Chapter 2
To Run Away
Marianna stumbled into her house, gasping for breath. She shut the door quietly behind her, ran softly upstairs and yanked her bedroom door open. She leaned against her door, silently thanking the Lord. Marianna suddenly realized that the Duke of Torms would be arriving soon. She rummaged through her trunk at the foot of her bed and pulled out a light blue dress. It was a beautiful dress and most definitely not her favorite. She then looked in the mirror and cursed herself. Her hair lay damply on her dress and her face was smudged with mud and rainwater. Thinking of the only thing to do, she took off all of her clothes and grasped the pitcher of water on her dresser. She then dumped all of the water on her head, shivering as the cold water made contact with her skin. Marianna rubbed her face roughly and picked up a towel also on her dresser. She dried herself and flipped her hair up. She then put on her dress and worked out the complicated lacings. Marianna brushed her hair, wincing as the brush worked through the tangles. Finally, she was done. Marianna twisted her hair into an elegant bun and looked at the mirror again. She was pleased with the results and smiled. The soft material of the dress brushed against her. The dress fit snugly around her waist and she knew this was what her parents expected her to wear. Marianna went downstairs to find her father at the bottom.
"My daughter," her father said pleasantly. Marianna was sure that her father was not happy for her, but because of the amount of money he would get if the Duke married her. Marianna strode past her father and into the kitchen, thinking of a plan to get rid of the duke. Melody was in the kitchen also, eating an apple.
"Why are you always so pretty Marianna," the girl asked. Marianna sighed and said,
"Beauty is not the greatest thing, you know."
"Of course it is, Marianna. All of the boys run after you and all of the girls are jealous of you. When I grow up, I hope I will be as beautiful as you." Marianna smiled weakly and picked up an apple too. All of her sisters trooped downstairs in their fanciest clothing. Janine was the last to come and she was looking dreamily at all of her sisters. She then spoke,
"Tom kissed me today." Everyone gasped except Marianna.
"Oh, what was it like?" Judith asked.
"It was like heaven and the sweetest thing ever. It was like-like all time had stopped and the world simply stopped spinning. Don't tell mother or father though." Janine brushed off imaginary dust from her dress and smile sweetly.
"Isn't this the most beautiful dress?" All of the girls nodded. It was a dark green and it had a very low cut to her breasts. The skirts billowed around her feet and it had a golden leaf design. Janine then walked away in pleasure.
In mid-afternoon, a knock was heard at the door. The sisters gathered in the hallway for a glimpse at the duke. The cook answered it and welcomed the Duke of Torms in with gracious words. The man stepped through the door and a gasp escaped from each of the sisters. He was the most handsome man they had ever seen. He had light hair and twinkling blue eyes. He had a muscular frame and his rich clothing showed off his broad chest. The Duke smiled and all of the girls simply melted, except Marianna. He handed his cloak to the cook and walked in. Susanne scurried up to him and said breathlessly,
"Welcome to our humble home, my Lord." She smoothed her hair and threw out her own chest.
"Thank you Susanne Lothern. If you please, I came to see your daughter, Marianna"
"Oh, oh yes do come in and see her." She led the duke into their dining room and eyed the man up and down. She then said,
"Girls, you may come in." All of the girls walked in whispering and glancing at the duke. Marianna was the last to come in and she was presented with a grand opening by her father,
"And this is our lovely daughter, Marianna."
When the duke saw Marianna walk gracefully in his jaw dropped open. She was the most dazzling girl. She would be the perfect wife and he knew it. The duke smiled and took a chair out for her. The girl glared at him and sat down heavily. A feisty one, the duke thought to himself, the way I like them.
