An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel by Annalise Arrington Page A

leave town as soon as the documents were signed. She did not know how to say goodbye to Warrenton and she did not feel obligated to figure out a way. She only felt that she needed to handle this business matter so that her family’s estate would not be in jeopardy. Annabella was only one meeting away from leaving the searing heat of the south and embracing her destiny. She hoped that Mary Jane was as efficient as Hattie described. Annabella was not looking forward to wasting another day of meaningless strategizing, racking up attorney’s fees, and being insulted in the process. She was sure Warrenton was enjoying his meetings with his attorney because they both were pigs. Besides, Warrenton wasn’t paying for the man’s time so it was like a fraternity meeting to him. But, one could be sure that Warrenton’s father was receiving a hefty bill for the time his son spent with that bologna of a man. Annabella despised him and could not fathom, for the life of her, trying to piece out any reasonable settlement as long as that man was in the room. He was unkind, unyielding, and downright disgusting.
    When Annabella arrived at Ms. De Bergerac’s office, she could tell right away that her time would be well spent. The office was neatly decorated, and efficiently staffed. Everyone was kind and cheerful and Annabella did not have to wait long before the young, beautiful attorney appeared. She was everything Annabella imagined. Annabella thought for one minute that if she was a career woman, she would certainly want to be like Mary Jane. For as strikingly beautiful as she was, she was equally pleasant. Annabella wondered how she got anything done with people gawking at her all day. She was sure the woman could not pass on the street without being hit on. She hoped Warrenton never had to meet her, lest he defile her merely with is words. But, she would soon learn that Mary Jane knew Warrenton and his family. She tried not to let this fact change her opinion of the woman, that task proved most difficult. She wondered if Mary Jane had ever gone out with Warrenton and, if so, how it ended. The young lady seemed to have nothing but good things to say about the Boatwrights, so maybe Annabella was reading too much into the connection and maybe the relationship was strictly business. Besides, Annabella didn’t think the woman looked like the type to fall for Warrenton’s advances. She seemed confident and secure. Also, she seemed financially independent and unfazed by the wealth of others. Annabella hoped that she was right, but in the end she did not care one way of the other. She was there for the sole purpose of settling her business with Marigold and she was intent on handling it in one visit. Annabella simply had to sign a power of attorney for Mary Jane to negotiate a settlement up to the amount specified. Annabella was unmoved by the amount, but was more interested in putting the worst behind her. She knew she had done nothing wrong and that Marigold was feigning her injuries and anguish, but she figured karma would handle Marigold. Annabella needed to do what was right on her part to ensure the family was not at risk of losing anything.
    Mary Jane spent the next few hours explaining documents to Annabella and having her execute the necessary ones. As Annabella signed, she began to feel stronger and more confident in herself. She wasn’t the shrinking belle that she usually portrays. There was something about anticipating a move abroad that made her a different woman. She wondered how her new role would translate in England. There were no southern belles to speak of and she was by no means British. She certainly could pass for one until the time she opened her mouth. As soon as that long, southern drawl was heard, her origin would be quickly identified. But, Annabella was no hick and she could sip tea with the best of them. She was not the least bit concerned that she would feel out of place. She was sure she would be different,