My human body was adrift in a deep rest when a slight tap interrupted. "Miss Elizabeth?" Beatrice called tiptoeing into the room. "Miss Elizabeth?" I could hear the expanding of material as I forced myself awake.

Across the room Beatrice hung the white gown. In many ways it was a simple dress, in others, a cloth of slavery. Beatrice noticed that I was alert now. "This has to be the loveliest bridal frock that I have ever seen!"
"I despise that dress... I always have!" I complained remembering when my aunt gave it to me at the age of sixteen.

"You’re now a woman ready to embark on a life of your own! I believe you should be excited about this." Beatrice argued.

"Excited? Not excited, horrified. To marry a man I’ve never even laid eyes on before..." I said as my stomach turned in disgust.

"It’s the way of the wealthy Elizabeth!"

"What about courtship, what about romance?" I asked.

Beatrice smiled with compassion. "Now, now Elizabeth you’ve just got the pre-wedding jitters. It will all pass and soon! Just wait until you step foot onto your own estate! It may even be a castle somewhere along the English countryside."

"I don’t want to leave! I don’t!"

"Your Aunt Denita lives abroad doesn’t she?" Beatrice inquired.

"Yes. She’s the person who orchestrated this entire mess."

"It will work out now." Beatrice said, as she finished fluffing the gown. "Dinner will be at six thirty. You should wash up, shall I draw a bath for you?"

"No. I’ll be dining in here this evening."

"You shouldn’t blame your parents for this, it’s just the way it must be. Besides, next week at this time you will be on board a ship, headed off to the excitement of a foreign land. You need to enjoy your last moments, your last moments with your family."

After Beatrice left, I hurried down the back stairway and outdoors. I began in a brisk walk along the beach then tore off into an outright sprint. My shoes were still removed and the hem of the long dress soaking in the splash of the shoreline.

I didn’t stop until I could no longer view the mansion. Near exhaustion, I fell to the ground and reclined back not concerned about the ruin of the expensive gown.

Seagulls were noisy in their last attempts at scavenging food for the day. A feud disrupted between two gray birds. They began to peck at one another over a small, unfortunate fish.

"Let her have it!" I said over the squabble.

Because the slam of the tide was violent, because the birds were in such a fight, I didn’t hear the approach of a stranger from behind.

"My sentiments exactly." He said as I turned about startled.

The man tipped his hat in a polite gesture. He was an adult, but there was a slight hint of youthful mischief in his gaze.

"Hello." He managed as I stood in a hurry. I began to brush the embedded sand from my travel dress realizing the disgraceful sight that I was.

"I must go." I said in a sudden burst of embarrassment.

"No need." He said with a sly grin. "I was enjoying the view....tremendously."

My shy gaze fluttered and locked on his, then I quickly shifted it away.

I began to walk off, but instead of this man allowing my escape, he hurried to my side and began a conversation.

"I’m Robert." He said self assured.

I didn’t respond.

"Should I assume you to be Elizabeth?" He asked.

"How did you...." I replied.

"You are the talk of everyone for miles... you are to be wed this upcoming weekend. I figured you to be Elizabeth since I have not seen you before today."
"I’m here every summer." I responded unsure of why I was stating this fact.

"I see." He said, as if amused by my defensive tone.

"If you don’t mind my saying, for a bride to be you don’t appear overflowing with anticipation."

"I do mind your saying, Mister......Robert. It is none of your concern!" I was flippant in my tone.

He grinned sheepishly. Taking a bold step, he grasped my hand and pulled me facing his direction. Heat flooded within my heart since at this time his forwardness was against all codes of decency.

My eyes lit with surprise, my hand was halted just inches from slapping his face.

"I’m a lady!" I expressed.

"That fact is obvious!" Robert replied as he smiled in victory. He stood there holding me like that. One hand wrapped about my wrist, the other grasped within my hand. We were frozen, frozen in the dissent of the evening sun.

"You are not an Elizabeth." He whispered as his lips tenderly brushed mine.

A stranger, I was being kissed by a stranger. In all the years of society balls, I had never experienced the simple exchange. Part of me wanted to scream, the other part wanted to rejoice.

Robert released my hands and I stood there frozen. He smiled at me as if the kiss were an announcement of his future promise.

"You may slap me now!" He said chuckling. "You have good reason."

I stood flabbergasted as words escaped me.

"Lizzy?" He said as I began to hurry off. I turned to him, further distressed by his boldness at altering my name.

"I know you like no other and trust me when I say, you are not an Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the name of a callused heart. Your heart is one of sweetness!"

