Surrender to Fate (Fate's Path Part One: A New Adult Romance Series)

by Jacelyn Rye

  Vernon finally stopped his speech, and William fell back and sat in the chair opposite of him. William’s head was spinning, and all of the preparation for what Vernon would want with him was all for nothing, as this was the absolute last thing that he had expected. He leaned forward and stared at the ground, trying to wrap his head around what Vernon had just offered.

  “I don’t expect an answer right now. I want you to think about it because I don’t want you to go into this lightly. I have extremely high expectations from you when it comes to making my little girl happy. I mean it, William, I can no longer make her dreams come true, but you can. And if you accept this offer, then you understand that her happiness would be your responsibility. But come on now, you can’t try to tell me that trying to make her happy wouldn’t mean all sorts of happiness for you, too. So that’s it. You think about it. But not too long, William, this offer does expire. I’m not the sort to be waiting around for anything, or anyone.”

  William stood and quietly walked to the door, and turned back to Vernon. Vernon jerked his head at him, “You’ll let me know soon, right William?”

  He nodded and walked down the stairs and back out to the lot. He sat on the stack of bricks, still in shock of what had just happened. As if on cue, Margaret came around the corner of the building and walked over to him.

  “Hey, you,” she said as she gently brushed the hair from his forehead.

  He stood up and stared at her. He looked at her so intently, trying to picture his life with her as his wife. Just when he almost could catch a glimpse in his mind, it would fade away.

  She looked up into his eyes and put her hands alongside his face, and brushed her fingers through her hair. “Oh William, I’ve missed you so much. I’m here, I’m right here for you. Let me in, William, please? Let me help you?”

  William had lived through the worst thing that had ever to him, and now he was faced with a huge decision that would affect the rest of his life. He bent down and gently kissed Margaret’s lips, once again trying to picture what his life would be like with her.

  She responded with slow gentle kisses until she could feel him begin to give into her waiting mouth. He pulled her body tightly into his, and actually felt a rush go through him that he had almost forgotten. In that moment, he realized that he had missed being with her, touching her. He pulled his lips from hers and wondered if this is what was meant to be for him. His life sure as hell hadn’t turned out how he thought it would, and he was beginning to realize that he had absolutely no control over anything. He couldn’t control Sarah leaving, and he couldn’t change that his mother was gone. This might be the only say he would get in the direction of his life from now on. Even though he realized that it was more of Vernon’s say, than his. In all reality, he had to wonder if he had any choice at all, knowing there might be no other way to keep his vow to shield his father and Tommy from any further heartache.

  Chapter 43

  The night had been sleepless for William. He tossed and turned, wrestling back and forth with the decision that had to be made. But morning had put him out of his misery, and at this particular moment, he found himself climbing the stairs back to Vernon’s office with his answer. He knocked on the door, knowing that as soon as he walked in, his life would be forever changed. But at this point, he was already learning how a single moment in time could change the trajectory of your life, and this one would be no different.

  “William, come in,” Vernon pushed himself back from his desk. “I presume you are here with an answer?”

  “Yes, sir. I am.”

  “Good. What is it?” The look from Vernon was stern, and obvious he was not in the mood for frivolities of conversation.

  “I thought long and hard about you said. And, I’ve decided that I would like to marry Margaret.” William felt a weight come off his shoulders from announcing his decision, but almost simultaneously felt an even heavier weight come crashing down on them all over again.

  A sly smile crossed Vernon’s lips. “Well, I have to say that I am pleased with your choice. It makes me think that you have half a brain. But, before this is a done deal, I want to make sure you are clear on your end of the bargain?”

  “Uh…yes, sir. I think so.”

  “You better do a helluva lot better than that. Do you understand your end of the bargain?” Vernon was looking at him with such malice that William was almost second guessing his decision on the pure fact of what he would be marrying into.

  “Yes, I do. I will make your daughter happy.”

  Vernon’s expression softened only lightly, “Good, that’s better. Now tell me, what convinced you?”

  William looked down to the desk in front of him. He knew exactly what had convinced him. He had gotten home from work to find his father passed out at the dining room table, with his head down on a stack of bills next to a whiskey bottle. He had planned on talking to his father about the proposition, but as soon as he saw that, he had all the answers he needed.

  “Well, sir…there’s nothing more I would like to do than make Margaret the happiest girl in the world.” William realized that his relationship with his future father-in-law was starting off famously--with a bold-faced lie straight to his face.

  Vernon huffed haughtily. “Good answer.” He pulled open the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a small, black box and handed it to William.

  “What’s this?”

  “That,” Vernon nodded toward the box, “is Margaret’s engagement ring. I know you don’t have two nickels to rub together, let alone to buy her something she deserves. Let’s just say I was pretty certain of the choice you would make. I think the sooner you make it official, the better. Don’t you?”

  “I guess so...”

  Vernon cocked his head at him again, with the same callous look in his eye.

  “I mean, yes. The sooner, the better, sir.” The weight on William’s shoulders was transforming into a distinct uneasiness about how controlling Vernon was of this whole situation.

  “I think tomorrow would do just fine. Come over to the house for dinner tomorrow, and you can propose to her properly.”

