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 Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:59 pm
(Changed the story!!! IF this one is good enough, I'm going to have a parallel one with Edward Dosett as the speaker. ENJOY!)
Preface
Winters are bitter, summers are brutally hot, and London is rainy and crowded most of the year. Living in London has never been my cup of tea. I prefer living by the cool and ever-the-same English coast or on the Emerald Isle. But being a noble, especially if you were a high ranking noble, like my family, you had no choice of where you were to live, unless you wanted to have the evil eye of all the gossipers in London talk about you and to be shunned from society, during the Season. Like most high ranking nobility, mine owned a public company had a secret that the public, and the Crown, didn't know. If they wanted to live. But that is where the similarities ended. Most nobles were drug lords or owned something illegal, but my family, the Halbards, could never be "normal" and own a drug cartel. My family, since the days of King Henry VIII, were assassins. Both men and women could be assassins but only the head of assassins, Grandfather, could decide if rookies were worthy of the title of assassin, like myself, and at the "age of reason," sixteen, the little ones were tested. If they passed the rigorous test, they became one of the elite family. As it was, anyone could become head of the main house, like Grandfather and soon to be Father, who killed Uncle Edmund, and the late Earl and Lady Dosett.
Father trained me well, and Grandfather deemed me worthy of being one of the elite members. My first assignment? To kill Edward Albert Dosett IV, the late Earl's eldest, and only, son.
Chapter One
I was excited for my first assignment the night before I set out, which was also the night I got it. I packed a large suitcase -as a woman needed more than a man needed, especially when it came to hiding weapons in your luggage- to prepare for my upcoming stay at the Dosett house. If I played my cards right, I would only be there one or two days, a week at most. There was a knock at the door as I packed my last shoe in my suitcase.
"Come in." I called closing the lid slowly.
"Claire, I want you to be cautious." he said. I turned around and smiled at Father. Nicolas Allen Halbard, now the only living heir of John Edmund Halbard IX and Louise Anne Halbard, my grandparents. He was tall, around six-foot, and had thick straight jet black hair and stunning emerald green eyes. But that was where our similarities ended. Father was power hungry and pure evil, but he had his fatherly days. I actually thought he was trying to be protective of his only child, and I smiled inwardly at the thought, and turned back to the piece of luggage on sitting closed, but not latched, on my bed. "Edward Dosett has many allies that we cannot afford to be in the spotlight."
My smile dropped and a single tear fell on the leather luggage. Of course he does not care how you feel or for your safety... Even though you are his flesh and blood, he will always care more about power and death then about your future. I thought as I snapped the latches shut on the weathered leather suitcase.
"Good night Rose." Father said, leaving, and letting the door click shut behind him.
Tonight was my last night in the summer villa for awhile, hopefully. I had my maid set my suitcase in the main hall and I climbed in to bed, my mind numb, and fell asleep almost instantly.
That morning I left the house before anyone was awake and boarded the train going to the Central London Depot. On the train I discovered a letter from Father that I had not known was in there. When the train arrived in London, I set my suitcase next to the bench that I was perched on, inside of the depot still. I took out the letter, reading it through, once, twice, then put my head in my hand and started crying, silently. My family had disowned me. Never in my life had I felt this abandoned. I felt a hand brush my shoulder and looked up. I did not see his face at first, the sun was a halo around is light blonde hair, but then a cloud covered the sun and his lapis lazuli eyes, a color to which I have only seen the stone for once in my life, were studying my distressed face with worry, but were echoed with sorrow. I felt instantly saddened by this angelic and innocent boy manin woe. His smile was warm and comforting as he offered me his handkerchief. I took it and dabbed my eyes dry; he knelt in front of me and patted my hand gently, as if I was made of porcelain.
"What's the matter miss?" he asked, his voice was just as angelic and as concerned as he looked.
I half-heartedly smiled, and handed the handkerchief back, but he shook his head and had me keep it; I ducked my head and studied my hands. "I do not like to burden strangers with my familial troubles, sir." I whispered.
He smiled, took my hand, and stood. "Let me properly introduce myself then. I am Earl Edward Clarence Dosett, IV." he bowed and kissed my hand.
I froze, then forced a flirtatious giggle. Damn. My family would have me kill the only suitor in all of Brittan that I actually would get along with. "Pleased to meet you. I am Claire Grace Halbard." I smiled, and patted the seat next to me. "Just call me Claire."
Edward sat and sighed. "Well, we are not strangers anymore, so what would a pretty young noble, such as yourself, be crying about this early in the morning?" he face became concerned again.
I have him the note and sighted, not wanting to look the man I had to kill in the face, so I looked at my hands, twirling the ring on my left hand. I heard Edward grunt as he read the letter Father gave me; when he was done, he folded it and put it in his frock coat pocket, then stood and took out his silver pocket watch, looked at it and sighed, impatiently.
