AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have nothing much to say for now (shockingly), my previous author's notes already made up for that. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! Keep them coming!
Chapter 1 is up and ready to go so please once again, enjoy.
P.S. I'll make it my duty from now on to thank all of those who review each chapter!
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CHAPTER 1
"Come on Bella, get up or we'll be in trouble again!"
The sun streamed in through the satin curtains, drowning the girl who was still half asleep on the bed in a bright warm light. She refused to open her eyes only groaning in reply to her friend who had begun to shake her roughly by the shoulders.
"Go away…" She mumbled, pretending to snore once again. The shaking ceased. Isabella forced down a smile of triumph, but it didn't last long.
WHACK!
The pillow hit her directly on the head, so hard and with so much force she jumped up in fright.
"Christine!"
"If you thought I was going fall for that sad attempt," Christine exhaled. "Now get dres-!"
WHACK!
Isabella burst into laughter seeing Christine's expression change rapidly from alarm to disbelief and then to anger, as she held up the pillow grasped tightly by the corner in her fist.
"You won't get away with this," Christine whispered, picking up her own pillow with which she began chasing Isabella around the room.
*
Ms Amelia Cromwell suddenly became aware of the sound of shrieking girls while she was making her morning rounds down each of the bedroom corridors. All the while she wondered impatiently why Christine and Isabella weren't there following suite behind her. Of course as she got nearer and nearer to their bedroom the answer soon became apparent.
"Christine, you ruined it," Isabella whispered in between giggles.
"Shh! Just help me clean it up before Ms Cromwell comes!" Christine snapped, choking on her own laughter.
From outside in the hallway Amelia's mouth curved into a small smirk as she removed her ear from the door, and swung it wide open.
"Girls I-!"
She was stopped short by the scene which beheld her. Christine, her own daughter who she thought had more sense was kneeling in a pile of feathers picking each one up individually, and stuffing them back inside an already torn pillowcase. And upon sighting the nursemaid's entrance, Isabella stooped down hurriedly and began helping her.
"Get up!" Ms Cromwell barked. Both girls obeyed.
Isabella gulped and stared down at her feet as the woman circled her and Christine like a vulture. She looked over them both with a murderous glare, and at the mess they'd created.
Not only was Ms Cromwell their nursemaid, she was also the Duchess's chief advisor, first cousin, and in charge of all the affairs of the household which the Duchess took no part in. She was a widow with Christine being her only daughter. Isabella was found by Amelia wandering the streets as a young girl, penniless, all alone, and with nothing but a ragged dress clothing her.
Lack of food and proper hygiene had made her thin and very sick. Amelia watched as Isabella picked up a splintered pipe and began to play such sweet music, an unknown tune which was both so touching and so beautiful. The little girl played on, not caring to take many breaths, only eager to catch the eyes of passers by who would be generous enough to throw her a penny or two. Some time passed when out of the corner of her eye Amelia spotted a middle-aged man approaching her. The music ceased and Isabella looked up from her pipe with an expression of utter fear, she tried to run away but the man took hold of her dress roughly and laughed a drunken laugh.
At this point Ms Cromwell darted forward snatching the girl by the hand leading her swiftly away, ignoring the swears and shouts echoing far behind them. She took her back to the mansion where Isabella had hope; perhaps a better life was awaiting her. Hopes and dreams though, can be shattered within an instant.
The Duchess was against the very thought of having her anywhere but back on the street.
"She's carrying diseases! Germs! Have you any idea what you've done bringing her here Amelia?! My LIFE is in danger! Get rid of her!"
Isabella still remembered that day, she was so afraid, afraid of being thrown back out and afraid of the Duchess, who was no more than twelve years old. Isabella was six.
Amelia though refused to give up; every time she looked into the little girl's eyes she felt she couldn't just give her back to the filth and the menace of the streets. No, not now that she'd rescued her.
The morning came and Amelia came into Isabella's small quarters where she was currently being kept, flushed and extremely tired. She'd come to give her the Duchess's last orders. Isabella's mouth slowly curved into a large smile hearing she'd finally managed to convince the little Duchess into letting her stay, on a few conditions…
She would be under the constant care of Ms Cromwell, serve under the orders of the Duchess as a maid of the household, and be taken care of any illness she may have.
