So I finally have the third chapter ready. I really need to stop being so much of a perfectionist. I dunno about this chapter, it's not my favourite, but I don't hate it. I want to add more Charlotte and Elinor bonding, maybe later. Thanks to those who are still reading this little story of mine.
Nancy Drew Curse of Blackmoor Manor does not belong to me or else I would be a millionaire. Charlotte, Randulf, Hedwig, Catherine and Lydia are all my own creations however.
I got up that morning with new resolve, today was the day that I would do what I had never dared to do before. It was going against my father's wishes and completely dangerous, but I just had to see what was on the moors at night. Luckily I had many things to do today, so I wouldn't be watching the clock. The first thing that had to be done was shopping. Yesterday's meal had inspired Charlotte to teach me how to make some of the Blackmoor specials. "Your father had to teach the cook how to make it properly. And it's a recipe only known to the Penvellyn's. I only know it because your father told me last night. Someday you will have to teach it to your cook. And then your children will have to teach it to theirs, and…" "Alright Charlotte, I do believe I have your meaning." I said.
I was excited to go to town, and so was Charlotte, though for two completely different reasons. I was enthusiastic about family traditions, but after last night, though I hated to admit it to myself, I had another reason to go to town. Town was where Randulf lived. Whenever I went into town I always bumped into him, whether I wanted to or not. I couldn't help but hope today would be the same.
Charlotte took me to butchery, close to Randulf's store. I assumed that she was doing this on purpose. Then she showed me the sort of things one should look for if you are making a good lamb. Once we picked out one that was suitable, we heated for the carriage. Charlotte insisted we do some shopping while we were there, and I wasn't about to complain, seeing as it would be a perfect waste of time. Charlotte took me to one of the most expensive dress shops in the whole town. I wasn't too pleased; it was much too much finery in one spot. Every item of clothing sparkled with some sort of jewel. I didn't care much for anything in that store. But Charlotte was completely happy, and I would praise her in whatever creation she modelled for me. The other thing I didn't care for was the schools of girls coming in and out of the shop. My only woman friend was Charlotte, because most girls kept their distance from me. Some of them were frightened off by the Penvellyn name, or by the miniscule amount of jewels of patterns, anything fashionable really. I just wasn't normal enough for them, and it scared them. Some girls tried to be polite to me, others didn't try at all, and some ignored me all together. And as of this moment, two of my frequent tormenters were standing in this very room, only a few steps away from me. I acted like I didn't notice them and kept oohing and awing at Charlotte's dresses. And I thought they wouldn't notice me either. But one of them came up to admire Charlotte's dress choice. Her other companion noticed me, and I could feel the tension rising. "Why if it isn't Elinor Penvellyn! I wouldn't expect to see you in a shop like this." "Hello Catherine Baker, I wouldn't have expected to see you in a shop like this, it's so tacky." I replied, my sweet voice laced with venom. Both girls gasped, and so did Charlotte. "How could you know what's fashionable Elinor? I'm surprised the owners even let such a disgraceful dress in their shop." Catherine said haughtily. It was people like her that made me so angry. "Oh don't be so surprised Catherine, you know, all her dresses are like that. They have to be, for her to go romping on the moors and talking to ghosts in that haunted manor of hers." The other girl, who I recognized to be Lydia Collins. "Oh Lid, how cruel!" Catherine laughed. "But it's true, all of those Penvellyn's are mad like that." Lydia added. "Now ladies, control yourselves please. We are not children!" Charlotte scolded. "You should get out of that house before it gets you." Lydia squealed. My anger boiled, and I bit my tongue as hard as I could. "I mean, Old Penvellyn didn't get married because no one wanted their children to become crazy like him." Catherine laughed. I couldn't contain my anger any longer. "At least my father is mad. He doesn't have painted ladies visit him like some people's fathers!" I yelled. The store became as quiet as a cemetery. Catherine walked up to me, her stare as cold as winter. The sound of her hand cracking across my cheek resounded in the silence. "How dare you speak of my father in such a manner, you-you Monster!" she screamed, and then she exited the store with Lydia in tow.
