Authors notes: Ok i am not happy i just finished my authors notes then my internet died and i lost it all. on top of that i dont get a day off work this week and the news agency that i work in just reopened after its renovation. so i am busy busy. but enough about me thank you to my reviewers:
Gabi Web: there will always be some mistakes lol sorry.
hoolihoopgrl131: as long as you review from now on ;) tis all good
QueenTatooine: yeah i know i have worn a mass produced corset. it was alright but after a while it just hurt...might have been all my slouching? lol
word junky: lol find don't forgive me ;)
mistyqueen: yeah i am hoping to throw a few more twists in before i end it, but we shall have to see.
Masked Dragonfly 0926: I think i named him Derek cos of a joke with a friend sorta i think. lol thanks for reviewing
princecharmingsgrl: I thought having Christine singing would be a nice twist i love POTO :)
li'l bling bling: you are a person of many words ;) thank you for reviewing.
Ok then i have said everything except done sue me and on with the chapter :)
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Christine was woken up by the sun rising through the window. She was used to being up early, it was a habit now.
Christine dressed herself in her black pants, shirt, sword and boots and quietly walked out of the room. After about ten minutes of wrong turns and getting lost she made it to the entrance hall.
She saddled her horse and brought it out of the stables only to come face to face with Derek.
"Morning" Christine said innocently
"Where were you going?" Derek questioned
"For a ride, I wasn't trying to escape" Christine snapped, instantly regretting it "Sorry"
"I never said you were" Derek ordered his horse "Come on let's go for a ride"
A few minutes later they mounted and rode off through the castle grounds, galloping for a few minutes before stopping at a large tree.
"I used to clime this tree as a boy" Derek said, remembering the past
Christine dismounted and walked over to the trunk and began climbing it
"What are you doing?"
"Climbing a tree, what does it look like, come on" Christine had already settled herself on the lowest branch looking a Derek "Or are you too royal to climb a tree"
"Too old more like it" Derek replied watching Christine
"You're never too old to climb trees" Christine turned and began climbing higher. Derek soon followed.
Once they had settled near the top Derek finally spoke
"Are you nervous about today?"
"Yes, no, yes, I don't know. I am wondering how they will talk themselves out of it" Christine laughed "I really don't know, I guess we will see later"
"I believe you, and my parents believe you" Derek turned Christine's head so he could see in to her eyes "Don't worry about it, everything will work out in the end" Christine gave a wan smile.
"I know" They were silent for a moment, Derek was watching Christine stare out across the grounds, she turned around and found Derek watching
"What?" She asked smiling slightly
"Nothing" Derek shook his head, he felt his face heat up slightly from getting caught starring at her, and he couldn't help it she looked so beautiful sitting in a tree with him, enjoying herself so naturally. Not trying to make him like her by being someone she wasn't, Christine was special.
She leant forward suddenly and Derek thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she started climbing down "Come on let's head back" she laughed "First one to the ground"
Derek sat there for a moment watching Christine gracefully climb down, before moving himself.
"I win" Christine said as she watched Derek land on the ground. She walked over to Phoenix.
But before Christine could mount Derek walked over to her, turned her around and kissed her softly on the lips. When he drew away and Christine's eyes fluttered open
"What was that for" She asked quietly
"Do I need a reason" Derek asked before kissing her again
"I guess not"
"Come on lets go back" They mounted and rode back at a leisurely pace.
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Several hours later after another Bath and another beautiful gown was put on this one in soft lavender, Christine entered the drawing room on Derek's arm. Bethany and Travis were both seated there talking quietly; they stopped abruptly when they saw them.
"Morning" Bethany said Cheerfully, They both smiled a nervous one in Christine's case
Derek sat down near his parents, while Christine who was too nervous to sit walked across the room and looked out the window. There was a knock at the door moments later, a servant entered.
"Dutchess Datson and her daughter Lady Melanie" He announced, everyone in the room rose as they entered. The servant then bowed out of the room and closed the door.
"Your Highnesses" Lady Datson said curtsying Lady Melanie curtseyed also "I can't thank you enough for inviting us to dine with you again so soon" They had not noticed Christine standing over by the window.
"Not at all" Travis said "Christine would you like to join us?" All heads turned towards her, she could already see the anger in her mother's eyes and her sister was looking slightly shocked to see her sister, and dressed as a Lady also.
