His Forced Bride

Liliana Covey liked to play the piano, it was the only thing that gave her comfort at a time when everyone in the world was either mad or getting there. As she sat on the piano, her fingers running along the smooth white tiles, she forced herself to ignore the furious whispers of her parents behind the door.

She could hear them of course, the angry whispers were not drowned out by the smooth simple melody she played. Some days Lili wondered what it would take to get them to stop arguing but then she would toss the idea out of her mind.

" Stop that hammering" her father's cold voice echoed, Travis Covey was not a particularly handsome man, he had beady black eyes that sat too narrowly in his thin face, as well as the most unflattering habits of hunching himself to appear broader than he was. He wasn't particularly kind either but his mother had against all odds managed to care for him over the past twenty-eight years of their marriage.

" Oh stop that Travis she was playing quite beautifully" Mother scolded, at five foot six inches Miriam Covey stood an inch shorter than her husband, she was a beauty with most of her features having been passed down to her daughter including her kindness.

" Don't mind your father dear he's just grumpy that some business fell through today" Mother consoled, her father spluttered, his eyes widening comically

" I don't think she has to know that Miriam" he grunted and Mother's lips quirked in a slight smile

" Go on upstairs and prepare for dinner dear we're inviting a few of your father's associates to dinner, look as pretty as you dare," she said softly and Lili laughed, rising from the piano

"I always look pretty" she grinned

Nodding to her father and pressing a small kiss to her mother's cheek, she strolled to the stairs just as her parents picked up bickering again. Liliana sighed and prayed that if she ever got married it would be to a man as quiet and unassuming as she was who would never incite in her the horrible traits of bickering.

************

Liliana pulled a dress from her closet, it was a lovely shade of sky blue, one of her favorite dresses actually, that matched seamlessly with her eyes. She could hear the soft clatter of plates and spoons as the house staff got ready for the big dinner, Mother had sent them up twice to check that she was getting along with her preparation unwilling to risk them being sent a third time, she pulled on the dress, and then moved to her hair, a smooth silky red, Liliana's hair was one of her greatest joys she'd taken care of it for years to get the silky texture just right.

" Lili darling hurry down" her mother called, her voice echoing along the house

" I'm coming" she called back, putting on simple comfy shoes she hurried out of her room and straight into a tall lanky body, glancing upward she found a grinning face and equally laughing eyes

" Well hello there beautiful, what are you doing here" Lili froze

" I live here of course, who are you," she asked pulling away from the stranger

" I'm one of your guests."

" Oh, did you get lost then, I'm going down so you can come with me" she answered, he smiled, his eyes twinkled suspiciously like he found her amusing,

" Come let go then," he said interrupting her thoughts and she nodded slightly, they walked down the stairs, in companionable silence, it was surprisingly nice to walk with someone who didn't look too long at her face with awe

" You never told me your name," she said softly and he grinned

" You never asked" she smiled

" Well now I'm asking"

"I'm Calvin Davenport," he said, she turned to stare eyes wide with surprised breath stuttering

" You can't mean the Davenport"

He laughed seemingly enjoying her disbelief

" Yes the Davenport who is your family' s sworn enemy"

"Oh don't laugh, my father does have a strong dislike for yours," she said sagely as they turned into the corridor leading to the dining room. It was true though the rivalry between the Coveys and the Davenports had existed for as long as she could remember, both companies were in construction and regularly struggled for first place in the industry and Lili loved her father but Covey & Sons struggled to maintain the position once they got it.

" Well I guess they're about to bury the hatchet he grinned and she sighed

" Dinner is going to be very awkward"

" Oh come on it can't be that bad, we'll have good food and your mother seems lovely, all we have to do is try not to expire from boredom as they discuss business" he muttered sticking out his tongue in disgust, Lili snorted in sudden laughter, it was a childish gesture one she had not expected from the son of a business mogul's son.

" There you are, how long did you plan to get dressed" Mother chided reaching an arm for her

" I'm sorry, I met Calvin on the way and he was such fun that I lost track of time" she smiled, turning to the other guests, she's expected more people but there was only Calvin and an elderly gentleman she assumed was his father and a pretty woman who didn't seem to be his mother. Mother smiled at the guest

" This is my beautiful daughter Liliana. Lili dear this is Mr. Allen Davenport and his wife Cally, you've already met their son Calvin"

" That's enough of that Miriam let's eat " Father grumbled settling into his seat, Lili smiled and sat as well, Calvin taking the seat beside her instead of with his family on the other side of the table.

" Let's have fun" he whispered, grinning

He did make them have fun, throughout the meal he made her smile and stifle a burst of inappropriate laughter, they were able to ignore most of the adult conversations, after dinner Mother led them to the living room, the men sipping at whisky, father nodded his eyes squinting slightly, making her curious a curiosity that was appeased when he turned to face the room

" I'd like to thank the Davenports for taking the time to come to dinner," he said, Lili smiled at the extremely formal greetings, the doorbell ringing echoed throughout the house distracting her briefly

"–and in good faith of both families becoming closer and more prosperous in the future, it's with that in mind I announce the engagement between our children"