A/N: I do not own beauty, or the beast, or Disney, or The Duchess, or anything of value for that matter. This is sort of based off both Beauty and the beast and the Duchess. That was a great movie BTW. I don't plan such a depressing story for my characters as G though. Hopefully... R&R

Shattered Glass

My father says I must be more of a young lady, else ways no young men will take a liking to such a brazen wretch. Yet again he is haranguing me on the virtues of docile wives.

"Look at your mother; she is the picture of a woman who runs a respectable household."

I snort, "Yes, a woman who is a meek, compliant sheep. If that is what a good wife is then I fear I shall never marry!"

My father reddens, a volcano boiling over, "You shall not speak with such insolence, Arianne! Not in my house."

I answer, "Ah, mother only runs the household. She doesn't own it; her husband does!"

He stomps across the parlor to order me to my room. I leave with as much dignity as I can muster, and strut upstairs. I hear the lock turn before I can even flounce to the bed.

These days I'm only on friendly terms with my Pippa, short for Priscilla, is eleven and very bright. She enjoys all manner of books and novels. She'll sit on a windowsill for hours poring over Grimm's Fairy Tales. Pippa is timid and shy; she forever is hiding behind her hair and blushes when anyone outside the family so much as says her name.

Mary is a good friend although she is two years my senior at eighteen. She is soon to be married. Her fiancé is handsome and kind, very taken with Mary. She thinks him a fine gentleman to be her husband. She would never get in this kind of trouble. No, Mary is diplomatic and all smiles and charm. She knows how to get what she wants. I could never hold my temper or lie so cunningly.

Alas, I am quite bored out of my mind. By now I would've excused myself from the dinner table to go see the hounds. I also have a great liking of the falcons. I don't enjoy horses but Pippa does. She is already a fine equine rider.

If I had my way, I would never get married. It's quite a preposterous daydream; my parents would never accept such a failure. Mary was engaged at 17. I could only have a year of freedom, if you can call my current situation freedom. Men are overbearing bastards.

Men! Such ignorant fools! "Arianne, such the beauty." "Arianne this" and "beautiful that" My mother named me after a dear departed friend. 'Tis a beautiful name to be sure, or so everyone says. But I have long decided beauty must be a curse. I am forever being looked upon as if I were a champion racehorse to be bought. I suppose I am a high bred mare of sorts, a promising wife to give an heir. I have no doubt that my own father would give my hand to the highest bidder when the time comes, although I wish the day would never come. I am something to be claimed, a conquest to boast about. They love my lithe frame; I suppose it's from being locked in during supper for my fights with father such as this one. It's a quarter past seven; they will eat without me soon. I sigh, this has happened often of late. Mary, Priscilla, Clint, Mama, and Father will ignore the empty seat as if I'm not missing.

In hindsight, I feel rather badly for my harsh words of Mama. I love her; truly I do, but barely more than I resent her. She is a timid doe. I hate her for never stopping father when he puts down Pippa because she reads or getting so drunk that he beats her. I can't bear her always giving control to him. I cannot understand it.

A maid knocks and lets herself in.

"Miss Arianne, after you take your toast and tea you should hurry down. Master Fording has news to announce."

I sigh and reply, "I feel like neither toast nor tea. I shall go downstairs."

I make my way down the balustrade and into the dining room. Only father and mama are at the table. My father explains why my attendance is necessary.

He shares, "Arianne, since I know your words this evening were in haste, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised, even pleased, at this announcement. I have been corresponding with the Duke of Devonshire. He has asked for your hand in marriage and I have accepted. His name is Edward. The wedding will be in a month's time."

As I listen, and slowly comprehend, a lead weight of horror grows in the pit of my stomach. Father continues prattling on about the union between families.

I interrupt, "How wonderful, father. I must go share the news with Mary and Pip."

My voice is hollow, just like my heart.

A/N: I have the 2nd chapter typed so review if you like it and i will continue. Thanks.