised a gray eyebrow at me, standing at my about my height, and touched my hair. I immediately caught her glance as she did so, seeing her push her glasses up her face. She looked much younger than I had expected, maybe in her fifties.

"Thank you, dear. Your name, darling?" She asked.

"Olivia." I answered meekly. She pushed some of my hair behind my ear and saw my small piercings. Two in each ear. It was not uncommon.

"What is your age? Your full name?" She asked, clearly not knowing. I look to my father, who smiled at me and nodded, and then I looked to her again. Into her dark eyes.

"I am nineteen years of age, and my full name is Olivia Anallyn Terpcrott, milady." I explained, still staring into her eyes. She smiled at me and immediately walked away, walking to a bookshelf that I hadn't seen in this room full of small ponds and birds.

"This is my bird room, Miss Terpcrott. The world's rarest birds are in here. As are the names of the rare suitors, one of which I'm going to choose for you. I saw his face when you came into the room. That is how I do this. I can see the man you will fall in love with, and I know the one who will be yours. I know him very well in fact. My mind works in mysterious ways, you see. But I am no witch, no gypsy. I am a simple woman, with a lovely ability to read hearts, and you've got a lovely heart, young Olivia." She stated, reading through the book and tapping her glasses on one name that I had not seen just yet. When I stepped forward, she looked up at me.

"How are you able to read people's hearts?" I asked.

"I don't know. No one knows. I'm a work of creation. Simple as that. But I'm unsure about this one." She narrowed her eyes and looked around, humming and walking to the bookcase again.

Unsure, I began to rub my arm. "Why are you unsure about him? Is it bad?" I asked, afraid that I would be doomed to unhappiness. She gave me a look, but I wasn't sure what it meant. She was thinking, but I was afraid to ask her about what.

"This one that I see. His name cannot be known to you just yet. But he is powerful, and ignorant. And he would not take to you kindly at first. And your beautiful sweet heart, I'm not sure if you would be able to handle it. Are you up to such a challenge?" She asked. I was unsure. I didn't know what to say. I bit my lip, and she studied my face. "This only comes once. But if you must know, his heart has only been to one other woman, and she has been gone for years now. So no other women would come with the same man. He would be yours, yours to keep." She came closer to me and closed the book. My father put his hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him. He was looking at the Lady Demi.

"Would my daughter be put into harm's way? I will not have such a man lay a harsh hand on her. I will take her away from all this if that be the case. Her heart cannot be in line for that kind of marriage. I refuse." He stated.

"Mr. Terpcrott, I assure you, I don't think anything of the sort. I just think that he would be a bit harsh to her. Let's just say that he wouldn't be the kind to be charming and wonderful and pleasant to you always. But he can be molded. I can't predict the future, I just know this young man." She stared into my father's eyes before they both looked to me.

I thought for a moment, and deciding that this may be the adventure I was hoping for, I nodded to her, and she nodded back. My father merely looked at me and then the Lady Demi walked to her book, wrote down a name, and looked up at me again. "It is done. I will make the arrangements, and send you a letter. Miss Olivia Terpcrott, I would much enjoy a spot of tea with you this afternoon, and maybe we could enjoy a lunch together tomorrow?" She asked. I nodded and smiled at her.

"That would be lovely, thank you." I looked to my father and smiled, "Papa, I'll be fine. I think this would be good for me. To be out on my own. I'll be home before sundown." I assured him. He nodded and smiled. He took the matchmaker's hand and kissed it.

"Thank you, and the best of days to you." He said kindly. She nodded.

"As well to you."

That is when her eyes landed on me. "Now, we must discuss a few things. Come with me to the parlor. We'll chat." I followed her as she walked down the same long hallway we came from. Her heels clicked, whereas mine were quiet against the rugs. We went down a flight of stairs and into a warm and open dining area. A large window was in the room, overlooking her entire estate's land. In the back was a patch of gardens lining all the walls and beautiful ponds.

As we sat down for tea, she looked up at me. I took a sip and put my hand over my lips as she stared at me. "Miss Terpcrott, I would like to issue you a warning. I'm not sure you know the seriousness of this. Now I've matched you with your true heart match. I could have saved you a heap of trouble by giving you someone else. Someone much more kind and chivalrous. But I know this man, and I think you can change his brutish ways. So this is a great responsibility." She explained. I nodded, listening to her very carefully. She nodded to me and smiled, "Now, I'm going to let you know something very important."

"Yes, milady?" I asked sweetly.

"Even if he is hateful to you, even if he is spiteful, and tells you he wishes you were dead, he will always protect you. He'll finicky that way. He'll profess his hate, but secretly adores you." She winked at me.

"How are you so sure he will even like me that way, milady? I'm nothing special. I don't have that womanly look or attitude. You had to ask how old I was. I probably look like I'm sixteen still." I explained. She laughed a hearty laugh and set down her tea cup.

"I love your figure personally. You're so petite, so easy to rough up, it's lovely. And how do I know these things? Because I know him, and I know he loves quiet, petite women. I know he'll love you. Because I know that he's already seen you, and he picked your name out of many others when I brought him here years ago. He didn't even know you, and he picked your name. It's a work of my magic. They won't be able to deny their love, because it's true." I just didn't believe what she was saying. I didn't believe in magic. Love didn't work that way.

"That's not how love works. It just happens." I finally stated. She laughed.

"Of course, you're right. I don't make love, dear, I make people see it. And he'll see it. Trust me." She winked, but then grew nervous, "And there is one more thing you must know. This is the most important."

I listened in, nodding.

"He has many secrets, and if you ever learn of them, you must tell no one. None of your family. They're his secrets, and then yours. Only you two. None of your family, none of his. Understand?" I nodded, understanding what she was saying.

"Then he is secretive?" I asked. She nodded.

"Very, more than he needs to be."

I thought for a moment, maybe regretting saying yes to this. Was I even ready for marriage? I wasn't sure, so I just smiled at her and nodded. And when I left, I didn't go home right away. I took a stroll, ending up in the park that was my favorite as a child. Even children were still here with their parents. I sat down on a tree stump and watched them play, smiling at them as some would grow nervous and run away just before they waved back at me. The sun was beginning to go down, so I hiked up my dress and ran, ran as fast as I could through the known forest to my home sitting just beyond it. By the time I returned home, my skirt was covered in mud, and my mother was furious.

But now, none of that mattered. I was a betrothed. I was a woman to be married. And word spread very quickly.