"I am sorry. My butler had just left to retrieve the carriage when I saw you."
I smiled. "It is alright. Grandfather was supposed to be here to meet me. But now..." I cleared my throat. "Anyway, thank you for being so kind to me Earl Dosett."
He gave me a mischievous crooked smile. "Claire, I insist you call me Edward."
Edward helped me up from my seat and took hold of my luggage for me, like a proper gentleman, when his butler came over, briskly, and took it from him. His butler turned and faced me, he and I both froze when our eyes locked. Edward looked between us, and seeing the similarities he snapped and whispered something in to the ear of the butler. John nodded.
"Claire, this is John Edmund Halbard--"
"The tenth." I cut in, automatically, still slightly stunned.
"We are cousins." John said flatly. "We were both raised by our grandfather."
Edward gave me a quizzical stare, and I nodded, not even daring to deny what John had said. I was still too shocked.
"Claire! What are you doing here? What would Uncle Nicolas say?!" John inquired of me. I looked at my feet and fidgeted slightly, not sure what to say.
"She was abandoned by her father, John." Edward glared at my cousin, warning him to keep his mouth shut and to not upset me.
"What about you?!" I retorted. "Why are you here acting as a... a... a butler?! You were --are-- Grandfather's prodigy! You should be back there right now!" Edward glanced at me, surprised at my quick tongue. He smiled to himself then cleared his throat. "John, let's go home. And Claire is going with us."
John bowed and opened the carriage door, helping me in, then Edward. John was alive... I thought studying the outside of the carriage. I felt Edwards gaze on my face but I ignored him, lost in my own thoughts. John, my cousin, was alive! The stage coach lurched forward as my thoughts traveled back in time, when John left, and the day after Father murdered Uncle Ambrose. Does John know yet? John had been gone for ten years on an assignment... My train of thought left me as the coach came to an abrupt halt, and the door opened, revealing a beautiful ivy-covered town-house, five blocks from Grandfathers and Father's townhouses. Coincidence? Maybe...
John helped Edward out, who helped me out, and guided me to the door, greeted him once we were inside. One of the many took our coats and hats, and guided us towards the dining room. I looked shyly around, surprised at the genuine warmth, security, feeling of... Home. Feelings I never knew growing up in Grandfather's and Father's houses. They were glass and fake. This was real. It was home. Edward glanced, casually back at me, giving me a shy smile. I walked briskly to catch up to him, aware that I had stopped walking, and smiled sheepishly up at him. He chuckled lightly and held open what seemed like the dining room door for me. I was surprised at the small area of the dining room.
"Sorry. I only use this one when I am not expecting anyone." he shrugged apologetically. "Beth is out of town with her towns, so I use the minor dining room."
I nodded and sat at the chair he held out for me. As soon as Edward had been seated and our tea served, the chef showed up with our meal. I looked at the shallow bowl and smiled at the sight of the comforting commoners food. Something that Mother had served when Father was away. He did not like to admit his roots. He hated our heritage, like being a noble from Ireland was so terrible.
"You like Irish Oatmeal?" I asked, a bit surprised.
Edward nodded. "Mother was Irish. I look almost exactly like Father, but always loved my countrymen and my countrymen's food." he explained, slipping into the beautiful Irish accent. "In fact, I just came home from Ireland."
I laughed politely, and with pleasure, and started eating, very ladylike, ignoring my true hunger and urge to eat like a savage.
After our morning meal, Edward asked John to show me to my room. I followed hi, unsuspecting and lost in my own world, not realizing that someone was following me. When we reached the room that was mine, I found that my luggage was already on the bed, then, in a flash, the side of my face and the front of my body was slammed against the wall, both arms were behind my back, pinned like I was a criminal. I yelped in pain and surprise, the tears gathering in the corners of my eyes.
"Search her suitcase!" John yelled in my ear.
I grimaced at the shout in my ear, then saw Edward in my peripheral, as he took out my knives and a gun. John swore under his breath, and switched his grip so he was holding both my small wrists in his big left hand, and put a knife to my throat. I tried not to cry, but the tears came involuntarily when I saw Edward give me the most painful and disgusted look I have only seen on my Father's face when I was being humane.
"Who hired you, snake!?" John hissed in my ear.
"Nicolas Allen Halbard and John Edmund Halbard IX." I gasped, straining my neck to get away from the deadly weapon against my milky white skin.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:32 pm
Hope that you'll add more to this. 3nodding It's going great so far. ^^
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:46 pm
"You are lying! Uncle Nicolas and Grandfather promised Father that they would not go after the last of the Dosett's while he was alive!" "They did because Uncle Edmund is dead. He has been for ten years. Father murdered him the day after you left on you mission." I choked.
