The Arrangement

[silvertongue217]

Tick Tock

Tick tock

TICK TOCK

That damn taunting clock

It haunted the middle aged lord following him through the manor and finding him no matter how much he hid from it or tried to block its sound. No matter where he went be it the library or the garden the sound of the clock followed some how reaching him from its place in HER room, the one they shared for so many years. Memories of the clock would always stir when he had it made for her, the look on her face when he presented it to her, the time they made love against it…… One of the many priest around London would have told him the memories were good that he should find strength in them. His wife would live on they would say to him he had no doubt that she would always be alive in his memories.

Screw his damn memories

“I want that clock broken into pieces” He murmured watching as his butler and best friend Ian came in. He angrily drowned the last of his wine and whipped his mouth starring at the books all around him and wondering how many had been HERS. She loved to read after all and half the library…….

“I shall get that done right away sir” Ian said in a dry voice and Lord Lance Preston the third new he was just humoring him “but perhaps you would like to know that your new bride is due here any moment” he said nodding at the door and the outside world.

“Oh” Lance said his anger steadily increasing as he remembered what today was. The “king” had seen fit to give him his illegitimate daughter after a nasty little scandal Lance didn’t catch wind of until after he agreed to marry her. Of course even if she was squeaky clean he only said yes for the political power behind it and not because he had any interest in having a new wife. His lovely Elizabeth was the only woman for him and even though the sickness had taken her he would not nor could not couple or invite another woman into their bed. It was only because the king has personal requested (IE demanded) he take her that he had even agreed to the ridiculous request.

“You should really go welcome her to the castle” Ian said slowly “for the sake of the servants” he said all but telling Lance to get out of his seat and bring his arse downstairs.

“Fine” Lance snapped getting up and ignoring the half bottle of wine resting by him. He grabbed his black tunic puling it over his head as he stomped over to the door ignoring his butler and best friend. He pushed ah and through his dirty brown and blonde locks grabbing his unkempt hair and tying it back with a leather thong. He knew he looked a bit….. Well unkempt for lack of a better word. His hair as long reaching his shoulder blades, he had a rough five o clock shadow that told the world he hadn’t shaved in a few days, his face was handsome even with his grief with pale skin, sharp features and the most striking violet eyes. His body was clad in a simple but handsome black tunic and matching black leggings, a nice black and red over coat completed the ensemble and he hurriedly pulled it on letting the bottom flare out like a cape.

He took the stair two at a time finally stopping in the shadows of the grand staircase. He watched with dread as the door opened revealing the sun and warmth she had loved so much. He angrily shielded his eyes not bothering to open them again until he found the heat had gone and the darkness returned. When he finally opened them again a girl greeted him pretty and beautiful the dark cloak did little to hide the pretty body underneath and he found his lust stirring ever so slightly as he took in the pretty girl before him. Almost immediately as it came however a sense of guilt snapped forward and he immediately regretted lusting after another woman beside his wife. He vowed not to be around the girl unless he had to be swearing to his wife inside of his head that he wouldn’t touch her.

He heard Ian clearing his throat and sighed putting on his nicest smile. He stepped out of the shadows towering over her as he made his way down the staircase and over to her. He stopped in front of her and quickly bowed taking her hand in his and giving it a gentle kiss before dropping it as if it had burned him.

“Welcome to my home” He said his voice deep and rumbly “I welcome you to the estate I am Lord Lance Preston your new husband I am pleased about our marriage” He said his tone suggesting he was any thing but “and hope the castle becomes like a home to you” He said nodding at the servants to take her bags.

“You are in the south tower” He said continuing possed by his desire to get away from her “if you need any thing your ladies in waiting are waiting for you we have supper at sundown” He explained

 

[Goldenbraid]

How could he do this to her?!

Her own father?

Isabella sat fuming as the carriage rolled up to the rural estate, a quite nice one with beautiful surrounding scenery, not that she was really paying attention.

She was king’s best agent, despite her young age and short experience, never failing to get the information he wanted…. especially if the target was male…. and her discoveries had helped him keep ahead of rivals and enemies constantly, even helped him crush a couple plots against him before they could get much more than started. Wasn’t that worth a bit of leniency?

Okay, a lot of leniency.

She did tend to pick companions who were roguish and exciting….. or had a nice combo of money and power, she wasn’t crazy…. and her escapades did often become know, but like her father could talk. Most of Paris and half of the rest of the country knew about her mother and the king, and at least rumors of her too, so what if a few servants or others caught her in one of the back halls with her sister’s fiancé. She was much better looking, and far more fun and charming, then her preening wuss of a sister……. all her sister faced was the same situation with their father…. a cheating husband.

She sighed as she remembered how much the king had yelled when she had been brought to see him, mixed with her sister’s high pitched wining and crying, both going on about how she’d shamed them and ruined things. That’s when he’d announced this awful arrangement, selling her off in matrimony to a retired lord, like some kind of possession to be given away when not wanted anymore.

