Fighting Against Fate

Chapter 1:

"Sookie, you're going to be late my dear," I heard my grandmother call out from the foyer.

Felicia, my ladies maid, was pulling the laces of my new corset tighter, so tight in fact that I could hardly breathe. I was trying not to scream, but then from the tightness of it, I doubted I would be able to breathe once it was on.

"Felicia… not so…tight," I gasped as I struggled to remain still, holding the bedpost for dear life as Felicia finished tugging the last tie. Once Felicia let go and allowed me to straighten up, I tried breathing. Nope, not going to be easy.

"Ms. Stackhouse requested that it be as tight as I could manage; I am only doing as I was told," Felicia stated, lifting the green dress up over my head.

I looked into the floor length mirror, seeing the embroidery of the expensive dress, while Felicia buttoned up the back. There is delicate green lace tracing the bottom and also the curve of my breast.Where do they make green lace?

My husband to be, whose name was never told to me… even after I protested, only sent the best and most expensive items. The dress fit snuggly against my curves and showed off the bounty of my growing bosom. I didn't enjoy showing a lot, but since this is what he sent, I thought I might as well get used to it. I would rather he showered me with attention, as I had told my grandmother, but both parties insisted we not meet until the wedding. How sick this is, I never get to meet the man I'm supposed to be with.

The dress, the corset, and even the shoes were new; they were all gifts. Gifts from the man I was leaving my grandmother's home to man in question bought my entire wardrobe and wanted nothing more than for me to wear only his things. At first, I balked. Who the heck does this person think he is to throw gifts at me and he has never met me? I am not a woman to be coerced with gifts. I wanted to be cherished and spoken sweetly to, what I thought any woman wanted from a potential suitor. But I never received any word from him… never a card or a telegraph.

I told my grandmother that I couldn't accept these things, but she corrected my thinking fast. Adele Stackhouse had fixed this marriage the moment I was born, against my parents' wishes. When they both died from influenza when I was seven, she was given full custody of me. I love my grandmother, although I don't agree with her form of marriage. She has spent years preparing for me to be shipped off to New England in America to meet my suitor.

I knew my grandmother wouldn't let just anyone have me as a wife. Her choice was fastidious and yet fair as she always was. Jason, my older brother, was given a wife by Adele's choice. He was married to an English girl by the name of Sophie-Ann, a very sweet girl that I came to care for in the three years since they were married.

My suitor's name was not told to me although my brother was told his; I was only told that he came from a wealthy family and had an estate in France where we would live once married by both traditions. While his family lived in New England after moving there from another country, he took up residence here so he could better look over his businesses. The young man was a few years older than me and we were to be wed there first then back in my home country so all was legal. One wedding was one too many in my opinion.

"Miss, I will just pack up the rest of your things and you will be on your way. I am so sorry I won't be able to accompany you on your trip," Felicia once again apologized to me. I could tell she genuinely liked me, not only because she was always so sweet to me, but because I took an interest in what she said. The others she had worked for in her short life, she told me had not treated her as kindly as I always have.

"It is fine Felicia," I said, reaching for Felicia's hand and rubbing it soothingly. 

"I would have loved the company, seeing it is three weeks long. But I will miss you," I leaned and gave her a hug; the gesture shocked the poor girl for a moment before she returned it in kind.

"I will see you when you get back?" she asked, unsure of her role now.

"Yes, I have asked for you to accompany me when I return from my first wedding," I told her, my eyes wandering towards the window. I wanted to marry because of love, not this way. But I wanted to do what was best for my family and especially didn't want to disappoint my grandmother.

I looked into the young girl's eyes and smiled. "When I come back, I will be interested to hear the latest gossip, so keep your ears open."

Felicia smiled. She was only sixteen, but was a beautiful young woman. She wore her long, dark hair in pigtails everyday and they complimented her plain sweet favorite thing to do was listen in and chat with the other local maids, and it was the one vice she was allowed twice a week for an hour. When she came back from her outings, she always told me all she heard; I enjoyed her company very much and asked Adele if I was allowed to keep her for myself.

