Hello! I'm Stanleylouis. This is my third Moulin Rouge story, and I hope you enjoy it!
This will be a long explanation, because I have to tell you who all of the characters are and everything. Sorry! ;)
This is a Moulin Rouge story set in Victorian times (1852), and because of this I had to change the names around a little bit. Here they are.
*Satine- Lady Charlotte Heatherford
*Christian- Christian (couldn't change the name because it's so awesome!)
*The Duke- Duke Simon Trinton (In this story he's good)
*Harold Zidler- Lord Henry Heatherford
*Marie- Lady Mary Heatherford
These are all of the people I have so far in the story, and I'll tell you about any others.
This is going to be a Satine POV, with a couple of passages from Christian.
Most of the facts that you read in this story are true, and all of the others I just didn't feel like looking up and just gave it my best shot. :) Enjoy! And please review!
(Also, this chapter is longer than most of them will be. I just wanted to introduce you to the characters.)
Chapter 1
Sunlight is falling in through my window as I open my eyes slowly, letting sleep linger as long as it can. The soft down blankets of my bed hold me, pulling me back to my dreams. Blinking my eyes sleepily, my beautiful room swims around me: papered walls, with lovely rose petals falling gently through the air; a plush carpet, soft and thick; expensive windows framed with light wood with rosy-soft curtains hanging loosely away from the window, already opened by a servant I had not heard come in.
Sighing in contentment, I slowly draw myself up from my soft pillow, my loose hair falling down my back in auburn waves. My hair is one of my most prominent features; instead of dull brown or overdone blonde hair, my russet curls, held high and framing my face in the latest fashion, brought everyone's eyes to me. Along with my pale skin, defined features, sharp eyebrows, and perfect body, I was interesting, beautiful, and glamorous. I could have any man I wanted, for they all fell down before me.
I didn't want any man, though. I only wanted Simon.
Just thinking about him made me sigh in pleasure. I had found true love with him. My mother and father, although kind and considerate to me, had always been strong believers of marrying for power, not love. I flatly refused this notion. The only way I would marry would be through love, and that had found me, through Simon, Duke of Harrisburg.
We had met at a dinner party, and been enchanted by each other: Simon, his golden-blonde hair falling over his shoulders, his smile easy and breathtaking; while I, Lady Charlotte Heatherford, drew every eye in the room, my hair drawn up on top of my head, ostrich quills stuck elegantly in the bundle, my dress a beautiful scarlet lace with an appealing collar and bedazzlement in the front. All of my clothes were fresh from Paris, the height of fashion.
It was love at first sight.
Now, a half year later, I was 17, and about to become the new Duchess of Harrisburg. Even if we hadn't been a perfect match, Simon and I would have been together, our love only growing as the days passed. I could never think of being with anyone but him.
Sarah, one of our servants, comes in with a smile on her face. I smile back. Ever since childhood, Sarah had been a great companion of mine, just like all of the other staff. Although I couldn't now, I had spent my childhood downstairs, helping the cook with food, following the maids around in their chores. As I grew up, I could spend less and less time this way, but I still knew all of the servants by name and greeted them warmly.
Walking over to my dressing area, Sarah began the long and arduous process of dressing me. My soft undergarments rubbed against my skin to protect it from the heavy material that was piled on top: my petticoat, light and plain; a corset made of whale-bone, pressing on my chest until I could barely breathe; hooping and skirts that weighed me down and added layers to my gown. My hair was done-up with countless pins and ribbons, weighing down on my head like a huge rock. My gown today was of a gold satin billowing around me, giving me a gleaming figure, and the opening at the front of the dress revealed shiny ruffles that billowed down. My sleeves were loose with lacing at the ends, while my shoes, although hidden, were the same color as the gown. I had on a beautiful silver necklace with diamond droplets in my ears, and, for a finishing touch, a huge hat, tipped slightly to the side, with piles of silk and a wide brim, a giant feather resting at the top.
I was ready for my day.
Taking my way down the steps, I came to the first floor, and I hear voices from the dining hall. Walking through the high archway, I see the table laid out with breakfast dishes, and three figures. The first two are my mother and father, who look up to me smiling, as I enter the room, but the third is the one that catches my attention: Simon, his head bent and listening to my parents, until he hears me and looks up with such a brilliant smile it takes my breath away. I give out a small, happy gasp as he lifts himself easily out of his chair and strides toward me, taking me into his arms and leaning down to give me a light kiss on the lips. I smile too, looking up into his beautiful eyes, just inches above mine.
"Good morning, Miss Charlotte. You are looking exquisite today." I love how lightly his lips move as he says this, as he kisses me on the forehead and takes my hand in both of his. "Come. You must be hungry."
As I eat my breakfast, my eyes trained happily on Simon, he explains what he was doing there. Because we were only fiancés, I still lived in my parent's house until the wedding. Then, we would be able to share everything together.
