Sixteen-year-old Ella has two choices; submit or retreat. Which will she choose? Find out in this sweet teen historical romance.
Excerpt:
Excitement bubbled up in Ella, making her too fidgety to pay attention in her history class. Only one hour and five minutes remained before she could leave school and finally unite with what would become her most prized wardrobe piece. My very own pants, she thought and the image pulled her lips into a wide smile.
Bent on teaching her the ways of a proper woman, her mother, Mary, refused the idea of her wearing or engaging in anything deemed to be masculine. Traditional Belle Mount women were delicate flowers; the most feminine when compared to their neighboring kingdoms. Marriage was an expectation, and it was customary to follow the female’s eighteenth birthday. Her mother followed the traditions and raised Ella to do the same. However, Ella resented the Belle Mount way because that meant no pants, no dirty-donkey racing games, no farming, no fun, and no freedom.
Now sixteen, it wouldn’t be long before the pressures of marriage and honoring traditions would become more unbearable. Regardless, she was set on finding her own path and living her own life without the dictations of others. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on stupid traditions or her mother’s expectations. Nothing would break her spirit as the thought of her new pants returned to mind.
Ella reached over and tapped Peter on the shoulder with the pencil she held between her thumb and index finger.
“Do you think the pants will fit?” asked Ella.
Peter kept his focus on their teacher, who was busy writing on the board. He nodded.
Ella tapped him again.
“What color is it? Do they have pockets like the ones you wear?”
Mr. Bent, their grim-faced form teacher, settled his hollow eyes on her. The coldness of his stare caused fear in his students.
“Miss Thomas?”
She returned his stare with a sweet smile. “Yes, Mr. Bent?”
A gentle nudge from Peter encouraged her to apologize instead of antagonizing the man.
“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll pay attention.”
Satisfied that his icy stare brought Ella into submission, Mr. Bent returned his attention to the board. Ella held her tongue as she watched the clock painstakingly tick to three o’clock. Come on, she chanted, wishing that sheer willpower would hurry the time. Then, a distraction from her inner monologue arrived in the form of her principal, who was being followed by a tall, young fellow. The wooden desks and chairs scratched the worn floorboards as the students stood.
“Good afternoon, Principal Cook,” they said.
The principal nodded. He lowered his right hand, and with it, the students returned to their seats.
“Class, today a new student will be joining you. His name is Eric Charles. Please make him feel welcome.”
An eruption of applause sounded in the classroom as Eric stepped forward. When his eyes rested on Ella, a sparkle shone through. A smile lit his face, and he winked in her direction.
A permanent scowl settled on Ella’s heart-shaped face. The nerve of this Eric.
“Peter, did you see that? The new guy winked at me.”
Peter didn’t answer. Instead, he kept his eyes glued to the front of the room.
“Who the hell does he think he is?” asked Ella.
Peter then turned to her with a hearty laugh. Ella swore she saw a look of relief grace his face, but maybe she imagined it. His large, dark brown eyes pierced her smaller hazel ones. The two had been best friends since they met in the second grade. Though he was the only constant male in her life with the exception of her brothers and father, her mother never suggested she marry Peter. However, she already knew the reason — money.
“You don’t like the new guy’s advances? I’m shocked.”
“No, and I don’t like him.”
Peter gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and it was enough to soothe her soul and return her focus to her new pair of pants. Nothing will break my spirit, she reminded herself. The rest of the day dragged on until school was finally dismissed. In her haste, she held onto Peter, dragging him with her. His chuckle reached her ears, but she didn’t slow until he placed his hand on her arm. She turned to him, acknowledging his touch.
“Where is your school bag, Ella?”
“It’s on my…Oh. What would I do without you, Peter?”
“Get into even more trouble. Stay here. I’ll grab our bags.”