Charlotte grabbed my hand and pulled me out onto the street. She dragged me through the streets, and out to our waiting, scolding me all the way. "What were you thinking, saying such things? Haven't I taught you better Elinor, haven't I?! You must learn to contain that temper of yours!" Charlotte exclaimed. I kept quiet. Charlotte turned around and grasped both my wrists. "Do you know what your father will think, what he will do when he hears this? Do you? It will break his heart to know his daughter talked in such a manner." She yelled, shaking me. I didn't answer. "Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes. "Did you see how they treated me?" I asked, my anger flaring up again. "That doesn't excuse your actions young lady." Charlotte said. "Are you going to tell my father then?" I asked her. Charlotte came closer to me, and she said "No, I'm going to let your father find out. And then I'll see what he wants to do with you." Charlotte said, the rage she contained seeping through her voice. "I could slap you myself." she spat through gritted teeth. My eyes filled up with tears. Charlotte never spoke to me like that. I couldn't see why she was so angry, wasn't I the victim? "But they shouldn't have treated me that way either! I yelled. "You're a Penvellyn; you were brought up differently than those monkeys! You should know better than to lash out in such an unladylike manner!" Charlotte exclaimed. "And that's the last we are going to mention about the subject." Charlotte ordered.
We had reached the carriage, and we stepped inside. The horrible silence that was in the dress shop filled the empty spaces between us the whole ride to Blackmoor manor. If Charlotte was going to treat me like that, I wasn't about to break the silence or say I was sorry. That silence followed us into the empty hallways, and continued on as we went to our rooms. When I closed the door, I was hit with uncontrollable anger. Charlotte would tell my father every gory detail, and would convince him that I was in the wrong. He wouldn't see my point of view and he would give me a punishment I didn't feel I deserved. But I wasn't about to try and set the story straight. I was just going to wait, letting my anger fester, until he came in to punish me. I waited, for what seemed like hours, but I hadn't heard the chimes of the clock strike once. As each minute passed, a feeling of dread overcame my anger. Every sound I heard could possibly be my father coming down the hall to talk to me. Every time I heard footsteps on the floor, I held my breath. Then after what seemed three centuries of waiting, my door opened. My father came into the room, pulled the chair from my vanity beside my bed, and sat down. After settling himself down, he turned his deep blue eyes on mine. "Charlotte has told me what happened today, and I am not pleased with what I heard. Now I am here to hear what you have to say about the situation." He said. I took a deep breath and willed the words into my mouth. "I ran into Miss Baker and Miss Collins at a dress shop." I started, trying not to get my tongue tangled in the words. "They were acting rude towards me-""Charlotte told me you did no better." Father said. I looked down, because he was right. "Well they were being very rude, and they were insulting our family name, so I-I said something to Catherine Baker I shouldn't have." "And what was it?" "Must I tell you?" "Yes, please." I sighed. "I told her that although my father was mad, at least my father didn't invite painted ladies to his house." I said softly. "But it wasn't my fault; they were the ones who initiated the fighting!" I added. "Sometimes we need to keep our mouths closed and exercise self-control." Father said in a tone that told me he was not pleased with me. "But it's unjust! How can we let villains like them torment the innocent?" I exclaimed. "I will speak to their fathers. But you, Elinor, are confined to your room for the rest of the day." Father said, with a sort of finality you didn't argue. He placed the chair back at my vanity and exited the room. I threw myself down onto my bed, letting out a muffled scream into the soft fabric of my pillow. It wasn't fair that I should be treated like this. No one saw the situation from my point of view. And with my luck, Randulf would hear about it and never want to speak to me again. Tears wetted my cheeks as I wailed in the uncomfortable silence of my room.
Charlotte had brought supper up for me, maybe to try and appease me, but it didn't. When she came up to collect my dishes, I hadn't touched one bit of it. I sat in my window seat, brooding over all the injustice that I had faced today. How was it that the worst people in the world got everything they didn't deserve? And people like me were forced to be society's burden. It was too aggravating for words. The dark moor seemed to churn with anger, as the setting sun turned the fog shades of red and orange. Thoughts of Hedwig's charm reminded me of my plan. I wasn't going to stay in my room any longer. I strapped on my riding boots and wrapped my cloak around myself. Then tying all of my bed sheets and blankets together, and securing them to my bed post. I opened my window and threw them out. I stood in my window and grasped the makeshift rope, looking down at the ground that seemed so far below. I slid over the edge and pressed my feet into the rough side of the manor. I took a shaky breath and took a small step down. With some difficulty, and shaking limbs, I scaled down the side of the manor. I have never done such a thing before, and it was harder than it would seem. A few times I lost my footing, but I held tightly to my rope and tried to stifle my shrieks. When my foot touched solid ground, my nerves were calmed.
