Bared To Mr Edmund

Kate held her breath in sheer anticipation, her bright blueish eyes gleaning and licking her lower lip anxiously as she stared at Anne, the dressmaker flip cautiously through the pages of her most priced and cherished possession - her manuscript.

Kate studied every reaction that Anne displayed while reading through her manuscript. Her heart was beating so fast and Kate felt extremely intense about what Anne's verdict will be. Anne was also a writer during her youth, an accomplished author who dreamed to become a published writer, but her dreams were shut off after her parents arranged a suitor for her. Anne had no choice but to give up on her dreams and become a housewife while also becoming one of the well-known dressmakers in the town of Westport County.

Kate also had a similar dream - To become an astute writer not just across Westport but far and wide. But unlike Anne who had no support, Kate did have one support.

“I'm very impressed, Kate. This is such a good story. The raw details and passion of your characters are splendid.” Anne marveled, her expression shone with approval.

Anne's words made Kate to smile brightly. Her eyes sparkled even more and she knew she was ready to have it published.

“But tell me, Kate. How do you plan to publish it? No woman has ever published a book before in our town. It's highly frowned upon and very much a taboo in Westport County.” Anne questioned.

In Westport County, women weren't allowed to dream like men. Women were only allowed to play with dolls as little girls, then were to help their mothers and the servants in the steaming kitchen as they grew up and also needed to be ready for their marriage debut at eighteen. Any woman who had tried to dream was very much stripped off their dreams.

Kate was more than determined to make her dreams come true. Despite the stricts laws in Westport which mostly placed the women at a disadvantage, Kate was ready to go against those laws and make her dreams come true.

“I will become a writer in the future, Mrs Anne. You can bet on that.” Kate said with full confidence.

“But how, if I may ask?” Anne now whispered.

Kate turned around, her eyes scanned around the entire workroom fearing that the walls even had ears. She leaned forward to whisper into Anne's ear.

“Harry will help make my dream come true, Mrs Anne.”

Anne blinked. “Do you mean Mr Monterrey's son?”

Kate nodded, her cheeks now bloomed red. “He promised he would help me fulfill my dream of becoming a famous writer.”

Anne was a little surprised. It was no secret that both Kate and Harry were involved as a couple.

Kate became an orphan at just five years old after her parents died in a carriage accident. Mr Collin Monterrey was Kate's father's closest friend and hence, Mr Collin took Kate with him to live in his home along with his second wife, Mrs Charlotte and their three children.

Harry was Mr Collin's second son, his pride and joy and the apple of his eyes. Harry wasn't just handsome with a tall physique, sandy blond hair and piercing green eyes, he was also studious and dreamed of becoming a famous reporter. He had already written a lot of articles in the town's newspaper and was also famous amongst the ladies still yet to make their marriage debut.

Harry was seventeen and Kate was only sixteen. Kate loved Harry for his bright brain and focused mind. She adored him and Harry also fell in love with Kate. Harry had already informed his parents about choosing Kate as his bride. Only Mr Monterrey was in agreement as he adored Kate very much. But Charlotte was against their union as Kate didn't have anything valuable to offer her son, Harry.

“And how will Mr Harry help you, Kate?” Anne asked.

Kate smiled even more. “You already know that Harry received his admission letter to attend an expensive art school in France and he's to leave in two days. On the day Harry leaves, I'll give him my manuscript and he promised to help me publish it under my name.”

Anne was stunned. “Are you serious? Mr Harry will really do that just for you?” It was almost unbelievable for Anne to believe.

Kate only nodded to affirm her statement was true. “Harry promised me. He's going to be the one to help me fulfill my dream of becoming a famous writer. Just wait and see, once my book is published abroad and is a success, you'll see how everyone in this town begins to respect the women.”

Anne then smiled with hope lingering in her eyes. “Then I'll make sure to pray to God everyday so that your dreams can come true, Kate. And that your success will also pave a path for other girls in this town to also dream big.”

The two women heard hurried footsteps echoing down the hallway, and Anne quickly closed up Kate's manuscript, passed it back to Kate who then hid it under her long shawl.

The door abruptly opened, and Olivia Monterrey walked in, looking as divine and radiant as ever.

“Kate, what's taking so long? You've even wasted more time than me, and it is unacceptable.” Olivia looked at her well manicured nails and threw her golden hair behind her back.

Anne took the last of Kate's measurements before smiling at Kate. “I'm all done with your measurements, miss. Your dresses will be ready before your marriage debuts.”

“That's music to my ears. I trust you, Anne. My gown should be the talk of the seasons and many more to come. You know my family isn't low on funds. So make my dress the prettiest, even more dazzling than Kate's.” Olivia ordered. Though Olivia and Kate were best friends, Olivia always made sure to let Kate know that she was doing her a favor by being her only ‘true’ friend.

Kate smiled, not at all offended by Olivia's crude remarks. She had gotten used to it by now and Kate had never been interested in jewelry or the items that made a woman look more beautiful. Kate would much rather prefer to have her nose stuck between the pages of a book.

Kate gathered all of hers and Olivia's shopping bag and they both were headed home.

...........

The Monterrey mansion stood tall in all it's opulent glory and unrivaled grandeur. Till this day, Kate still found it's presence and splendor to be enchanting and straight out of the tales told in all of the books she'd read.

“Mother! We're back from shopping and the tailor's shop.” Olivia cried out once she and Kate both entered the massive living room. Charlotte was reading a magazine while seated on one of the couches with her legs crossed like a queen.

Charlotte smiled like a gem once she looked at Olivia. “And did you have fun while shopping, dear?”

“So much. Look at all of the stuff I got.” Olivia came to sit next to her mother and began ranting about her day at the boutique and other stores.

Kate stood afar, still carrying all of Olivia's shopping bags.

“And why are you just standing over there like some ugly statue?” Charlotte turned to look at Kate with clear disdain her eyes. The woman never bothered to hide her hatred for Kate and also never missed the chance to mock her for trapping her dearest son.

Olivia also turned to look at Kate. “Take those to my room immediately, Kate. And when returning, why don't you bring some nice cold lime juice for me as well...”

“Kate is not your servant, Olivia.” Harry howled all the way from the hall before arriving at the living room. He came to stand next to Kate and daringly threw his arm around Kate's shoulder.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, Harry. There's no need to exaggerate and repeat the same thing. Kate is my friend and I'm only requesting her.”

“It's totally fine, Harrison.” Kate said with a smile. She didn't mind attending to any of Olivia's reckless needs and errands. After all she didn't do any of the chores as it was the servants who did so, and Kate knew she owed Mr Monterrey for giving her a home.

However, Harry strongly disagreed. “No it's not, Kate. You aren't a servant in this house. You're family. You've always been, and my future wife.” His words made Kate's heart flutter. “Now drop these bags. I'll have the servants take it to Olivia's bedroom.”

But Kate refused to let Harry take the bags from her. She already felt Charlotte's dagger eyes piercing through her. “It's no trouble at all, Harry. Trust me I'm fine.”

Harry looked at Kate for a full thirty seconds before nodding reluctantly. Kate smiled and excused herself.

Kate walked through the silent hallway, her feet creating little creaking sounds while pressing the wooden floorboard. She was still walking when a scent of sweat and pulsing adrenaline oozed around her. She scrunched her nose while walking further before coming across his room - his heavy breathing, his rouge smell mixed with the raw sweat and adrenaline enveloped her nostrils.