The forests that bordered old Pettigrew Manor had been lit afire with the robust colors of fall. Sarah Whitley, aged nineteen, looked out plaintively at their red and gold leaves with the utmost feeling of sympathy. The beauty, she thought, would only last so long. An inevitable death would turn those passionate hues to dismal browns as they fell, their only welcome the cold earth and a promise of bitter winter.
"Today," she murmured to herself "Is the last day I will be happy."
It was a realization she was not anxious to make. Her betrothal to Marcus Emerret had now become an engagement and her wedding day was just on the horizon, Springtime bearing not only flowers but chains to a man she did not love. Right now she felt like the leaves of autumn- her will still burned for life and beauty, though it would only last so long... That spiraling thought of forever being servant to horrible Marcus had drawn her deep into the recesses of her mind.
"Sarah?" Came a gentle voice beside her. A good hour or so had passed since the young girl had brought herself to the placid lakeside, but she was surprised it had passed so quickly. John had met her here as agreed and- with a heavy heart- she knew she had to tell him the truth.
"Sit down," The fair-haired girl offered, patting the bench beside her. "Please."
Handsome young John removed his cap and rubbed the edges of it between his fingers, but obliged to her wish.
"John, I must tell you something. It is something that I- I have known for a long time, and it has guilted me that you did not know before." Her pale blue eyes grew misty, already, as they typically did on the emotional woman.
John looked at her, slightly wary, but coaxed her on. His hand fell on hers as she readied herself, before she finally blurted:
"I am engaged!"
The boy drew back his head, initially surprised, until his features contorted with pain and confusion.
"Sarah- what? You're... why? What- I don't..." He stammered feebly and withdrew his contact, as the young Whitley girl swallowed a sob. "There is nothing I can do on the matter. I leave tomorrow at dawn for the Divinity Orchards up North."
Both sat in contemplative silence, John somewhat shocked and Sarah somewhat regretful. Neither could believe the fact they would never see each other again. It was a heavy burden.
Lithe young Sarah stood up, finally, and straightened her blouse. At the twilight of the day her ample figure was outlined by the pink pastels of the sky, intensifying her already impressive beauty. She offered John her hand, and he grasped it firmly, rising to his own feet to look down on her.
"We've seen each other in private for two years now. We have been coy and devious amongst our families and have eluded all so we may reunite without interruption or protest. We have spent many evenings, wrapped in our enigma of love, and I feel as though I come straight from a fairy tale. But for this, I see no enlightenment." Her words were surprisingly stoic and she had avoided his gaze... Only after a brief pause of speech did she face him directly.
"I want you to make love to me John. Here, by the lake, right now."
John, being of few words, only was able to make a surprised grunt. His clefted chin wrinkled and his eyebrows furrowed, unsure if his lover was jesting.
As if reading his mind she stroked the side of his face and grinned.
"I kid you not. I wish to share my virginity with the one I truly care for, not the one I must be forced with."
Beads of water arose in the corner of her eyes and drifted slowly down her face. The strength she had shown was enough to impress and convince John that her words were honest.
