Update 5/2015- Going chapter by chapter and editing. Here's another one. This one has had quite a bit of change and addition. ENJOY!
Alright guys, here's chapter 2. I hope that you like it and that it holds the standards you guys seem to want from this story.
Serena r: well, this chapter should help with your curiosity as to how Elizabeth dies. And why she needs to bring back some honor to her mother's name. I'm glad you think I'm going to be able to hook your attention and I hope I don't let you down.
Sailor lunakitty: Thanks! And I hope you still want to read it a few chapters down the road.
mojacko1984: I hope I can keep these chapters coming as quickly as I have been. Unfortunately, I'm in college and finding time will be difficult in the next few months. But don't fret, this is how I debug. So I will try to keep with the pace as much as possible. Also, Darien will not be appearing in this chapter. Sorry about that, but I feel that adding him would skip an important chance to reveal key plot points. My urge to introduce him must succumb to the significance of the conversation that will take place between grandfather and his ward. I hope this doesn't disappoint you, but you'll get Darien in the next chapter, I'm almost certain of that fact.
iluvboys: Sadly yes, I stop here, but what a cliff hanger, ne?
Jessie: I'm glad you like it, please keep reading!
Sailor Libra24: No, he can't kill her right now. It's too important for her to leave. But I plan on continuing this in my normal fashion.
And now, on with the story!
Guardian Angel
By: Meghan McLaws
I'm no angel, but please don't think that I won't try
I'm no angel, but does that mean that I can't live my life?
I'm no angel, but please don't think that I can't cry
I'm no angel, but does that mean that I won't fly?
He refused the drink that had been offered to him by Struthers, his butler.
The man knew it was unusual not to take a warm brandy after a hard day of watching other people work, but Struthers didn't question the Duke. He knew that questioning the Duke could be a bad idea when he was in this state.
The years had not been kind to the Duke. When his daughter was alive, James had taken care of himself. He had enjoyed having his only daughter back home, especially after the death of his wife. There was someone to take care of him, someone to care for his home. And he had kept himself composed around her. He didn't start to look his age until she died. And then it was as if the 20 years hit him overnight. He looked every year of his 52 years the day after she died. And the the alcohol had done its part to age him further. While he was still a strong man, large and overbearing, his face had changed. His once dark hair had greyed and his brown eyes lost all the light in them. Instead of seeing his granddaughter as a beautiful blessing, he saw her as a nuisance. And had spent the past 8 years showing her just how angry he was to be stuck with her.
To say the Duke was irate would be a horribly inaccurate understatement. He'd never seen his employer this upset with the young woman who was his charge.
Of course, this was the first time he'd found out that she'd deliberately tried to get out of his house. Before, she'd returned on her own, except for Cal's interference. But the man had been good enough to keep the young one out of trouble with the Duke of Manchester. They'd all seen what had happened when Serenity displeased her grandfather. And none of them dared to interfere, to make it worse for the kind girl.
The Duke was sitting at the head of the table in the main dining hall, waiting patiently for his granddaughter. Or he at least looked patient. His hands were balled into fists, having no idea what was keeping the brat. When she finally walked in like she'd done nothing wrong, he decided to put his thoughts of frustration aside. He would just have to be calm then deal out the punishment. It would work, he knew, because of the previous bruises that covered her body. She had the audacity to stay in her traveling clothes, the rough homespun material almost mocking him against her skin.
She curtsied. He smiled and tried to look indifferent, bringing his hand up to inspect his fingernails. "My dear Serenity, must you make me do this?" His questions was asked without looking at her as she rose from her genuflection. Her head was raised defiantly, but he wasn't about to let that damper his moods. No, it only fueled him more, only made him more determined to put her in her place.
"I have tried to be reasonable with you. I have tried to make you happy. I took you into my home when your mother begged me to. And I have looked out for you ever since she passed on, bless her soul." He said, faking reverence with a bow of his head. He looked up at her. "And what are the thanks I get?" He asked, searching her face for any sort of remorse. "I get open defiance!" He barked, banging his fist on the arm of the chair as he rose.
Her head wasn't bowed in shame, but held high in boldness. She could have at least had the courtesy to jump in surprise. Smiling, he took a step closer to the girl. "I have been told by Cal that this isn't the first time you have tried to run. Do you really find me that horrible? Have I not furnished you in beautiful clothing? Have I not given you a choice in suitable husbands? I think I have been very kind to you Serenity. But my kindness ends here." He watched her, trying to read her face. But a blank stare was all he received.
"Are you finished?" She asked, her eyes finally focusing on his shape.
