I woke to what I can only assume is the early morning sun trying to force its way through my closed eyelids to burn out my retinas, or that's what it felt like.
It took me longer than I would like to admit for me to realize I was not in fact in my bed, or that I had even made it home. As I rolled to my side to brace myself, mind, body and spirit before I force myself into a seated position. A cold wet sensation could be felt on the side of my cheek as well as down the side of my body.
Peaking thought my eye lids to limit the amount of light that was about to assault my eyes and bring forth what I know will be regret of last night's drinking in the form of a hangover; it was then that I notice then colours brown and green. And lots of it.
I'd passed out in a fucking field.
Taking in the surrounding more thoroughly I quickly worked out the wet sensation was from the early morning dew covering the field. I also noticed one still untouched bottle of whisky that looks like it had been thrown half arsed away however the same could not be said for the other that I apparently slept with like it was a teddy bear. As least my drunk self was smart enough to not kill myself with alcohol poisoning by even attempting to drink both bottles. Just not smart enough to know what my limit is with just the one bottle.
I begin to drag myself up and muster myself for what I'm sure will be a long walk back to the family home. Back to my father and the decisions he makes about my life without me. Back to the Shelby's. back to a life that isn't my own and seemingly never will be, with men constantly in charge and me with no say in the matter.
The sound of hooves hitting the morning frost ridden ground detracts me from my thought of my impending life. A grand behemoth of a black stallion in all its glory slowly makes its way across the field seemingly putting on a show as it struts past me down the field before disappearing into the tree line of the field.
I stood and soaked in the calm of the morning. It will probably be the last bit of calm I'll have in my life for a long while yet. The stallion probably had the right idea, strut about like you have your shit sorted, like you have it all figured out and it's all part of the plan. Because really that's all I can do. With the lack of choices I have in my life I can at least take complete control of what's remaining. I can put on a show and make it the best possible show of my life.
A clearing of the throat interrupted any further thoughts.
"Good morning Miss Hilda." Came the hesitating voice of my driver Samuel who was hovering further up field close to what I assume would be the road.
"I know I'm normally meant to leave your own devices on the weekends but you were quite adamant to wake up early last night" He continued as he slowly started to make his way down the field closer to me.
Slowly dragging a hand over my face to try and both block more of the morning light and make my brain start working. I wanted to be woken up? What possibly for? What was I even doing here in the first place?
"Did I happen to specify at all my need to be woken up last night?" I croak to Samuel "or actually do you happen to know what I got up to at all last night? I feel like I'm missing some pretty important memories" I huff out.
"ah no ma'am, there was just a lot of stumbling about and muttering "I'll show them, I'll do it, they can't stop me", a lot of threatening to use bodily violence if anyone tried to take you back to the family home before you eventually passed out on this here field." He explained.
I cringed internally, sounds about right.
A thought suddenly struck me. "how did you find me here?"
Samuel looked a bit sheepish before he answered "oh well ma'am, I happened upon you in town when I was on my way home you see, thought it would be better to stick around and make sure you got home safe"
My driver an actual saint it would seem.
I huff out a sigh as I start to make my way over Samuel.
"Thankyou Samuel" I tell him sincerely. Samuel has always looked out for me since I was a little girl, even when it was never a part of his actual job to do so. Sometimes I feel like he's more family than my actual family.
When I finally make it up to Samuel, I take one last look at the field below basking in its morning glow. My last moment of being just me.
With a deep breath I pat Sam on the shoulder. "Guess it's time to begin the show"
"Unfortunately so ma'am" Sam replies.
Introducing the woman, the myth, the legend, Mrs Hilda Shelby.
Oh, it will be a show all right, just not a particularly good one.
Hey Guys, you may of noticed I did try to upload this earlier but it failed massively, so I'm really sorry but i hope you enjoy this chapter after what i assume is a long anticipated wait.
And while I'm here I just wanted to put out there that I know I'm not consistent at all but this is just a creative outlet for me when the mood hits, so I don't want to get anyone's hopes up that I will be uploading all the time, because I know that wont happen and I'd rather be honest with you all than give you all false expectations of what i can provide.
Other than that, I hope you all like it :)