Daughter bribe to the Vampire Lord (closed for Lordmikel)

[scarlettnuit]

I found this article to talk about life during this time period
http://www.localhistories.org/stuart.html

Lord William had been in charge of these lands for quite a number of years. The land was descended from grandfather to grandson, who always had the same name. It always seemed to skip a generation, or at least it had the past few times. Not that anyone was alive who remember it. But that was simply how the story went. In fact the land was just passed down about a month ago.

Indeed Lord William had inherited these lands, but really it was from himself. Lord William was a vampire. It would seem strange for one man to have lived for so long, so periodically Lord William "died" and Lord William, his grandson, took over the lands.

At a time when witches her still hung, being a vampire wouldn't be much better. Lord William supposed that witches would probably always be hung, so that comparison might not be sound.

He was coming towards his latest home to collect taxes from. Since he was the "New Lord William" it always made sense to introduce himself to people. It was one of the few times he saw these people, unless their was an problem, but normally he let his underlings collect taxes.

As he pulled up to the house, "Ho, I'm here for the taxes."
__________________
"Heroes know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen.
A quest may not simply be abandoned; unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever; a happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story." Peter S. Beagle

 

[scarlettnuit]

Sybil watched from the small window of the house, one of only two that graced the front of their small home. It was not much, and it was true, they had once lived in a slightly larger place when she was a child, but time and circumstance had them here now, in a home that was little more than a hovel. Her mother had managed to get Sybil’s sister married off to a respectable farmer, but had passed before she could help her younger daughter.

And so, she stayed with her father and tried to endure his tempers. He had never been a soft man to begin with, but with the passing of her mother, his moods had become worse, and she had done her best to avoid them. Now she watched as the new Lord came towards them. She knew he was coming to collect the taxes. She also knew her father had drank them away. While she made a small amount of money taking in sewing and laundry, she very much doubted it would pull them out of the harm’s way this time.

She closed her blue green eyes for a moment and opened them again as her father stumbled out towards the man.

“Taxes? Do I not work your land and give the yields to the great house? Is this not enough that you request money from me as well!?” He father shouted angrily at the figure. Sybil closed the shutters on the window and puller her honey brown hair back into a tight neat but. She closed her eyes for a moment to steal herself against the situation that now befell them.

She walked out of their house and to her father’s side. Normally, she would not try and defend her father’s actions but it meant the roof over her own head as well as his.

“Please forgive him sir,” she said in a clear and slightly raspy voice, “My father is not well, he does not mean to be disrespectful…”

 

[Lordmikel]

William looked down at the man. Taxes were an inevitable burden of his job. He always tried to keep the taxes fair and to a minimum. The last thing he needed were peasants rioting with pitch forks and torches. If they knew what he was, they would already be planning that sort of attack.

When the girl came out, defending her father though, he looked at her long and hard. She was quite attractive, even in these rags she was wearing. She might do indeed. "Tell me girl, can you read and write?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

Her father of course, pushed her away, yelling to not make excuses for him and it was all Sybil could do to not turn and leave the man there. Her father said some more disparaging words before leaving them to go into the house. She started to follow him, afraid of what he might be doing, only to realize that she had been asked a question.

It was a slippery slope to walk, most of the aristocracy didn’t want the peasants to be educated, and so if she said yes, she could find herself in trouble. Her mother had taught both her and her sister to read and write as well as how to add figures. Her eyes shifted slightly as she thought about her response for a moment.

“Only a little.” She responded. It wasn’t a lie and it wasn’t the truth.

Before she could add anything to her response her father came out with a bowl of garbage and started throwing it at the man. She immediately tried to stop him from carrying on and in return got shoved down into the mud by her father. She got up and bit the inside of her cheek before looking up at their new Lord.

“Forgive me for interrupting my Lord, I shall let you and my father conduct your business without my interference.” She said and began to walk away. It was obvious that there was no saving her father, even from himself and she grew tired of trying.

 

[Lordmikel]

The man threw trash at him. Trash, was the man addled? William leapt off his horse and back handed the man, faster than most might have thought possible. The man went flying, landing in the dirt.

"I should kill you." He said simply. But then he turned to face the woman. "But then I would have no one to work the land." He looks back towards Sybil, "Now then Miss, would you simply walk away while your Lord is speaking to you? What is your name?"

If the father was foolish enough to try anything, he would find himself on the ground again.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Just as she had walked away she heard her father being cursed and thrown into the dirt. She rushed back to see what the commotion was about. She heard the threat against her father and then looked up at the Lord, her heart racing in fear. While she didn’t hold her father in the highest esteem, while he would keep her in the house, it kept her from having to be married off to one of the local men, none of which were very congenial, for her survival.

