Fighting Against Fate

Chapter 2:

~Eric~

I was opposed to this from the beginning.

The moment my parents reminded me of the woman I would marry in one-month’s time I rebelled against it. I live comfortably where I am as a bachelor. My nights I can choose what woman I want, and that is my preference - not to be tied down to a woman that I have not met or talked to. For all I knew, she was a gargoyle, someone I wouldn’t be able to look at much less enjoy. That may be a little harsh, but I had an image to live up to.

I didn’t bend for anyone; there was a reason everyone that knew of me said ‘Eric Northman is a witty businessman.’ If and when I took a wife, she would have to meet standards of mine - ones I had yet to see in any of the women I had taken to bed.

She must be beautiful, charming, have a sense of humor, and understanding mine would be nice. Most of the ladies I had met had no personality; they were mainly there for a good time, which was all right by me for most exchanges.

Every so often, I would meet a girl that seemed interesting, though, more often than not, they turned out to be complete morons when they opened their mouths.

I was frustrated by the whole dating scene and had given up on it years earlier. It was remarkable considering the fact I was only twenty-eight; most men started looking for their wives when they were this age, but I was not interested. I wouldn’t make a good husband anyway. Women were there for my pleasure; that was all.

“Mr. Northman, there is a Mr. Brigant to see you sir. He says he has business with you today,” my butler, Gerald called out to me from the doorway.

I was in my study, contemplating dragging the whole marriage thing out, not wanting to go through with it. In fact, I was writing a letter to my parents declining the invite to the wedding when Mr. Brigant arrived.

“Send him in then,” I told him and moved the papers I was writing over.

He walked in and I stood to greet him. He extended his hand; I took it and shook firmly.

“Please take a seat Mr.Brigant,” I said, pointing to the seats open in front of my desk. I sat back in mine and proceeded, “What may I help you with today sir?”

“You don’t know me son, but I know your parents,” he began and I straightened in my chair; he had my full attention now. Who is this man to come here and address me this way?

“I see…and you are here for what reason then?” I asked cautiously, not sure I wanted to find out.

“I have heard you are to be married, and you do not agree to the terms,” he replied and I stifled a groan. Not this shit again. I had been hearing it nonstop from my father; I didn’t need another person irritating me with this.

“I don’t see how it’s any of your business whom I am marrying sir,” I said as kindly as I could, not forgetting that he knew my father; if he liked him for some reason, then he can’t be too bad.

“I am the one who set you two up; she lives next door to me,” he answered with a sly grin on his face.

“So you’re the person I can speak to get this total situation erased. I do not care to take a wife at this time and would appreciate you canceling the debt with the family. I will pay whatever they need,” I said, waving my hand dismissively before reaching for my checkbook.

Instead of telling me an amount he reached into his front coat pocket and stood. He placed a small picture card in front of me and gave me a smirk.

“If you object to her, then you are a fool. Believe me, she is worth it,” he said before picking up his hat from the seat next to him and turning to leave.

With reluctance, I looked down at the picture thinking I would see a creature not even the dullest of men would take. But what I saw instead astonished me and my breath caught in my throat.

She was exquisite, slender, her smile charming… So, so… beautiful. The lady was very desirable to look at and on top of her appearance she seemed to carry herself so well in her picture. She was wearing a simple dress that didn’t bring out her features, but that would change soon.

I set the picture down, and lifted my head to see Mr.Brigant standing in the doorway. I couldn’t believe from just a photo I was intrigued enough to meet her. I could swear that this woman would be the death of me if this could be accomplished from her eyes looking at me through this small card.

“This is her?” I asked, holding it up and standing from my chair.

“Yes it is. This was taken last year, she has grown quite a considerable amount since then, but in the best way,” he said, winking at me, walking back into the room.

I rang the bell for the butler and informed him that I would like to be served my afternoon lunch outside for the day and that Mr.Brigant would be joining me. When I made the plans for him to stay, his eyebrow rose.

“I simply thought you would like to stay, seeing that you know my father. He would be upset if he knew I didn’t ask you to join me,” I said as a smile played at my lips; no one, especially a man, liked having decisions made for them.

“Ahh…” he said as he patted me on the back and followed me out the double doors.

We walked out to the back porch area to a table in the shade. I had a cover built to keep the sun away while I enjoyed my meal. We took our seats and the maids came out with lunch and fresh 

lemonade to drink.

“So tell me about her Mr.Brigant,” I started to say once the help cleared away and only Gerald was left outside with us.

“Call me Niall young man. I believe you should see for yourself. That would be for the best,” he said, taking a bite of the stew I ordered to have made for the day.