"I will miss." The young girl walked out of the room and signaled to the other attendants waiting to take my things downstairs.

I put my shoes on and looked into the mirror, seeing for the first time, not the twenty two year old girl I was, but a soon to be wife and mother. Oh how I wondered if I could hold on to my youth longer, but I had argued about it enough with Adele. After three years of protesting, I decided I would do as I was told and hope for the best.

I walked down the staircase, glancing at the clock on the wall as I made my way to the front door.

"My dear, are you all prepared?" Adele addressed me from the study area.

I walked over and noticed Adele had company: her neighbor, and good friend of the Stackhouse family, was sitting in the dining area enjoying a cup of tea.

"You look lovely in that dress Sookie. So grown up," said Niall, coming over and kissing my hand.

"Thank you Mr. Brigant, for your compliment," I said with my sweet accent, smiling as he released her hand. I had moved around so much when my parents were alive, that none of the local accents stuck with me. Even after moving to France to live with my grandmother, I didn't pick hers up. It seems, I have been told that I sound like a sweet southern girl to some, though I don't know what that means.

"Sookie, you are looking very pretty. This young man has good taste; I told you he did," Adele walked over and hugged me tight, making it more difficult for me to breathe.

"Yes, it is nice," I answered drolly, trying to keep my distaste from seeping through too far.

It didn't escape my grandmothers ears, "You will not forget where you are going and whom you are meeting. Remember this as you conduct yourself alone without onlookers," Adele chided me, wanting me to realize the weight of the situation.

"Perhaps I should accompany you…" Adele started to say but Niall cut in.

"There is no need. Sookie is very mature and will behave, you know this. Besides, she will be well taken care of, from the arrangement I made with the accommodations." Niall winked at me, and my face fell from confusion.

"What do you mean by that Mr. Brigant?" I asked,my brow furrowing.

"You will enjoy your trip is all; a little sea air will do you good I think."

"But…"

"Now, Now Sookie. Look at the time, you must go or you will miss the last call," Adele said, grabbing my hand and walking me towards the door.

"Your hair is neat, your clothes are finely pressed…You will return here a married woman," she said softly in my ear, hugging me close once more.

Adele pulled back and motioned for me to get in the carriage. I obeyed and gracefully took a seat on the red velvet cushions. Niall stepped out with Adele on to the busy, high-class sidewalk in front of the house, waving farewell as the carriage departed.

I waved back until the carriage turned the corner and a single tear escaped, running down my cheek. I can do this…I can, I kept telling myself silently, not realizing when we had arrived to the docks. I could hear the sounds of the horns being made for last call on boarding.

The driver opened the door and I accepted his hand to escort me from the seat. I looked up and took in the large ship before my eyes. It was named Intrepid. A fitting name for my journey across the ocean to the unknown, my mind supplied.

I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and walked towards the older man checking tickets and such at the boarding gate.

"Good day young miss, may I see your pass please?" he asked as kindly as he could manage with tobacco in his jaw. He tilted his head to the side and spit while I reached into my small carry on purse to hand him the ticket.

I looked at him with disgust and before I could tell him how rude he was, spitting in front of a lady, I heard another voice do it for me.

"Do you have no manners when there is a lady present before you?" the man's husky deep tone bellowed over the crowd. His voice wasn't a French accent that was sure, but I could tell there was a hint of one hidden there somewhere.

The sound of it sent a shiver through my body and the rude man looked to the presence behind my small frame.

"I meant no disrespect sir, I assure you," the older man said, handing me back the papers and nodding with a small smile. "You are a pretty little lady, and I am sorry for my rude behavior." He added a wink for good measure it seemed but that just made my blood boil more.