"I'm to escort you to an afternoon party today, at Lady Meddlebow's." Simon's eyes are gleaming as he says this, and I was sure that my parents already knew of the arrangement. They were smiling at our happy faces, enjoying our relationship together. I had found the perfect husband without them even having to push me.
I nod at what he's saying, not caring much, as long as we were together for the afternoon.
~*~
"So, Lady Heatherford, when is the wedding planned for?"
We are sitting at a white iron tea table, drinking green tea from delicate china cups. There are only a few of us, two women, Simon, and I. Simon is being completely generous, sitting and chatting with us, an easy smile on his lips. He's holding my hand in his lap, and I love it there. Once or twice we catch glances of each other, and we would hold each other's gazes lovingly.
"In about three months." I smile daintily, a rush of happiness flowing through me at the thought. Just three short months until I was Duchess Trinton, until Simon and I were bound together with the powers of marriage. Just the thought of what was to come made me blush with excitement: the thought of sharing his household, hosting his guests, and bearing his children.
'I can not wait! It will be the event of the year! You are planning to have it here, I hope?"
"Oh yes, we want all of our friends and family here to see it." I turn and give Simon a dazzling smile while he squeezes my hand, but I see a slight strain in his features.
"Darling, what's wrong?" I bring my free hand up to touch his jaw, my face filled with concern. All eyes are on him as he blushes under the stares.
"No, nothing is the matter. My stomach is just ailing me. Lady Meadowbow, would you mind it terribly if I took a short walk in your woods? It might do me well."
"No, not at all! There is a pathway over there, leading into the woods. It is very nice and quiet in there, or so I hear. Only, don't go too far, or else you might come to the common part of town on the other side." Lady Meadowbow wrinkled up her nose at this, as Simon, with a kiss to my hand and a thank-you to the host, got up and walked over to the forest which soon swallowed him up.
I tried to go back to the conversation, but my mind was distracted, wondering about Simon. Was he all right? What was ailing him? Finally, I took my napkin out of my lap and spoke to Lady Meadowbow.
I'm sorry, but can I go look for Simon? I am very worried about him."
"But, my dear-out in the woods? Walking?" The ladies looked flabbergasted at this prospect, but I just shook my head.
"Once I find him I will be back. I won't be long." With that, I gracefully get out of my seat and take the same route that Simon had, into the forest.
~*~
As I walk I think about many things: Simon, the wedding, the new title I'll be getting, my life. All of these things make me happy. I have my one true love, the wedding of my dreams, becoming a Duchess, and still at only 17, with a lifetime to spend with Simon. Somehow, though, something still felt wrong, but what? Everything was going my way. I could possible be the happiest person in the world. But there was still something bothering me…
Looking up, I felt a sudden sense of terror when I realized that I had no idea where I was. I had been so lost in thought that I had wandered off a stray path, and now when I turned around I couldn't see where I was. The light, peaceful forest now seemed dangerously normal, each snap of the branches or bird trill sending my heart racing.
What was I doing out here? I was a lady, someone who was better suited for sitting through tea parties than hiking through the woods. Why hadn't I just let Simon come back himself?
"There was a boy…"
I stand still, enchanted by the voice, as well as frightened. It seemed to have come from my left, but I didn't know what direction that was. It was a man's voice, and a far distance away, but I couldn't help but take a step towards the voice.
"Hello?" I called out, but there was no answer. I wondered for a moment if it had just been my imagination, until the voice came again.
"A very strange, enchanted boy…"
The man's voice was beautiful, like rich honey. The song sounded contemplative, like a story, with a haunting tint to the words. I didn't recognize the voice, but then again, why would I?
"They say he wandered very far…very far…"
"Hello?" I call out again, slightly louder, but there is still no answer. I make a choice and begin to walk towards the sound.
"Over land and sea…"
Why was someone singing in the woods? I felt a strange pull to the voice, even though the circumstances were strange. Who was the singer?
"A little shy, and sad of eye,
but very wise, was he…"
I quicken my pace, even though I have no idea why.
"And then on day, the magic day he passed my way,
and while we spoke of many things…"
I found myself half-trotting, half-running to the sound. Twigs hit my face, and I could hear a thorn or sharp branch rip my gown, but I still went on, pushing my way through.
"Fools and kings…"
He was getting closer, I knew it. I could hear his voice more clearly now.
"This he said to me…"
A silent pause, before he went on.
"The greatest thing…"
I strain my ears for something more, and I think I can hear trickling. A stream?
"You'll ever learn…"
I can hear the crunching of leaves and branches under my feet, and my heavy breath.
"Is just to love…"
He must be in the clearing in front of me. I take the last few steps at a run.
"And be loved…"
I come out of the forest, and realize too late that I am on a precipice directly above a river. My feet struggle for land but already I am beginning to fall. I only have time to get a glance of the river to see a young man sitting on a rock at the river bend, with brown hair falling into his shocked blue eyes, before I plummet to the river below.
In return…
End of Chapter One
