Author's notes: lookie lookie i have another chapter up :) yay. i have been trying out a writing system and it seems to be working :) but it doesnt help that i keep changing what i want to do with this story. it isn't going to end as soon as i thought it would. maybe around 20 chapter i think... though dont quote me on it. so moving on thanks to my reviewers
Mistyqueen: I sometimes wonder what would happen if you put heiress like paris hilton on a proper budget? no like on the simple life...
Masked Dragonfly 0926: you cant have a fairy tale without a ball, it is hardly ever done ;)
hoolihoopgrl131: I liked the thought of Christine letting them stay in the manor, although i plan on having Christine visit them to start the budget. eheheheh wonder how that will go...
Gabi Web: i love suprising people :-P so a few twists to come me hopes, if i can write them write...if that makes sense...
iloveme2815: The worst feeling in the world is no one believing you, i have been in that situation and i have told people, it may not be able to fix the problem but it is the first step to recovery. updating as requesting ;)
word junky: We shall see about the last attempt i cant give the whole thing away now ;) no she is Christines real mum. i thought it would be more interesting than step.
Queen Tatooine: Writing detail has never been one of my strong points and i am going to try to put more in there.
li'l bling bling: I love your reviews, you get straight to the point ;) thank you for reviewing
ok so i think that is everything except please dont sue me...other than that on with the chapter ;)
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Derek was worried he couldn't find Christine.
After lunch she had said she was going to lie down, said she wasn't feeling too well, but Derek had just come from her room.
She wasn't there. He had already searched through most of the house, so he made his way to the entry hall and out in to the gardens.
A few minutes later he located Christine in the rose garden, sitting on the side of the fountain running her hand through the water, deep in thought.
"There you are" Derek said as he sat down beside her "I was worried when I couldn't find you"
"Sorry" Christine mumbled "I just needed time to think"
"Today didn't go as you hoped?" Derek asked gently noticing that she wouldn't look him in the eyes.
"I don't know what I wanted, but my mother saying I wasn't her daughter, it felt like she was cursing my existence, it really hurt" Christine looked up at the sky "I wish I could hate her sometimes, she has given me more than enough reasons to, but I guess I keep hoping that she will come around and realise that I do love her. I mean she is my mother, my family, my blood. I just wish I could understand" Christine said. She was past tears now.
"Christine, you can't change the hand you were dealt in life, maybe in time your mother and sister will come around and you can be a family, but until then you have done nothing wrong-"
"I know that"
"You shouldn't be beating your up about it then"
"I know, the situation just seem so unbelievable" Christine was still running her hand through the water "I never thought any of this was possible" Christine smiled slightly "But I will miss my other life to a point" Derek looked confused
"I am used to getting up and making breakfast and cleaning and then just doing what ever a want, because I am a Duchess now that is going to change"
"Chris, it doesn't have to change it you don't want it to" Christine Shrugged
"I guess we will have to see" Christine finally looked him in the eyes "I just feel like being alone, if that's ok"
"Of course" Derek said "I'll leave you to your thoughts" He kissed Christine on the cheek before standing up and going in search of his mother.
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Derek finally found his mother in the Drawing room, writing a letter.
"Hello dear" said Bethany when she looked up
"Afternoon" Derek replied, kissing her on the cheek before walking over to the window. Looking out, he could see Christine still sitting out by the pond deep in thought.
"How is Christine? Bethany asked seeing where her son was looking
"She is upset at the moment, I think it's all sinking in now" Derek turned around and sat down near his mum. "Her life is going to change so much"
"For the better" Bethany agreed "Although I can't believe that her mother made her a servant" Bethany sighed
"We may never understand" Derek replied
"How do you feel about Christine, Derek?" Bethany finally asked after moment of silence
"I like her" Derek said simply
"Your father and I thought it was something more" Bethany confessed moving closer to him "Your father and I agree that Christine is a sweet, honest girl. And if in the future you more than 'liked her' that would be ok by us"
"Christine is special mum; she is honest, brave, kind, sweet and hard working. She is protective, loyal and rather cheeky; I have never met a person like her" Derek saw Christine's beautiful face in his mind, and in doing so missed the knowing look on his mother's face
"I know, I can see what kind of person she is, she would make a great leader"
"I know what you're not so subtly hinting mother, I need time, just give me time" Derek stood up and kissed his mother's cheek before moving towards the door
"Just give her some space Derek, she is going through a tough time right now, if she wants to be alone don't take it personally" Bethany's voice stopped him and made him believe that his mother was spying on them before or was just incredibly perceptive.