Christine took a deep breathe; as much as she could in a corset that is, and walked over to join them, sitting by Derek as he subtlety indicated her to.
"Now" Travis started "I have heard Christine's story although she was reluctant to talk about it" He coughed slightly trying not to laugh. Remembering how Christine was carried in "Now I want to hear your side of the story" The Dutchess sat there for a moment before speaking
"This girl has bewitched you, she is not related to me, she is a servant in my home, my Christine died two years ago" She looked over at Christine as if daring her to deny it "I took this girl in because she reminded me of my baby that I lost, I see it now that she is a scheming pretender, I am so sorry your highnesses"
"How do you explain her grave being empty then?" Derek asked "We dug it up yesterday; there was nothing in there but a necklace" He pointed to Christine's neck where the pendant hung.
"I can not explain it, but my daughter is dead" The Dutchess began to sob "It is cruel to bring it up like this" Christine rolled her eyes
"Liar, Liar" Christine muttered, Derek Heard her and covered his laughter by coughing, "Stop it mother your beat. Just admit the truth"
"You are not my daughter" She snapped forgetting her 'sobbing"
"Dutchess that we have all the proof we need" Travis said "I took the liberty of obtaining a copy of the late Duke's will. He left everything to Christine, as soon as he died she was to become the Dutchess of the house" Christine looked over at Travis, she hadn't known this at all
"What-"
"So you faked her death and everything then belonged to you" Travis sat back looking at the Dutchess closely She was looking quite upset
"Now the question is, Christine what do you want to happen?" Bethany asked quietly
Christine looked from her 'family' to Derek and the Queen and King, before bolting out of the room and down the hall before collapsing in tears in one of the window seats.
She heard someone coming, Christine thought it was Derek, but it turned out to be Bethany
"Christine" She took the young girl in her arms and let her cry while rubbing her back in a soothing circular motion.
After a few moments Christine collected herself and sat up wiping the tears out of her eyes.
"Christine what do you want to happen"
"I don't know, I didn't know about the will but before my father died I made a promise to him and I never fully under stood what he meant. I promised I would take care of my mother and sister; I can't take the Manor, their home away from them. But I can't live there with them either" Christine took a deep breathe "I just don't know what to do"
"Christine, you are now a Dutchess Travis made sure your title and land was restored to you as well as your fortune. You have the money to build another house or move" Christine was silent for a moment; she had money and a title now.
"I hadn't thought of that, I am so used to getting up at dawn and working hard, but I think a little cottage would be nice and I could move Mandy there with me and my mother and sister could stay at the manor" Christine was suddenly excited she would have her own place.
"Where are you going to have the cottage built?" Bethany asked
"Near the woods on Datson land" Christine smiled at the thought
"Then you must stay here till arrangements have been made the cottage built"
"No I couldn't-"
"I insist, we have to spread the word that you are alive, at Derek's ball in two days time"
"Why are you being so nice to me, you hardly know me"
"I am a good judge of character" The Queen smiled "I know a good person when I see one"
"Thank you" Christine smiled back. Right at that moment she felt closer to Bethany, they her own mother.
"Come we must to and tell everyone of your decision"
"What will happen to my mother and sister?"
"They are now tenants living in your home that is up to you dear"
Together they walked back to the drawing room Christine's family looked sullen and Derek was over by the window. Travis on the other hand was looking thoroughly relaxed.
"What have you decided Christine"
"Whether my mother admits it or not we are still family and I promised my father that I would look after them after he died. They may continue to live in the Manor; However I will be giving them a budget of which to live by" Christine took a deep breathe and continued "I will be building a cottage in the grounds for myself to live in, but until it is built Beth-Her Majesty has graciously said I may stay here"
"Then it is all settled" Travis rose "You are lucky Madame that your daughter is gracious enough to look after you, I would of sent you from my kingdom" Travis took his wife's hand "Come Derek and Christine we shall go to lunch, I believe these lady's have enough to think about and will not be joining us for our meal"
Derek walked over and took Christine's hand and they began to leave the room, Christine looked over her shoulder at the family sitting there. Her mother was looking murderous and her sister even more so. Christine nodded to them and turned away, conscious of their gazes watching her out of site.
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Ok hope you all enjoyed. I will try and update again soon but for now please review.
Emma Riddle