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Justawriter

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 Hours later

Charles threw the last piece of wood into the brick fire place and closed the gate. Annabell sat stiffly on the ground, hands covering her eyes near the warmth of the fire. Charles sat down beside her and said "So tell me now Anna, why did he leave?"

 Anna took her hands down and looked at Charles with an expressionless face, which turned into sadness. "Francis," she started, "Francis was a kind man, very loving too, yet mother and father didn't approve." she paused.

 "They disliked that he was French and part of  France's army. This dweled into Francisco's mind, he knew they'd never approve and they had set up an arranged marriage for me with a man from America. Francisco also was being drafted into another war, against china. He loved me and he wanted to take me to France with him. I longed to go but mother and father found out and forbid me from seeing him. Francisco was so upset that he wasn't good enough nor rich enough, he thought of leaving." Anna teared up.

 "So he must of left because his kind wasn't welcome much in Ireland" Annabell nearly whispered.

 "He was a fine man Anna, and i am deeply sorry that he had to go" Charles said.

 "He was a damn fine man for sure" she cursed.

 "Now Anna no need for fowl language, i am on your side don't forget."

 "I am sorry Charles, i am cranky and terribly upset that he is gone" she frowned. "I don't even want to speak to my parents, i really hope they don't invite me to dinner."

 Charles laid back onto the ground and looked at the ceiling. "Another war against China you say?" he asked Annabell.

 Annabell laid beside him and cuddled with her best friend. "Yes, i haven't heard much of it, but Francisco told me some bit"

 "Those Chinese have no reason against France to declare war, they are just bloody stupid" Charles said. Annabell looked at him and nodded in agreement.

 "You know that one of Ireland's major trade exports and imports are from France and England?" She told Charles.

 "Your right Annabell," he said, "So why is your mother and father so against him?"

 Annabell shook her head, "I don't have the slightest idea, maybe its the tradition of arranging their children's marriages." she sighed. "I am tired, its time i go lay down, i don't feel well either."

 Charles stood up along with her, "Good night Ms. Annabell, i will send a message boy if i find out anything about Francisco" he hugged her and Annabell smiled, then headed off to bed.

 Later on

 KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, is the sound Annabell awoke to. She stretched out her thin arms and yawned. "What time is it?" she said sitting up in the darkness. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK the door pounded again. "I  am coming!" she yelled stumbling through the darkness and walked to the front door.  She stood at the front door and unlocked the locks then twisted open the door.

 Upon opening the door there stood her mother and father, along with a man she never seen before. "We are finally back from town Anna" her mother said stepping inside. (her parents and her shared a home) Annabell took everyones coat then stood there confused. "Who is he mother?" Annabell eye balled the tall blonde hair blue eyed man.

 "This here," her mother said, "Is Arnold Matthew Hogart your future husband." she said and her father shook his head yes.

 "Hello my love" Arnold tried to hug her.

 "What the heck!" she yelled.

 Anna's mother slapped her, "Don't you dare yell like that again missy!" she yelled.

 "But i don't even know him and you expect me to hug him and let him call me his love?" she said. "I THINK NOT"

 "Now Annabell we have arranged this marriage and have the finest American for you we could find!" her father boasted.

 "Whats wrong with a Frenchmen huh father?" she hissed and her fathers eyes grew wide with anger.

 He smacked her hard, "don't ever speak of that Frenchmen again you will marry Mr. Bogart and you will not complain, YOU HEAR ME?" he yelled.

 Annabell held back the tears "You can make me marry him and i am damn sure he may be a fine fellow but i wont ever love him!" she yelled "I LOVE FRANCISCO!"

 This made her father mad he left Arnold standing with his wife and grabbed Anna by her wrist. He began dragging her to her room. "Father your hurting my wrist!" she cried and he ignored her. He tossed Anna like a rag doll into her room.

 She ran up to the door and shook the handle "FATHER PLEASE LET ME OUT!" She cried, she tried opening the door but it was locked from the outside. ....