Chapter Twenty-One

We managed to get through breakfast without any more misunderstandings. The servant girls didn't make an appearance for the rest of the meal, thankfully.

I wasn't sure if I was ready to face them again. I knew they were making fun of me and sniggering behind my back. But I tried to put them far out of my mind. I would have time to worry about them later, I wasn't going to let them spoil my mood again.

James finished breakfast before me, and when he saw I was done, he held out his hand to me, and offered to give me tour of the manor. He jokingly began to talk about the dining room we were currently stood in, how to get to it and other things. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, until he gave up, and lead me back out into the main entrance hallway.

It was a large room, painted a cream colour with a dark wooden floor. The staircase was the main feature of the room, starting in the centre of the room, and splitting into two when it was almost at the first floor, one branch off to the left, and one to the right; the branch we were currently stood underneath which held the entrance to the dining room. There was a much smaller door directly to the left of us, which James informed me was the servants stairs, which lead to the kitchen and their rooms.

We walked forward, into the centre of the room. There were various pieces of art hung on the walls and other objects that were there purely for show. I stood facing the main door, the one that lead outside. There were two doors on my left and two on my right. I made my way towards the first door on my left, but James beat me to it. He opened it, and gave me a mock bow as I walked through.

'This is the main drawing room.' He told me. 'It doesn't get used very much. It's the more formal one of the two. It only really gets used when I need to entertain.'

It certainly was fancy, and formal. Several intricate chairs and sofa were dotted around the room, all facing the centre, as if waiting for some phantom entertainment. Three walls were painted the same shade of cream as the main entrance way, but one wall was covered in intricate mulberry paper. Although it was nice, it didn't feel very homely or welcoming. I could see why it wasn't used very much.

I nodded my approval to James, and he opened the door and let me past again. I walked towards the second door, the one that was the neighbour to the one I had just walked out of, but before I could get there, James ran in front of my path, stopping me.

'If you don't mind, can I show you this one last? My little surprise?' He pleaded.

I raised my eyebrow in question of what was in there.

'Please?' He asked. I made a move to try and grab the door handle, but James caught my wrist.

'Ah- ah-ah.' He teased. 'I won't show you at all if you try and cheat.'

I huffed silently and crossed the entrance hall to get to the other side. Pushing the first door open before James could get there, I stood and stared.

Wood panelling lined this room. A large varnished wooden desk stood in the centre of the room, a chair in front of, and a chair behind it. Pieces of paper were sprawled across the desk, as if half finished, and there were shelves of books and pieces of paper on the two opposite walls. A small fire burned in the hearth to my right.

'This is my study. Where I have to spend most of my days.' James sighed. 'Sorry about the mess. It's the only room I don't let Helen clean.'

I took a step inside, and gestured to the open ink well and quill on the desk. He nodded and I found a blank piece of paper to write on. Moving around to the back of the desk, I bent over the table and began to write.

Why exactly?

I passed it over the desk to James.

'Because, all of this is in an order, I promise. It might not look it at the moment…'

Looking around, I could tell that there was definitely no order to this room, at all.

'But I know exactly where everything is. And if Helen comes in to tidy it up, she will disrupt my perfectly clear and logical system.'

I gestured for him to pass the paper back to me, which he did without complaint.

You sound like a child who insists they know what they are talking about, even though they don't.

James almost snatched the paper out of my hand. He half chuckled when he read it.

'No I don't!' He insisted.

I simply raised my eyebrow in retaliation.

'How dare you, Lady Thorne?' He said, smiling and walking towards me. I smirked a little and moved out of his way. His eyes brightened with the challenge.

'It's not very ladylike to call your husband a child, now is it? I demand you take it back.' He teased.

I defiantly shook my head.

'Well then…' He said, and darted around the side of the table, reaching for me. I ran out of his grasp, but it didn't take very long for him to catch me, his strong hands gripping my waist. He pulled me back so I was flush against his chest. Try as I might, I couldn't contain my smile. I felt his lips press softly into the side of my neck, he also was smiling.

'Take it back.' He teased. I shook my head again.

His lips pressed higher on my neck, firmer this time. I almost sighed.

'Please?' He asked, his breath ghosting over my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, and I shuddered. His smile widened, if that was possible.

I only shrugged a 'maybe'.

'That will suffice, to heal my pride. For now.' He told me, and released me from his arms.

I stepped away, and gestured to the room next to us. He bowed and told me to lead the way.

