The Earl's Daughter
Chapter 1- Beginnings
"Oh truly, I could never marry that fright!" giggled Lady Abigail. Her friends, Lady Sophia and Lady Abigail's handmaiden, Keosha Jameson were sitting or standing, according to their stations. Abigail and Sophia were embroidering chair backs, discussing which of the many eligible (if not desirable) bachelors their Fathers may offer their hands to.
Both Abigail and Sophia were seventeen, nearly eighteen. Lady Sophia being the daughter of a Baron and an heiress, she could choose many, many rich and titled men from King James's court. Sophia had deep blonde hair the colour of honey in soft waves. Lady Sophia was known for her almost impossible clear skin that was accented by a small beauty mark in the middle of her right cheek. With her slender body and dimpled face, Sophia was the very picture of Arulanthian beauty.
Sophia's dark blue eyes brushed over her equally beautiful friend. Lady Abigail's Father was a wealthy earl who loved his daughter for her looks only. If Abigail had been born plain, Sophia would not have been surprised if the Earl of Mattensworth had sent her to work in the kitchens with the servants. However, Abigail took her Father's love for her looks in her small stride. She often wondered at the occasional titled gentleman who came to their manor and left riding hard. Most of them were never seen again, with the exception of the elderly duke who came and then preceded to become the town's drunk.
Abigail confided in both her handmaiden and Sophia about these men. Sophia, who hears many interesting things due to evenings eavesdropping by her Mother's drawing room while guests are over, had a vague idea that these men all came to Mattensworth with an interest in Abigail.
The subject of Sophia's gaze was jabbing her chair back with her embroidery needle in frustration. Abigail glanced at her friends and smiled wryly, shrugging.
Abigail had wavy brunette hair with auburn highlights. Her shapely figure caused her friend at times to seethe with jealousy that was quickly eaten up at her amazement of her friend's lack of vanity. A generous bosom with wide hips caused cruel remarks from those noble women in the area who did not know her well.
Abigail's small and naturally pink lips were framed with dimples. Her nose was finely shaped, longish and narrow. Arched eyebrows above her extraordinary eyes. Dark, thick eyelashes that were so long she could balance five embroidery threads on each set of lashes. Her eyes were large and the colour of lavender, changing to gave away any emotion she endured.
"Imagine that we could be married off at any minute. To some old friend of our father's who is rich and titled, of course." Sophia said with a sigh. "But there're many handsome, young, titled, and wealthy men about who would long to marry one of us." Abigail smiled and said,
"You, will never have any trouble finding a man who is young, handsome, titled, and wealthy. The men flock about you like ants to a dollop of jam on the ground. With your beauty and charm, how can any man dislike you?" Sophia laughed.
"What a simply awful analogy. Ants! Although, "Sophia smiled coyly, "I may as sweet as jam!" The two girls broke into giggles at the lame jest. The girls heard a scratching at the door and Keosha went to open it, walking slowly so as to gain time to wards her and her friends' composure. When she finally opened the door a servant maid stood there wringing her hands in agitation. Bobbing a curtsey, the maid began,
"Beggin' your pardon milady, his grace demands your presence in his drawing room. And mistress," the maid added, "He looks none too happy." Abigail quickly rose and said,
"Thank you Terry, I'll come directly." The locally born maid nodded and closed the door. Sophia glanced at her friend. Abigail's eyes showed her worry and surprise. The Earl of Mattensworth hardly ever summoned his daughter, and the maid's agitation worried Sophia. Abigail noticed her friend's worry and said,"Why don't you wait here, I'm sure Father isn't all that angry, Sophia. I will not be long, and when this is through, I'll come up here and tell you what happened, hmm?" Sophia laughed at Abigail's constant consideration for others.
"I will stay, Abs." The nursery nickname made Abigail smile as they squeezed each other's hands.
"Good luck, Miss Abby." Keosha added her support. For one who had almost fired for refusing his attentions, Keosha knew how pressuring and intimidating he could be. Neither of the younger noblewomen knew about this experience, so Keosha could not say anything clearer. Abby walked out of the drawing room and down one of the many corridors in the Mattensworth manor, down one of the many flights of stairs to her Father's drawing room. Abigail knocked softly and was answered with an angry, "Who is it?"
"'Tis I, Father, Abigail." The door was wrenched open by an angry Earl of Mattensworth.
Tall and muscular, the earl was handsome and cruel. His coal- black hair was long and tied back. His cold, blue eyes not calculating as usual, but angry and cutting. He reached out of the doorway and grasped Abigail's arm tightly, wrenching her into the room. The Earl poured himself another glass of brandy and sat down in a large armchair. Abigail stood in the middle of the room, her large, lavender eyes wide, and frightened.