"I know"
"I have a dress maker coming this afternoon to make Christine a gown for the ball if you see her could you tell her to meet me in her room about four"
"I will" Derek replied before leaving the room
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Four o'clock came sooner than Christine thought it would. She still hadn't moved from the fountain, going over everything that had happened earlier over and over Christine still couldn't believe it. Nor could she decide what she wanted to do with her life or money.
Firstly her mother and sister would stay at the manor, but should she let them keep the servants? When she treated them the way she did? Christine still didn't know although the thought of her fathers – her home falling in to disrepair wasn't too appealing.
Secondly her cottage she was going to built, how big should it be, how much room would she need? She of course would keep Mandy with her, but there were so many things that she would have to go through. Furniture and such, she could take most of the furniture from the Manor it was hers after all, but she didn't want to think about that right now.
Thirdly this ball she was going to be attending, she was going to be sorely out of place. She may have been taught to be a lady when she was younger, but right now she was definitely out of practice. She was going to embarrass Bethany and Travis not to mention Derek. That thought alone was enough to turn Christine's insides cold, but she was going to embarrass herself first and foremost.
"Excuse me Duchess?" A voice said timidly
"Yes?" Christine asked after a moment of shaking the thoughts out of her head
"Her Highness asked me to remind you about your dress fitting"
"opps" Christine said quietly, she stood up and smoothed her borrowed gown before walking over to the servant a quiet looking girl with blonde hair and brown eyes who wouldn't be more than twelve, she looked as if she was waiting to be dismissed
"Perhaps you could help me" Christine paused "I don't think I can find my way back to my room, this place is too big, would you show me where it is?"
"Yes Duchess, of course"
"Call me Christine, what's your name?"
"Zoe" Replied as she started off in the direction of the grand stair case.
The two talked all the way to Christine's stay room, Zoe, Christine Discovered was turning twelve next month, and both her parents worked in the palace. Zoe had a friend named Tim who worked in the stables and loved to read when she had the time.
"Thank you" Christine said when they reached her room
"Don't worry soon you'll know where everything is" Christine laughed
"I hope so too, it was nice to meet you Zoe" Christine smiled
"You too, Dut-Christine" She curtsied "If you ever need help getting around come and find me"
"I will bye Zoe" Christine waved before opening her door and entering the room.
The first thing Christine noticed when she entered the room was two large racks of dresses and material. The second was an overly dressed woman with feathers in her hair sitting next to Bethany looking at dress designs. And third was the several helpers scurrying around like worker bees.
"Ah Christine there you are" Bethany said when she noticed Christine had entered "This is Madame Porter, the best dress maker in town" Madame Porter rushed forward, and completely ignoring Christine's out stretched hand started circling her like a vulture circles it's prey.
"Well ze form is good, ze posture needs work" Christine tried not to laugh at the 'French ascent' that she seemed to be putting on. She didn't notice Madame Porter clap her hands. Suddenly Christine was surrounded by worker bees holding material. Christine was a little over whelmed and she saw Bethany containing her laughter from her place on the lounge.
It was a well known fact that Madame Porter was not from France, but was the best gown and accessory maker around, despite her slightly rude, bossy ways. Any one who was anyone learned to suffer through her personality so they could have gowns made for them by her. Christine had heard about Madame Porter from her mother and sister, although they never had dresses made by her anymore because Melanie offended her something terrible, by laughing at her 'ascent' and telling her to visit France.
Christine held back a grimace it was going to be a long afternoon.
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Another chapter down :) i am trying to finish up all my stories before new years, lol we shall see though.
so please let me know what you think. i love reading reviews :)
Emma Riddle