Ella and Madam Devony

Okay, I'm gonna pretend that Ella never went to Finishing School, she had a tutor. Also, cuz i like her, Areida had the same governess so they got 2 b buds n e way :) okay, the part of this belongs 2 Gail Carson Levine. I changed a few word here and there and took quite a few scenes from it, but i think the result is okay :) All the characters besides Madam Devony also belong 2 her. Devony belongs 2 me :) tell me wut u fink, this is my first Ella fanfic.

Chapter One

"It's my fault," Father said, cutting into a sparrowgrass spear."I've let you grow up an oaf."
"I am not an oaf!"
Mandy wasn't one to mince words, and she'd never called me that. Clumsy, bumbling, gawky - but never an oaf. Blunder, lumpkin, fumble-foot - but never an oaf.
"But you're young enough to learn," Father went on. "Someday I may want to take you into civilized company."
"I don't like civilized company."
"I may need civilized company to like you. I've made up my mind. It's off to finishing school with you."
I couldn't go. I wouldn't!
"You said I could have a governess. Wouldn't that be less expensive then sending me away?"
A serving maid whisked away my uneaten sparrowgrass and replaced it with scallops and tomato aspic.
"How kind of you to worry. A governess would be much more expensive. And I haven't the time to interview governesses. In two days, you shall go to finishing school with Dame Olga's daughters.
"I won't."
He continued as though I hadn't spoken. "I'll write a letter to the headmistress, which I shall entrust to you, along with a purse filled with enough KJs to stop her rotests against a last-minute pupil.
"I won't go."
"You shall do as I say, Eleanor."
"I won't go."
"Ella . . ." He bit into a scallop, and before he could swallow I interupted him.
"Father, I shall find my own governess. I will do what it takes. I will even find one with another pupil, we could have her stay here with us."
Father roared with laughter. I really dislike people laughing at me.
"What's so funny?" I asked, my voice as sharp as barbed wire.
"Ella, do you know how hard it is to find a decent governess?" Father asked, grinning. My face remained set. Father's smile remained, but he seemed mildly impressed with my persistance. "Fine then. If you can find yourself a decent governess within this week, I shall allow you to stay here. And, yes, I would rather have another young lass for you to get aquainted with, so you at least have a nice friend with some social status."
I felt warm relief spread through me, which was quickly replaced with axeity. One week? That wasn't nearly enough time to get a governess!
"But if you do not find one, then you will go off to finishing school. I believe Dame Olga's children are going to Jenn, to some Madam Edna's place, or a name something like that." He continued, as if I cared about this information. "The minute they return, though, you three shall get together, while you compare what you have learned. If you know as much or more then them on how to be proper, I will allow you to stop your education. If you know a significant amount less, off to Jenn with you."
I sat there, gaping with him. He still had his victorous smile in place. I held back a grimice. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. I didn't trust myself to talk, I felt like I would be hostile, and that couldn't end good. But, I kept telling myself, at least I have a chance. A small one, but still a chance.
~*~
Before bed, I was thinking my idea over. The sheer imposibility struck me harder then even there, and I started to cry. I had a picture of Father's face in my mind, his smile proclaiming that I was going to Jenn no matter what.
"Sweetie . . " The door opened. It was Mandy with Tonic and a box.
I felt bad enough. "No Tonic, Mandy. I'm fine. Truly."
"Oh, lovey." She put down the Tonic and the box and held me, stroking my forehead.
"I can't do it." I said to her shoulder.
"Yes you can, honey. You're a strong lass you can do it!" She held me for a long while, until I was almost asleep. Then she shifted her weight. "Tonic time."
"I'll skip tonight."
"No you won't. Not tonight, especially. I won't have you getting sick when you need your strength to find yourself an able governess." A spoon came out of her apron. "Take it. Three spoons."
I braced myself. Tonic tasted nutty and good, but it felt slimy, like swallowing a frog. Each spoonful oozed along my throat. I continued to gulp after it was down, to rid myself of the sensation.
But it made me feel better - a little better. Ready to talk anyway. I settled myself into Mandy's lap.
"Why did Mother marry him?" This question had troubled me since I was old enough to think about it.
Until she was his wife, Sir Peter was very sweet to Lady. I didn't trust him, but she wouldn't listen to me. Her family didn't approve because he was poor, which made Lady want him even more, she was that kind-hearted." Mandy's hand stopped its comforting journey up and down my forehead. "Ella, pet, try to keep him from learning about the spell on you."
"Why? What would he do?"
"He likes to have his way to much. He'd use you."
"Mother ordered me not to tell about the curse. But I wouldn't anyway."
"That's right." Her hand went back to work on my forehead. I closed my eyes.
"How can I possibly do it?"
"Finding a governess? I haven't a clue. I expect you could put up a notice around town. Or possibly . . ." I looked up and Mandy. She looked rather uncomfortable.
"Well, I know my old governess's daughter is still teaching. Maybe she's better then her mother." She scowled. I wondered what was wrong with her. "If I were you, though, I'd use her as my last resort. I'm sure her mother taught her all she knows."
I nodded, deciding to take Mandy's word for it.
"Sit up, sweet. Don't you want your presents?"
I had forgotten about the box. But there had been only one. "Presents?"
"One at a time." Mandy handed me the box I'd seen. "For you, wherever you go your whole life."
Inside the box was a book of fairy tales. I had never seen such beautiful illustrations. They were almost alive. I turned the pages, marveling.
"When you look at it, you can remember me and take comfort."
"I'll save it until Father ships me off, so the stories will be knew."
Mandy chuckled. "You won't finish it so fast. It grows on you. Besides, I have complete faith in you. You will find a governess." She fished in the pocket of her apron and fetched out a tissue-paper packet. "From Lady. She would have wanted you to have it."
It was Mother's necklace. Threads of silver ended almost at my waist in a woven pattern of silver studdrd with tiny pearls.
"You'll growinto it, sweet, and look as lovely wearing it as your mother did."
"I'll wear it always."
"You'd be wise to keep it under your gown when you go out. It's that valuable. Gnomes made it."
The bell tinkled downstairs. "That father of yours is ringing."
I hugged Mandy and clung to her.
She disentangled herself from my arms. "Let me go, love." Planting a kiss on my cheek, she left.
I settled back into bed, and this time sleep claimed me.