"You wish to speak? Then speak now, for in a few hours, you will no longer be in my care." He said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You call what I've been given since mother died kindness? You've taken to the bottle, and you do nothing but drink. You might have been kind while she was alive, but once she died, anything that you have given me constitutes as brutality. The clothing I wear belonged to mother when she was my age. Anything nice or of value I once owned you took to pay off your debts. You didn't even care once mother got sick, did you? You were looking forward to all the ways you would benefit from her death. You knew that fever would kill her in the end. But you promised her you would take care of me if she should die. There was no if, and you know it. You sold the diamond necklace my mother gave me on her death bed. She disappointed you by marrying the Highlander in Gretna Green, and now you take it out on me. She ruined you. And now you wish force me into marriage like you did with her? You didn't care about anything then, and you don't care about anything now." As she spoke, her voice rose and her Scottish upbringing seemed to break through, her words accented as such.
His hand flew up, striking her across the cheek. The force of the blow caused her to falter backwards, yet she didn't fall. Her cheek stung, causing her eyes to water. Her once blank face turned into hate, but the Duke to smile. "I've been looking for a reason to punish you for quite some time, and now looks as good of a time as any. Your mother was a whore, and the only reason I let her back into my home was because she'd left the bastard who was your father. Do you have any idea how much shame she brought to the family? Your grandmother died because of the shunning caused by your mother's defiance. I will not allow you to ruin me again. The Duke of Kent is on his way here. You will marry him. He's bringing along your confessor, so that should please you. You'll be able to redeem yourself before marriage. I think that Bishop Cromely will find my punishment proper for the crime committed to me, Serenity." And with that, he slapped her again.
This time, so much force was behind the hand that Serenity couldn't catch herself. Her body twisted sharply, physics dropping her to the ground. The Duke was old, but he still held the strength of a younger man. And since he'd been sober, James was steady on his feet. He began kicking her the stomach, somehow managing to avid her face simply by happenstance. She curled into a ball, hoping to protect herself as much as possible. Still, each stroke of his foot felt like a canon ball to the torso. Each time his foot drew back, she took a deep breath, but it didn't seem to help. The fact that she hadn't uttered a sound only drove him further into madness. That was reason enough to beat her, he decided.
He was furious, so he didn't take much notice when Serenity turned, exposing her back to him. He continued his assault until his breathing became ragged. He gave her one more good kick before stepping back to catch his breath.
Serenity couldn't really tell how long the beating last. If she'd been able to really think, she might have counted each and every one of the blows. Maybe it would have helped her realize just how much time had passed. But her last true coherent thought had been to turn on her back, to give him a harder surface to fight against. It only took a few moments for her to sink into blissful numbness that came with a continual, painful assault. But when it happened, she almost relaxed into the ground. And finally, it stopped. And the only sound in the room was the deep, exhausted breathing of her grandfather. If she could breath, she might have laughed.
Struthers had left the room, unable to watch another episode of abuse inflicted by his employer. His heart went out for the small child he'd watched grow. And he wanted nothing more than to step in, to stop this nonsense. But he knew if he did, the Duke would only inflict greater pain on the young girl. The man closed his eyes, flinching with each direct blow. And with each kick, his hate grew. How could a man do this? The drink had made him insane, turned any logical sense he might have had into mush. When he heard the Duke step back, he slipped back into the room silently, knowing that his employer would noticed his departure if he wasn't there when he turned back around.
The Duke smiled in satisfaction, seeing that she still wasn't moving, that for once she was silent. He called over his shoulder, "Struthers, take her up to her quarters and have Jane assist her in a bath." A hand ran through his hair, trying to subdue the itch for a drink. "I won't have her reeking on her wedding day." He bent down to her level, making sure that she could hear every word he said. A firm hand on her side caused her face to grimace, "I will come to check her appearance before she comes down. Put her in that dress as well. It is her wedding day, after all." He said, his voice slightly strained from the activity as he stood back up.
The butler bowed, his lips tight as he stepped to Serenity's side to assist her up. His face was blank, as he had learned to do from years of experience. He aided her to her feet, wrapping a comforting arm under hers and helped her move from the hall. And bless her, she didn't say a word as she gained her feet. She did wince as his hand rested on her side, but it couldn't be helped. Her head was high, her cheeks red and her eyes dry, not letting the man see just how he'd affected her.
The door clicked behind them as they stepped into the abandoned hallway and Serenity's strength left her. She sank to the ground, barely held up by the older butler at her side. Struthers, younger than the Duke, was able lifted the small girl into his arms and carry her up the flight of stairs. Jane was waiting by her mistress' door, anxious to see the condition of the lady of the house. she stepped forward as the man came up the stairs.
"Mother of God," she whispered, picking up her skirts to meet Struthers at the top.
"Open the door, Jane. We need to get her bathed." Jane nodded, ignoring the tears that fell from her eyes as she pushed open the door. The man pushed past the girl, through the newly opened door. Serenity was moaning into his shoulder, tears leaving wetness on his jacket. But he there wasn't much he could do, not yet. "The Duke should have had the tub sent up for her," he said gently over the girl's head. Inside, he set the girl down on the bed and Jane stepped forward. Serenity didn't move except for the steady rising and falling of her chest, her body still in shock from the pain. The warm tub sat in the center, steaming, and Struthers turned as Jane slowly began to strip her mistress out of the slightly tattered clothing. Once she was undressed, Struthers lifted her into the tub, letting the water cover her body. Jane got to work, and Struthers moved into the girl's closet.
