Once Bound Always Bound

Chapter 2

Jakob was shocked to hear the things that his friend was saying about his own friend. "Addison did I hear you correctly? Did you just say that your son is asking for my daughter's hand in marriage?"

"Yes, my dear friend. I thought you would be thrilled to hear the wonderful news. I thought you would be thrilled to hear that our families will be joined together. It will be a great alliance. See it this way, you can't ask for a better man to take your daughter's hand in marriage," Addison said noticing the look of hesitation on his face. I don't blame you, my friend. As much as I would love to have your daughter as my daughter in-law, I wouldn't wish her to have her go through the same fate as all of my son's other wives. But I have to keep up the act, so my son doesn't grow suspicious of things, Addison thought to himself before speaking up again. "Jakob, my dearest friend, why do you look like that?"

"My dearest friend Addison, please don't take what I'm about to say the wrong way but, word of mouth does travel. You say that you want our families to join as one, but I don't see how that is possible, when there is word going around about how your son took his mistress as his current wife. Besides, once my family and I are done here visiting with you, we will be returning home to speak with a potential suitor who may be a better match for my daughter. I'm sorry my friend, I can see that you are excited to have union between your son and my daughter, but I won't subject my daughter to scandal, and have people call her names, because they assume that she ruined a marriage," Jakob said.

"If you will allow me to speak, Mr. Firestone," Alistair spoke up only to be cut off by his own father.

"Alistair don't do anything that will create an enemy out of my friend. We have to respect his decision and respect he's only doing what is right for his daughter," Addison warned causing Alistair to look at him.

"I assure you father, I'm not out to make an enemy with your friend. I'm only fighting for what I feel is right. You have always told me that I should fight for not only what I believe in, but for what I feel is right and what I want," Alistair said before turning to look at Jakob Firestone. "Yes, I messed up. I did something that I'm not proud of. I plan on taking care of the loose ends; anything to prove that I am worthy of being your daughter's husband. I can provide your daughter with a comfortable life that she truly deserves."

Addison turned to his friend Jakob. "My dearest friend, you don't have to go through with this marriage if you don't see my son as a good fit for your daughter."

Jakob looked at his daughter for a moment before turning to look at his friend again. "I will allow your son to marry my daughter, only after his whore is removed as his wife. If it's not done by the time we leave, then your son loses the chance to be with my daughter."

"You have nothing to worry about. I will get rid of my whore and show you that my heart belongs only to your daughter Emmeline," Alistair said before turning to look at Emmeline.

Emmeline looked to the floor, hoping to avoid eye contact with Alistair. "Father, may I be excused to get some fresh air, please?"

"Are you alright my dear daughter? Is there something bothering you? You know you can talk to me about anything," Jakob said.

"I'll be fine father. I just need a moment," Emmeline said.

"Yes, take as much time as you need my precious daughter," Jakob said, watching as his daughter got up and left the study. Jakob then turned to his friend with a bit of a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry about my daughter Emmeline. Normally she's more composed than this. I'm guessing the sudden marriage proposal was a bit much for her. She wasn't expecting something like this. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting this either."