John kicked the back of my knee and I gritted my teeth together to keep from crying out in pain. "You are a lying wretch!" I could hear the tears in his voice as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
"I wish I was. Father murdered Uncle Edmund in front of me, to teach me a lesson in betraying the family and the Order." I stated, my own voice cracking as my mind went back to the day Father stabbed Uncle Edmund to death in front of Mother and myself.
John loosened his grip, shocked. If I had wanted to, I could have escaped, but that would have made me look guilty. I turned so my back was pressed against the wall, and my eyes locked with Edward's stunning woe-filled eyes. I tore my gaze from his face as he studied me, to watch my mourning cousin digest what he just learned with compassion. I heard a soft footfall on the carpet, and looked up to see Edward walking towards me.
"Were you planning on murdering me?" His gaze held mine again, this time I could not tear away. His legs seemed to move towards me, hesitantly, on their own. He did not consciously realize that he had moved until he took my hand gently in his and kissed it softly.
My heart raced, my mind barely registered that John had composed himself and stole quietly from the room. There was a quiet knock from somewhere in the house. A stray tear fell from my eye and coursed down my cheek. Edward brushed it away with his thumb.
"I was. But then I met you, and I decided that I would rather die protecting you the to kill a beautiful angel." I whispered, pressing my back against the wall.
I blushed at what I had said, and tried to move away from Edward, but he put his hand on either side of my head. I looked, shocked, into his eyes and he leaned in to kiss me, grabbing my chin softly with his hand, tilting my face up. Before our lips touched, the door, which I did not realize was closed until then, was thrown open, and someone came in, wrestling with John. John was thrown against the opposite wall, dazed, and Edward turned quickly and tried to move me behind him to hide me from view- or did he want to hide the man from my view?- but I had already seen his face. Nicolas Allen Halbard had found me and heard my statement... His eyes gleamed with pure rage as he spotted me moving in front of Edward to protect him. He took out his pistol, cocked it and shot me in the arm. I saw the blood and froze, seeing my father smirking over what he had done... He wanted to kill me!
Father cocked the gun again and the pain clicked in my brain. I let out a silent scream, the pain was excruciating. My legs stopped working and turned to rubber, but before I fell to the ground, Edward caught me. My vision was fading, and I was fainting. John took a flying leap at father, and they both fell in front of the door. Father's hand went under his neck and he went limp. John stood and the last thing I saw was Father's head sitting in a pool of blood, his glassy emerald eyes stared straight to my soul, and a knife was protruding from his jugular. Nicolas Allen Halbard, my father, my tormenter, my teacher, was dead.
He is finally dead... was my last thought.
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Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:39 am
Chapter Two
When I woke next, my first thought was: I am dead. My justification? Edward was standing over me, worried and taking the bandage off my upper left arm. He picked up a damp light blue cloth that was hanging over a bedside basin. He squeezed it out and brought it close to my arm. He looked at me, a little surprised to see me so alert, and smiled apologetically.
"This is going to hurt a little." he said, and started cleaning it the wound gingerly.
I jumped at the sudden pain. "Bollocks!" I shouted. "That kills! What are you using!?"
I heard a muffled chuckle and the door hinge squeaking as it was opened. I looked over to see who it was, and gave John a death glare. He pretended to be hurt and chuckled again.
"You never complained before." he smirked.
I rolled my eyes. "That is because before there was no murderous intent, so there was no need for this." I gestured with my free had at Edward wrapping my arm with a clean bandage.
Edward stopped wrapping my arm. "This happened before?"
I shrugged with my right arm.
"Not exactly."
Edward glared at me like a caring mother.
"What!? It was training in my family! Growing up in my family means that you have to grow immune to pain. We also have arranged marriages to avoid the "weakness of love." Only one person married for love. And he was murdered." I explained
John sat next to me as I sat up, and grabbed my hand. I leaned into his shoulder, exhausted by the slight effort as my body was trying to heal.
"Who?" Edward asked, taping the bandage.
"My father." John replied, quietly.
There was a moment of awkward silence between the three of us, then my stomach growled loudly. I blushed, and John cracked a smile, stood up, and left the room with me alone with Edward. I shifted in the bed, slightly uncomfortable, then closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep. I threw my good arm over my eyes. For a few moments, there was absolute stillness, then I felt his had softly caress my cheek. The next moment his lips were on mine, cautious, ye passionate. Sweet, yet hungry. I kissed him back, mixed equally with the same emotions. My arm slowly moved from my eyes. Edward broke away first, his eyes had no undertone of sorrow, just pure joy. I blushed and turned away.
"I am sorry. Like I said before, my family has arranged marriages, and..." I swallowed, hating to break his heart.
"I know. I was invited to your engagement party." he sighed then sat up. "You honestly have forgotten me?"