She moved down to try and help her father up and then turned her blue eyes on Lord Mikel. She slowly stood and prayed her father would keep his drunken mouth shut for once – as if things weren’t bad enough for them.

“My name is Sybil.” She told him softly and then did the best curtsey she knew how to do. “Please forgive my father…he has accidently over indulged…”

“I ain’t done nothing for you to be concerned with girl!” her father interrupted as he tried to stand.

She bit the inside of her cheek wishing he would cease speaking instead of continually poking the bear.

“I would happily give you the tax my Lord…” She began, wringing her hands a bit, “but we do not have any money to give…perhaps if you could give us some time…” she suggested, though she wasn’t entirely sure time would help their situation.

 

[Lordmikel]

William was quite impressed by this young lady. He was needing some someone and perhaps he found what he was looking for.
"Perhaps an alternative method could be done."

William was finding that too many women were afraid he was all alone and were either trying to woo him or set him up with some cousin or another. "I have an arrangement that I would like you to consider."

He stands before her, smiling just a bit. "You see, I need to begin to have the appearance of a woman on my arm for functions. Someone who is smart and articulate, and who will keep the other women from always trying to arrange things for me. You will of course need to move into my house, but you will have your own room of course."

"If you do this, and your land will have no taxes for two years."

 

[scarlettnuit]

Sybil listened to the proposal the Lord had given her and she immediately had misgivings. She had heard of arrangements like this – usually the girl ended up being a mistress to the master of the house until he tired of her and then she was thrown back onto the street to live in shame – even worse if the man begot her with child.

She looked down at the pathetic drunk that was her father and considered the situation. Was he even worth saving? Her other has loved him once and so perhaps there was goodness in him that she couldn’t see. She chewed the inside of her cheek for a moment and then looked up at him.

“If…if I agree to this…I would wish the tenancy to be put into my name upon the time when I am released from…service” she told him. A bold statement for a woman, but if she were to have the power to run the land as it’s tenant, perhaps she could bring it back into profit again.

She stood and walked towards him. “If you can do this…I will endeavor to do as you wish…”

She wasn’t sure why he wouldn’t prefer a widow or some other Lady of standing to take this role, she was sure that her presence on his arm would gain him nothing but gossip and ridicule for herself, but if it helped to make her independent of men at the end of the day, it was work the risk.

 

[Lordmikel]

"Done." Says William quickly and easily. He didn't care who worked the land nor whose name it was in, as long as the land was worked and taxes were paid. And it wasn't even about the taxes. William had quite a lot of money, but it was the pretense of the collection. Everyone else did it, and he should as well.

Being what he was, he always had to give the illusion that everything was fine at his place. "Good then. I will send a coach for you, unless you would like to leave now?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

She raised her eyebrow at the quickness of his agreement. Such things that were entered into so easily could rarely be trusted, but she felt she had no choice but to do what she must to make her own way. She looked at her father who was sputtering over the deal she had just made – more upset from lack of control over the situation than the deal itself, and then back to Lord William.

“I see no reason to waste the effort my Lord. Should it be pleasing to you, I will join you and not waste your resources.” She told him and then headed into the house.

She had very few belongings, one small book her mother used to read to her, a ribbon, and a tortoise comb. She managed to fit the items in a small burlap sack and then came back outside. She knew she had to follow through with her convictions quickly before she had time to think and change her mind. She walked back to the lord, who no doubt, would be affronted by her shabby clothes and muddy boots, but all the same she was there.

“I am ready to leave at your pleasure My Lord.”

 

[Lordmikel]

Lord William as he had waited on gotten back onto his horse. The stallion was quite strong and would be able to handle the two of them back to his manor. As the girl returned from packing her meager belongings, William offered her his hand to help her onto the back of his horse.

"We shall return to my manor, we will need to get you some new clothing of course, but that can be arranged for later."

Once she is on the back of the horse, he spurs the animal forward as a fast speed. The cool air didn't seem to bother the man at all.

It took some time, but soon they arrived at the manor of the Lord. William shouts to his staff, "Sybil here will be staying with us for awhile, find her accommodations and see what you can for clothing for her, we may need to send her to town tomorrow."

 

[scarlettnuit]

She road with him back to his estate house and held on as loosely to him as possible, though it was difficult given the speed they were running at, it was a constant struggle to stay on the beast. She didn’t feel comfortable with his proximity nor the ride in general, but the wind flowing through her hair gave her a slight moment of calm.