Marianna could have sworn the Duke was already thinking about marriage. She felt like a horse waiting to be sold. The duke's eyed flickered across her form, which brought heat to her face and he smiled again. Marianna didn't know much about the Duke of Torms and didn't even know if he was a decent man, yet he was very handsome and he did seem nice. No, Marianna scolded herself, she would not be fooled by his charms. Her father said his usual quick grace and began to eat. The food would have been delicious if the duke stopped eyeing her. Marianna couldn't even think of a proper plan to make the duke go away. His eyes were so lovely to look at in the candlelight. Marianna rubbed her head and continued eating. The duke then spoke,
"Do have a headache dear?" Oh great, Marianna thought, he was already calling her "dear."
"No, I do not my Lord," Marianna replied sharply.
"Please just call me Edward." Marianna scowled and picked up a piece of bread, which she nibbled only slightly.
"Marianna, do you mind if you got us some tea and cake?" Her mother said abruptly. The duke raised an eyebrow and said,
"Your own daughter serves you food?" Susanne reddened and stuttered,
"Well, we um..." Marianna stood up suddenly and said gruffly,
"I will get the tea." She walked to the kitchen and felt the duke's eyes still wander over to her. She could hear the duke talking in the other room.
"I heard many things about your beautiful daughter. She is quite a lovely woman."
"Yes well, she is quite enchanting. Of course once she gets married, there will be a price, but I shouldn't talk about these things." Her father chuckled. "You hog," Marianna muttered. She then walked back into the dining room with a tray in her hand, a plan forming before she got to the duke. Marianna went to the duke and offered him some tea. His hand brushed lightly against hers and he murmured, "Thank you, my love." Marianna grew pink and suddenly tipped the tray of tea onto the lap of the duke. The Duke yelped as the hot liquid made contact with his skin. He leaped up and brushed his hand across his breeches. Her mother ran to him and said,
"Oh, you clumsy girl, Marianna. Here, my husband can provide you with some clothes. Marianna go lead the duke to you father's room and get him clothes." Marianna stalked towards her parent's room and yanked out a tunic and breeches from her father's closet.
"You can dress over there, behind the screen." The duke was simply smiling merrily at her and he lifted his eyes to her own.
"Yes my love," he said, as he stroked her cheek with a finger. There was a mad glint in his eyes and Marianna felt that something was wrong with this man. There was something very disturbing about him. She backed away to the door and ran out, leaving the duke where he was. Marianna stumbled downstairs and put a hand to the cheek that was stroked. Her mother was glaring at her and she said,
"Now go to your room. Your father wants to discuss something with the Duke of Torms."
Marianna flopped onto her bed and screamed into her pillow. How could she marry the Duke of Torms? Marianna fell into a fitful sleep, where dreams overcame her mind.
Marianna woke in the morning and groaned, remembering the events of the night before. She dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. She then hurried downstairs, preparing for the worst. She walked into the dining room and found both of her parents smiling genuinely. Her mother walked to her, with arms stretched out and Marianna felt her stomach drop.
"Honey, you are to be married to the Duke of Torms." Her mother said cheerfuly. Marianna swallowed heavily and said faintly, "What?" Her father beamed and said,
"Yes my own daughter marrying the duke. Is it not so wonderful? And all the riches we will get. Oh yes, this is a very important event indeed. The duke shall pick you up tomorrow during mid-day. The wedding will be in two weeks." Marianna's face paled, but she was able to manage a feeble, "Yes father, it will be...wonderful." She then ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. She shrank to her knees and started crying. Marianna had never wanted to marry, just never, especially to an odd, yet beautiful duke. Why was her life so miserable? Why didn't she have a right to say something? A mimicking voice in her head said, "Because it's not proper." Marianna wiped away angry tears and stood up shakily. She will defy her father, if not by her words, but with her actions. She would run away.
Marianna heard a light knock on her door. She said angrily,
"Go away."
"It's me, Janine."
"Yes, go away!" Janine opened the door and stepped in.
"That's no way to act to your elders." She stared at Marianna, who was still on the floor.
"What are you doing on the floor?"
"I'm admiring the ants, now please go away." Janine sighed and knelt gracefully on the floor. She touched Marianna's shoulder softly. Marianna looked up, surprised. Janine started to speak again,
"I know I haven't been much of a good sister to you, but well...I, never mind. I just hope you'll have a good and happy marriage with that duke." Marianna looked at Janine in astonishment. She expected Janine to say something about how her Tom will always be better than the duke.