I had been outside at night before, but standing here with the fog swirling around my ankles, I was given a different feeling. It was certainly haunting but it was also beautiful. I wished that I had brought a lamp or something to help me find my way back. Father's words crept into my mind, and for a moment I wondered if this was one of my best ideas. I pushed away my fears, and wrapping my cloak around me, I began to walk into the unknown darkness. Once the manor began to disappear from sight, I began to feel a loneliness come over my heart. The wind stirred the fog and rustled through the grass. It was the only sound that could be heard. There wasn't anything in sight, only the same dense fog for miles. Although it had unnerved me I didn't feel afraid anymore, there was nothing on this moor but grass and earth. From what I could see there were no monsters of any sort. I stopped, simply because there was no reason to continue on. Still, I decided to wait a few minutes before heading back, just to prove to myself that there were no monsters living in these moors. I stood there, letting the wind whip through my hair, fluttering my cloak. Then, out on the moor there came a small light. I froze in my spot, what was it? Was it some sort of spirit, a will-o-the-wisp, a banshee? The light came nearer and nearer, and I didn't know whether to run or stay. I resolved to stand my ground. I wanted to see what was on the moor, so I was going to see it. A cloaked figured materialized through the mist, holding an old lamp. "What are you doing here?" an old cracked voice asked. "Hedwig!' I exclaimed "How did you find me?" "I searched for you with my magic. I knew you would be out here sooner or later. But why are you in such a dangerous place?" Hedwig demanded. "I just wanted to see if the stories about the moors were true. Though I haven't seen anything." I explained. Hedwig gave me a look. "You don't know what dangers these moors hold. Just because you can't see them, doesn't mean they are not there.' She warned 'And you're not even wearing the the protection charm I gave to you!" she exclaimed. My hand flashed to the collar of my dress. In my anger and hurry to leave, I had forgotten to wear it. Hedwig pulled out another charm and pinned it on me. "Never forget to wear this if you insist to put your life in danger." She said. "Come, we should get out of this place." Hedwig said, taking my hand in hers. "Where are we going?" I asked. "To my home." She answered plainly.
Hedwig led me out of the moors and into a wet, sparse wood. We came upon a small thatched cottage. Hedwig opened the door for me, and I stepped inside. I was greeted with a bright, warm fire. There were bowls of this, and jars of that scattered everywhere. Dried herbs hung everywhere, and there was a kettle of boiling water over the fire. "Welcome to my home." Hedwig said, taking off her cloak and tossed it over a chair. "Would you care for some tea?" asked Hedwig, offering a steaming cup of tea. I accepted it gratefully. It smelled like dung, but when I tasted it, my nerves were calmed. We sat down at her table and took a few draughts of the tea. "What did you mean when you said you had been searching for me?" I asked. Hedwig studied me for a few minutes, and then took another sip of her tea. "I need to know that you are trustworthy. I need to know that you won't spread this around." Hedwig told me. I nodded. "I'm what people might call a witch." Hedwig said. I almost choked on my drink. I was in the home of a witch. "But I'm not a bad witch. I only use my knowledge for good, like the charm you're wearing. That's what people don't understand, not all people who use magic are bad." Hedwig explained. I couldn't think of anything to say. "You won't tell anyone about this, will you Elinor?" "No, I won't." I promised. "Wait, how did you know my name?" said, realizing I never told her what it was. "Did you use your magic?" I gasped. "Yes, I used my magic ear to hear the gossip around town." Hedwig winked. I laughed. "I will still respect you Hedwig. You seem to be a very good person, and I won't tell anyone about what you are." I assured her. "Speaking of gossip, I heard that you really upset Miss Baker today." Hedwig said. I stared deep into my cup, not wanting to see her face. "Yes, I did. I told her that at least my father doesn't have painted ladies over to his house." I muttered shamefully. Hedwig slapped her knee and burst out laughing. "That is rich!" she crowed. "You don't think it's bad?" I asked, looking up from my tea. "That is exactly what that girl needed, the spoiled brat." Hedwig laughed. I smiled "She isn't a very nice person." "I like you.' Hedwig said 'You are smart, and you've got spunk." "I like you too." I said. "I need a spunky young woman like yourself to come and visit me every once in a while. Would you like that?" "Yes, very much!" I exclaimed.
Hedwig was very nice and walked me home. Luckily it was late enough that no one was awoke, and I was able to sneak back to my room. I looked out my window and for once in my life, the moors didn't entice me. That saddened me, I didn't have anything new to discover. But I knew that something would come up someday. Excitement never left me for long.
Yup, there it is, there's the chapter. And what Elinor meant by painted lady was prostitute okay. Just wanted to clear that up. Elinor is such a bad little girl, being so rebellious. Well, tah tah for now!