  William nodded, only because he was too in shock to actually say anything. He had made his decision, but thought there would be at least a little daylight to be seen between making the decision, and making it official.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” Vernon repeated slowly and deliberately.

  William swallowed and looked him in the eye, “I said, yes, sir.”

  Satisfied, Vernon sat down pulled himself back up to his desk. “Good. Five o’clock. Be there at five o’clock.” The conversation was over as Vernon went back to his paperwork without another word.

  William staggered out of the office and down the stairs. Tomorrow he would be engaged to Margaret Thornton. Whether it was of his own accord or not, his life was about to be officially moving on from Sarah, and he felt the promise he made that someday, he would make her happy, melting away and leaving a gaping hole in his heart.

  For reasons deep down inside that he really didn’t want to spend time analyzing, William decided against telling his father about his new arrangement with Margaret, although it really felt more like an arrangement with Vernon. William doubted his father’s ability to even cope with having such a monumental discussion that would certainly ensue upon hearing the news. Besides, ultimately it was his choice, and he had already made it. He didn’t need any more time to think about it. He justified not sharing the news with his father since his father had already given him his blessing of sorts in pursuing happiness. As it turns out, William would be pursuing happiness for Margaret or face the consequences deemed fit by her father. It was just too soon to tell if that pursuit would lead him to any happiness of his own.

  Chapter 44

  William arrived at the Thornton residence at precisely twenty minutes after five o’clock. He had been ready in plenty of time to arrive at the appointed time, but there was just something inside of him
that wanted to show Vernon that he did not have complete control over his every move. At least, not yet. Even though Vernon had manipulated his entire future of who he would marry and what job he would most likely have for the rest of life, not to mention the future of his father’s farm, in less time than it takes most people to eat a meal, William just couldn’t bring himself to arrive to dinner on time. Vernon might be able to, and obviously could, force his will onto others. But where William could take a stand, he would.

  William raised the heavy brass knocker on the solid oak door and let it fall twice. He took one final deep breath as an unobligated man, and tried to appreciate it for what it was. Despite feeling controlled by Vernon, he tried to imagine that perhaps this is what would’ve happened between him and Margaret anyway. Isn’t this where they were headed? They had certainly spent enough time to together and had more than just slightly entered into an intimate relationship together. And prior to his mother’s accident, William had felt happy. He was satisfied with his job, and was more than happy to be alone with Margaret every time the opportunity presented itself. Now, not only was he going to be a partial owner of a very successful lumberyard, he was going to marry the most coveted woman in town. But even more convincing to him was the fact that he would be able to keep his family’s farm from financial ruin. His last thought before the door jerked open was that he hoped that somehow he was making his mother proud, and that she understood why he was doing this.

  “William, there you are. You had me worried.” Margaret threw her arms around his shoulders and squeezed tightly. “Daddy said you were coming at five, and when you hadn’t gotten here, I got so worried.”

  “Sorry, I’m fine. I guess I was just running late.” William was wondering if it was going to become a full-blown habit to lie so easily to his future wife and in-laws. He wondered if she was actually worried about him, or if her father had tipped her off about the night’s purpose and she was worried that he had changed his mind. Either way, he just smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Come, come. We are all in the sitting room.” Margaret glided in front of him and beckoned to follow. William’s eyes were unable to look on into the next room, as his eyes became transfixed on his future wife. She wore a pale pink bodice that once again, placed her beautiful breasts at front and center of her outfit. He had to admit to himself that just seeing them pressed up high and tight was a vision he would never grow tired of. He immediately reminisced of pouring honey all over her bare, naked chest and felt himself twitch in his trousers. Knowing it would not do at all to begin the dinner party with a hard ridge protruding from his pants, he forced himself to halt the taste for honey that was clearly forming in his mouth. Instead, he watched her hips sway under a full pink skirt, slightly darker in color than her bodice. Her hair was soft and wavy and flowed down her back, which was allowed to be seen by the low-cut back line. Her pale skin was luminescent again the pink hue and the fire red of her hair. It was very much like watching a sunset right before his very eyes. But this sunset was about to become his to enjoy every night.

  Vernon and Esther’s conversation stopped as soon as William and Margaret entered the room. Vernon, who was standing next to the credenza topped with various decanters of liquor, cleared his throat loudly and slightly narrowed his eyes on William. “Well, William, nice of you to join us.” He waited expectantly for a reply, but William refused to respond to his sarcastic welcome.

  Vernon’s lip slightly curled upward in obvious recognition of Will’s attempt to stand his ground. “Yes, well anyway. Can I get you something? Whiskey? Scotch? A pocket watch?”

  William held his eye contact with Vernon. “No, thank you. I’m fine.” He held his gaze a moment longer until he walked over to the plush, deep burgundy colored chair that Esther had remained in. He held his hand out for hers, “Hello, Mrs. Thornton. Thank you for inviting me over tonight.”

  She paused and looked to his hand slightest glimmer of distaste before she finally put her hand in his. “Hello, William. Glad you could make it.”