I began to run as his voice reached through the wind to pierce my heart.

"You will always be my Lizzy!"

He was screaming now as my feet were skimming the surface of the sand. "You have ruined all women for me! If I die tomorrow, I will die complete. My heart is full of love for you!" His tone was that of humor as if his proclamation was not sincere.

I didn’t respond, but kept my pace at running. His voice diminished as I distanced myself from his position. Not thinking, I hurried up the path and slid in through the dining room that overlooked the great expanse of water.

Mother and father gazed up over the first course of soup. Their expressions reflected horror at my appearance. I was a wreck and my face flushed with excitement.

"Elizabeth!" My father scolded, as the staff of workers smirked at the wildness of my intrusion.

"Sorry father." I whispered abashed. I shuffled through the room and took two stairs at a time bolting from my surroundings. When I gazed behind, a trail of sand was left in the pattern of my feet. I couldn’t help but savor my slight act of rebellion.

With disregard to my physical appearance, I pulled the diary from the table and began to write about my experience. A moment into the journal, Beatrice entered the room. Immediately she worked at removing the soiled clothing as I attempted to pen between the movements of her work.

"Must you do this now?" I snapped.

"Your mother told me to clean you up!" She replied, not put off by my attitude.

"Oh, for goodness sake!" I managed in frustration.

After a soothing bath and cold dinner, I returned to my journal, but somehow mere words did not capture the sudden awakenings of my heart.

There was something familiar about Robert and yet I had never met him before that moment. Did he know me somehow? Was it coincidence that he appeared so sudden as I stood upon the shore? Appeared as if by magic. Was he following me? Was he a gold digger that my father often spoke of?

By Sunday night the routine of the summer cottage seemed back in synch. The only intrusions were the moments wedding preparations took hold. A seamstress from the local town met that evening to make last minute alterations. I felt like an overstuffed penguin wearing the lace gown.

Mother raved at how beautiful a bride I was going to be and Beatrice nodded in agreement. Inside my stomach was turning in disgust.

The following morning, Mother and I took a trip into town to meet with the floral arranger. Most of the flowers were grown locally. The summer months were preferable for weddings in that climate since the ornate gardens were at their peak.

He showed us various sketches and my mother paid him half of the fee and he seemed pleased by this transaction. Everywhere money was the key to merchants going out of their way to accommodate.

Mother was bursting with excitement and I was bursting with pain. I did not wish to marry Donovan Winslow regardless of the wealth and prestige it was supposed to bring both families. On our long trip back to the summer home, mother finally approached the subject of the upcoming marriage.

"You seem rather quiet Elizabeth."

I gazed at her narrowing my eyes and falling into a pout.

"Next week at this time it will all be a memory...a pleasant one, I hope."

"There will be nothing pleasant about being tied to Donovan Winslow!" I said under my breath.

"Elizabeth please! We’ve been through this all before. It is your duty as a woman to marry. It could be much worse, believe me!"

"What could be worse than promising yourself to someone you have no feelings for?" I asked.

"You have been corresponding with Donovan, right?"

"Letters? You think I can find love through letters? He seems arrogant, prudish and dismal! How could you ever arrange a marriage like this in good conscience?" I asked, as my voice squealed in an immature manner.

"Trust me, the love will come later. You think I loved your father when we married? It all takes patience Elizabeth, patience and time." Mother said as the driver glanced in our direction, he appeared amused by our candor.

"What if I refuse to do it?" I asked suddenly finding an inner strength that laid dormant until this point.

"Elizabeth, please don’t tease in such a way!"
"Maybe I’m not teasing!" I said folding my arms at my chest.

"Daughter you and Mr. Winslow are a perfect match. You said that he has an arrogance, is somewhat prudish and is dismal, you might as well be describing yourself."

"Mother!" I exclaimed hurt by her summation.

Mother reached over and patted my hand. "You must trust us on this darling. Your father and I are only looking out for your well being."

"I’m not happy about this ordeal... not happy at all."

"You’re not supposed to be happy Elizabeth, not many women are."

"I want to be elated mother. I want to look at the groom and be overflowing with love. I want to feel excitement as the ceremony begins. I want to be with someone who is my ideal, the person I waited my whole existence to be connected to! Why can’t I have that?"

"Who says you can’t and how do you know it isn’t Donovan Winslow?"

"Somehow I realize that it is not!"

"You know what your problem is daughter? You are a romantic. It’s a sweet notion in a fairy tale perhaps, but this is the real world. In the real world women marry of convenience, not for love or any other reason."

