The next morning, I reluctantly get out of bed and get dressed. I quickly pull my hair up and tie on an apron. I grab my notebook, slip it into my pocket, and head downstairs.
No need for me to get behind in chores just because we may be losing everything in a few short days. It’s a good thing that for the past four years I have put a lot of my money away and not touched it unless absolutely necessary. I was even smart enough to keep it at the library and not in the house where my father was.
I guess deep down I knew my father wasn’t the man I grew up knowing. I hid most of my mother’s jewels the day she passed away, thinking that if he remarried the new wife would not get them. Now I think I did it so he wouldn’t sell them.
Besides that, we have little that can’t be replaced. All the furniture can stay, be sold, or donated to needy families.
I decide to think about this all later and get started on making breakfast for the girls. My stomach is turning so I don’t think I’ll be able to eat just yet. I whip up some biscuits and scrambled eggs and set the table, hoping that the girls are down soon and I don’t have to get them.
Thankfully, they come down and aren’t fighting today. It’s a start at least. I know they will start to argue at some point I just hope it’s later.
Once everyone is fed and we are ready to go I quickly usher them out the door. I need to get a message to Thomas and that I will see him today and not tomorrow. I walk them to school and then I go to the livery to send someone to the boarding house.
Once that’s done, I head to the library and try to get things put away as I wait for Thomas to show up. I don’t know when he will arrive. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day.
By lunch time I have dealt with at least half the town. Most are quiet as they search for what they need or want but there are a few that tend to drive me crazy with questions. I normally don’t mind but today my heads just not in it.
After lunch I return to my desk and see Thomas standing there, again. When he sees me, he smiles and sits down. I hope I’m not making a mistake.
“I have a feeling you came a decision. That was quicker than I thought, Miss Corabell.” He says by way of greeting.
“I have read over everything you gave me. The thing is I have some terms of my own to add to the marriage contract. If they can’t be met, then I will take my chances.” I tell him as I reach for my quill and ink.
I move some books to give us both the space we will need to write. I really should clean off my desk sometime.
He looks shocked that I would want to change or add anything but slowly nods and pulls out a fresh piece of paper. I do the same!
“First, I will only marry if I am allowed to bring my sisters with me. They have no one else and I am raising them. That won’t be negotiated. Plus, from what I have read my father isn’t going to be able to raise them.” Thomas writes this all down and nods. I hope whoever this Lord I am to marry understands.
“Second?” Thomas asks when he has finished with what he was writing down. I tried to give him time because I think he’s writing a letter and not just a list.
“Second…second, I don’t want my father allowed within the grounds of the house we will be living in. I don’t think I want to ever see him again after this.” I say in a small voice.
“That won’t be hard to accept.” Thomas says as he writes.
“Third, I don’t want my father to be loaned any more money. No more contracts between him and my intended.” I say as if that is a possibility.
“That too won’t happen. But glad you mentioned it. Anything else?” Thomas asks me. I take a minute to think.
“No, nothing at this moment at least. When shall we be leaving?” I need a time frame. That will help with telling the girls and getting rid of everything.
“I’ll messenger this up to Lord Marshall and should have an answer within the week. If I were you, I would go ahead and start packing and preparing for the trip. I don’t think he will say no to any of this.” I nod and stand up. He seals the letter with the wax and uses a ring to stamp it.
I recognize the seal but can’t place it. I also only saw it for a moment before he placed it in his bag and stood up too.
“If I can help you with anything let me know. I know this is a big step for you. It may be hard, but I want you to know you have a friend in me. I’ll stop by in a few days when I get any news.” He turns to leave before I say anything else. I think that’s a good thing considering at this point I want to cry.
I sigh as I sink back into my chair. I can only hope that this Lord Marshall agrees. I don’t want to lose everything, but I also don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life.
I may not love the man now, but hopefully I will one day. If I can’t then maybe I will be fine with just being friends. Who knows! At this point I don’t have many choices to make and if he is a lord maybe he can give the twins a better life than I can.
The rest of my day consists of me helping people find books. I can get lost in the books but know that I can’t. So, helping others is the only way I could think of to get my mind off the crazy turn my life has taken.
By the time Old man Rogers tells me to go home for the night I have forgotten all my troubles. I grab the two books on the desk and head out the door. I should get home and fix dinner for the girls and then get to work on the house.
I stop by the market and pick up some food and then head to get the girls. They go to a friend’s house most days after school, so I don’t have to worry about them too much.
Once home I make the girls do their chores, they hate that. I start cooking and try to think of all the horrible things that could happen. It doesn’t work! I’m not the type of person that is negative. I tend to find the good in things, or the adventure.
Being married won’t be so bad. I won’t have to work, I can concentrate on the girls and the house work, and maybe just maybe be able to read more.
I get the girls ready for bed as soon as they are done eating. I’m exhausted and still need to clean up the kitchen. They don’t argue, much.
