All about her

“You can’t have her, I won’t allow it!” Mr Blanchet said imperiously, sitting behind his ornate oak desk.

I stand before him, defiant. My name is Reynold, and I am in love with Louisa Blanchet, daughter of the local timber merchant Charles Blanchet. He thinks he runs this small town with his millions, but tonight he is not getting his way.

“I love Louisa, I would do anything for her!” I declared, stepping towards Mr Blanchet.

Charles Blanchet grew red in the face, indignation clear in his features. It contrasted rather brilliantly with the deep green curtains that lined the windows of his office, that overlooked the night swept town.

“Impudent whelp. What makes you think I am going to allow my daughter to marry some common trash like you?” He barked, flustered at Reynold not giving in.

Reynold licked his top lip, brushing his hair back in nervousness. This was the first time he had met Louisa’s father, and all the tales he had heard so far were coming true – he was rude, belligerent and clearly doted on his daughter. This was going to be a fight that was not going to be won easily.

“Sir, I have a stable job back in Chicago, with a good salary. I can take care of Louisa.” Reynold said, taking the respectful tack. “She doesn’t care about the money, she only cares about how she feels about me! I can take care of her, and that is enough.”

“Nonsense, you young people with your head in the clouds. Pure nonsense.” Charles said, waving his hands at Reynold. “Within six months, you will be out of money, with a child on the way and coming here with your tail between your legs looking for a handout!”

Reynold stiffened, eyes growing steely. He had heard that Blanchet liked to bait his opponents, but to be on the receiving end was something else.

“Be that as it may, I will not relent. I was here with the intention of asking your permission to take your daughters hand in marriage-

“Denied.” Blanchet interrupted.

“I figured.” Reynold yelled back, approaching the oak desk, hands planted firmly on it. “But Louisa also told me this before I came in tonight – if I could not get permission, then at least give you forewarning. She intends to marry me whether you like it or not. Nothing, no man nor god is going to stop us from declaring our love for each other in front of the whole world.”

Charles Blanchet sat back, amazed that anyone had the nerve to stand up to him. It was the first time in a very long time in his adult life that anyone had yelled at him, much less taken that aggressive body language with him. His brain went into overdrive, trying to think of a way out of his predicament. He had to get his daughter back home, now!

A sly look came over Blanchet’s face, and as Reynold got up from the desk, satisfied that his message was complete, he spoke softly.

“You really love her?” he muttered.

“Yes,” Reynold softly said.

“Then go away, take this money order and go away and let her live a life of luxury that she deserves.” Blanchet said, pulling out a plain looking black book. The only decoration on it was a simple B, in the upper right corner. He wrote in the book for a moment, then ripped a page out, offering it to Reynold.

Reynold cautiously approached Blanchet, wary of a trap or something worse. He snatched the paper away from Blancher, then took five steps back, to ensure that there was safe distance between the two. He looked at the page, then froze.

“What is this? A bribe?” Reynold asked.

“It’s a money order, that is good with my company. Take it to the office, so that I know you have cashed it then break up with Louisa and go, just go, and never come back.” Blanchet said, secretly hoping that Reynold would take the money order.

“Twenty thousand? You seriously think your daughter is worth twenty thousand? You are more messed up than I thought. She is worth a hundred, no a thousand times that much. You can take this money order and shove it.” Reynold said, tearing up the money order and throwing the pieces back at Blanchet.

Blanchet bowed his head, his final tactic failing before his eyes. He put his eyes over his face and started sobbing, not able to control himself. “Please don’t take her, she is all I have.”

“I am sorry Mr Blanchet, but she wants to go. You can’t cage her forever, she is a grown woman with needs and desires of her own – which includes freedoms that entail being away from her family.” Reynold said.

Blanchet sobbed harder, as the thing that he feared – Louisa, his last family member – was on the cusp of leaving. “But she is all I have.” He moaned.

“And we can come visit, when we can. With our children. When you have birthdays. For Christmas. You still have family, it just will be a bit different. Mr Blanchet, I don’t want us to be enemies. Let us forget the money order ever happened. I won’t mention it to Louisa – I know that she will be furious at you for trying it. I don’t want to do it, but I know how much she loves you. But you have to let her go. Deal?”

For a moment Blanchet quieted down. Then the sobbing died completely as he realized, that maybe, just maybe Reynold was right. He wasn’t the ideal man for Louisa, but Louisa was happy and that had to be enough.

“Ok, we won’t mention the money order. But one thing.” Blanchet asked.

“Yes?” Reynold asked.

“Please take care of her?” Charles asked.

“Of course.” Reynold said.

“How did it go with father?” Louisa, a striking woman in her early 20’s asked Reynold an hour later in the local diner.

“Better than expected. He fought hard for you. I expected that. Your dad really cares for you honey, but he relented. While I could not get his blessing, I did get an admittal of defeat from him.” Reynold said, sagging into the chair. The fight with Louisa’s father was more emotionally draining than he realized.

“Yeah, dad can be a bit intense. I am impressed that you got an admittal of defeat from him though, well done babe!” She said, leaning over the table, giving him a kiss.

“There is one condition, though.” Reynold said.

“Which is?” Louisa said, rolling her eyes.

“Apparently I have to take care of you.” Reynold said.

“Well, duh! We take care of each other, that was always how it was going to be.” Louisa said.

“Looking forward to Chicago?” Reynold asked,

“Oh yeah I am.” Louisa replied, grinning at Reynold.