"Um...thank Janine." Janine timidly wrapped her arms around Marianna's shoulders and whispered,
"I'll miss you." The two sisters hugged and both of them stood up quietly. Janine resumed her haughty expression and said,
"Well, what are you going to wear to the wedding? You'll probably look dreadful even in a wedding dress." She then flounced out of the room and Marianna continued to stare at her in bewilderment.
The day passed by too quickly and Marianna thought dreadfully about the time the duke would come. She had hugged each of her sisters and said her good byes. It would only be a matter of time that she would leave this house, this family forever. Her father thought that he would get his riches from the duke once Marianna married, but Marianna had different plans. She had packed all of her necessary clothes and belongings for her escape. She climbed up the stairs and said goodbye to her room once and for all. Marianna put on a riding skirt and her black cloak. She then went downstairs quietly, as she had done so many times before and slipped out of the house. She ran to the stables and stroked her horse, Sunshine. She then pulled a loose stone out of the wall of the stable and pulled out a dagger. It was a normal dagger and very sharp, she knew she would need it, for the world was not a safe place. Marianna saddled Sunshine and the horse, sensing her nervousness and excitement, pranced around. She led the horse outside and began her adventure.
Marianna made a mad gallop away from her house, hoping that no one would see her. Marianna smiled in excitement at the fact that she could actually have her own adventure. She then sobered, realizing that she didn't know where to go or what to do. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, shivering at the prospect of running away. Where would she go, Marianna thought. After a long time of thinking she decided to got to London and simply begin a new life.
During the long ride Marianna thought about her family. Her father was a merchant and her mother simply a housewife, as all women were. Because of her father's consistent ale drinking, his job was going downhill. The family had to get rid of all of their servants except the cook. Most of the girls had to give up some of their possessions and they all had to begin a new life, without the servants. Janine suffered the most, but Marianna enjoyed being independent of the consistent flurry of her servants. The family had enough money to have their house and was still considered rich by the community. Marianna was always the wild one, while her other sisters always stayed at home sewing. Marianna, though very different from her other family members, still missed them. She sighed as she remembered the strange good bye from her least favorite sister, Janine. Janine and her never got along, so the touching farewell was very odd. Marianna was suddenly startled by her thoughts when she heard a sound in the woods next to her. She clutched her dagger and her eyes darted warily from side to side. Bandits were very common in England. Marianna had brought some money for her escape and hoped that the bandits wouldn't find them. She eased her horse into a gallop and her heart was thumping wildly. Suddenly, a boy appeared out of the forest and Marianna sighed with relief. She stopped her horse and looked inquiringly at the small boy. Marianna gasped at how he looked. The boy was as thin as a stick and his hair was dirty and matted. The boy's eyes had a look of horror and some type of wisdom that was too old for a boy so young. His clothes were all tattered and hanged limply on his gaunt body. When he spotted Marianna, he slowly lifted his hand and said weakly,
"Please my noble lady, some food or shillings for my family." Marianna gave a comforting, yet wavering smile and asked, "Who did this to you?"
"M'lady, it is because of the horrible doings of our king, King John. He burdens us with taxes, so we do not have enough to eat. He makes us become lowly beggars, which makes us feel ashamed. Please." Marianna looked at the pleading and sorrow in his eyes and grasped one of her saddlebags. She dug out a loaf of bread and 3 shillings. She offered it to the boy and said softly,
"Here child, take this food to your family. Farewell and keep safe." Marianna trotted away from the poor boy, pondering. So this was what King John did to his subjects. He left them begging for food, simply for his own pleasures. The poor child was on the bridge of starvation and probably his family was too. Marianna felt anger rise in her throat. How could a king do this to his own people? How could a king be so cruel?
Authors Note: I'm sorry if there are any errors. My computer has a mind of its own. Please read and review.