Once I’m in bed for the night I barely get changed before my eyes are drooping. I collapse into bed and sleep until dawn.
Chapter 4
Marshall
I hate waiting! It feels like that’s all I ever do anymore. With this damn curse I can’t get close to any woman without scaring them away. When I do, I tend to get frustrated and the change happens faster.
An arranged marriage is for the best. That’s what I was thinking when I agreed to marry Corabell. That way even if I scare her, she’s kind of stuck with me. We can spend time together and get to know each other, after we are married. She can run but not extremely far.
Hopefully, she’ll be different. Maybe we can love each other at some point. Right now, it would be nice to have female companionship and maybe a friend. I know I am a difficult man to live with so hopefully she is patient with me as well.
Just as I sit down at my desk to get some work done there’s a knock on the door. Clayton enters before I can say anything and rushes over with a letter in hand. It’s from Thomas!
“Thank you, Clayton!” I yell as he heads out of the library.
I hurriedly open it and then slow down when I notice I ripped part of it. I scan through the contents and sigh in relief.
He tells me how head strong Corabell is. He goes on about how smart she is, caring, patient, beautiful and the perfect match for me. Then he says she has some demands of her own to add to the marriage contract.
Once I finish reading it, I can’t help but laugh. She sure doesn’t hold back that’s for sure. It’s all agreeable to me! Why wouldn’t it be? It means this house will be filled with children a lot sooner than I thought but the idea makes me happy.
I quickly pen a letter back to Thomas and hope he is close to leaving that village by the time he gets it. I don’t want to wait any longer than I must, to meet my bride.
I have the fastest riders so I know
the letter will make back to Thomas in record time. Hopefully, he’ll be on the road with my new family in a few short weeks.
I do sigh when I realize I’ll have to get tutors for the girls, unless I send them to the little school on the grounds. Mostly the servant’s children go there but they may like being around other children. The nobles have children in it too, so they won’t be out of place really.
After I have dispatched the letter, I call Clayton into the library. I need to discuss staffing arraignments with him.
“We need more maids, two tutors, men for the grounds and this house cleaned.” Clayton laughs and it causes me to laugh too.
“Yeah cleaning the house would be a suitable place to start, Sir.” Yeah, I’ve neglected it for far too long.
“I have neglected it for far too, long haven’t I?” I say with a sigh. Clayton nods and then leaves to get things done.
Later that night after approving the new maids, cooks, and a few deliveries I collapsed into bed. I forgot how much work it took to keep the palace running smoothly. I’ve let things slip for far too long.
My bride will be arriving sooner than I thought and there’s so much to do to get this place up to standards. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully I can put a dent in the list of things I need to get done before my new family arrives.
I am organizing the papers on my desk when the library door flies open and in walks my father. This cannot be good! He barely shows his face since he was asked to step down as king. I took his place and have not seen him since, not really.
“Father! To what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask him.
“We need to talk! I heard that you made a deal and are to be wed?” It was a statement question that I just nodded to.
“Well I have some news that may mess with your plans, son.” He hands me a sealed envelope that looks aged.
I take it and open it before he can say any more. I scan through the document and then toss it on my desk. I look up to see my father with a look of concern on his face. He should be concerned he just threw a hitch in my plans.
“When will she arrive? How could you and mother do this? You know what, never mind. I’ll meet her and then make my decision. I am king now so I can nullify this at any given time.” My father nodded. He won’t risk unleashing the beast and that’s a good thing.
“On your way out tell Clayton to see me. Where is mother?” I say as I run my hands through my hair.
“She is in her rooms, here. I’ll tell her to see you soon. It was a long journey.” I nod and watch him leave. This could be a problem.
“Clayton, ready another room. We have another female guest arriving around the same time as Corabell.” He nods and turns to leave.
This is not the kind of news I was expecting. I’ll have to figure this out one way or another. Hopefully, it’s not a huge issue.
Chapter 5
Corabell
For over a week Thomas has helped me get the house ready for our departure. The twins did not take the news very well but have finally agreed that it’s best to start fresh somewhere new.
I went to work and explained my situation to Old man Rogers and he only had pleasant things to say. He’s happy that I found someone, even if I didn’t really find him. Old man Rogers has always been able to make me smile when I need it the most.
He’s like the grandfather I never had and I am truly going to miss him. He gave me a wooden box filled with books. I tried to tell him no but all he said was ‘tis your wedding present from me’. How do I say no to that?
After most of the house was packed up and sent on to our new home, I just had the attic left to clean out. It’s the hardest part considering all our mother’s things were moved here after her death. I haven’t been able to come in here.
I’m staring at the stairs when there’s a knock on the door. I answer it without thinking and then pause. I should be more careful until we are gone. It could be my father and I don’t think it’s a smart move to talk to him right now.
Standing there with his hands up is Thomas. He takes a step back and I stare at him in wonder. Why is he scared now? He’s been here every day helping so it’s not like he’s a stranger.
“Do…do you always answer the door ready to stab someone?” He says with a little laugh.