I studied his expectant face, his eyes, and tried to place them suddenly I took a trip down memory lane. I was six years old, and was visiting Ireland. It was the summer before Edward's parents were murdered. Mother and her friend, Lady Florence were sitting in the garden, sipping their tea, while Florence's twin siblings, Edward and Elizabeth, who were also six, played with me among the roses. Elizabeth and I grew very close, and she often teased me about my childhood crush on Edward. My mind raced back to the present.
"Ned?" I asked, reverting, accidently to my nickname for him when we were younger. "You've grown so much!!!" I had not seen him in ten years.
Edward laughed. "I go by Edward now, Claire." He cleared his throat. "I didn't recognize you at first either, but when you protected me, it was like that time with your dog back in Ireland, remember? I knew it was you at that moment. You are my Claire. My childhood playmate." He smiled then drew closer, putting his lips next to my ear. "My love." he added, in a very soft whisper, and kissed my neck softly.
"Edward... I... I am...engaged..." I stammered, turning away from him, and closing my eyes.
There was a knock at the door. Edward sighed and went to open it. John came in with breakfast for both of us. Edward rolled his eyes at me and I smiled hesitantly in return.
"You always arrive so anticlimactically, John." Edward complained, turning his back on John.
As swiftly as he did when training with me, John pulled out a knife and threw it at Edward, who dodged it just as swiftly. The knife hit the wall and bounced harmlessly onto the fireplace mantle. I shot up in the bed, shocked.
"What the blimey was that for!? I thought you were supposed to be protecting him!!"
Edward shrugged and threw a dagger back at the unsuspecting John, who barely missed it and instead had a few hairs cut as he dodged the dagger. I looked between them, confused, and my hand covered my mouth as if I was frozen in shock.
"I have been training Edward since his parents died, on how to defend himself and the ones he loves against assassins that may be where ever he goes in his day-to-day routines." he said, glaring at me while "absent mindedly" brushing off his jacket.
I glared back at him. "I am innocent. If I would have killed Edward, I would have killed him in the dining room, while you left us alone." I accused.
Edward laughed then sobered, deep in thought. "John," he
said suddenly, "Since Claire had been disowned, and is, in all technicalities no longer a Halbard, does she have to honor her engagement?"
To my surprise, John agreed, as he set down the tray of food in front of me. "Because she has been disowned, she is no longer a Halbard. However, that makes her a disgraced noble."
Edward smiled and laughed in triumph, I gasped in shock and surprise, and John smiled at the newspaper. I ate my breakfast, not caring for manners at this point. While John was serving me a second helping, Edward stood by the window, sipping his tea. He sat the china cup on its matching saucer with a soft clink and sighed.
"Why so gloomy, Edward?" I asked, suppressing a smile as John swatted my hands away from the knife. Apparently I was not allowed to cut my own meat. Not that I could, seeing that my left arm was currently useless. It was just a favorite pastime of mine to annoy John. And it always worked.
Edward turned and have me a calculated smile. "I was just musing over the thought skipping a business meeting and to go to a lake with you. Or maybe Ireland."
I quirked my eyebrow, skeptic at the validity of his answer. Edward smirked.
"What!?"
"You are leaving something out." I stated nonchalantly as I picked up my tea cup.
Edward shrugged. "I am not."
"Yes, he is." John cut in, pouring more tea for Edward. "He wants to find a way to protect you from the vengeful family."
Edward laughed, nervously. "I forgot how good of facial readers your family are!" He laughed again at his pitiful attempt to divert my attention.
I glowered at Edward "I know how to handle a fight with someone. Especially is it is a familial spat that I am in the middle of."
Edward choked on his tea, and almost spewed it out and onto the
carpet. "Claire! Your father almost killed you! You cannot go against your family!"
"I was caught unprepared!" I shouted, not caring for proper etiquette. I was frustrated at Edward for saying that I was weak, and at John, for agreeing and egging him on. "And it was your fault!"
John shot me a glare that normally shut me up, but I could no longer stand him. I slapped him across the face as hard as I could.
" I have been deemed a worthy fighter for my family. I know how to defend myself, unless distracted by a love-sick boy." I glared Edward down, my voice dangerously calm and icy.
"Women can never fight. They are just too weak and therefore have to be protected." he scoffed.
I threw my tea cup at his face, hitting him square in the forehead, the china broke upon contact. While the men were temporarily distracted, I took the opportunity to run from the room, racing down the stairs and to the front door, which, when I opened it, my closest childhood friend, Elizabeth Rosalind Dosett, Edward's twin sister, stood, her hand up to knock. She saw my continence and immediately threw her arms around me, and any tears that I refused to shed before came in an avalanche.
"Claire! What happened?" Elizabeth exclaimed
"Father tried to hurt me, John is alive, and... and..." my voice cracked and I could not bring myself to bring up Edward.
"Here, I will take care of you." she said, soothingly, and towed me inside.