She didn’t attempt conversation, for what does one say to one’s jailor, if it was to be as such until her debt was paid. She knew that there was a high potential that this would be a sham, but she hoped to learn enough to move her way out of this village and to another at the end of their deal. Either way, moving forward and change was something that she could not now resist.

When they arrived she was unceremoniously dispatched to the servants. Given the orders she was sure that they though her to be his new mistress and had no problem and visual expressing their displeasure with her.

She was taken to a bath room and bathed. She was then wrapped in a blanket and taken upstairs to one of the guest rooms. The curtains were opened to reveal a beautiful room full of pale green chintz and silk. The maid that had brought her there opened the wardrobe and looked through it’s contents. She eventually pulled out a dress of olive green and undergarments. The maid tugged and pulled her into the dress as instructed and it was clear that the dress was at least 15 years out of date, but she didn’t care. It was the finest thing she had ever worn, though she wished it covered more. Her shoulders were left bare and her bosom showcased between the corset and the dress.

Just as she was about to ask a question, she was left in the room alone. She moved to the dressing table and looked out a nearby window. Her hair was still damp and she braided it down her back, not knowing what else to do it. She looked out over the pastures outside, a dark gloomy night rolling closer.

 

[Lordmikel]

Sir William for awhile attended to his own details. He responded to a few invites, sending messengers to let his hosts know he will be bringing a guest. It would shock them of course for him to bring a guest, but things like that were needed. He needed to change the status quo, keep people off of their normal footing.

He glanced at the time, seeing it was quite late, but he knew she was still awake. He made his way to her door and knocked on it. "I would like to enter." He said simply. She needed to understand there were rules, she was not a prisoner.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Sybil jumped a little at the sound of his knock on the door. Since she had no idea what her position would be in his home, she didn’t think refusing him would be wise. Besides, he hadn’t proven himself to be horribly terrible…not yet anyway.

She walked to the door and opened it, standing aside to let him in. The room was so large it didn’t occur to her to have any care about being alone in a bedroom to him. This room alone was twice the size of her cottage.

“Of course my lord, it is your home.” She said and shut the door after he entered. There was a sitting area in front of the fireplace and she directed him towards that, not knowing what else to do. She sat in one of the chairs and folder her hands in her lap, trying to act as she thought a lady would act.

“Thank you very much for the dress…and the room. I was told I would be staying here…” she started, feeling awkward and not at all sure what to say or do now. “What…what would you like me to do during my time here? I’m only a fair cook at best, at least, I suppose, given the standards that you must be used to…I’ve never had much time or companionship to know how to embroider…” she rambled, trying to fill the silence in the air.

 

[Lordmikel]

"Not even the cook does that much cooking for me, I tend to have a restrictive diet." Responds William. "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't learn to cook. There may be times we are hosting guests and it will be important for you to speak plainly about what is being served."

William takes a careful look at the dress. "Tell me true, is the dress out of date? That is also one thing I will need to you do. Please get up on current trends. They seem to change so quickly, that I absolutely lose track of them."

As for the rest of your time, I will call on you to attend functions with me, it is important you seem interesting and not ignorant. What do you think you will need to accomplish this?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

Part of her wondered how many women had come through the house for him to keep up on the fashions, but she also didn’t want to think about it overly. She didn’t know much about the current trends and didn’t want to insult. She truly felt she was in some kind of odd dream.

“I think it is…I will do as you wish and get something more updated when the seamstress comes. The maid had told me they would come in a day or two and that this was all they had that would fit me.” She told him plainly. He just as plainly told her that she should not appear ignorant and she wondered why he would pick her, a peasant, to appear at functions with him. She knew little of the social graces the position would require however she didn’t want to remind him of her failings – she needed this deal.

“I read a little – I’ll try to be more interesting…” She said as she blushed a bit and looked at her hands. “I’ll go and visit cook tomorrow and try to learn…” she paused and blushed a bit hotter as her stomach made a genuinely unladylike sound.

“Did you wish to dine with me this evening my lord?” she asked given the hour.

 

[Lordmikel]

William nodded. "Of course." He says pleasantly, giving the girl a smile. "I should have anticipated that you might be hungry. You are of course welcome to spend time in the kitchen or wherever. The newspaper might be helpful as well." He opened the door to the bedroom and then stopped, looking back at Sybil, "I have a seamstress coming?" He pauses, "That is interesting."

He leads her to the dining room. Even though it is late at night, the place is lit throughout the house and their are servants can be seen. "They know about my strange hours."

The dining room is quite lavish, the table long and easily able to seat quite a few. "What would you have to eat?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

Sybil sat down at the chair that was offered to her and looked around for a moment before looking at the table again. She had heard that the rich could be odd, and head heard strange tales of her landlord, though in truth, she put little stock in things she could not see or witness herself.