“Can you tell me anything about her - her likes, dislikes? I want to know if I would like her,” I asked him, hoping he would tell me more than my own parents told me.

“She is a lively girl, very sweet, and is defiant in her own right. Very feisty… so I think you two would get along great from what I hear about your own personality,” he said smiling before digging into his meal.

I had to think about that. Yes, I did want a woman that shared the same zest for life that I did. I love to travel and try new things - repetition bores me. I didn’t know about the defiant part; I would like her to do as I say.

“She is defiant you say? Could she be broken?” I said, taking a drink of the cold lemonade.

Niall looked up at me and dropped his spoon abruptly.

“If you want to get rid of her, you can try. But be warned, this girl is not one to sit back and watch. If you try to take away her will, she will leave, no doubt about it,” he said, picking up his spoon and continuing with his meal.

“So she likes to do as she wants, anytime?” I questioned, wondering if the girl was too wild for me. Well that couldn’t be… seeing I am wild myself, but I wanted a wife, when I decided I wanted one that is; to be gentle and kind, yet not take any of my shit. Not one that was loud and rude, always telling me what to do.

“No, she has been kept under her grandmother’s roof since the pairing of you two was decided. She is only out when going to a social outing and has never been allowed the company of men,” he reassured me and I visibly relaxed in my chair.

“So she is untouched,” I said to mostly to myself. Her picture showed her so pure, and so willing. I think I would have fun with her once she and I got better acquainted.

“She is, but you should know - she doesn’t know how to act around men, she has been told, but never shown. My daughter has helped answer her questions of the opposite sex, but there is only so much you can tell without showing,” he explained to me and I couldn’t help the wicked thoughts that came to my mind.

A beautiful woman and her friend talking about men, and how to…I let out a laugh and Niall seemed confused by my outburst.

“I would like to meet her first that is my only requirement. I wish to see if I would like her, and then decide if I want to make her my wife,” I said, making him an offer. Either that or I would take the option off the table and not bother going to New England to be married.

Niall sighed. “You both have the same ideas.”

“What do you mean, we both? She wants to meet me and you won’t allow it?” I asked him, getting irritated that they couldn’t have us meet and be done with it.

Fuck tradition where I have to wait till the wedding day to meet her. Just because my father and mother did that, didn’t mean I wanted any part of it myself. Niall seemed to be in deep thought for a few moments and then his eyes lit up and locked with mine.

“What about you can meet her, but you cannot tell her you are the one she is to marry?” he asked, looking to me expectantly.

“That wouldn’t work; you said she isn’t meeting men at all. So me showing up and meeting her out of the blue… she would know.” I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. “Does it have to be a secret? I could just introduce myself; I think it would be proper for us to at least know each other’s names.”

He thought on that for a minute and concluded, “No, you cannot tell her who you are; otherwise the contract would be null. Your father is all about tradition, so you cannot tell her.” He took a drink from his glass and set it down. “She is leaving in two weeks on the Intrepid to go to New England; I believe you are leaving on the ship also?”

“I am.”

Niall smiled, “Then you will meet her on the ship. Get to know her and see what a wonderful jewel she is. But don’t tell her who you are; she can know your name, but not that you are the one she is going across the ocean to marry.”

I thought about his plan and it sounded secure. “And if I don’t want to go through with this…” I said.

“Then it will be taken care of, but I doubt you will feel that way. She is truly one of a kind my boy,” he replied, shaking his head.

“And I will know her by the photo? What is her name?” I asked him, hoping her would say it.

“I think that would be incentive enough to speak to her - to find out her name,” Niall said and I felt my blood boil.

“So I have to talk to her?” I asked, my voice raising. This idea kept getting worse. It would only work if she was clueless about the whole thing. I was starting to change my mind, and yet her picture made me want to meet her.

“What will she wear then? I must know so I can spot her; there will be over six thousand other people on the ship as well. I cannot spend all my time looking for her.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Why don’t you take care of that scenario? Send her something she could wear on the ship and you will be able to spot her easily,” he answered, standing and placing his hat on his head. “It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Northman; I will let you know what she chooses to wear for the boarding,” he said, extending a hand to mine. I took it and nodded my head.

He walked to the door and paused. “Her favorite color is green by the way,” he said, smiling and walking out the door with Gerald seeing him out.

I think I will give this a shot; what do I have to lose in the end? If I don’t care for her I will simply not marry her, and if I do…well, not even I can say what I will do. I am not the type to marry; but I now want to meet her all the more.

My brother was coming with me, and he was a great judge of character. I would hope that she was just as lovely in person as her picture, which had captivated me, but I would have to wait the two weeks to find out.