But the most critical rule: She was to stay well away from the Duchess; Isabella was never permitted to look upon her, or come into contact with her for fear of her assassinating or even stealing from her. Amelia thought this excuse preposterous but agreed to the terms as did Isabella.
From that day forward Isabella swore her life to Ms Cromwell, after all, she'd been the one to save it.
Weeks and soon months passed and Isabella's condition improved. Food and proper health helped bring the colour back into her cheeks and her face. As well as this emotionally she began to heal too, speaking more often, and laughing wherever and whenever possible. Remembering the girl's interest in music Ms Cromwell introduced her to piano, and very soon the music room became Isabella's favourite place of leisure where she would come every day to play alone, or with Amelia.
Years passed and Isabella was gradually allowed to socialize with more and more people around the mansion. The Duchess though was still off limits, and Isabella often wondered what she looked like, whether she was ugly or really very beautiful, or whether she was ever going to be able to see her. Not that she wanted to very much of course, from what she heard from others, (especially Christine, (Amelia's daughter who she'd easily become best friends with)), the Duchess was a very snobby girl who wanted everything for herself.
More years passed and Isabella was given consent to sharing a room with Christine, every night though she'd sneak away when everyone was fast asleep and retreat to the music room where she would spend long hours on the piano.
It was on her twelfth birthday that Isabella first heard her angel.
She was lacking inspiration and sitting and staring aimlessly, her fingers gently tracing over each of the keys when she heard the loveliest tune echoing outside, being played on a violin.
Feeling a strong sense of curiosity Isabella stood up and carefully leaned outside the open window. Her hair blew wildly in the wind as she craned her neck further and further to find the source of the music.
"You'll fall if you keep doing that," someone said. Whoever it was it came from the rooftop of the music room.
"Who are you?!" Isabella called, her voice smothered by the wind. "What is that music?!"
"The music? That would be me, Isabella" the voice replied. By the sound of things it was a boy speaking.
"How do you know my name?!"
"I listen to you play each night"
From the window Isabella blushed, slightly taken aback. "You listen to me? Oh, I'm not that good."
"Don't be so modest"
She didn't reply till the tune came to an end and the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the crickets far down in the garden beds.
"Will you not play for me tonight?" The voice asked.
Isabella blinked out of her reverie. "I don't know what to play."
"Follow me"
The violin started again, only this time the tune was quicker and sharper, making it a little easier for Isabella to accompany on piano.
"Well done," the voice encouraged, as she successfully followed lead without any flaws.
Isabella smiled to herself as she played a swift solo, and was then once again joined by the mysterious violin player. All of a sudden the music stopped and Isabella did the same.
"It's late. You should probably be going off to bed now," the voice instructed.
Isabella stifled a yawn, no doubt he would be able to hear from up on the rooftop and then demand she head off to bed, but she still felt like she wanted to play longer, it was only…midnight.
"Will I see you tomorrow night?" Isabella asked hurriedly, not in a hurry to lose a talented new friend so easily.
"No," the voice answered. Isabella felt her heart stop. "But I will be here."
For a moment she felt confused, and then realized he'd twisted her words.
"So I shall never see you?"
"We shall see" Was the last thing he said that night, and then the violin music began again ushering Isabella out of the room, down the hall and into to bed.
It was only when she was tightly tucked into the covers that she realized the voice had forgotten to mention who he was.
Being still young Isabella pushed that thought aside thinking that that made the whole situation even more exciting.
"For now you shall be my angel…" she whispered softly to herself, shutting her eyes. "My very own angel…"
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Wow, that was so sweet! By the way I copied the 'angel' quote from Phantom of the Opera and Isabella's friend Christine's name too. Whilst writing this chapter I kinda imagined Christine looking exactly like the one in the movie, except this time she doesn't have the glory of being the main character. So sorry…
Quite unwillingly I began writing the Duchess's character similar to that of Victoria's in the first chapter of Godchild! I even picture her in my head when I'm writing about her! THIS ISN'T WHAT I WANTED!!!
Oh well… And by the way for all you Cain obsessed fan lovers etc… Our gorgeous little noble will be definitely appearing in chapter 4, I GUARANTEE it!
So please for now be patient and you will be greatly rewarded…XXD
As always READ AND REVIEW! I'd always love to know what my readers think of my work!