Marianna stumbled into her house, gasping for breath. She shut the door quietly behind her, ran softly upstairs and yanked her bedroom door open. She leaned against her door, silently thanking the Lord. Marianna suddenly realized that the Duke of Torms would be arriving soon. She rummaged through her trunk at the foot of her bed and pulled out a light blue dress. It was a beautiful dress and most definitely not her favorite. She then looked in the mirror and cursed herself. Her hair lay damply on her dress and her face was smudged with mud and rainwater. Thinking of the only thing to do, she took off all of her clothes and grasped the pitcher of water on her dresser. She then dumped all of the water on her head, shivering as the cold water made contact with her skin. Marianna rubbed her face roughly and picked up a towel also on her dresser. She dried herself and flipped her hair up. She then put on her dress and worked out the complicated lacings. Marianna brushed her hair, wincing as the brush worked through the tangles. Finally, she was done. Marianna twisted her hair into an elegant bun and looked at the mirror again. She was pleased with the results and smiled. The soft material of the dress brushed against her. The dress fit snugly around her waist and she knew this was what her parents expected her to wear. Marianna went downstairs to find her father at the bottom.
"My daughter," her father said pleasantly. Marianna was sure that her father was not happy for her, but because of the amount of money he would get if the Duke married her. Marianna strode past her father and into the kitchen, thinking of a plan to get rid of the duke. Melody was in the kitchen also, eating an apple.
"Why are you always so pretty Marianna," the girl asked. Marianna sighed and said,
"Beauty is not the greatest thing, you know."
"Of course it is, Marianna. All of the boys run after you and all of the girls are jealous of you. When I grow up, I hope I will be as beautiful as you." Marianna smiled weakly and picked up an apple too. All of her sisters trooped downstairs in their fanciest clothing. Janine was the last to come and she was looking dreamily at all of her sisters. She then spoke,
"Tom kissed me today." Everyone gasped except Marianna.
"Oh, what was it like?" Judith asked.
"It was like heaven and the sweetest thing ever. It was like-like all time had stopped and the world simply stopped spinning. Don't tell mother or father though." Janine brushed off imaginary dust from her dress and smile sweetly.
"Isn't this the most beautiful dress?" All of the girls nodded. It was a dark green and it had a very low cut to her breasts. The skirts billowed around her feet and it had a golden leaf design. Janine then walked away in pleasure.
In mid-afternoon, a knock was heard at the door. The sisters gathered in the hallway for a glimpse at the duke. The cook answered it and welcomed the Duke of Torms in with gracious words. The man stepped through the door and a gasp escaped from each of the sisters. He was the most handsome man they had ever seen. He had light hair and twinkling blue eyes. He had a muscular frame and his rich clothing showed off his broad chest. The Duke smiled and all of the girls simply melted, except Marianna. He handed his cloak to the cook and walked in. Susanne scurried up to him and said breathlessly,
"Welcome to our humble home, my Lord." She smoothed her hair and threw out her own chest.
"Thank you Susanne Lothern. If you please, I came to see your daughter, Marianna"
"Oh, oh yes do come in and see her." She led the duke into their dining room and eyed the man up and down. She then said,
"Girls, you may come in." All of the girls walked in whispering and glancing at the duke. Marianna was the last to come in and she was presented with a grand opening by her father,
"And this is our lovely daughter, Marianna."
When the duke saw Marianna walk gracefully in his jaw dropped open. She was the most dazzling girl. She would be the perfect wife and he knew it. The duke smiled and took a chair out for her. The girl glared at him and sat down heavily. A feisty one, the duke thought to himself, the way I like them.
Marianna could have sworn the Duke was already thinking about marriage. She felt like a horse waiting to be sold. The duke's eyed flickered across her form, which brought heat to her face and he smiled again. Marianna didn't know much about the Duke of Torms and didn't even know if he was a decent man, yet he was very handsome and he did seem nice. No, Marianna scolded herself, she would not be fooled by his charms. Her father said his usual quick grace and began to eat. The food would have been delicious if the duke stopped eyeing her. Marianna couldn't even think of a proper plan to make the duke go away. His eyes were so lovely to look at in the candlelight. Marianna rubbed her head and continued eating. The duke then spoke,
"Do have a headache dear?" Oh great, Marianna thought, he was already calling her "dear."
