THE COLONIES ~ 4 ~ THE GREEN FAIRY
Shortly after the bitter conversation at tea with Sir Rivers and his deplorable bastard, the estate had become awash with wedding preparations. I was in a bizarre state of mind as I buried myself in the arrangements to try and distract myself from the thought of entering a fraudulent marriage to appease the father I was no longer speaking with.
Alison was ever diligent about coming around and helping stave off the stress with her never ending jokes. And of course, when things became especially difficult, she offered to swap with me. The veil came down around her hair and she let her delicate curls fall over her face. It was foolproof, but my mother was no fool and we were routinely caught. Thankfully, my mother also understood the immense sacrifice I was making and saved my father the trouble of learning what we were up to.
A fortnight before the wedding was to take place, Ali offered me one last chance at freedom. She donned one of my night dresses and went to bed in my chambers. Her blonde hair strewn across the pillow, but her face covered by the heavy quilt, just as usual.
Meanwhile, I slipped out into the night, stopping first at the House of Hastings. Using an old trick, I snapped a few pebbles against Lady Spencer's window and waited to see the candlelit window go dark. Seconds later she came running out through the maids' entrance.
"Evening," I hugged her. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way!" she smiled slinking her arm through mine.
We stumbled through the cobblestone streets until arriving at the House of Marshall. I followed her inside where we were greeted by Lady Jenna, the matron of the house who regularly threw lavish affairs as a way to flaunt her wealth and acquire the next victim of her extra-martial affairs.
"There he is!" Spencer grabbed my hand.
"The stable boy?" I scoffed. "You must be joking."
"My heart pines for him," she said. "If only Lady Jenna had not made him her own."
"If it pleases you," I told her, "he does not appear to be enjoying her presence."
"I just wish he would look at me," she sighed.
"As much as I abhor condoning this arrangement," I replied, "it seems he is looking at you now."
"Oh Han!" she squealed. "I'm flushed."
"Never you worry," I assured her. "It will heighten your cheekbones. Saves you the worry of pinching. Now, let us see what this gala has to offer."
Spencer and I wandered through the expansive estate weaving through the throngs of guests that filled the grand hall. As we approached the courtyard, I caught sight of a handsome man with a mop of brown hair swept across his brow.
"Lady Hanna," he smiled taking my hand.
"And with whom do I have the pleasure?" I asked as he placed a delicate kiss at my knuckle.
"Lord Wren Kingston," he replied, "and the pleasure is all mine."
"Have I seen you before?" I asked. "You seem all too familiar."
"I'm a student of medicine," he replied. "I treated a family member, perchance?"
"Sadly," I told him, "I cannot recall."
"Perhaps a dance will inspire a memory?" he offered.
"I would be honored," I smiled.
Sir Wren led me to the center of the courtyard where couples were lined up in neat rows. As the music soared through the open air, we swayed under the moonlit sky. It was magical.
"Alas," I said as the song came to an end, "I cannot recall our first encounter."
"I think I may have a solution," he smirked grabbing my hand and leading me toward an empty corridor.
We disappeared into an empty bedchamber. Wren fastened the lock and turned toward me. I parted my skirts and arranged them behind me as a I settled onto the bed. Next to me, Wren picked a spoon from his pocket and set a small white substance in the middle.
"What in God's name are you doing?" I asked.
"'Tis a medical procedure," he explained.
The good doctor reached into his pocket and acquired a flask. He opened it and poured a small amount into the glass on the bedside table. Then he lifted the spoon over the candle and waited for the white substance to heat up.
"Care to enlighten me?" I persisted.
"My dear," he smiled, "would you trust me? I am a doctor after all."
"I am afraid I don't understand this procedure," I told him.
"I guarantee you," he replied, "you will like it."
I waited with bated breath as he poured the warm mixture into the glass creating a cloudy white drink. Then he took a sip and handed it to me.
"Drink," he flashed a smile.
I bent my head toward the potion and inhaled. It was rancid and sticky and sweet all at the same time. I loathed it but I was enamored with Lord Kingston and I yearned to be in his favor, so I took a long sip.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Sick," I said as I simultaneously choked and swallowed.
"It does take some assimilation," he laughed as he took another swig.
"I will have you know," I laughed, "I'm a quick learner."
"I don't doubt that for a moment," he smiled leaning across the bed toward me.