"I’ve had enough! Driver, stop the car!" I demanded.

"What do you think you’re doing Elizabeth?"
"I’m walking back. I can’t take another moment of your propaganda." I managed as I hopped from the back seat. There was nothing graceful in the way I stormed off.

"If you want to behave in such a way, you deserve to walk!" Mother announced as she ordered the driver to commence.

Several minutes after mother drove off, I realized what a mistake it had been to escape from the automobile. It was at least a five mile trek and the mid June sun was lacking in compassion.

My feet were aching in no time. Pointed toes and an uncomfortable heel made every muscle from toe to thigh throb in pain. I finally decided to take a break as I perched myself under an apple tree. I reached below the heavy layer of dress and unlatched the hooks from my shoes. Barefoot has got to be better than torturous shoes, I thought. After eating an apple I continued on my trip.

Hunger pangs began an hour later as I continued my travels. I could imagine the spread of food being presented to my mother and father. I wavered away from the main road and instead opted to trespass on neighboring lands. The greenery was a cushion on my battered feet. I despised the thought of mother gazing at me upon my return. She would be reveling in the knowledge that my suffering was brought on entirely by my own stubbornness.

Sweat was now beaded on my face and trunk. I remembered as a young girl my mother announced that perspiration was not lady like. I chuckled at the insubordination of nature.

With about a mile and a half to go, I maneuvered my passage to the lake. It was refreshing to have the icy currents splash at my feet. I reached a bluff to where trees masked the beach in three directions. The area was referred to as Three Corners. I hurried to some brush and removed my outer clothes. Remaining in bloomers and the frilly corset, I darted from the cover. In an abrupt plunge, I dove into the forgiving waters.

I submerged myself in refreshment, swimming out as far as I could endure. I kicked until my legs felt a sense of numbness. I floated on my back, gazing at the clear blue sky. Great gulls flew overhead making their presence known with screeches and dives toward the depths.

I spent a great deal of time and energy swimming. By the time I washed up on shore, I felt a renewal of spirits. I had cooled off both physically and emotionally.

Behind the great spruce I crouched down to retrieve my clothing, but to my shock, the silk dress had vanished. I gazed about in a frantic desperation. Perhaps I was mistaken by which tree I had removed my frock. No, the shoes remained in a heap and I realized, someone had run off with my dress.

My insides twisted in horror at the thought of walking past three estates on my return home. The hour was a slight past mid-day. There were sure to be vacationers out basking in the sun and my presence would immediately be noticed.

Oh the scandal! A woman in her unmentionables sauntering past. I could be arrested for such a disgrace.

I decided it best to wait until nightfall. I carried my shoes to the dune surround and perched myself on the soft grains of sand. It was somewhat silent in the great sand enclosure. The sound of waves crashing barely penetrated the wind carved barriers.

Birds squawked at me as they passed overhead. "Oh shut up!" I said imagining that they were laughing at me. Minutes passed as hours and an hour passed as an eternity. I couldn’t shake the notion that someone was watching me. I gazed about the perimeter paying close attention to everything. I was alone, alone and waiting for the mask of night.

A boat slowly passed along the shoreline. It was a man and a proper woman out for a daytime tour. It broke up the monotony of the water and it was interesting the way the boat appeared to nod as it rode the waves.

I felt dizzy from lack of food and beverage. The sun was descending the clouds and I felt promise that soon I could run for home. Once visibility had diminished, I walked with hesitance from the sand surround.

I sprinted in the direction of the estate, sprinted with every ounce of energy that remained. I didn’t bother hauling my shoes. I had plenty more to choose from and was not particularly fond of that pair to begin with.

How would I explain any of it? I was one property over from my parents when I heard a voice from behind.

"Lizzy?" He questioned as I quickened my stride.

"Wait up a moment." Robert said as I completely ignored his request.

"That is you, right?" He asked with a tone of uncertainty.

"Yes." I finally answered out of breath.

"Why are you running?" He said gasping for air. It was then I realized he was keeping pace with me.

I didn’t answer, but continued onward.

"Is someone chasing you?" He questioned.

"No. No one is chase.....chasing me." I said gasping to find the oxygen to form words.

"Please stop, I want to speak with you."

"No!" I said.

Robert lunged forward grabbing my arm to halt my movement, loosing balance, I toppled to the ground. Although he tripped, he maintained his footing and remained standing.

"What’s the hurry?" He asked pulling me up by the wrist.

"Turn your head, please." I demanded even though the night was masking the fact that I was in bloomers and a corset.

