Hello everybody! Trying to update as soon as I can, but it really is more difficult than I thought. To make this easier on myself, I have decided to actually plan my story (I know novel idea). Hopefully the planning will make updates come more quickly. Enjoy this very late update!
A/N: I'm so sorry if the names change a little bit in the beginning chapters. Im just going back and fixing little things that I changed as I was writing. I promise it won't happen any more!
The carriage bumped nosily down the well traveled road, Eleanor stared blankly out of the window, the Duchesses request repeating over and over in her head. The request was so simple, yet it carried all the authority that the older woman had over Eleanor. Though she refused to admit it, Eleanor was partially dependent on the Duke of Dalkeith's monetary support of her brother, and everyone knew that the Duchess controlled every decision that the Duke made. The Duke was far from a weak minded person, but his wife would always manage to get her way every time. Just like she got with me, Eleanor though to herself as followed the line of the horizon with her eyes.
As the light grew dim and signaled the end of the horrible day, Eleanor awoke when the carriage took a particularly sudden drop thanks to a hidden pothole along the road. Noticing the change in light, Eleanor's breath caught in her throat when she took in the wild and unfamiliar landscape. In only one day's journey how could the land change so drastically? The rocks were jumbled against each other as if a divine force had crumbled them in the heavens and let them sprinkle down onto the earth. The trees were equally as jumbled. Eleanor wondered how such scraggly trees could survive. They must have to be ugly in order to live up here, a small laugh escaped her lips.
This startled her governess who had spent the entire trip dedicated to her knitting. She looked up from the neat rows of burgundy wool and cast a confused look at her charge.
"What is it dear child? Are you feeling all right?"
"Yes, absolutely marvelous! Have you even looked outside yet? How could one not feel amazing when surrounded by all this beauty?"
"There is nothing to see, just grass and rocks. All the common things you see in nature. Surely nothing to peak your excitement" Ms. Lowry replied, making an effort to return back to her menial task.
"Oh, how can you say that! This is nothing like what is back at home."
Eleanor's attention drifted after her last statement. The word "home" stuck a sore spot in her heart and weakened her sense of overflowing joy. She tried to shake the feeling off. This trip is exactly what you have been dreaming about, she thought to herself as she returned her gaze to the paradise outside. Remember you are only going for your brother, he is the only person you should care about. Forget about the duchess, forget, forget… Eleanor repeated this mantra inside her head for what seemed like ages. While in this trance, all further remarks made by Ms Lowry relating to her charges health were completely lost.
As the carriage came to an abrupt halt outside the Dalkeith Estate, the steady, calming flow of thought was cut off and Eleanor was thrust back into the real world. Panic hit her full on in the chest and she felt her poorly stabilized confidence slip into oblivion. She looked up to see the imposing façade of the estate and cringed. What have I got myself into? The door to the carriage opened and a gloved hand was held out for her. I am going to die. She could barely keep her own hand from trembling as she dismounted from the carriage and took her first step into the lair of the Duchess.
As she crossed through the doorway, she heard steps quickly coming down the stairs. She didn't have to look to recognize her brother's thundering footfalls.
"Andrew!", she yelled as she flew into his arms for a long awaited hug.
"Hello little one", her brother laughed as he swung her around, then set her down gently.
"I'm so glad that you were the one to welcome me here", Eleanor spoke excitedly to her brother, eyes shining with joy. The brightness slowly dimmed as she became aware of the being standing behind her brother.
Andrew noticed the change of emotion in her eyes and silently swore at his own forgetfulness.
"Eleanor, this is my good friend Lord Darius. Darius, this is my little star", Andrew hurried through with his informal introduction, hoping that the Duchess would wait in the parlor.
"So this is the little girl that you are constantly talking about", Lord Darius replied, looking at the girl with mixed curiousity.
Eleanor stared at the tall man and studied his face. Having little experience with men, Eleanor could not judge whether the man was handsome or not, but she did realize that there was a quality about him that prevented her from looking away. She stood transfixed by him, until a smirk broke across his face. At this, the spell over Eleanor broke and was replaced by contempt.
"I'm not a girl", Eleanor impetuously stomped, "Why would the Duchess ask for a little girl to visit her. She wants to see me now because I am a lady"
"She hopes to make you into one" Darius quickly corrected eyes narrowing in skepticism.
Fury growing inside her, Eleanor wanted to be free of this man's company. "I don't need to listen to what you think. Whatever the Duchess wants me for it is none of your business and keep it as such!"
At this last ourbust, she quickly turned on her heel and marched down the hall with as much dignity as she could muster in the circumstances. She heard her brother call out her name, then rush down the hall to catch her.
Finally reaching her, he grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.
"Eleanor, what was that?", Andrew questioned, brotherly concern filling his voice.
"That was a dispute, Andrew. I certainly hope that you have seen a fair amount of those in your life. If you haven't then you are spending far too much time with angels."
"I know what an argument is, sister, but my question is why did you just have one now with Darius? You only just met and you are biting off each other's heads."
"He thinks I'm a child and I'm ignorant," Eleanor answered in frustration. She then narrowed her eyes in though and began to talk to herself. "I've probably read more books than he has and he had the nerve to think I am ignorant. Oh, I'll show him"
"He doesn't mean to come off as harsh, it is just his nature. Just like yours is to become too hot-headed."
"You sound as if you know him perfectly. I'm not surprised since you spend most of you time with him. To think that you prefer some rude barbarian over you own sister is beyond me."
At this Andrew knelt down, put his hands onto his sisters small shoulders and stared at her for a few moments. Neither of them moved or breathed for these seconds until Eleanor let out a small sigh of defeat.
"You're right," she whispered, ashamed of her feelings and actions. "What can I do now though? I've made myself look so stupid and practically proved his point of my childishness."
"The only thing you can do is prove him wrong. The first step: meeting the Duchess." Andrew guided her further down the hallway until the siblings reached the door to the blue parlor.
"Wait, what can I do to get ready," Eleanor quickly asked, facing her brother in desperation.
'Honestly," Andrew chuckled when he saw the apparent panic in his sisters face, "Pray." And with that last remark, he ignored her protests and pushed her through the doorway.