Lord Wren let his hand rest on my bosom causing a shiver to crawl up my spine. This was unknown and uncharted territory, the things of which my mother had warned me about. Then his lips collided with mine and all my mother's warnings were discarded. I melted in his touch and sunk back against the cushions as his hands traveled below my skirts.
"Sir," I protested pushing him away gently.
"Quiet," he commanded stroking my hair.
"I beg pardon!" I retorted suddenly feeling the woozy effect of the drink.
"I said," he pinned me against the bedpost. "Quiet."
"No!" I screamed but my wails were muffled under the grip of his strong hand.
My entire life flashed before my in a foggy mess as I struggled to resurface from the effects of his mysterious potion. I was frightened for my life until the door split open startling Lord Kingston.
"Get up," it was Caleb Rivers.
I stood to my feet instantly. As did Lord Kingston.
"We are leaving," Caleb said turning on his heel.
I quickly got to my feet and stumbled to the door where Spencer was waiting with the stable boy just behind Caleb. I did no turn to see how Sir Wren faired as I left the estate.
"In the carriage," Caleb commanded when we were outside.
Without hesitation, I stepped into the wagon, just happy to be sitting once again. Spencer and her peasant followed behind with Caleb taking the seat next to the driver.
"Care to explain?" Spencer asked.
"I have a pounding headache," I retorted, not even curious to how she ended up in the company of a commoner.
We approached her home and Caleb stepped down to open the door. He saw them off and then entered the carriage to sit down across from me.
"Do you care to explain yourself?" he asked.
"You have no right!" I said through gritted teeth.
"Princess," he mocked me. "You are my betrothed whether you like it or not. What you do is a reflection of me and I cannot have you tarnishing my future."
"Me?" I scoffed. "Tarnish your future? You are the bastard marrying into my lineage. My mere interaction with you is an insult to my ancestry and the betrayal you and your father are capable of makes me ill."
"Let me be clear," he grabbed my hand as we parked in front of the duke's estate. "In two weeks' time, you will be my property. You best familiarize yourself with that reality or you'll be sincerely disappointed."
The words left his mouth as his face collided with my palm. He was vile and selfish and deserved every ounce of that stinging pain. I never wanted to see him again. I excused myself from the carriage and stepped onto the gravel slamming the carriage door behind me. Then I snuck back into the mansion through the servants' quarters and tiptoed into my bed chambers where Alison was lying diagonally across my bed.
As silently as possible, I slipped out of my petticoats, quite a feat considering I was working without the help of my hand maiden to unlace the corset. Once undressed, I gently pushed Ali aside and crawled under the Egyptian cotton sheets before laying my head down on the goose feather pillow. My blonde ringlets lay dangled off the side of the bed as Ali stirred.
"You're back," she groaned.
"Thank you," I told her.
"How was it?" she asked suddenly invigorated after the four hours of sleep she had.
"The word nightmare comes to mind," I told her.
"Hanna, pet," she stroked my cheek, "what is it?"
"I despise him," I said nearly bursting into tears. "He is a brute and an imbecile."
"Oh darling," she took my hand. "I wish there was some way I could help."
"If only we could voile our way through this hurdle," I sighed. "If anything, it kills me that marrying him will tear me from you. I can't bear it."
"If he plans to come between us," Ali assured me, "I loathe him as well."
"I adore you," I laughed as we rolled under the covers.
As unbearable as Sir Caleb was, I knew that with Ali's help, I could maneuver anything. Between my wit and her crafty mind, together we could find a way to botch this arranged marriage and retain my freedom.
Okay, can I just say, that I am not liking Ravenswood at all! It's like a a horror movie that drags on forever. I watched three episodes and I'm done. I used to think Caleb was the smartest person in Rosewood but then he shows up in this creepy town that is literally trying to kill him and he's like "Yupp, this is where I belong! There's already a grave plot with my name on it. I will die in this town. Sounds awesome." Dude! Caleb! Just leave Ravenswood and go back to your sports car and your hot girlfriend. Why are you shacking up with the grim reaper and his ghost maid? Also, I bought a bottle of Ravenswood wine to drink while I watched the show and it bombed so I'm not a fan of that either.
Anyhow, I hope you're liking this story so far. Drop me a line if you have suggestions or funny little quips. I love your feedback! And, as always, ten reviews for the next chapter :)