I walked back into my study and for the next few hours was buried under paperwork that needed signing and listening to laborers that had asked for an audience with me. When I signed the last page and was fixing to call it a day, my twin brother walked in.

“Hey Bro! I thought you might be in here working,” Ian said, sinking down into the couch in the corner of my office. We may be twins, but we are not identical. He looks like my brother, but he isn’t as muscular as I am, not by far. He is more outgoing that is for sure and sociable. I wouldn’t mind being left alone for an extended period of time, but he couldn’t stand to be alone.

“Yes I just finished up. What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Sweden to visit father’s estate there?” He was the caretaker of it when I gave up the rights. I wanted a home here in France, where most of my businesses were located. As much as I loved that home, I gave it to my brother for safe-keeping.

“I was told by father to come and keep you company on the trip back to New England,” he said, looking guilty.

“You mean he wanted you to come here so I wouldn’t try to run is what you meant?” I asked, rephrasing his statement. I knew I was right when he shifted in his chair.

“Yea, I am here to make sure you get there; otherwise he is punishing me with the same fate as you brother,” he said chuckling.

If I was against marriage, my brother was even worse. He went as far as only allowing a woman close to him when they were in bed… then shortly afterward wouldn’t call them again. Even if he was falling for them a little, he would tell them to leave. He was determined not to be with one woman; I could see his point in it, but it gets tiring after a while. One wants to settle down; or find hopes to.

“I am going. I have an idea of this girl and what she looks like.”

“What do you mean by that? You know you cannot meet her; father wouldn’t allow it,” he stated, cocking an eyebrow at me.

“He wouldn’t, but the other one involved in the whole fiasco came here today and showed me a picture of her; he even went as far as telling me to buy her clothes so I would know that it was her when I see her.”

Ian held up his hands in a ‘stop’ gesture,”You mean he showed you what she looks like and you still want to go through with it? You know father wouldn’t allow it.”

I growled under my breath, “Ian, you will not tell father about me knowing of her. We both don’t like this arrangement, so when I meet her I can decide whether I want to marry her or not; Niall has assured me I have a choice.”

Ian widened his eyes. “You mean, if you don’t want her, you can say no and that’s it?”

“Yes, that is what he said. I can meet her and if I don’t care for her, I can call it quits. Seems pretty nice to me,” I answered him, glancing at the picture on my desk.

Before I knew it I could hear my brother’s voice behind me, “Damn, she is a pretty thing isn’t she?”

I turned in my chair and shot him an icy glare. “She isn’t yours to look at.”

Ian started to laugh and I stood in my chair, feeling like I needed to defend her honor against him. I was taken back; that feeling has never happened to me before. Sure she was appealing from her picture, but I had yet to meet her.

“I meant no disrespect to you or her brother, but you seem to think she is already yours; your possessive streak is getting the better of you,” he said still laughing and I groaned.

This girl was going to be the end of me; I could feel it, and yet I was welcoming it. I went and grabbed my coat from the wall, and turned to my brother.

"Come, we have some shopping to do," I told him, and we headed into town.

~o0o~

Those two weeks passed at a snail’s pace; I couldn’t make them go any faster and I tried all I could. I went to the local clothing store in town and found a nice selection of dresses that I wanted to see her in. I considered what Niall said to me(she loved green), but I wanted to see her in all colors…and mostly reds. I ordered over thirty dresses: all silk, handmade with the finest woven lace. I hoped she would like my selections for her. I also sent matching corsets for each gown along with other under things.

It was more than I should have purchased, but with Ian there… well, he seemed to be more enthusiastic than I was about shopping for her. He kept saying she would look lovely in this; think of how it would be nice to see her with just this on… The lady that helped us behind the counter looked at him with a disgusted look and I couldn’t blame her. He loved women, but not the right way -not the way they wanted to be loved.

I was informed by Niall when she received all the gowns and was told that she loved the green dress I had sent for her. According to his daughter, she would be wearing it to board the ship, though she seemed to think it was too expensive.

I balked when I read that - the girl would have to get used to the best if she were to be my wife. Her beauty must be accented by her clothing, which should serve to bring out her color and soft curves.

My brother Ian and I were waiting by the docks of the ship, waiting to spot her so I could get my first real look at her. I was sure she would stand out, seeing that most of the ladies were wearing white or black. I loved the fact she loved color; it would make her all the more beautiful.

“Can’t we just go on board and look for her there? I think I need a drink,” I could hear my brother complain beside me.

I was about to answer him when a carriage pulled up and stopped in front of ours. I felt my stomach clinch with excitement and fear. Part of me wanted to meet her, the other part wanted to get out of it and run off. That part of me was quickly silenced when she stepped out of the carriage with the help of the driver.