I walked calmly out of the room, ignoring the thousands of wild thoughts flying through my head. The door next to James's study was identical to all the other doors, and I pushed it open with ease.

My mouth fell open when I beheld this room.

'This is the other drawing room. It's much more informal than the other one.' James said from the doorway.

Indeed it was. A lovely pale green coloured all the walls, making it feel fresh and warm. A roaring fire sat to the left of me, sharing a wall with the fire in James's study. A large and comfortable sofa sat in the centre of the room, with two armchairs on either side. A small low table stood before the sofa for placing a tea service on. I learned that much when I worked at Ella's manor.

The wall facing the door had two large window cut out of it, a cross-hatching pattern residing in the frame. There was a small shelf of books in the right hand corner, as well as a little pile of blankets. A large dark green rug covered the floor, shielding the dark wood from sight.

'This is the one that gets used. It doesn't feel as stuffy as the other one does. This is the one I was allowed in as a child. My mother used to read to me from that armchair.' He said, pointing to the one on the left.

I still he still held the piece of paper in his hand. I pointed towards it, and he gave it to me, with a small smirk.

Using the low table, I began to write.

Why were you not allowed in the other room? Were you a bad child?

He looked over my shoulder to read my writing, and laughed a little.

'I was just like every other small boy, always covered in mud and leaves. My parents didn't like the idea of me making more work than was necessary for the servants.'

I smiled. I could just imagine a little James, running around through the main hallway, trailing mud and dirt into all of the carpets and rugs, leaves and twigs sticking out of his long hair.

'Come on, more house to show you.' He said, inclining his head. I made my way out of the green drawing room and stood once again in the main entrance hall. James showed me there was a small wash room underneath the stairs, and one more room, the mirror image of the dining room on the other side of the staircase. He pushed open the door to show me the music room. I housed a large pianoforte, and several music stands. Apparently his mother used to play, and spent a lot of time in that room. But James never had the determination to practice, so the room remained unused.

James led me upstairs, and off to the left. There were three doors along the corridor, two guest rooms and my own room. The door at the end was the Master's rooms, and James asked me if I would like to see it.

A tight panic gripped my gut. I knew I shouldn't be nervous about seeing his room, knew it was completely irrational. But he was my husband, and the thought of seeing his room brought up the other thoughts of what should have happened last night, but didn't. I shook my head, and James didn't press me.

The other side of the stairs had the same layout as the left hand side, three doors and one at the end. James told me that there were another two guest rooms behind the first two doors.

I pointed to the final door in the row, and he smiled a little.

'That door leads to the room connected to the next door.' He said cryptically. I tilted my head in confusion, and he led me down to the end of the corridor, to the room that was the mirror equivalent of where the Master's room was. He pushed the door open wide enough for me to see inside.

White walls. Lovely and pure. I stepped through the doorway to stand just inside the bright room.

My eyes fixed on the object that lay against the far right wall.

A cradle.

A baby's cradle.

I stared and stared at it, unable to tear my gaze away from it.

My heart sped up. My hands felt clammy and strange.

'Welcome to my nursery.' James said from behind me.

There were various trunks dotted around the room, no doubt containing baby clothes and toys. A small child size bed stood against the wall closest to me, already made up. As if ready and waiting.

My breathing stopped.

A room for a child.

A baby.

It had been James's room, and would one day be his child's.

And as his wife, that would make me…

The mother of his child.

I swallowed.

Had he shown me this, as a hint? As some way to suggest the subject?

I turned back around to face him slowly. He wasn't even looking at me, but at the door that was next to the door we had just come through.

'That leads to the room next to this one, the nanny's room. Or my mother's old room. She didn't want me to have a nanny, and there wasn't a direct route through her rooms, so she moved here. That door over there,' He said, pointing past my head to one on the far wall, 'Leads to my bedroom.'

I swallowed again.

He had brought me to his childhood room. The childhood room that he one day hoped for his own child.

The thoughts flying through my head must have shown on my face, as James's smile dropped and he walked over to me, and placed a gently hand beneath my chin.

'Marion, I'm not implying… I'm really not.' He said quietly. 'It's just a tour of the house. I wasn't even thinking of that.'

Taking a deep breath, I looked up to my husband.

'Come on, only two more rooms.' He said, and lead me out of the nursery, the door closing with a click behind us. He led me back down the corridor to a door that was directly opposite from the nursery door. He pulled it open and my mouth dropped at the size of it.