The Earl of Mattensworth gulped down some brandy and stared moodily at his beautiful daughter. He leaned forward and glared at her. Abby was quivering inside, but knew that if she showed this fear, her Father would use it to his advantage. Abigail took a deep breath, took a long blink, and squared her shoulders. The Earl continued to glare at his daughter for a long and tedious two minutes. The Earl stood up and paced around his daughter.
"I have sheltered you for many years. seventeen, or some such amount. You have been fortunate. Some girls your age are married two years. You have been to few balls and social functions and many gentlemen have noticed you. This is good, but not good enough." The Earl stated. "I have decided to marry you off. To whom, I do not know, but rest assured daughter, he will be titled and rich. Rich enough to give you you're every whim. You are not a child any longer, so I believe it is time to inform you of the duties of a wife to a nobleman. They are as follows." The Earl cleared his throat. He had never talked so much to his daughter before and he did not know how to address her. Or this situation. "Your foremost duty is to give your husband a son. Daughters are of little use, save to marry off. Do you know how a child is produced, girl?"
The Earl seemed to have forgotten Abigail's name. Abigail did, in fact, know how this was done, but before she could say, 'yes, sir' or to nod her head, the Earl plunged on.
"On you're wedding night, and not before, you and your husband will need to lay together. He will probably know what to do, so I needn't tell you. He will immensely enjoy himself. I have heard that it hurts women. I neither know nor care if it is so."
Abigail was officially frightened. All she had known was that a man and woman lay together and that magically produced a babe. A man had never touched her, save when dancing, and the only time her Father had touched her was when he had pulled her into the room just then. Abby's soft mouth opened slightly and terror filled her eyes.
The Earl suddenly realised just how lovely his daughter was. He inwardly smiled to himself as he reflected how lovely most women were when frightened. Marrying his daughter off was going to be interesting.
As for Abigail, she was terrified out of her wits. Any men she had danced with were either twice her age or were her servants. The Earl rose and tilted his daughter's chin so he could clearly see her face. 'This, is the type of girl I would lay with, were she common.' He thought to himself. 'How would she do in bed,' He wondered. The Earl amused himself with thoughts of him pulling his daughter into his bedchamber, stripping her and stealing away her virginity. 'She would probably be the modest type. Keeping the covers over her body. Although, she has a glint in her eye that is not wholly genteel. If she does not attract any good suitors, I shall keep her for myself. In the meantime,' The Earl brushed away his perverted thoughts and let go of Abigail's chin and said,
"You will prepare yourself to move into the King's palace. You may bring three maidservants. Be ready tomorrow morning at seven of the clock." With this the Earl waved his hand at the door, and Abigail fled to her room, tears streaming down her face like a waterfall.
"Will you tell us what he said?"
Without Abigail's noticing, Sophia had sat down one her other side. Abigail sat up and poured out her story, how he father had decided it was time for her to marry, how he had informed her that it was her duty to bear her husband a son, and not a daughter, which were worthless. She would be leaving to live at court. Then she continued in her sobbing.
Over her head, Keosha and Sophia exchanged worried glances. If her Father was sending Abigail to court to attract noblemen, she had a very good chance of losing her virginity to some nobleman who wanted a one-night standing. With Abigail's beauty and innocence, she could easily become a target for men who weren't at all interested in marrying her. Keosha patted Abigail on the back and said,
"There, there Abby. It won't be all that bad, you know. I have a cousin who works as her highness's handmaiden, and she sasy court isn't so terrible. We'll start packing your trunks right now." Keosha stood and stretched.
Sophia sighed at the though of losing her friend whom she had known since birth. Now Abby was going to King James's court to be goggled and ogled by the handsome noblemen. Sophia inwardly frowned at her self-preoccupation, stifled her disappointment and said comfortingly,
"Well, I will envy you, Abby. Handsome noblemen all 'round, and great feasts every day, practically. Silken sheets on your bed and roaring fires all about. You'll make so many friends that you'll forget me." Abigail blew her nose noisily into her embroidered handkerchief and smiled.
"How could I ever forget you, Sophie? I'll write you every day, or at least when something funny or interesting happens. I'll miss you so." The two friends hugged and sniffed. Sophia took her leave a few minutes later and Abigail began to help Keosha with her own things.
Abby ate in her room that night, and mulled over that day's events.
Ok, this is my revision of chapter one....ummm, I realise that it ends awkwardly, but...yah. New reviewers are always welcomed and replied to....so please tell me what you think....thanks,
Vende