"No, I do not my Lord," Marianna replied sharply.
"Please just call me Edward." Marianna scowled and picked up a piece of bread, which she nibbled only slightly.
"Marianna, do you mind if you got us some tea and cake?" Her mother said abruptly. The duke raised an eyebrow and said,
"Your own daughter serves you food?" Susanne reddened and stuttered,
"Well, we um..." Marianna stood up suddenly and said gruffly,
"I will get the tea." She walked to the kitchen and felt the duke's eyes still wander over to her. She could hear the duke talking in the other room.
"I heard many things about your beautiful daughter. She is quite a lovely woman."
"Yes well, she is quite enchanting. Of course once she gets married, there will be a price, but I shouldn't talk about these things." Her father chuckled. "You hog," Marianna muttered. She then walked back into the dining room with a tray in her hand, a plan forming before she got to the duke. Marianna went to the duke and offered him some tea. His hand brushed lightly against hers and he murmured, "Thank you, my love." Marianna grew pink and suddenly tipped the tray of tea onto the lap of the duke. The Duke yelped as the hot liquid made contact with his skin. He leaped up and brushed his hand across his breeches. Her mother ran to him and said,
"Oh, you clumsy girl, Marianna. Here, my husband can provide you with some clothes. Marianna go lead the duke to you father's room and get him clothes." Marianna stalked towards her parent's room and yanked out a tunic and breeches from her father's closet.
"You can dress over there, behind the screen." The duke was simply smiling merrily at her and he lifted his eyes to her own.
"Yes my love," he said, as he stroked her cheek with a finger. There was a mad glint in his eyes and Marianna felt that something was wrong with this man. There was something very disturbing about him. She backed away to the door and ran out, leaving the duke where he was. Marianna stumbled downstairs and put a hand to the cheek that was stroked. Her mother was glaring at her and she said,
"Now go to your room. Your father wants to discuss something with the Duke of Torms."
Marianna flopped onto her bed and screamed into her pillow. How could she marry the Duke of Torms? Marianna fell into a fitful sleep, where dreams overcame her mind.
Marianna woke in the morning and groaned, remembering the events of the night before. She dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. She then hurried downstairs, preparing for the worst. She walked into the dining room and found both of her parents smiling genuinely. Her mother walked to her, with arms stretched out and Marianna felt her stomach drop.
"Honey, you are to be married to the Duke of Torms." Her mother said cheerfuly. Marianna swallowed heavily and said faintly, "What?" Her father beamed and said,
"Yes my own daughter marrying the duke. Is it not so wonderful? And all the riches we will get. Oh yes, this is a very important event indeed. The duke shall pick you up tomorrow during mid-day. The wedding will be in two weeks." Marianna's face paled, but she was able to manage a feeble, "Yes father, it will be...wonderful." She then ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. She shrank to her knees and started crying. Marianna had never wanted to marry, just never, especially to an odd, yet beautiful duke. Why was her life so miserable? Why didn't she have a right to say something? A mimicking voice in her head said, "Because it's not proper." Marianna wiped away angry tears and stood up shakily. She will defy her father, if not by her words, but with her actions. She would run away.
Marianna heard a light knock on her door. She said angrily,
"Go away."
"It's me, Janine."
"Yes, go away!" Janine opened the door and stepped in.
"That's no way to act to your elders." She stared at Marianna, who was still on the floor.
"What are you doing on the floor?"
"I'm admiring the ants, now please go away." Janine sighed and knelt gracefully on the floor. She touched Marianna's shoulder softly. Marianna looked up, surprised. Janine started to speak again,
"I know I haven't been much of a good sister to you, but well...I, never mind. I just hope you'll have a good and happy marriage with that duke." Marianna looked at Janine in astonishment. She expected Janine to say something about how her Tom will always be better than the duke.
