Chapter 3: Out of the valley
It was several weeks before my aunt returned. Her manner had returned to cold and distance as usual. I had been sweeping and stopped expectantly. SHe turned towards me with her brisk step.
"Go out and fetch me some cough syrups from the village", she said curtly.
Disappointed, I took off toward the village path. In the midst of these dark winter days, the streets were empty. I came to the chemist and was about to make entry when in the corner of my eye I spotted a familiar black figure. It was the odd countenance of the mysterious Mr M. He was standing astute, gazing into the book shop as he had been the day I met him. He seemed not to notice me, gazing intently into the shop window. I decided not to be acquainted with him again. I went on to collect the cough syrups and began to make my way back home.
A thick fog had descended over the fields. I could barely see a foot in front. The path was utterly silent. As I approached the thick of the forest, a flock of crows flew overhead.
The sound of heavy rattling chains came suddenly from behind. Iemerged from the depths of the fog to the path opening up to our cottage. The great head of a pale horse rustled in front of me.
Before me was a drawn carriage in a dark with a dark blue coat of arms. It was lined with elegant gold, the likes of which I had never seen before.The driver dismounted and approached. He opened the carriage door and bowes.
A well dressed man stepped forward. I knew at once he was a nobleman. He had raven, ever-so-slightly greying hair and pale translucent skin. His eyes were a dark shade impossible to discern. His manner was seemingly polite yet somehow sharp and cold.
I looked at him quizzically but I could not sense his feelings. He smiled and bowed in a most gracious manner.
"We are indeed well met. I am the duke of Longton manor. I wrote you early winter"
" Then you are.." I paused breathlessly.
"Yes, I am your father".
It all seemed bizarre and surreal. We stepped inside. There was no sign of my aunt.
I invited the Duke to sit and lit a fire.
"And this is your home then?" He remarked pleasantly.
" Yes, Sir", I answered unsure of what to say.
His eyes watched me carefully but I could not read what he was thinking.
"You must not know what to think of this. Our situation has been.." He paused and smiled again with pursed lips, "strained, but I have deeply regretted our separation over the years. And though it is sad to say, since my wife has passed I can think of no barrier to prevent our reunion. I know what you must think of me. I did not hear back from you and so I have come to put forth the idea once more--foolish though it may be."
"My aunt has told me some of the nature of our...estrangement but I do not know the details. I only know that as a noble you could not have accepted me as a daughter."
"But I have thought of a remedy to this. Though the imperial law may prevent an unwed child to inherit, such as time has passed that I could adopt. You see the duchess and I had no heirs".
"You mean to make me your heir?" I could scarcely believe the words. Afterall this time I had given up the hope of a life other than this.
"Yes, my daughter", He said, taking me by the hands, "You will be heir to my estates and I will ensure you are restored to the rights of your birth. We will start afresh"
A curious feeling came over me. Though the words he spoke were earnest.. I detected an air of coldness in it all. We have been estranged for so long and finally the chance to shed the shackles that the life of a bastard had brought had finally come. I couldn't help but feel the hands of fate had pushed me to this moment. And yet I felt a pang in my gut. An unshakable feeling of dread. My aunts words rattled in my head. I felt a cold sweat.
"I never dreamed that this could happen", I blurted out. As I said the words I glanced towards the Duke. He continued to smile, saying nothing.
It was arranged that I would move over to the Dukes estates that spring. Winter came and went, yet ,my aunt did not return. I guessed my aunt must've heard about it already. Recalling My aunt's anger of that night, no doubt she had determined not to send me off. I wrote her a letter and left it in the cottage. The place seemed so lonely. Shutting the door slowly, I took in the view from the hill top one last time. Another elegant blue carriage was waiting with a finely dressed driver. I sat in the carriage. It was comfier than I had imagined. Soon we began to depart. A
We passed through the village as we left. A change had swept over the sleepy village. Spring was beginning. As if restored to life, the streets were bustling and lively. The sun had returned and everyone seemed busy at work. I couldn't help but recall my life so far. The endless dreary winters. The isolation. The loneliness.
We passed through the village and began the journey to Longton Manor. I had never left the village before that day. As we finally pulled over the vast valley. Our tiny village seemed to disappear from view.
After a while, the constant swaying and motion of the carriage made me nauseous. The sun started to set. The maroon sky passed wistfully into night and finally we drew up at the manor gates. I could barely see at all as we passed through the court yard and swiftly stopped in front of the manor. The driver gave me his hand and I stepped out into the night.
I could hardly believe my eyes. It was as bright as day. A long line of servants holding lanterns greeted me by the steps. Ascending into a great open parlour, more steps proceeded into an upper gallery. In the centre sat a large painting of the duke and duchess.
A primly dressed butler appeared and escorted me up the grand staircase to my room. I was so taken aback by it all, I was startled when a made arrived to unpack my things.
"The duke will see you in the dining room for evening meals, your Grace", She told me.
"Thank you" I replied, "It is all quite overwhelming", I added joyfully.
Her eyes widened slightly and I wondered if I had said something wrong. It occurred to me I didn't know how much my father had told them. Before I could ask another question, she presented a scarlet dress on the bedside. I knew at once it was not one of mine. It was a fine silk with a embroiled trim. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
"I will help you change now", Said the maid.
I instinctively flinched from her touch.
"ah forgive me", I hesitated, "I can do it".
"It is not a dress one person can put on, your Grace",She said flatly.
I nodded feeling self conscious as she began to dress me. After which she did my hair and put powders on my face.
"How is it?" She said finally.
I gazed into the mirror and saw myself to be utterly changed. My dark hair was wiped away elegantly into a bun, held by an ornate hair piece. My tattered and gloomy complexion was bright and even pretty looking. I felt both happy and afraid. I was like one of the princess from my book. It felt to good to be true.
The maid took me down the great steps. The dress was harder to walk in than I had thought. I was sure that my inelegant gate was caught by the maid but she made no mention of it. Blank faced she finally stopped by a door. It opened up into a large room with tasteful furnishings. The centre piece was a long table, a beautiful meal had been set out. There were all manner of foods. Some I didn't recognise. The maid gestured me to a seat, and a tall boy appeared to push in my chair. The maid bowed and left the room. It felt strange to sit by myself in front of such a great banquet.
The doors burst open again. This time my father arrived. He bowed elegantly and proceeded to sit down at the far end of the table.
"You will forgive the formal setting of the table. But I thought it appropriate to celebrate your return, my daughter", He said cheerfully.
I realised I had never called him my father aloud before. The moment felt triumphant.
"Thank you, Father".
He smiled and waved his hand. The tall boy returned again and began serving the food.
"Hope you will find everything to your liking", My father said warmly.
"It's all wonderful. It's better than I imagined!"
"I'm glad. Tomorrow you can take some time to settle in. Next week, your tutors will arrive and you can start your lessons"
"My lessons?" I put my fork down and looked up abruptly.
"Just to ease you into life here. They'll make sure all goes well for your debut"
I continued eating and looked down at my plate. I suppose this was to be expected. The daughter of a duke is an important person. I realised I had much to learn about this life. I hardly knew anything about this family. I knew nothing about my father or about myself. But I desperately wanted to know. I wanted to be the person who could wear these dresses, to be the person who could eat in these grand room. I wanted to forget who I was. This was my chance to be someone new.
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