• “Edmund! Boy, where’s you responsibility?” he says accusingly.
    “It’s not his fault, father! I came here on my own time!” I argue.
    “Don’t talk back to me, Victoria. Get in the carriage. Now!” I scowl and turn around to face Edmund. He opens his mouth to apologize but instead I grab him and kiss him passionately right in front of my father. My father’s face grows deep red, and I regret it immediately. What I’ve done is only going to get Edmund in more trouble.
    “Now!” I storm into the carriage that had pulled up in front of the pier. I slam the door shut and glare out the window. My father is shouting at Edmund and I fight the urge to race back out there and push my father into the water, but I don’t. My father grabs Edmund by the arm and yanks him towards the carriage. I can hardly here him scolding him from outside.
    “I’m taking you home this instant! How dare you take my daughter so far from home! She wants nothing to do with you!” Anger boils up inside me. The door swings open again and Edmund is practically thrown to the other side of the carriage. My father comes in beside him and slams the door shut tight. He signals the driver to leave. The majority of the ride is spent glaring at each other.
    “Why can’t you let me enjoy my life?” I growl at him.
    “Because this is going to destroy it”, he says furiously, grabbing Edmund gruffly by his shirt. I bite my lip so as not to scream.
    “No, you’re destroying it!” The carriage pulls up in front of Edmund’s tiny cottage. My father bores his eyes into mine.
    “You two stay right here. I’m going to have a talk with your mother”, he addresses Edmund. “You are to stay seated and not say a word”. He leaves the carriage. As soon as he is out of earshot I begin.
    “I’m so sorry, Edmund. I didn’t know he would find me”, I say, climbing to his side of the carriage.
    “It’s not your fault. I should’ve been more responsible”, he says distantly.
    “No. I shouldn’t have kissed you. That’s what made him the maddest”, I confess.
    “I don’t regret it”, he says softly. He is shuddering.
    “What did he tell you?” I ask, almost afraid to hear the answer.
    “Nothing that I would want to worry you by”, he answers. I lean up to kiss him but he turns his head the other way.
    “What’s wrong?” I’m angry myself, at him for rejecting my affection and for not telling me what my father told him.
    “He’s coming back”, is all he says in response.
    “I don’t care”, I say, snuggling even closer to him.
    “Please, Victoria”, he says pleadingly. I grunt and swivel back to my seat and cross my hands in my lap just as he opens the door.
    “Edmund. Out. Now.”