John and Edward came thundering down the staircase. I hid behind Elizabeth as Edward, who was holding a cloth to his forehead, stopped short and gaped at Elizabeth, who had faced me.
"Lizzy? What are you doing here?" He gawked, and John nearly collided with him at the foot of the stairs.
Elizabeth ignored him, and looked me straight in the eyes. "Did Edward or John hurt you?" I shook my head. "Did either of them say something that hurt you???"
I nodded slowly. "Edward said that women were pathetic, and needed to depend on a man to protect them... And John did nothing to protect me, or our family's reputation."
"Claire. You are not pathetic, nor will you ever be pathetic. You are the strongest most independent woman I have ever met. Do not let what Edward says get to you. He can be, is, and always will be, cruel and harsh towards women because that is how Father raised him. You are the warrior. Not he." she smiled and wiped the tears off of my face. "You should dress. After all, you and I are going to see your fiancée and his family!"
I smiled at her easy enthusiasm and took her arm as she lead me up stairs and to her bedroom. She helped dress me in my corset, and a pastel pink day dress. She pinned my hair and placed a matching hat on my head. She guided me to the looking-glass, and a bright smile lit her face.
"I cannot wear your clothes." I protested. My image reflected a horror stricken face to her sweet giggling composure.
"Yes you can. And you will."
We left the house, the men following us at a distance, and stopping in the walk. Elizabeth's driver helped us both into the buggy that sat next to the curb in the road. As the buggy pulled away, I turned and saw Edward glowering at us. I turned and was relieved when we had left London.
~~~
A few hours later, we pulled into the drive of Rosewood Estate, the country house of my fiancée, Richard Allen Whitman-Rousse, and his family. I was relieved to see the familiar grounds and I looked ahead to the estate, and I saw two finely dresses, light brunette haired men. One stood impatiently and the other was passively watching our approach. Before the buggy stopped, I was opening the door, and I climbed into the arms of Richard who twirled me around, and I giggled and chided him quietly. Richard was the eldest son of Duke Lionel Whitman-Rousse and the late Duchess Mary Whitman-Rousse, whom had passed away just two years prior. It is rumored that the duke's health was failing because of the loss of his wife, but in reality he was dying slowly from cancer of the throat. Richard let me privy to this information. He set me on my feet and I curtsied to him.
"My lord." I addressed him.
Richard snickered then realized that his younger brother, William, was next to him still. He bowed and kissed my hand.
"Lady Halbard, what a pleasant surprise." William murmured, sarcastically.
I curtsied to William, who just nodded quickly at me.
"Excuse my impertinence, my lord, but should you treat your
elder brother's fiancée with more respect, not only because she is a lady, but because she is going to be your sister-in-law soon, regardless of her station in life?" I asked sweetly.
Richard and Elizabeth were dumbfounded by my sudden impatience and intolerance of William, while a white hot flash of pain surged through my arm, and I fell into Richard's arms.
Wonderful. I thought, trying to keep my mind from being muddled. Second time in three days that this arm has bothered me to the verge of fainting.
Elizabeth screamed and Richard picked me up and ran inside. I felt the warmth of the blood seeping through the day dress. Blimey. This was a very idiotic dress to wear... I thought, my mind clearing up little bits. I smiled wryly at my cockney speech that I used whenever I was hurt. It was a habit that Mama had reproached me for, and one that made Father laugh at my "manly" commoner speech I had picked up from the cockney agents that worked with my family.
"Richard..." I rasped. I was thirsty from loss of blood and my throat was dry, but my voice was urgent.
"Shh, love. No need to talk now." he said, smiling down at me.
I shook my head, violently. "Edward Dosett wants to break our engagement."
"Why?" he asked. I was surprised at the harsh tone of his voice. "I know you were disowned, but you want this marriage, right?"
I nodded. After all, I was the one who asked for my engagement to Richard. I was slightly puzzled that he knew I was disowned.
"How do you know?" I asked, quietly, closing my eyes.
"Your cousin was over here yesterday and told me what had happened between you and your father. Now, you have to rest. Father and I will have the best doctors in all of the Empire take care of you."
I smiled and scoffed at the thought of the Queen's personal doctor taking care of my arm. I sighed and tuned my face more towards Richard's chest; in my stupor, I heard shouting in the parlor and Richard quickened his pace. Soon I was being handed to someone else; my eyes shot opened wide and I clung to Richard's vest, pulling myself closer to him. Instead of seeing one of the many butlers, I saw Edward trying to take me away.
"Leave me be!" I screamed. "Go away Edward!!!"
"Her fever in raging!" Someone yelled.
"Richard..."
He looked down at me, worried. "Yes, Claire?"
"Please do not let me go..."
"I promise I won't leave you."
"Don't... leave... me..."
