Ana was waiting outside, clean, with hair brushed and braided into one long, neat plait on her back. Her overdress and chemise were freshly laundered, and she wore her only pair of shoes on her feet. It was only moments later when a carriage pulled up, and out stepped Henry Ogden. Ana and Jane gave deep curtsies. Henry looked at his bride-to-be speculatively. "Well, it's certainly an improvement, but don't worry, I'll have you fixed up in no time. "Sir," said Ana quietly, "may my sister Jane come to stay after we are married? I think it would greatly boost my spirits. Please, sir, if it is not too much trouble." Henry looked from Ana to her veiled sister, and back to Ana. "If it pleases you, she may come to stay in a fortnight. But come, I am needed back in town by nightfall. Say your goodbyes." He then walked back inside the carriage. The two sisters embraced quickly, and Isaac stepped out of the shadows to hug his daughter. Then she was gone, never to return.
(Two days later)
Ana had been scrubbed, primped, and given new clothes. Now, when she looked at her face in the mirror (something that she had never seen before) she didn't recognize herself. The lavish clothing, the cheeks with rouge, the hair braided neatly then twisted up into a bun. She was now standing across from her soon to be husband, the Priest standing in front of them, speaking in Latin, as was traditional for masses. He switched to English. He said to Henry, "Do you take this woman, Ana Elizabeth Rowle, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to provide and care for all your days on this earth?" Henry answered back, "I do." As the priest spoke towards her, all Ana could focus on was the fact that the priest's voice was shaky, and his jowls quivered whenever he spoke. It was this she was thinking of when she said, "I do." Then that was it. She was married. Legally bonded to a man she barely knew.
(A week later)
Ana sulked in her room. She was desperate to leave the house. She was bored, and lonely. The only times she ever saw her husband were the brief hours when he wasn't away, and decided to come see her in her chambers. She dreaded this more than being alone. What she really wanted was her sister. She missed Jane more than she thought was possible, and a sharp pang went through her chest every time she thought of her sister. Her husband came to her that night. "Sir?" "Yes, Ana?" "May I send for my sister now? I am desperately lonely, and would greatly appreciate the company." He said nothing. "Please, sir, please." "No, you may not. You need to learn how things work around here." He began to get angrier. "You will not learn this with your sister here. Know this: you will never see that horrible, disfigured thing ever again, and do not ask again." He yelled the last few words, and quickly strode out of the door, and a few moments later, Ana heard the click of the lock in the door. She ran to the door and tried the handle, only to find that it couldn't move. She collapsed on the floor and began to sob, mourning her sister.
(One month later)
Ana was finally used to her new life. A servant would come and unlock her door at 7 o'clock, and assist her with her dress, hair, and rouge. She would then follow the servant to the small dining room where she would receive her breakfast. Ana only ever picked at it. She then was lead around the courtyard for a walk, and met with her tutor for three hours. When Henry Ogden had found that she did not know how to read, he promptly decided to rectify the situation, and called in a tutor. She learned how to read and write quickly, and as if it came to her naturally. She began to read books, and quickly. They were her life. Through them, she traveled beyond the confines of the manor, and learned about far off, foreign lands that Ana would never see herself. She was perusing the library one day, when she came across a book that looked ancient. It's binding was leather, faded, cracked, and worn. She pulled it down from the shelf, and began to read. It was full of myths, legends, and stories, very frightening. Ana quickly shut the book and replaced it on the shelf.