"I don’t understand." He muttered swinging around to oblige.

"I was swimming at Three Corners this afternoon and someone ran off with my dress." I managed with an outrage.

Robert muffled a laugh behind a forced cough. "So am I to understand you are in your undergarments?"

I remained silent grateful that night concealed the embarrassment I was projecting.

"Oh, what I wouldn’t do for some moonlight right at this moment!"

"If you’ll excuse me then." I said storming towards my parent’s home.

"Lizzy? Meet me tomorrow." He asked boldly as I halted.

"I can’t Robert, like it or not, I’m promised to someone else. It wouldn’t be proper to meet you."

I continued to hurry down the path.

"I’ll be at Three Corners mid-day... I’ll bring a picnic if you’re interested."

Ignoring his invitation, I slithered in through the servant’s entrance around the side of the house. Unfortunately, the door squeaked and my attempt to sneak in failed.

My father rounded the corner and his anger transformed to embarrassment. "For goodness sake Elizabeth! Put some clothes on and meet me in my study!"

My heart raced with fear. It was obvious I was in trouble. Moving as fast as I could manage, I hurried into my room and pulled a dress from the closet. Beatrice arrived which surprised me that she was still at work. Unless there was something out of the ordinary, the help was released around eight o’clock everyday, leaving only one live in butler, Alfred behind.

"Everyone was out searching for you this afternoon." She said as she assisted in lacing the back of the frock.

"We didn’t know what to believe. The way your mother spoke of your mental state, we guessed that you had run off."

"Is that why my father is so cross with me?" I asked.

"I imagine so."

I chuckled a bit. "I ran into misfortune down at Three Corners. Someone stole my dress as I was swimming in the lake."

Beatrice smirked in an attempt to hide her amusement.

"I imagine you’re pretty hungry then, I’ll fetch you some dinner."

"That would be wonderful."

Beatrice darted towards the door and I muttered. "Oh and thanks for not laughing at my expense." She nodded, her expression reflected shock at the politeness of my statement. Somehow I sensed that the word 'thanks' was seldom released from my lips.

When I entered the study, father was engrossed in a novel. He laid the book upside down with the pages split bending into folds underneath.

Father waved me in and motioned me to sit before his ornate desk. He posed there a moment in a pensive way. I felt like I was five years old and about to be scolded for breaking something of value.

Father took a deep breath then gazed at me with disappointment. "Do you realize how worried your mother and I were today?"

"I’m very sorry about that."

He placed his hand in the air indicating he wanted to speak.

"Your mother and I discussed your attitude in length this afternoon. I am surprised that you can’t see the benefit from your union with Donovan Winslow."

"I don’t know him father, isn't that a bit odd?"

My father shook his head no.

"Suppose you explain how it is you arrived after dark in nothing but your undergarments?" Father asked, changing the subject.

"I was overheated from the long walk. I took a short cut through some property and ended up at Three Corners. Believing I was alone, I went in for a swim. When I returned to put on my dress, it had vanished."

My father suppressed a smile and failed at his attempts to appear angry.

"I had to wait until dark in order to return. What else was I to do?"

Father nodded as if understanding. "No more swimming in your under things. You are not a child any longer Elizabeth. We’re lucky you had the common sense not to be seen. I would hate to imagine the scandal if the Winslow family learned of your inappropriate behavior, it might jeopardize the wedding and your future."

"Yes father." I whispered.

"...and furthermore, I want you to remain close to the house. No running off or running away. We’ve gone through a lot of trouble for this marriage to happen.....and it will happen! Do you understand Elizabeth?"

I nodded as my father grinned in triumph. "Great, that will be all."

Feeling regret that I didn’t voice my opinion, I hurried upstairs. A tray of gourmet food was waiting on my bed. I removed the tray and slid it across the floor untouched. I thudded onto the bed and tears began to stream my face. I gazed at that horrible dress... "Waddle, waddle.." I said with anger. "Let’s do the penguin walk for the boorish Donovan Winslow. Waddle, waddle, train the bird, accept her fate, marry the boor, life is great!" The last series of words were spat in a cross between sarcasm and sadness.

My emotions overloaded and I began to bawl. With my world about to change in five days, I felt extreme desperation.

At age twenty, my father grounded me. No running off, no running away he had said. This angered me beyond comprehension. I wasn’t a child, I wasn’t acting childish. I was an adult trapped by circumstance, the circumstance being a horrible arrangement. Five days of freedom! I planned to make the most of them before my life sentence was enforced.