~~~~
Chapter Three
I woke, what seemed to be hours later, with my vision slightly blurred and my left arm was on fire. Not the infection burning, but the irritating itchy way that meant it was healing. I blinked a few times to clear my vision and looked at my surroundings. My close friend and my "friend's" twin, Elizabeth, sat, slightly slumped in the ladies chair, sleeping. Duke Lionel Whitman-Rousse, Richard's father, was in his bath chair next to William, both by the ornate fireplace, whispering. I yawned silently and moved my right hand slightly, which was being held by someone. I looked over and saw Richard sit up, confused from sleep.
"NO! I refuse to l--" he stopped in mid-tantrum and glanced at me. He blinked a few times and took a moment for his sleepy mind to recognize me. "CLAIRE!!" he yelled, overjoyed and grabbed my hand and kissed it over and over again, the tears spilling and soaking my hand and the bed spread.
Elizabeth, who was woken by the yelling, smiled and started talking at once to the Duke, who was animated, and the ever stoic William. There was a knock on the door and the doctor let himself in to check on my wound.
"You are healing very well, besides the infection that was just starting before. Whomever treated you before you arrived, that person left the bullet in and tried their best to keep the wound open, my lady." he explained, changing the bandage quickly and skillfully, inflicting minimal pain.
I stared at his face. He really did it. I thought, smiling at him and nodded. Richard had the Queen's personal physician treat me... I guess that is the real treatment you get when you are the fiancée of the Queen's favorite grand-nephew.
"Y-you... a-are..." I stammered
The doctor chuckled. "Yes. I am Doctor Allen Brandon, Her Majesty's physician. Pleased to meet you, Lady Halbard."
To me, he seemed much like... the stereotypical grandfather; kind, funny, caring... everything Grandfather was not, and I admired Doctor Brandon for his medicinal talents. Ten it hit me, like a bullet (not that I knew...). I had no notion of what day it was, nor the time.
"What time is it?" I inquired
Richard chuckled this time. "Eleven-thirty, Friday June fifth, year of our Lord Eighteen ninety-six."
My adventure had started on Monday morn... My mind seemed fuzzy as I tried to think things through.
"And I was asleep for two days in London, and two days here?"
"One full day each." Richard corrected, patiently.
I thought over my stay at Edward's. That means that Edward tried to keep me awake until either Richard came to save me, or until I had agreed... He also did not want to tell me what he was planning. Nor will John... What are those two really plotting?
"Duke Whitman-Rousse, may I speak with Richard alone, please?" I asked, my voice steady, even though my head was scrambling.
The Duke hesitated, but then consented and had William wheel him out of the room. followed by Elizabeth, and Doctor Brandon, who shut the door with a soft click.
"Richard, what did John tell you, exactly?"
Richard sat next to me and grabbed my hand. "John came over with a letter from his master, Dosett, which I was skeptic about. Is your cousin really a butler?"
I looked at the bedcovers and nodded.
"Mmm. So I took the letter and he turned to leave, then said that you had been disowned by your father, and that he had hurt you. Tuesday night, I read the letter and enclosed was this." Richard held up the engagement ring that he had given me three months earlier, and then slid it back on my ring finger, slowly. "I knew you would want to see the letter, so I had it in my frockcoat pocket since you arrived." he pulled out the letter and gave it to me.
I opened the letter and started reading it.
My dear friend.
It started.
If you are wise, which I know you are, Richard, you would give up all ties to your fiancée, as she loves me. As you may have been told by my butler, Claire has been disowned by her father. You may have been told, by your good friend, that marriage contracts in the Halbard family are viewed strictly as a political alignment and social gain. Since her father is dead, and she is no longer looked favorably in her family, she may marry for love. So what of it, my dear chap?
If you do not comply, I will rip your lives apart. Forever. If you love her, which all of London knows, you would protect her integrity, honor, and your love by giving her to me.
Thank you for understanding my friend.
Edward Dosett
I looked up at Richard, tears in my eyes. His weak smile, one that he only gave when a matter truly plagued his courage and love.
"Is it true? Do you really love Edward?"
"No. I was, before I met you. Seven months ago, when you first called on me, Edward was starting to show his true self, and any love that I might have once had has melted away. This letter only confirms my loathing towards him and my love for you. Richard, I love only you, and I only want to marry you." I explained, grabbing his hand earnestly.
He kissed my hand gently. "Claire, I want you to stay away from Edward. If it is fine with you?"
I nodded, relieved that Richard would go out of his way to protect me from the malicious man that Edward had become. There was a small knock at the door, and a maid came in.
"My lord, Earl Halbard is here to speak with Lady Claire. Shall I show him in?"
"Please, Almyra. Thank you." he said, glancing back at me.
Grandfather strolled in and Richard stood and greeted him, the stepped out of the room to give us privacy as we spoke. It was quiet in the room; the only noise was that of the robins chirping in the birch outside my window.