“Whatever is readily available, I don’t want to be a bother.” She said softly and wondered if she would ever feel comfortable here. She felt like mud puddle in a beautiful garden. She knew she should be there and yet, she could not leave.

“Perhaps…if you wish…you could tell me a little about your estate my lord.” She said after several moments of silence.

 

[Lordmikel]

William picks up a small bell and rings it. A steward quickly appears. He looks at the man, "Please instruct the cook to prepare something. Whatever is quickest." The steward nods and then runs off.

"Well I have quite the expanse of land." Says William. "It has been in my family for generations." He smiles at that, some kind of joke only he knows. "I try to keep a variety of crops throughout the land. I'm also a dabbler in horse breeding and other live stock. I try to always be forward thinking, looking towards the future, you know."

 

[scarlettnuit]

Not long after his request, a bowl of stew was brought to her along with bread, cheese and wine. She sipped the wine, not expecting much given what she was accustomed to, and found it delicious. She sipped it again and tried not to guzzle it.

She ate her stew politely and listened to him. “I like horses, very much.” She said as she wiped her mouth. “Perhaps I can help you with them.” She offered though she supposed that she was there to do something more refined. She never seen or ridden anything finer than a work horse, perhaps her offer would be seen as an insult.

She cleared her throat and drank down the rest of her wine, her glass was soon refilled. “So, you give parties and wish me to a bobble?” she asked, her tongue loosened by the delicious wine she had been given. It was much stronger than anything she had had before.

She took another swallow and looked across the immense table and into his eyes. “Surely there is a fine woman that would be willing to perform these tasks for you. I’ve heard tale of every woman in the county wanting to marry you. Why pick up a scrub from the dirt?” she asked as she drank more of the wine.

 

[Lordmikel]

"And you hit exactly the issue. They wish to marry me." Says William. "You see, at this moment in time I do not wish to woo a woman. So I must look outside what a normal person might look for in a woman." He takes a sip of his wine, "and if I tried to confide to the wrong person, then the rumors begin. Sadly all of my plans are ruined. Better to find ... well you." Williams smiles at that. "And yes, I would be welcome to have you assist with the horses, they of course always need exercise."

 

[scarlettnuit]

While she was sure there was a catch, she decided not to question him about details any further. She was sure that they would come to light soon enough and the wine was too delicious not to enjoy, especially and bread and cheese was set before her.

Without thinking she drained her glass again and her head began to swim. Usually she was quite a good drinker; had it really been so long since she had eaten? She could think of no other explanation though it did make her feel a bit giddy.

“Well of course they want to marry you my Lord. You are handsome and you have wealth and lands. Most women of the proper position are getting married off to pervy old louts.” She said, the wine taking away and filter she may have had.

“So when’s this next party?” she asked. “I shall make sure that I look exquisite for you and VERY MUCH promise not to try and marry you.” She grinned. She wanted a life of her own, not one strapped to some man and a screaming baby. “I want to see the world.” She added randomly and asked for more wine.

 

[Lordmikel]

"In two nights." Williams responds. "We will actually be going to the symphony. But during the intermission is when people will gather and talk. There will be food, you should simply be a woman of mystery and that will get people talking the most. They will all want to know who you are, and I'm quite sure you will be invited to many parties."

William didn't seem to notice or mind the amount of wine she was drinking. As long as she could hold it, then it was all good, but puking would be a bad thing.

"Everyone should want to see the world, there is nothing wrong with that."

 

[scarlettnuit]

She put down her wine glass and ate a piece of bread as she heard that they would be going to the Symphony. She didn’t even know entirely what happened there much less what to wear to it. She supposed the dress makers would know what she needed and would leave it in their hands.

She could help but give a bit of a sideways grin as he spoke of her being a woman of mystery. It was a role she was she could pull off and at the moment, it sounded like quite a delightful one to play.

“A woman of mystery to match the man of mystery is it?” she jested lightly.

She finished her piece of bread and felt a little dizzy when she stood. It was just enough to cause the lightest of laughs as she straightened herself.

“Seeing as how you are not partaking in any dinner, what shall we do now? I do not know what you wish of me when we are alone within your home.”

 

[Lordmikel]

"Well to be quite honest, I do not know. If you were not here, what would you be doing?" William knew what he would be doing, most likely hunting in the night or planning his next moves. But he was truly unsure what normal people might do. "But yes, a woman of mystery, they will eat it up and be never the wiser."

As she seemed a bit dizzy, he offered his arm to her, "I suppose I can show you around the place, you should know where things are."