Chapter 10

Back at the house I find Betsie in her room reading and I practically tackle her with a hug. Looking confused she laughs and hugs me in return. "Must of been some date!" she expresses. My face beams as I smile brightly and extend my hand for her to see my sparkling engagement ring. "NORA! It's beautiful! Oh I'm so happy for you! Give me all the details" Betsie exclaims. I hold my cheeks with my hands and reply, "My cheeks hurt from smiling so much! I don't think I've ever been happier!" We take a seat on the bed and I describe all the details from the marvelous day I spent with Freddie. 

The next morning at breakfast as I tell Mr. Linder about Freddie and I being engaged, he seemed more than happy for us, but I could tell something was bothering him. "Nora dear, I think you should phone your mother and tell her the news" he suggested. I catch Betsie's eye across the table and she subtly nods her head. "Oh...yea, I will" I replied uncertainly. Mr. Linder didn't know about the arrangement with Lon, and Betsie had explained that maybe we shouldn't mention that just yet. Mr. Linder, having finished his breakfast, rises and smiles "Well girls I'm off to the center for a bit. Stay out of trouble, and congratulations Miss Nora" he states. 

Betsie and I clean up the kitchen and head to the living room to begin tidying up. "I'll start folding up these blankets" I tell Betsie. "Nora, are you going to tell your mother?" Betsie asks cautiously. I glance down at the ground and shrug. "I might wait a bit" I offer. Betsie continues "Well, what are you going to do? You're supposed to marry Lon just before Christmas. I mean, you'll either have to elope with Freddie before then, or tell your mother." "Lon hasn't even asked me yet! How can you expect me to speak to her after the horrible things she said to me!?" I shout. I throw the blanket down and storm outside, to check the mail. 

Leafing through the mail I come across a very fancy envelope addressed to Betsie, and curiosity pulls at me. I sigh realizing that I shouldn't have shouted, and return inside to apologize to Betsie. 

"I'm sorry I yelled. I don't know what is the matter with me" I explain to her. "I do, you're stressed out and scared about the future. You don't have to apologize, I understand" she reassures and pulls me in for a hug. I half smile, but still feel ashamed of myself. "Oh! This came for you in the mail" I inform Betsie as I hand her the elegant envelope. "Wow! What a pretty letter, I wonder who it's from" she replies taking the envelope.

"It's a party invitation from the Buchanan's" she tells me. We both look surprised, and read over the invitation together.

"You no doubt got an invite too, back at your house" Betsie guesses. "I bet you're right. Are you going to go?" I ask her. "Hmm, Grandfather will probably go, and he'll expect me to go I suppose" Betsie thinks aloud. "Well it would give me a chance to tell Lon just what I think of him" I laugh. "Plus, we would get to wear fancy dresses..." Betsie grins. Thinking that I would have a chance to sit Lon down and explain things, it didn't seem like a bad idea. "I do like wearing elegant dresses" I smile back at her. "Looks like we've got some shopping to do then!" Betsie says cheerfully. She suggests that we go pick out something the next day and I agree, eager to get a new dress. 

The rest of the week flew by and before we knew it, it was time for the Buchanan's party. "It's too bad Freddie won't be in town for the party" Betsie says, as we get ready for the party. "I know, I was hoping we would get to speak to Lon tonight, but I will just have to do it on my own" I respond. "Maybe it's for the best. We don't have to worry about a fight breaking out" she laughs. I nod in agreement and half-heartedly smile. I was dreading talking to Lon. I knew he wouldn't take the news well, but it had to be done. As I put my mascara on I smiled to myself thinking about my future with Freddie after all this was behind us. 

Mr. Linder, Betsie and I arrive at the Buchanan's in our best, and Mrs. Buchanan greets us at the door, "Why good evening! So glad you could make it." "Thank you kindly, Freida" Mr. Linder replies. Betsie and I curtsy and make our way into the foyer. Making our rounds to greet everyone I see Margo Pierce has made her appearance as many of the guests flock to the foyer to welcome her. "Why am I not surprised" Betsie whispers. "Yea..." I reply flatly. "You alright?" she asks. "I guess. I need to find Lon I want to get this over with. I think I will wait a bit and enjoy the party awhile though" I say making excuses. Betsie nods in agreement "Good idea, you need to have some fun".

Alice Jensen waves us over, and we join her and her friends. "Lovely to see you Nora. I feel just terrible about your party. I hope you are alright" Alice says in a concerned voice. "Ah, yea. It's no worries, I'm just sorry you had to see all of that" I reply. Betsie see's my discomfort and changes the subject quickly, "I just love your dress Alice. Such a beautiful fabric, suits you well." Alice smiles "Why thank ya! It's a loan from my mother. I couldn't believe it fit so nicely, we didn't have to alter it at all." Brenda Farse elbows Alice in the side and glances across the room. Margo was nearly floating across the room in her usual lavish attire, heading right toward us. Betsie turns to me and whispers, "Maybe now is a good time to find Lon?" I nod and slip away before Margo reaches us. 