"Um...thank Janine." Janine timidly wrapped her arms around Marianna's shoulders and whispered,
"I'll miss you." The two sisters hugged and both of them stood up quietly. Janine resumed her haughty expression and said,
"Well, what are you going to wear to the wedding? You'll probably look dreadful even in a wedding dress." She then flounced out of the room and Marianna continued to stare at her in bewilderment.
The day passed by too quickly and Marianna thought dreadfully about the time the duke would come. She had hugged each of her sisters and said her good byes. It would only be a matter of time that she would leave this house, this family forever. Her father thought that he would get his riches from the duke once Marianna married, but Marianna had different plans. She had packed all of her necessary clothes and belongings for her escape. She climbed up the stairs and said goodbye to her room once and for all. Marianna put on a riding skirt and her black cloak. She then went downstairs quietly, as she had done so many times before and slipped out of the house. She ran to the stables and stroked her horse, Sunshine. She then pulled a loose stone out of the wall of the stable and pulled out a dagger. It was a normal dagger and very sharp, she knew she would need it, for the world was not a safe place. Marianna saddled Sunshine and the horse, sensing her nervousness and excitement, pranced around. She led the horse outside and began her adventure.
Marianna made a mad gallop away from her house, hoping that no one would see her. Marianna smiled in excitement at the fact that she could actually have her own adventure. She then sobered, realizing that she didn't know where to go or what to do. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, shivering at the prospect of running away. Where would she go, Marianna thought. After a long time of thinking she decided to got to London and simply begin a new life.
During the long ride Marianna thought about her family. Her father was a merchant and her mother simply a housewife, as all women were. Because of her father's consistent ale drinking, his job was going downhill. The family had to get rid of all of their servants except the cook. Most of the girls had to give up some of their possessions and they all had to begin a new life, without the servants. Janine suffered the most, but Marianna enjoyed being independent of the consistent flurry of her servants. The family had enough money to have their house and was still considered rich by the community. Marianna was always the wild one, while her other sisters always stayed at home sewing. Marianna, though very different from her other family members, still missed them. She sighed as she remembered the strange good bye from her least favorite sister, Janine. Janine and her never got along, so the touching farewell was very odd. Marianna was suddenly startled by her thoughts when she heard a sound in the woods next to her. She clutched her dagger and her eyes darted warily from side to side. Bandits were very common in England. Marianna had brought some money for her escape and hoped that the bandits wouldn't find them. She eased her horse into a gallop and her heart was thumping wildly. Suddenly, a boy appeared out of the forest and Marianna sighed with relief. She stopped her horse and looked inquiringly at the small boy. Marianna gasped at how he looked. The boy was as thin as a stick and his hair was dirty and matted. The boy's eyes had a look of horror and some type of wisdom that was too old for a boy so young. His clothes were all tattered and hanged limply on his gaunt body. When he spotted Marianna, he slowly lifted his hand and said weakly,
"Please my noble lady, some food or shillings for my family." Marianna gave a comforting, yet wavering smile and asked, "Who did this to you?"
"M'lady, it is because of the horrible doings of our king, King John. He burdens us with taxes, so we do not have enough to eat. He makes us become lowly beggars, which makes us feel ashamed. Please." Marianna looked at the pleading and sorrow in his eyes and grasped one of her saddlebags. She dug out a loaf of bread and 3 shillings. She offered it to the boy and said softly,
"Here child, take this food to your family. Farewell and keep safe." Marianna trotted away from the poor boy, pondering. So this was what King John did to his subjects. He left them begging for food, simply for his own pleasures. The poor child was on the bridge of starvation and probably his family was too. Marianna felt anger rise in her throat. How could a king do this to his own people? How could a king be so cruel?
Authors Note: I'm sorry if there are any errors. My computer has a mind of its own. Please read and review.