I opened my mouth to respond when the man behind me interjected again, "I do believe your attentions are not welcome; you will let her move on before I call your superiors"

A course of new anger rippled through my body at the man behind me, and I turned with force to look into the face of the man to tell him that his assistance was not needed or desired. As my eyes connected with his body I was taken aback by the sheer size of the man in front of me. His massive frame was much taller than my 5' 6" body, but he was not overly tall.

He was a man that took care of his body and appearance. His blond hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, which was whipping in the wind from the air around them. He was dressed in a dark blue pinstripe suit, and matching tie. 

He turned to me after realizing I was looking at him and was given the pleasure of his crisp blue eyes staring back into mine. My breath hitched for a moment from the sheer intensity of his gaze till I remembered why I turned around in the first place.

"I thank you for your concern sir, but it isn't necessary," I said, narrowing my eyes slightly.

The man gave me an amused look, probably wondering whom this girl was to speak to him in such a manner, especially since we hadn't been properly introduced.

"A thousand pardons madam, I was merely doing what your male escort was supposed to do," he said, bowing his head a notch to me.

I wasn't taking this; not only was I not supposed to speak to men, but I didn't know him or his name. So in the back of my mind, I decided to ignore the handsome man that was entrancing me with his voice and looks though it pained me to do so.

"Thank you for your assistance, but I can take care of myself," I replied, turning to the older man. "Thank you for your kind words. Now if you will excuse me," I said, looking back to the tall blond man behind me, "I must be getting on board."

I started to walk up the steep platform and was soon accompanied; a hand was touching her elbow and was not invited to do so.

"Allow me to help you, so you won't fall my lady," his husky voice whispered in my ear. I didn't want to cause a scene, as there were others on board waving at the parties down below. His touch was sending tingles into my body just from the warmth of his hand.

Once we made it on the deck, I turned to him and noticed I was close to his chest. The closeness was unsettling for me seeing as I had never been that close to a man before, what with being sheltered… only given female companions to converse with. I moved my eyes up his torso to his face and was greeted with a warm, smug smile.

"Thank you for walking me up," I said, unsure of what else to say. His presence left me speechless; that had never happened to me before.

He lifted an eyebrow. "I thought you said you didn't need any assistance."

I jerked my arm loose from his hand, upset from his remark and he dropped his smile, seemingly upset that I would want to be away from his touch.

"I don't. But thank you nonetheless," I said, turning and walking towards the hall to where the upper class were being shown their living quarters.

"May I ask your name?" The voice followed me the few steps, and I stopped and turned to him. He was standing there looking to me expectantly. Without thinking about my actions I took a step towards him, feeling like there was a rope between us and he was pulling me slowly in.

"Sookie Stackhouse," I responded quietly.

"Miss. Stackhouse," he said, taking a step forward to close the distance between us and taking my hand. He placed a soft kiss on my palm and looked down on me through his long eyelashes. "Nice to meet you. I hope to see more of you on this trip."

I blushed deeply before I could help myself, never having received any attention from a man. I didn't know how to respond so I closed my eyes; committing the touch of his lips to my I went to open my eyes, I felt his finger touch my cheek, grazing it across my skin softly. "Your color is beautiful."

"Youuurr…" I cleared my throat and tried again, "Your name?" I whispered, trying to ignore the feeling of his skin touching mine lightly.

"Eric Northman," he said and, without another word, his touch disappeared.

I opened my eyes and looked around the deck, but I didn't see him. I took a moment and collected myself, chastising my mind silently, thinking that I shouldn't have let him touch me. Adele would be furious with me if she saw what just happened.

I walked over to the double doors to the area I would be staying at. Two men opened them, in a way knowing who I was, and I continued walking into the large opening.

I could see the various people wearing high class outfits and she knew this was her level to be on. I walked over to the main desk area, in the middle that looked like a concierge booth to figure out where I would be staying.

"May I help you madam?" his cool voice greeted me.

"My name is Sookie Stackhouse, and I wish to be taken to my room."