"Your father went too far. I never wanted the Dosett's to be killed, much less harmed. After all, we were family friends, with noble blood on both the English and Irish sides." he faced the window, his hands clasped behind his back. "You did not do anything that would make me disown you. By going against your father's wishes though, you have made me proud to call you my grandchild. Nicolas was angry with me because I would not let you inherit the estates and the organization after him, due to the fact that I did not want your innocence to be ruined by betrayal, deceit, or corruption. Claire, your real first assignment was to find your cousin and bring him home, but Nicolas, as power hungry as he was, wanted the last of the Dosett's gone, so he could run their companies, double our income, and force his way to become a duke. Though he was under the close scrutiny of my eye, he had a key to get what he wanted. You, my child, were that key."
"You never cared for me, so why the sudden change of heart?" I inquired, the ice creeping into my voice.
Grandfather chuckled, and walked towards my bed. "He never let me go near you. Every time I tried, he would make up and excuse. In that aspect, it would appear that I did not care for you and that I was a cruel cold-hearted man. Your mother, sweet-tempered Frances, wanted me to take her under my wing and take care of the both of you, after you were born. No matter what she said, Nicolas acted like the kind chivalrous man your grandmother and I raised him to be. We did not see the whole picture, and when we did, it was too late. Your mother was already dead." he sat at the edge of the bed, folding his hands. He was older then the last time I saw him, when I was in Ireland, before Mother had died. Grandfather, who loved and treated Mother like his own flesh and blood, had taken the hardest hit (besides me) when her death was announced.
"You expect me to believe that?" I asked, incredulous.
"Claire, I am so sorry for what happened. The way you were trained, raised, and treated by that man... It was all my fault for not seeing it sooner. I should have gotten you and Frances away from him... I cannot even begin to speak of the agony it has caused me since the death." He sobbed, his old wrinkled hands covering his face as he lamented his faults to me, blaming Mother's death, not on me, but on himself.
I was surprised and taken aback. Though he sounded sincere, the deciding factor was the way he spoke of Mother. Grandfather was not at all the person Father had made him out to be.
"How can I blame you for the fault my father had made? Everything that happened was because of his decisions not yours. In addition, you and I will never have to worry about his harassment again. John killed him Monday morn." I smiled sweetly, trying to comfort one of the living relatives I still recognized as my kinsmen.
Grandfather wiped away the tears, but they continued. "You are so much like your mother, child. Between you and me, you are my favorite grandchild. John is too much like your father, emotional and unpredictable. His emotional state makes him easy to control and manipulate; all you have to do is say the right thing and he will do your bidding." he took a shaky breath. "When the Duke lets you free, Louise and I would like for you to come stay with us in London. It would be good for you to be there this time of year." he smiled and stood. "Think it over. Now, I better be off, or your grandmother will worry." He kissed my forehead and left.
~~~~
A fortnight passed, and every day I was just a little bit better. As I gained more movement in my arm, my days were filled with sewing and gossip between Elizabeth, Richard's cousin, Philomena, and myself; Richard often sat in claiming he had nothing better to do then enjoy our company. One night, I was woken by a creaky floor board that seemed to echo through the whole house. A figure approached my bed, and before I could scream for help, I was chloroformed.
~~~~
Smelling salts. A wondrous innovation for the woman who faints regularly. And for those who were chloroformed. My eyes opened, and even in my groggy state, I looked for some familiarity in the room, and a exit to get through. I heard the cap on the jar shut and my attention was caught by my captor. His blue eyes hit me as I took in the rest of his familiar puppy-dog face.
"William? What are you doing here?" I inquired, my head pounding. "Why am I here?"
He chuckled. "I thought you would have deduced that by now, Claire."
The missing piece in the puzzle clicked into place. "What do you want William?" I asked darkly, the venom rising in my voice.
"We both know that you do not love my brother." he knelt next to the bed I was in. "But Claire, think of everything I could do! After all, I am the second son of a nobleman, and we both know that I will get nothing, save the title of Lord Whitman-Rousse and a sum of money. But you are the daughter of a nobleman, and you will not receive any inheritance. We could see the world!"
I glared at him. "What is with everyone thinking that I do not love Richard! I love him and would rather end up DEAD then married to the likes of you or Edward Dosett!" I said, dangerously quiet. "Besides, even if I did not love Richard, I would honor our engagement. But seeing that that does not apply to the situation, that matter is irrelevant. And this conversation is over because I am never going to break his heart, or mine, and marry his callus, irksome younger brother. Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe I picked out Richard as my fiancée after being in society for only seven months?"
William shrugged. "If that is your choice, then you will be
locked in here until you change your mind."
"I hope you get used to disappointment..."
~~~~
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 3:39 pm
Chapter Four
"Nicolas! There was no reason to kill Edward or Arianne! They did nothing to threaten our lives!" Mother said, pulling Father aside, before rounding the corner and running into me.