A large room, long and rectangular in shape stood. Most of the back wall had been split into windows, flooding light into the large room. On the remaining three walls, there were various portraits and works of art hanging.

'This is called 'The hall.' I think whoever named it was struggling for a name, went with the most boring option, and it just sort of stuck.' James informed me. 'It where anything big happens. Only ever used in formal occasions; celebrations, large dinners, gatherings, that sort of thing. I had my coming of age celebration between these very walls. Christopher was sick over in that corner.' He said, a little too proudly.

I raised my eyebrow in question of 'Why?'

'He'd had a little too much wine, and coupled with the dancing and food, he had a rough time the following day.'

I bit down a laugh. I wondered how Ella would react to finding out her husband was a bad drunk. Her loving, caring, sweet husband.

I took a step towards the large windows on the other side of the room. The view from them was the same as the dining room, which was directly beneath us. There was a large patch of grass spanning the width of the house, and going back for a few tens of feet. Then, a line a trees marking the edge of the manor's grounds and the start of the forest.

The forest that had a small chapel hidden within. The chapel we had been married in the day before.

I took in the view. It was lovely in the bright sunshine. I felt James move to stand behind me, his hands gently wrapping around my waist.

'Do you like the view?' He asked softly.

I nodded, and his arms tightened around me.

'Good, I'm gl- What on earth is that?' He asked, suddenly pulling away from me. The heat from his body vanished and I found myself rather cold. He moved closer to the window, and peered out. I copied him, trying spot what he had just seen.

A small spot of brown was moving through the garden.

No, not a spot.

A person.

A person wrapped in a brown cloak. The hood was up so I couldn't see their face, but they seemed to making for the manor with quite a pace.

'Who?' James asked more to himself than to me. Then, without another word, he turned around and walked briskly out of the hall.

I followed, curious as to who this mysterious person was.

James practically ran down the stairs and across the entrance hall. I tried to keep up, but running in a dress was more difficult than running in trousers.

James made it to the front door, and yanked it open, before taking off round the right hand side of the house. Panting, I ran after him. We both made it around the side of the manor before we were confronted by the person in the cloak.

I stood, frozen. Even James looked a little concerned.

'Who are you? What do you want?' He asked, his voice betraying a little anger.

The cloaked man stood before us, ragged trousers covered in mud and cut in strange places. They tilted their head upward slightly, and I was able to see the stained hanker chief that was covering their mouth from view.

My heart stopped.

I knew that hanker chief.

Knew that person who liked to wear unusual trousers and a brown cloak.

My hands shook as I pushed past James and ran at the person before me. I wrapped my arms around their shoulder, and she gripped my back.

Her cloak fell back a bit, and I could see that familiar braided raven black hair.

Blanche.

Blanche was here!

I held onto her just as tightly as she held onto me. My breathing was ragged as I gripped my friend.

'Would someone care to explain?' James asked from behind me.

Blanche let go of me instantly, and pulled her hood down all the way. James's eyes widened a fraction when he saw that the person before him was female.

Before I could register what was going on, Blanche had flung her arm out, and pushed me firmly behind her.

'Who the hell are you?' She asked, pulling down her hanker chief.

'Sir James Thorne.' James told her, sounding very confused by the turn of events. 'You?'

'Blanche.' She said. She didn't say Bianca, or Lady Knox. I stood still, watching the two of them stare at each other.

'And how do you know my wife?' James asked.

Blanche whirled on me.

'You got married?' She cried. The pain in her eyes was evident. I opened my mouth to respond, but shut it quickly.

'Yes, we got married.' James answered for me. Blanche glared at him.

'Be quiet!' She yelled at him. He simply stood there, shocked.

'Marion, what were you thinking? What happened?' She asked

Once again, I opened my mouth, but had to close it again.

'Marion, come on. You can tell me.'

I pointed to my throat, and then shook my head.

Blanche just looked at me confused. I tried again, but the message didn't seem to get through.

'If I may,' James began, from behind Blanche, 'Marion can't speak, she was cursed.'

Blanche's eyes flared in both shock and anger. I thought she was going to burst into flames right there and then.

'What?' She managed to make out. She looked so hurt.

'Well, she wasn't cursed. Her family were. She's staying silent to break it for them.' James added.

'When?' She asked me, ignoring James. I held up five fingers.

'Five, what is that supposed to mean?' She asked.

I counted up to five on my hands, and understanding seemed to line her face.

'Five days ago?'

I shook my head.

'Five months, no I saw you two months ago.'