I find Lon in the kitchen pouring himself a drink and approach him slowly. "Ok get your thoughts together Nora, be firm and steadfast" I think to myself. Turning Lon see's me and smiles his shining smile. "Nora, my sweet!" he says loudly. I frown and begin "Lon I -" "Take a walk with me" he interrupts, taking me by the arm. I sigh with frustration as he leads me out the back door. He walks me out to the gazebo and I snatch my arm away. 

"Lon we need to talk" I tell him firmly. "Yes we do. I'm sure you have heard that just before Christmas you're to be my wife. I thought I should give you your ring tonight" he tells me. "Lon, I'm sorry but I just can't. I can't be your wife. I'm already engaged to Freddie" I explain. Lon scowls and looks away angrily "You can not be serious! That measly shop boy?" he replies sharply. "Nora, how wrong you are. You will be my wife. I don't think you realize the power I have with things of this nature. Accidents can happen you know, and I don't think you would want that, would you?" he questions. 

"You wouldn't! This is not because of Freddie. I didn't have an interest in marrying you even before that! I will never marry you, I'm marrying Freddie!" I shout. "Keep your voice down" he growls pulling me towards him. He puts his muscular arms around me tightly and kisses my neck. 

"No Lon!" I shout at him. "I said, KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN!" he says angrily, shoving me to the ground. He crawls on top of me and pins my arms down as he runs his hand up my dress. 

He leans down to my ear and whispers "You scream, and I'll kill you." I begin to cry and beg him to stop, but he ignores my plea's and barks for me to shut up. I squirm around trying to break free but he tightens his grip on my arms and with his free hand loosens his belt. Through my sobs I try to call for help but I can't even catch my breath. 

"I said shut up little brat!" he hisses as he slides his pants down and lifts up my dress. Hysterical with sobs, I plead with him "Please Lon...NO!" His piercing eyes glare at me and he sneers "Aw what's the matter? I just wanna have a little fun with my bride to be." He presses against me and whispers, "Remember, no shouting." Lost for hope I manage to reply through gritted teeth, "I will scream!" 

After that I don't really remember much, the last thing I remember was Lon raising his hand and feeling it crash hard against my cheek. Laying in Betsie's bed with a cold press on my forehead, I sit up with a start and gasp. Betsie comes flying over to me quickly "There, there Nora. You're alright. We're at my house, everything is going to be ok." Looking truly bewildered I struggle to find my words. "W-What happened?!" I ask terrified. Betsie tries her best to be cheerful, but I can see in her eyes that she is troubled. "Oh, Nora...I think you should get your rest. We can talk about it later" she replies softly. "No, Betsie, I want to know what happened" I urge. 

"Lon tried to take advantage of you..." she starts, "Grandfather happened to see what was happening through the kitchen window and rushed outside to help you. But, when he tried to stop Lon..." Betsie trails off and looks at the floor taking a deep breath. "Lon stabbed Grandfather with a pocket knife, he's resting at the hospital now. The doctors said he will be just fine though." My jaw drops to the floor as I respond "Oh my goodness! Poor Mr. Linder, I'm so sorry Betsie! This is all my fault" I put my face in my hands as tears begin to fall from my eyes. "Don't you dare blame yourself Nora! You had to stand up to Lon, and if it hadn't been for Grandfather, why Lon would have succeeded in his endeavors and wouldn't be in the county jail right now! Grandfather will be just fine, don't you worry" Betsie soothes.

I look up confused and question "Wait, you mean Lon didn't..." Betsie places her hand on my hand and shakes her head "No Nora, he didn't. Grandfather intervened just in time, thank God." Relieved but completely exhausted I nod and lean back against the bed pillows. Betsie suggests I get some rest and she will call Freddie to let him know what happened. She tucks the blankets around me and kisses my forehead gently. I barely have energy to wonder what Freddie is going to think before I fall sound asleep. 

Lon is chasing me with a knife and I am running as fast as I can, but he catches up to me and I scream. I feel him put his arms around me but when he speaks it's Freddie's voice "Nora! Nora my darling it's me! It's Freddie!" My eyes fly open and I realize it had been a nightmare and begin to softly cry. Freddie holds me gently and strokes my hair whispering sweetly, "There now sunflower, it's alright. Go back to sleep sweetie. I'll be sitting by your bed all night. I'm here now, I'm not going anywhere." I feel him take my hand in his, and I drift back off to sleep.