If I thought her picture did her justice, I was proven wrong. The color of the dress was perfect; it brought out the creamy color of her skin. She was blushing slightly from the noise and something else, though I wasn’t quite sure what. She started walking toward the docks and I head the last call for boarding.

“There she is and that’s our cue,” I told Ian as I got out of the buggy and walked behind her, well not exactly behind her because a couple stepped in front of us for a moment. It angered me that I lost her from my sight and I rudely pushed past the two in front of me. What I saw disgusted me in ways I have never known - the ticket man spit in front of her and she clearly looked displeased. I quickly walked over by her, but not too close. I wanted to have a word with the man that would dare to disrespect her in such a way.

“Do you have no manners when there is a lady present before you?” I seethed at his form taking the ticket from her hand.

“I meant no disrespect sir, I assure you,” the older man said, handing the papers back to the young woman and nodding to her with a small smile that just made my skin crawl. “You are a pretty little lady, and I am sorry for my rude behavior,” he said then he had the nerve to wink at her. ‘MINE’I wanted to scream at him, but I held myself back, partially because I was startled I was thinking that and also I had made a deal with Niall. And I intended to keep my side.

So I replied, glaring at him, “I do believe your attentions are not welcome; you will let her move on before I call your superiors.”I put as much venom behind my words as I could and it seemed to work because the older man quickly dropped his grin and nodded to me.

I was intending to rip him a new one, enough to make him piss himself, when I felt a pair of eyes looking at me. I looked down to the soft angel taking in my form. When I caught her eye, her breath hitched and she blushed slightly; it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I wanted to reach out and touch her cheek but she narrowed her eyes and attempted to speak to me.

“I thank you for your concern sir, but it is really not necessary,” her voice rang in my ears; I could tell from her tone that she wasn’t happy at the moment and I knew it was because of me. Niall did warn me she was a feisty one; I was starting to like that about her.

“A thousand pardons madam, I was merely doing what your male escort was supposed to do,” I said, bowing my head a notch to her. Her facial expressions were so amusing and I found myself liking her instantly.

“Thank you for your assistance, but I can take care of myself,” she replied with an edge to her voice and turned her attention back to the older man. “Thank you for your kind words. Now if you will excuse me,” she said, looking back to me, “I must be getting on board.”

And like that she started to walk away. That wasn’t going to work for me; I started after her to help her over the steep steps when the old man spoke up.

“Tickets sir,” he said and I looked to Ian, who had an amused expression on his face from the whole scene. He rolled his eyes and proceeded to take out the tickets and hand them to the older man while I made my way after the angel that sparked my interest.

I took four strides and was at her arm. I placed my hand under her forearm to escort her on board immediately feeling my body on fire from her touch; I almost groaned from the feel of it. I noticed a look of apprehension on her part and I leaned down to her ear and whispered, “Allow me to help you so you won’t fall my lady.”

When we got to the deck, she turned to look at me and I caught her staring at my chest for a moment before her eyes locked with mine.

“Thank you for walking me up,” she said softly and I had to resist the urge to lean down and kiss her full lips. But her words left me confused.

“I thought you said you didn’t need any assistance,” I said with amusement and my eyebrow cocked.

She jerked her arm away from my grasp and I was upset from the lost of contact with her. Touching her was amazing and I had only touched her arm so far. I was looking forward to touching all of her.

“I don’t, but thank you nonetheless,” she said, turning on her heels and walking towards the upper class entrance. I couldn’t let her leave just yet, I needed one thing from her then she could leave me, well for now anyways.

“What is your name?” I asked her and she stopped, turning around to meet my eyes once more.

She took a step towards me and replied, “Sookie Stackhouse.”

What a lovely name I thought to myself. “Miss. Stackhouse,” I said, taking her hand in mine and kissing her palm and she looked in my eyes, entranced. “Nice to meet you. I hope to see more of you on this trip.”

She blushed a deep red and closed her eyes. I couldn’t help myself - I reached out and touched silky smooth cheek with two fingers. “Your color is beautiful.”

She kept her eyes closed and stuttered, “Youuurr…” then she cleared her throat and tried again. “Your name?” she asked of me.

“Eric Northman,” I answered her and almost tried in vain to kiss her lips, but my brother made his presence known, pointing out the crowd on the deck I shook my head and walked away from her. I didn’t want to and she looked confused for a moment until she turned and went through the doors to her room.

“So what do you think Eric? You think she will make a good wife for you?” he asked me as we leaned against the railing watching the ship take to the ocean.

“I think I will get to know her first but so far,” I said giving him a smirk, “I like her.”