I shook my head again.

'Five weeks?' She asked, and I nodded.

'She's been silent for five weeks. We got married last night.'

Blanche took a deep breath, and turned around slowly to face him. There was such wrath in her face, like nothing I'd ever seen before.

'So, are you telling me, that my friend here, has been cursed. And she is doing a good and brave thing to help her family. And you decided to take advantage of her?' She yelled at him.

'No. I would never-' James began, but was cut off.

'You married her? Did you go to her bed last night? A silent and submissive bride. Someone who literally can't say no. If that's not taking advantage, I don't know what it.'

'I didn't.' He stammered.

Even I shook my head at her accusation.

'If you have harmed one hair on her head, so help me, I will make you suffer.' She said out of gritted teeth.

I pushed Blanche's arm down, and moved to stand in front of her, between the two of them. The fire in her eyes… It made me nervous. I had never seen her like this, not ever.

'I promise you, I have not touched Marion. I would never harm her.'

Blanche did not look satisfied. She continued to stare at James, wrath still lining her face.

James had the good sense to look terrified. Even I was terrified. I slowly reached for her wrist, and wrapped my fingers around it. She looked to me, and I tugged, gesturing for her to follow me. She was reluctant to go, but after a few moments submitted. I led her right past James, and round the front of the house. She remained in silent anger the entire time. James followed us, but at a safe distance. I led her through the front door, and quickly into James's study. He opened his mouth to protest, but I shot him a warning glare.

After what he'd said earlier, about Helen not cleaning in there, then this was the least likely place for Blanche to run into the servant girls. James also came into the room, but it was me who closed the door behind us. I gesture for Blanche and James to take a seat. James took the seat behind his desk, but Blanche stubbornly did not move. I bit my cheek and moved to grab some paper and a quill. My hand moved fast as I wrote.

He did not touch me. I am safe, and unharmed.

I handed the paper to Blanched who read it quickly, and narrowed her eyes at James. He simply sat and took her scrutiny.

'So, how did all this come about?' She asked, waving to the two of us.

I glanced to James. It would take far too long to write it all down, so I gave him a nod to tell him that he would have to explain.

'Well, it's a long story.'

'Then start talking.' She snapped.

'So, from what I can gather, Marion's father passed about two months ago.'

Blanche instantly signalled for him to shut up and looked up to me.

'Oh, I'm so sorry Marion. I thought he would get better.'

I nodded my thanks.

'Wait, you knew he was sick?' James asked, sounding very confused.

'Yes, I knew he was sick.' Blanche spat at him, then she turned back to me. 'How long did you have?'

I wrote, He died that night.

She sighed, gave me her condolences.

'So, you were with Marion that day?' James asked, still trying to work out what was going on.

'Yes, you idiot. What does this have to do with you two getting married?'

James bit back a retort, and continued. 'So, Mr Brown passed on, and Marion was left in charge of her family. The springbloom festival came, and her family went out to play the game. She stayed behind and waited for them. But they didn't return.'

I looked to the floor. The memory of that day was still raw.

'There was this faerie enchanter, who had captured all of her brothers and sisters because they had tried to steal a flower. I forget which one. Anyway, he dragged them all back to Rault and held them in front of everyone. Then he cursed them to be animals by day, and humans by night. I think there was also something about Marion's voice being ripped away.' He told her.

James's hand found mine, and he squeezed lightly.

'What do you, something about her voice being ripped away?' Blanche asked.

I picked up the quill and started writing again.

I begged him to let them go, and he told me to shut up. I didn't, so he used his magic and pulled my voice from my throat. I felt it.

Blanche's face drained of all colour when she read it.

'And then?' She asked, her voice quivering a little.

'He told them the only way to break the curse was if Marion remained silent for a year. He gave her voice back. Then, the faerie placed a spell over her village, so they would all turn against her. She grabbed her family and fled, in fear of her life.'

Blanche swallowed roughly.

'Why did you not call for me?' She asked.

I simply pointed to my throat again. Understanding seemed to course through her.

'She went to a small abandoned cottage in the woods and hid there.'

Rose's cottage. I thought she could help. But she was gone.

'Rose? Rose is gone?' Blanche asked. I nodded.

'But where? She's always lived there. They were so protective of it. They made sure we didn't tell anyone.' Blanche said to me. I shrugged. I had no clue why Rose was not there, or where she had gone.

'Whose Rose?' James asked.

'Never you mind. Continue.' She snapped at him.