"Ah, a woman who knows what she wants," he said slithery, and I sighed.

"What room am I in?" I asked looking at his nametag, it read: Andre.

"You are in room 216 madam, may I escort you there?" he asked, coming around to take my arm. This cannot be real; I have only been away from my home for not even an hour and I get hit on by three men now. No wonder grandmother kept me at home all those nights. If this is what is out there, I would rather stay at home, I thought to myself.

"That won't be necessary. I will show her," a quirky voice came from beside me, when I turned there stood my best friend Amelia.

I squealed with delight seeing her on the ship with me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked unable to hide my delight from the turn of events, and also noticing many glances in my direction from my outburst.

"My father wanted me to come and keep you company. Besides, did you really think you could leave and get married without me?" Amelia said, hugging me tight.

"I am happy you are here and I am not doing this alone," I said as a tear fell down my cheek.

"No crying now my dear friend; let's go to our room and get you settled," Amelia smiled, tucking her arm around mine and leading me to our room.

We walked into the large suite and I gasped at the size of it.

"There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and also a large living area. Oh, and we both have our own balconies," Amelia continued to prattle on about the room and I noticed the ladies maid standing in the corner looking obviously bored to be there. I have yet to see one that acted this way and her demeanor intrigued me.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Sookie Stackhouse, but you can call me Sookie," I introduced myself, reaching out and shaking her hand. The young woman looked surprised and a smile came across her face.

"My name is Pamela; but you can call me Pam," she answered.

I smiled at the exchange and Amelia came over. "You will love Pam, she is so sweet. Though she can be a handful at times, I still keep her around."

Pam glared at Amelia and I chuckled lightly but decided not to get into her statement; not with the look Pam was giving.

"Sookie, Pam is my ladies maid Niall let me bring. She is new and I wanted her to keep me company. She is also my friend, but you know how that is," Amelia said, taking Pam's hand and walking to the sofa.

"Yea, I wanted to bring Felicia but grandmother wouldn't hear of it. I will miss her," I said sadly, thinking of my sweet friend back at the home I left. It will never again be my home; mine will be with a man I don't know. The thought of it was making my eyes water, and Amelia seemed to notice the shift in my mood.

"Sookie, let's not think of that right now. Tell me, anything interesting happen so far since you came on alone? That had to be an experience." Amelia asked me, while motioning for Pam to bring her a drink.

I blushed and looked away, thinking of the tall blond man and the feel of his lips… the way he had me wanting more, but I knew I couldn't allow myself to.

"Tell me, I know that look. What happened?" Amelia said, and Pam was looking expectant.

I stood and walked to the window and looked out as the ship started its course to a new beginning for me. A man that came too late for me… because I belong to another.

"Eric…His name is Eric Northman," I said, sighing as I looked out at the waters below. The sun was glistening off the deep blue color; the same color as his eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Amelia asked confused, walking over to where I stood. I turned with tears in my eyes, and wiped them away before they could fall.

"Nothing, it doesn't matter. I am off to be married; I won't see him again if I can help it. Promise me, you will help me," I pleaded with my best friend, hoping she would understand. If I had to I would stay in this room just to keep myself from the temptation I might fall prey to. Just thinking of his smooth voice and silky touch… the way his eyes were dancing with life when I looked into them; I knew right then that he was trouble. Trouble I needed to avoid at all costs.

"Anything you want Sookie. But if you want to talk to him…"

"No, I promised my grandmother I would behave and I will. I need to start this new life on the right foot, so to speak. I am determined Amelia," I said, squeezing my eyes shut. But that didn't help; his eyes were the only things I could see.

Amelia didn't say anything to me for a while; she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug and stroked my back soothingly. I couldn't stand that I felt this way about a man I just met; I wanted to know more about him. But I knew in my heart that I wouldn't go against my grandmother's wishes. So I vowed to myself that was the last time I would see Eric Northman.