"We'll need to dress her in the dress the Duke purchased for her last month. He's going to check on her, to make sure she'd ready for her husband." He shuttered, knowing he wouldn't have much time before he was required to greet their guest. "I would imagine she has broken ribs, so you'll need to bind her before he looks in on her. Once he's seen her, we'll get her to her horse. Mark has agreed to bring it to the door leading to the garden. Hopefully she will have enough strength to make the journey away from here." He pulled the dress out, lying it on the bed. It was finely made, a rich sapphire color that matched her eyes. The neckline was stitched with white roses, delicately done and time consuming. She would look beautiful in it, even if it wasn't suitable for riding. It would at least keep her warm. "I can no longer stand by while she's mistreated so openly. And I can't watch as she marries a man who will only make her life worse. I can take what he gives out. But she can only handle it for so long." He said, watching as Jane cleaned Serenity's hair. "Kent will end up killing her."
"Such a pity he's so young. The bastard should die." She said softly, watching as Serenity's eyes fluttered open, locking onto Jane's own. And it sent a chill down the maid's spine. Because the two girls felt the truth in his words. They both knew her death would come with her marriage.
The bath was finished quickly, Struthers and Jane both assisting the girl out of the tub. Serenity didn't feel like she had anything strength left, but there was no choice. Her feet carried her to the bed, where she sank down to allow the butler examined her back and stomach. The pain was too severe for her to be concerned about her nakedness.
Jane held Serenity, giving her an anchor as Struthers tightly bound the area, hoping that the ribs would heal right once her journey was over. Serenity's strength was limited, so they both assisted her in dressing. The layers would help to keep the ribs steady, even if they weren't able to tie the corset as tightly as they would have liked. Jane began combing her hair while Struthers relayed the plan to Serenity. She simply nodded, knowing that she had to get away, and this would be the chance. She just hoped that she would remember them, and would have the strength to get as far as she could on her own.
Struthers studied the girl for a minute, noticing the red mark on her cheek, knowing that in a few hours, it would be a dark bruise. It made him hate the man who'd done it to her, but he knew his duty. He made sure she could stand long enough to gain the Duke's approval before allowing her to sit back on the bed. He could distract the two men with brandy. He could keep them busy so that she could gain a good lead. Footsteps were loud as they got closer to the door. He wouldn't knock, the butler stepped back to appear uncaring and indifferent.
The Duke pushed opened the door and looked in on her briefly, smiling when he noticed how she could not yet stand. Stepping forward, he gripped her face painfully with one hand. Then he looked back to his man, "Bring her down in half an hour. The Duke is here and wanting his bride." He said, closing the door behind him.
"Give it a moment." He said to Jane, watching as the maid threw together a valise to tie to the horse. He listened as the Duke's footfall turned to silence, then he scooped Serenity into his arms. He took the opposite stairway leading into the servant's area, using the door into the kitchen as his exit to the garden. Blissfully, the room was empty per his orders. He might not have been gone very long, but he had just enough time to put this into motion. There was her brown mare, saddled and ready to leave. The maid attached the valise to the horse, noting another pack filled with food for the journey.
"Do you think she'll be able to stay on the saddle long enough to get away?" Jane asked as Struthers placed the young woman on the horse, handing her the reigns. Serenity took them, forcing herself to sit straight on the mare. She dug her feet into the stirrups.
"Aye, she'll make it. She knows she has no other choice." He said, looking at her as she nodded to the maid. Struthers handed her a small flash, knowing that while opium might be better, this would have to do. "It will give you strength and keep you warm, Milady."
Serenity found her voice finally, "Thank you, both of you. I'll…" She started in a strained voice, wanting to say more. Jane raised her hand, smiling a little bitterly.
"Just find your father. Get away from this place and promise me you won't return." The woman begged, looking to Struthers. Serenity nodded, conveying her love for both of the people in front of her with a simple look of gratitude. Struthers didn't give her a moment to waste, slapping the rump of her mount.
She sped off through the gardens, her mind foggy at best. The horse moved quickly, causing the surrounding to blur even further. Serenity had a difficult time holding onto consciousness, slumping forward in her saddle a few times during the ride. Her mount never faltered, keeping the steady pace until they were well outside of Manchester. Once night had covered the sky, they took to the trees, using the cover to escape. She finally fell of her mount, letting the darkness surround her as her last conscious thought was of her mother, and the ring she wore around her neck.
The horse nudged her master with her snout, and when she didn't move, the mare whinnied. She finally moved to lie down, staying close to the unconscious girl. Whether it was for protection or warmth was uncertain.