  Margaret pushed herself into his side, wrapping her arm through his and clasping his hand with her other hand. “I personally, am very glad you are here.” She looked into his eyes, and he had to wonder again if Margaret knew what was coming, or truly was giddy from just being near him.

  His eyes moved from hers, down to her lips, and back to her eyes. She smiled knowingly at him, and squeezed his hand tightly. Vernon had summoned everyone to move into the dining room, and just like he had become accustomed to, everyone did as he instructed.

  Margaret pulled on his arm to get his attention and he stopped to look at her. “I just wanted to tell you,” she whispered so lightly that he had to bend to her lips to hear, “I will be providing you with dessert, after dinner.” She tucked her chin and grinned demurely, giving her message time to fully absorb. She let go of his hand and continued on into the dining room, leaving him frozen in place. He watched her sachet in front of him, and once again he was left to admire the sunset, and wonder if the sunrise would be just as intriguing.

  Dinner had been a combination of roasted duck, baby red potatoes and honey-glazed carrots. It would’ve been the most sophisticated meal of William’s life had it not been for Margaret’s foot sliding up his pant leg throughout the entire dinner. Between the upcoming proposal, and Margaret’s not so subtle proposals of her own, William found it increasingly difficult to concentrate, let alone savor the meal.

  When the dinner plates had been cleared, and the conversation lulled, Vernon tapped the table with two abrupt thuds of his hand on the table. “William.” He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head, “What do you think?”

  William clenched the napkin that was still on his lap and gently placed it on the table. “It was very good, thank you very much.”

  Vernon kept his head cocked but widened his eyes even further. “You’re welcome.” His words were strained and anything but gracious.

  The moment that William had tried to play out in his mind was upon him. He hadn’t even completely planned out what he would say, hoping it would somehow just come to him. He pushed back from the table and stood next to Margaret. He thought how she genuinely appeared to be taken aback by what he was doing as he reached for her hand. She furrowed her brow, but only momentarily. “Margaret,” his voiced slightly cracked. “I want to watch each sunset, and welcome every sunrise, with you. Any man would be lucky to have you. But, I am asking for you, to have me, knowing that I will do my best to make you happy.” Keeping her hand in his, he knelt down to one knee and pulled the ring from his pocket. “Margaret, will you be my wife?” The moment the words left his lips, something inside felt like it had died. He promised to watch each sunset with Sarah. Now, another woman was contemplating the offer that he had always intended to be for Sarah. The pit inside his stomach rose to his throat and he felt sick.

  Margaret gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand and spun around to look at her father. He gave her a slight nod, and a pleased smile. She spun back to William, dropping her hand to reveal a completely thrilled smile. She nodded her head enthusiastically, and as if she had been holding her breath, yelled out, “Yes, yes, yes!”

  Although he had known what the answer would be, William couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. With both of their hands shaking, he slid the gold band with a square cut emerald onto her left hand finger. She held her hand straight up for her perusal and caught her breath. “Oh, William, it’s beautiful.” She stood up and practically leapt into his arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and spun her away from the table. “I can’t believe it!” she said when he let her feet touch the ground. Her eyes widened again, as she held her hand out to inspect the ring. “I’m engaged!”

  She turned to her mother, who seemed to have very little to say during dinner, and even less now. In fact, she may have been even more surprised than Margaret at the upcoming nuptials in her future. Margaret hugged her tightly, “Oh Mother. We h
ave a wedding to plan.”

  She rushed to her father, who looked as pleased as William had ever seen him. He had to wonder if he would ever be able to live up to his expectations of making his daughter happy. Clearly, it was all that seemed to matter to Vernon. So far at least, William felt like he was keeping his end of the deal as Margaret jumped up and down, giggling and hugging her father. “Daddy, did you know about this?”

  “Of course I did.”

  Margaret paused and looked suspiciously at him. But of course, the man with the master plan after all, had the plausible answer. “William here, was a proper gentleman, and came to me to ask for your hand in marriage. He convinced me to give my baby girl to him, promising to make your every dream come true.”

  William watched their interaction, growing more and more uneasy. The lies that had swirled around this dinner table were eventually going to become a tangled web, so woven in deceit that no one would be able to escape it. But what had struck him even more profoundly than the copious lies, was that never once in the initial negotiations of he and Vernon’s deal, nor during or after the actual proposal, did anyone mention the one minor detail of being in love.

  Vernon and Esther eventually excused themselves from the table, leaving Margaret and William sitting at the table, holding hands. Margaret hadn’t stopped smiling, and William was slowly starting to come to terms with the fact that he was now under an extreme obligation. An obligation to Vernon, and an obligation to marriage that seemed as equally daunting.

  As soon as her parents left the room, Margaret jumped into William’s lap and kissed him with long and luscious strokes of her tongue. “Mrs. Margaret Harston. Oh, I think that sounds just perfect, don’t you?”

  William stalled, remembering the day he and Sarah had carved the tree stump. He had told Sarah the symbol literally meant, “I shall marry you,” and while he couldn’t be certain about what Sarah thought, he distinctly remembered saying in his mind, “You will be Mrs. Sarah Harston--someday.” William looked at her, and instead of answering, he pulled her in to whisper in her ear, “So, what is for dessert?”