I was just about to turn the corner when someone pulled me back, stopping me from interfering with their fight. I turned to see Madame Julia Barnett, my governess, and my new trainer, since John had left my uncles house, putting her finger to her lips, silencing me from speaking out. We stood there, both eavesdropping and ready to intervene if things got out of control. Which they usually did when Mother and Father fought.
"You would never understand, Frances. You were not born into this family, so you would not know what threatens it, and what does not." Father explained, coolly.
"I was not born a Halbard, but one of my childhood friends is a member of the is our daughters governess. I know what threatens my own daughter, as well as what threatens Julia."
Madame Barnett tugged my sleeve gently had me follow her into the parlor, where our stitching was sitting waiting for us to pretend that we had been working on it the entire time. I had just started working on my sampler when Father and Mother walked in.
"Claire, leave your stitching where it is. I am going to show your mother and you something. Go get your coat and hat on." he said.
I set down my sampler and started skipping to them, when a look from Mother made me correct myself.
"Where are we going?" I asked as a maid helped me on my coat and hat.
"To Uncle Edmunds house." Father said, ushering us out of the house and into the buggy.
I smiled broadly and could not stop wriggling in the buggy as we took the short way to Uncle Edmunds country house. As we pulled into the park, Uncle Edmund had just come back from his inspection of the grounds. He waited on the stoop of the porch and I waved vigorously from my seat I was standing on in the carriage. When it stopped, Father helped Mother out, and when I climbed out, Uncle Edmund grabbed and swung me around, as I squealed in delight. He set me down softly and took my hand, leading us into the villa.
"Where is John?" I asked, looking for him.
My uncle smiled. "He is away, training."
I nodded. Aunt Juliet walked out of the parlor. I ran to her and hugged her and she gave me a small piece of chocolate, and patted me on the head. I was their pet. I looked back at my parents, after thanking my aunt. Mother, although trying to keep composed, was distressed, and Father's eyes were murderous. He took out a gun, which until then had been hidden, and shot Aunt Juliet, killing her instantly. I ran towards her crying.
"Claire Grace Halbard. Stay away from them. Go to your Mother right this instant." Father barked.
"But... Aunt Juliet..." I whispered.
"Do what he says Claire." Uncle Edmund smiled at me as if everything was fine, even though Father was pointing his revolver at him.
I went to my Mother as Father advanced slowly on his defenseless older brother.
"Where did the Dosett boy and John go, Edmund?" he inquired.
Edmund smirked. "You will never find out."
Father shot him in the heart. "You should have told me."
"No!!!!!!!" I woke up screaming, scaring the figure sitting in the chair by the fire. Tears were still running down my cheeks as I sat up, trying to bring myself to reality.
The shadow was at my side an instant after I had sat up, brushing the tears off of my face.
"Shh..." she climbed into the bed and held me close, rocking me back and forth. "Everything will be fine... It was only a nightmare..."
I started crying involuntarily, and clung to the woman. "He... k-killed... Un-uncle Ed-dmund..." I sobbed
She rubbed my back gently. "Shh... It will be fine... It was only a dream darling..." she comforted me. The woman kissed the top of my head. "Go back to bed now, Claire."
I laid back down and fell asleep while she sang the lullaby only my governess, Madam Barnett, knew.
"Mama!" I ran down the hallway that led to my mother's room to show her the English Bulldog Madam Barnett had given me for my birthday.
As usual, Mother, Madam Barnett and I were spending the week in our family's country villa in Ireland to celebrate my birthday. Like my past birthdays, Father was "away on business" and therefore could not come celebrate my birthday with us in my ancestors country. As I neared the door that opened into my parents room, Father stepped out and shut the door, quietly, behind him. I stopped abruptly and stared at him. I did not trust my father after what had happened just a few months prior.
"Mama is very tired and wants some rest, Claire." he spoke gently. "What have you there?" he smiled kindly at me and closed the distance between us, stooped and picked me up.
"He is that English bulldog Madam Barnett just gave me. It is my birthday today, Father." I smiled proudly. "He is named Karl." I looked at the door, disappointment in my eyes. "Mama was going to take me to the beach today..."
Father chuckled. "I can take you to the beach as well, Claire."
I shook my head. "No thank you. Mother and I will go when she is rested."
Father set me down and I walked away form him as briskly as my nine year old legs would carry me. In a few moments I walked into the sun room where Madam Barnett sat, finishing a letter she was writing. I stood politely in the doorway, waiting until she was finished. She set down her pen and looked at me, smiling.
"You are late for tea, my dear." she playfully scolded me.
"I am sorry, Madam Barnett. Father is here. He stopped to speak with me. Mama is tired, so she is resting for a little while."
"Then, after tea, we will stroll around the gardens, and when your mother joins us, we will go to the beach. How does that sound?"
"May Karl come too?"
"Of course!"
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