'So,' James said through gritted teeth, 'They all stayed there. Where she accidentally ran into me again while I was hunting with Antony and Charles. I was pointing a crossbow at her sister, who has been turned into a swan. She ran into Antony quite hard, he had a rather nasty bruise. Then she introduced me to her family who turned back to humans at sunset. After her sister had quite rightly slapped me…'

I smiled a little at the memory. It had been quite a thing to behold.

'They told me that part of the story. I came by the cottage every day to help, and to keep Marion company. Until four days ago, something just clicked.' He said, staring at me. I blushed.

'We began courting, and yesterday, I was riding towards the cottage when Marion managed to stop my horse on the main path. Turned out, she had been thrown out of the cottage earlier that day. Some hunter who claimed owned the cottage had grabbed her and thrown her in the mud. I offered to help, to have her stay here, at the manor. However, I couldn't have her here as she was. Her reputation would be forever ruined. So, I offered to marry her, that way she could live here, and we could hide her family. They have a room in the attic. We got married last night, and I believe you know the rest.'

Blanche leaned against the book case that was behind her, as if her head was spinning, trying to process everything she had just been told.

'So, you married him, to protect your family?' She asked me.

I nodded slowly. I was aware James was watching everything.

'And you swear that he has not laid a finger on you?'

I bit the inside of my cheek. We had kissed. Many times. And some of them were not very chaste at all.

But I nodded.

She released a small breath. 'Good.'

'Now, my tale is done,' James told her, 'I believe it is high time you told me who you are, and how you know Marion.'

Blanche looked like she was about to bite him for that comment.

'I'm a wanted thief and murderer who attacked Marion on the road to Milton two years ago.' She said, with a smug smile, 'Blanche, pleased to meet you.'

James's mouth fell open. His eyes darted from Blanche, to me, and back to Blanche again.

'Marion, is this true?' He asked, shocked.

I saw the small wicked smile Blanche was giving me, and decided to play along.

I nodded.

James sat frozen.

Blanche turned to me.

'Look, I feel I owe you an apology. I heard you cry. It found its way to me. But I was a little preoccupied at the time, and couldn't get to you.'

I looked at her in confusion. If she had heard Alexander shouting, then why hadn't she helped.

'They caught me. About three weeks after you went home. Must have been the day before springbloom. They got me corned and got me. I was strapped into the back of a cart for the best part of ten days.'

My heart stopped beating.

The one thing Blanche had been terrified of, it had happened.

'But, she needs to employ more highly trained guards. After ten days, it was easy to get the keys off one of them. I escaped, but one of the bastards shot me in the leg with an arrow. It was only a graze, it just scraped me. Hurt like hell. But I got away, and hid. They were stupid enough not to check the same place twice. They eventually gave up and looked for me in another part of the forest. I healed, and heard your cries, but couldn't move to help you. Once I was able to walk again, I began the long journey back to the cottage. But before I got there yesterday, I heard your brother. He said you were all at some place called Arton. So I walked here, and here we are.'

I wasn't entirely sure I was breathing. I didn't think James was either.

'I'm sorry I didn't come to help.' She said.

I shook my head. If anything, I should have gone and helped her.

She had been caught. She had been tied up.

I couldn't imagine the terror and fear that would be running through my veins if it had been me. I had been terrified when we had run. And we weren't even caught.

I placed my hand over my heart, as a gesture of how sorry I was.

Blanche gave me a small smile.

'It's fine. I'm alright, completely healed. And those idiots won't be able to find me for a good long time now. I only hope that they are trembling with fear when they have to go and tell her that they had me in their clutches, and I escaped. I'd give anything to see the look on that bitch's face.'

I smiled a little. Even though I didn't know her personally, I too would quite like to see her stepmother suffer.

'Anyway, I should probably go. I need to get back into hiding. Those highborns are going to rob themselves.' She said. I saw James visibly flinch out of the corner of my eye.

'I just needed to know you were alright. But, you seem to have everything in hand.' She said, gesturing the grand manor around us. I nodded. She looked like she was about to walk out of the door when she turned back to James, and braced her hands on the desk before him.

'Just to let you know, I'm wanted for the death of my father. So don't think I will not make you suffer if you do one thing to hurt this girl. I have my ways of finding out what I need to know, so watch yourself.' She threatened.

All the colour had drained from James's face, and he gave her the slightest of nods.

'I vow to you; I would never ever do anything that harms Marion. I swear it.' He muttered.