“I forgot I was holding this. I was heading to the attic to open the boxes and trunks. Will you please help me?” I ask as I look down at the knife in my hand.
He nods and comes in. Shutting the door, he notices I’m distressed. He doesn’t say anything as he goes to the stairs and I still just stand there.
“The boxes won’t open their selves, Bell. I’ll be by your side, I promise.” He takes my hand and I let him pull me up the stairs and all the way to the attic.
“It’s just that this is all mostly my mothers’ belongings. They haven’t been touched since she passed away.” Thomas nodded in understanding and let me have a few minutes to process what was going on in my mind.
I need to do this. I need to get rid of what we don’t need but maybe I can use some of her things for me or the girls. With that thought I start opening boxes.
“This box is to donate and this one to take with us.” I motion to two empty boxes and Thomas nods. Every item he picks up he shows to me before we make the decision on which box it goes in.
“I forgot I was coming to tell you that Lord Marshall has accepted your…demands. We leave as soon as you’re finished with the house.” I can’t help but laugh at the way he say’s demands. It’s something he has constantly teased me about since we became friends.
“Well once this attic is done, we can leave. It’s all we have left and nothing holding us back.” I tell him.
“All right! Plus, I was to inform you that you will be married the morning after we arrive. That gives you plenty of time to rest.” I am glad for that. I fear traveling so far will take its toll on all of us.
Thomas opens a trunk and gasps. I rush over wondering what he found this time and stop dead in my tracks. He lifts my mother’s wedding dress. I haven’t seen it since she passed and I’m relieved but also sad.
My mother will never get to see me or my sisters get married. My father will…what exactly. He gave me away as if I was nothing but a bargaining chip. Fathers are supposed to give their daughters away with love not greed.
“It’s beautiful! You should wear it for your wedding, Bell.” Thomas says as he holds the white lacy dress up, so it doesn’t touch the floor.
“I will! I forgot it was up here.” Thomas folds it back up and places it in a different trunk. I investigate the wedding trunk and see a few other boxes. On top of them is a lace veil that I hand to Thomas to place with the dress. There’re also some dried flowers, my mother’s marriage contract and an envelope.
I take out the envelope and read the front of it. It’s addressed to me! I stare at it for a few minutes before tucking it into my pocket and getting back to the trunk. I pull out a few of the boxes and find a pair of satin slippers to go with the dress, a comb, and a mirror. At the very bottom of the trunk I find a smaller box. I pull it out and have Thomas hold it so I can open it and not drop it.
I gasp when I see the contents. It’s the jewels my mother wore on her wedding day. Plus a few more that I have never seen before. Thomas looks over them and sighs. I look up into his eyes and silently ask what it is.
“I recognize these jewels, Bell. What was your mother’s name?” I stare at him in confusion for a moment before I find my voice to speak.
“Illiana! Thomas what is it?” He grabs the letter from my pocket and then thrusts it back at me. I’m beyond confused at this moment.
“You need to read that right now! I fear this all…never mind Lord Marshall will figure this all out. Read that, Bell. Then we will talk and figure this out, I’ll tell you all I know.” I nod and take the letter.
“I’ll finish the attic. I have a promising idea of what to take and not.” Thomas says as I head down the stairs and to th
e table.
He’s acting so weird now and it’s peaked my curiosity. I slowly sit down and rest a moment before I open the letter.
My dearest Corabell,
I write this letter to you as you sleep. There is so much I need to tell you, my sweet girl. I fear the worst with this pregnancy and I fear I will not be here much longer. It pains me to say it but it’s true.
So, since I won’t be here to tell you in person, I am writing to you. Hopefully, this finds you well. I know you may not understand it all, but you will in time. I know that the day you look through my wedding things will be the day your father has messed up.
He isn’t the man you think he is. I have kept much hidden from you and it’s time they became known.
I am Duchess Illiana De’pue of the Northern Kingdom. My father is a horrible man that gambled me away one night. He then went to tell people that I ran away and married some commoner.
To keep me quiet he quickly married me off to your father, the man who won me. That way it looked as if I gave up everything and truly ran away.
I kept in contact with my mother for years until my father found out she was sending me money. You were but a baby when he made a deal with a man for your hand in marriage. It was then that I knew I would be stuck where I was to protect you.
Your father is a gambler, cheat, thief and drunk. I don’t know how else to tell you that, I’m so sorry for being so blunt.
You my dear daughter are Corabell James De’pue, duchess of the Northern Kingdom. It’s a title that brought me so much pain. You my dear are to be wed to a man you never met. Whether that is why you found this letter or for other reasons know that I do support who my father picked for you.
My father’s contract outweighs any deals your father has made. Take it my dear and run with it. Any man your father picks isn’t a good person.
I have enclosed the contract and my will. I only ask that you not read the contract. Ask someone you trust to do that and let them get you and your siblings where you need to be.
Corabell and Her Beast Page 2
