The Forbidden Fruit

Tomorrow finally became today. My little rendezvous later that day with Darius Rutherford had become the talk of the town. Gwendolyn had told the neighbors and before long, it had spread like a wildfire. I was getting unwanted attention. Older woman looked down on me, wondering what business a woman like me would have with a man like him. The only time a nobleman requested for a peasant by name, was only if he wished her to be his mistress, but I doubted he would want me.
There was nothing appealing about me. I was undernourished and the way my cheekbones unnaturally stood out was evidence of this. With a basket in my hand now filled with the candles and other necessities for the cottage, I made my way back.
Eyes stared me down until I finally locked the cottage door and let out a sigh of relief. I wished that I had told Gwendolyn to speak nothing of the letter, but I guess being a child it had been inevitable. It was nearly time. I boiled some water so that I could take a relaxing bath.
Just after I had placed the water on the fire, I heard someone walk in. In an attempt to protect myself, I stalked towards the door with a piece of wood in my hand. Before I lurched out at the perpetrator, Gwendolyn informed me she was back before running into my arms.
"Oh sister," she smiled, "you shan't believe this. Lady D'Aubigne said she would be delighted to have me work for her. I will be earning five shillings monthly. However, there is a dilemma, I will need to reside in Essex."
"What kind of job pays such?" I asked, rather suspicious, knowing fully well I was going to tell her to refuse the offer. A child of twelve was never paid such a large amount of money.
"She said I would belong to her husband," she grinned, her naivety clouding her judgement, making her eyes blind to the truth behind her job.
"I forbid you," I said, "you shall not do such atrocity!"
Gwendolyn stood her ground, trying to state reasons as to why she needed to work there. We argued for hours and before I knew it, there was a knock at the door. Still angered by my sister's unnecessary outburst, I opened it to find a young man standing before me. He wore an exquisite suit and was nothing short of spectacular.
"Elise Crofton?" he asked as a smile curved on his perfect lips.
"Yes sir," I responded as returned the smile.
He held my hand and kissed it, causing me to blush a little, "I am George Ashcroft. I shall be your escort."
Everyone was staring at us. There had never been a carriage in our lowly streets. Little children ran and attempted to touch it, but were stopped by their mother's fiery glares. I returned into the cottage to grab my coat and glanced at Gwendolyn.
"We shall resume this upon my return," I told her as I shut the door behind me and entered the carriage with the help of the handsome young man.