'Good.' She said, and leaned back so she was standing at full height again. I opened the door for her, and she walked out. She continued out of the house and into the gardens, and I followed, the piece of paper and a pencil I had found grasped tightly in my hand. I left James behind, still sat in his study, as white as death.

Once we had made it around the back of the house, and disappeared past the tree line, I sped up and grabbed Blanche's arm.

She swung back around, her eyes silver lined with tears.

'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If I had known, I would have tried to get to you earlier.' She said.

I felt the lump building in my throat.

No, none of this is your fault. I'm sorry I couldn't help you! I wrote on the page.

She had been captured. Tied up like some animal. I knew how shaken she had been when we had almost been caught, so I couldn't imagine what it must have been like to be locked in chains.

'You couldn't have known.' She said quietly. 'And anyway, I got away. It's done. I will never again let myself be so stupid, so lazy. They are going to have a much harder time finding me now.' She smirked.

My eyes fell down to the rip in her trousers. It was on her left thigh, and there was just enough skin visible for me to see the red, but healing wound underneath. Several small scabs lay there, in a straight line. The line the arrow had gone over.

My stomach turned. She had been shot. That evil bitch had let her guards shoot at her own stepdaughter, knowing full well she was innocent.

'It's fine. Really. It doesn't hurt anymore, and it's all healed. Good as new. Apart from a scar I'm going to have there.' She told me. I swallowed. How could anyone do that to anyone else?

Can I tell James about you? Not all the details clearly. But I think you've scared him half to death. I wrote on the paper.

Blanche read it quickly, and thought about it for a moment.

'I suppose, if you trust him enough?'

I nodded. I did trust James. Almost as much as I trusted Blanche.

'But, you have to promise me at the first sign of trouble, you get word to me. If he tries anything, anything at all, you grab your siblings, and you run and find me. I will not have you there a moment longer than you have to be, if you're not safe.'

My heart leapt. Blanche really did care for me if she was offering that.

I will be fine. He's a good man, under all the smugness.

Blanche laughed a little.

'Is he the highborn you used to call 'Lord Smug' by any chance?' She asked.

I smiled and nodded.

'Huh, I see why.' She said. 'More handsome than I imagined.' She told me, raising her eyebrows a little.

I blushed.

'I really should get going. I have to find my way back to the path.' She told me, pulling her hood back up.

Do you need anything? Food, water, clothes? I apparently have money now!

Blanche smiled at the gesture.

'No, I don't need them. If you gave them to me, they would go straight away to that village. But, I may take you up on that offer soon, now I know where you will be.'

Please come and visit me. I missed you!

'Oh, don't worry. I'll be stopping by again soon. Mainly to scare the wits out of your husband, but I might find time to see you too.'

I grinned, and wrapped my arms around her in a large hug.

'I'm glad to know you're alright. And you seemed to have made quite a life for yourself, and your family.' She told me. I nodded. I had managed to do this.

I pulled back and wrote,

You too. I'm so relieved to know that you are alright.

She nodded and pulled her hanker chief up over her mouth. She gave my shoulder one last quick squeeze and the ran off into the forest, and out of sight.

I stood watching her leave.

Blanche was alright. She was fine.

She had wanted to come and help me, but she had been captured.

Captured.

Chained up.

If it had been a few weeks before hand, that could have been me.

She had been chained up for days. Days of being held prisoner.

Tears formed in my eyes at the mere thought of it.

My friend had been chained up. And she still had the heart to come and find me, even after all of that.

The tears slipped from my eyes and trickled down my cheeks.

She didn't deserve this. She deserved none of this. And that evil wicked woman…

She knew that Blanche was innocent. And she had sent her men to hunt her down like an animal. The thought of it made me sick.

The tears continued to silently fall as I made my way back towards the house. My feet trailed behind me as I got closer and closer to it.

As someone who had just lost their father, I knew how much Blanche would have been hurting. And then to have been blamed for his death and have to flee for your life, it was too horrible to think about. Three years later, she was still on the run, always living in fear and terror.

I walked back through the front door of the manor, and saw the James's study door was closed.

He had closed it to me.

I didn't blame him; he had just been threatened by an outlaw.

My feet resounded on the hard wooden floor as I made my way up the stairs to my bedroom. I opened the door carefully, and made sure it closed behind me. Wiping away my falling tears with my sleeve, I sat at the writing desk, and began to tell Blanche's story.

A story of pain and evil and how goodness can thrive, even when darkness surrounds it.