THE SOUTHERN BELLE BRIDES
Collection
Above All These Things
“Annulet, are you listening?”
Annulet Granville yanked her attention back to the guest list her mother flapped against the polished oak tea table.
“Yes, Mama, I heard you.” She bit her lip to prevent resentment from coloring her voice.
Celeste Granville sighed and nudged the paper across the table, positioning it in front of Annulet. “I’ve put a star beside the names of the young men to whom you should pay the most attention.” She poured more tea into her cup and stirred in a generous amount of sugar. “I hope you realize how important this ball is for your future. Have Polly arrange your hair in a more becoming style and pin some jasmine sprigs in the curls. That way, every man with whom you dance that night will remember your fragrance. Your gown should be ready by the day after tomorrow. We will go into Bethel Station Friday for your final fitting.”
Annulet half listened as she scanned the list of wealthy, influential guests. Every detail of her mother’s plans was focused on one thing: drawing the attention of affluent men.
She knew the reason. She wasn’t completely ignorant of the unwise business investments her father had made over the years, even though Montgomery Granville never spoke of such things in her presence.
Her mother cleared her throat. “I hope you appreciate my efforts to make this ball a success. I’m doing this for you, darling.”
Annulet rose and crossed to the open window where a soft, spring breeze wafted into the parlor. “Auctioning me off to the highest bidder isn’t done for me, Mama.”
Her mother’s audible gasp indicated her remark might have been a bit too pointed, but it was the heavy footstep at the door that sent a splinter of warning through her.
“Annulet Renee, what do you mean by making such a crass statement to your mother?” Papa’s disapproval reverberated through the room.
Annulet turned and faced her father, her chin slightly uplifted. “In essence, that is what you’re doing, Papa. Isn’t this ball for the purpose of pairing me up with a rich man?” She stalked to the tea table and snatched up the guest list. “Every man on this list is wealthy.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Her father’s scowl was undoubtedly meant to intimidate. “It is my responsibility to match you with a man who can provide for you in the manner to which you are accustomed.”
He closed the gap between them and shook his finger in her face. “It is your duty to your family to enter into such a match, to strengthen the resources and ensure the legacy lives on.”
Her mother sat primly with her hands in her lap, clearly not planning on coming to her daughter’s defense. Annulet refrained from rolling her eyes, but could no longer rein in her tongue.
“Legacy? To what legacy are you referring, Papa?” She spread her arms to indicate the lavishly appointed room. “Pretending we are rich and important? Am I to be on display for men to ogle and see which one meets your standards?” She waved the guest list. “How is this any different from the buying and selling of slaves? They are forced to stand up on a platform while people bid on them, and they have no say in—”
“That’s quite enough, Annulet.” His hardened tone sent a shiver through her. “Sit down and mind your manners.”
She complied, but her agitation didn’t retreat.