When the carriage stop before the door, she felt like she was arriving at her own execution, and stepped reluctantly down as the door opened for her, walking inside at a steady but slowed pace.

She stood in the entrance hall glancing about as her travel stuff was unloaded and dropped in the hall with her…… her main trunks she hoped would follow soon…. noting the place seemed shadowed and silent. When the main doors closed, it didn’t improve the place any, just making the shadows extend more over the room, the reason why she more heard Lord Preston start coming down the stairs then saw him, as he was dressed mostly in black clothing but for the red on his jacket. His commanding walk was a mismatch to his unkempt personal appearance, though he did have nice features and form under it all, and she was almost impressed with his kissing her hand…. till he dropped it fast like a poisonous snake.

She nodding as he welcomed her, his false curtesy and manner annoying bordering on insulting, and only half turned her attention for a minute as his servants took her stuff away.

“Thank you.” She said shortly, turning back, warring inside herself over how to react, politeness losing.

“Lord Preston.” She started, as she pushed the hood of her cloak off the top of her auburn locks. “I am as trapped as you are in this ‘commanded arrangement’, and am as unhappy as your tone indicates with it.” She continued, regarding him with her green eyes, the shade of the green isles of her heritage her mother told her many a time. “So I’ll see you at supper, husband.” She finished, saying the last word like it was a profanity she used and turned to head for her rooms.

 

[silvertongue217]

Well at least there were both aware of each others feelings.

Lance watched her turn wondering if he should go after her or make an attempt. The whole thing however seemed exhausting and if he was being honest a waste of his time. It was better this way, better now that she was aware he had no intentions with her and she had no intentions with him. His wife and his honor would remain intact.

"My lord?" Ian asked coming over and looking over at her retreating form as if questioning why he had not followed.

"Attend to her" He said his tone short "Make sure she has every thing she could want it isnt her fault that she is stuck with me and I would at least like to make it as pleasant as possible"

Because he did know what she was going through, to be thrust into some thing she wanted no part in. He supposed in that way they were kindred spirits even if it did them both no good.

"Oh my darling" Lance said shaking his head "What a world we live in"

He turned moving back into his library, he spent the hours working on his estate books and nursing the bottle of scotch he had spent the morning starting on. By the time the dinner gong was rung he was more relaxed and sufficiently more drunk.

Now that she was here there was a certain protocol required of him. So for once he went to the dressing room before going to dinner and let his valet dress him and clean him up. He put on his old tails and let them shave his face before he finally made his way down and to the main dining room. Usually he would have eaten alone in a smaller room but the staff insisted with her here it was time to open it up. He blinked at the cleaned up room and the sunlight pouring in.

"Who removed the black curtains?" He asked turning to Ian.

"I did and they shall remain off" Ian told him firmly as he brought him to the head of the table "now sit and wait for her remember you must rise when she comes in"

"I remember" Lance grumbled sitting down and shaking his head "fool"

 

[Goldenbraid]

Still fuming really, she strode quickly to her rooms, where the three or four girls who were her new ladies in waiting were already unpacking her clothes and such…. annoyingly so.

Shrugging, she simply moved about changing the place of things she want other places and grabbing stuff she didn’t want them to bother, and to deal with herself, grudgingly admitting they were pretty efficient at getting everything put away fast. Then she watched as they had a tub brought in and filled, preparing a bath for her which she did think she would enjoy after the long ride…. but suddenly grew annoyed as they started to pull at her clothes to undress her.

“Get your hands off me.” She snapped, pushing them away.

“But we are to get you cleaned and ready Mistress.” One said softly, all starting to move in again.

Isabella’s eyes widened, as her temper flared, and she roared at the women. “Out! Get out of my room now!”

The four women disappeared out the door in a swift flutter of skirts, under skirts and petticoats, giving cries of alarm as they left and slammed the door behind them, leaving her in peace.

Who did they think she was? Her prissy sister, who couldn’t put a bow in her hair without the assistance of her ladies? She was perfectly capable of looking after herself, needing no one to undress her, help her bath or anything; she thought with anger as she removed her cloak and tossed it over a chair. She flounced down on the chair, glaring at the bath now, nearly tempted to go dump it over, when there was a quiet knock at her door.

Thinking it was one or more of the women again, she stomped over and yanked the door open, ready to blast them again, when she found it was a male servant, one she thought she saw in the hall when she was stomping off. “Yes?” She said as calmly as possible.

“Sorry to disturb you Lady Isabella.” He said with perfect politeness. “I’m Lord Preston’s steward, Ian, and was asked to make sure you were comfortable and had everything you needed. Have you a problem with your ladies?”

She wanted to yell the only thing she needed was to get out of this whole thing, and that she wasn’t some useless court lady that needed to be waited on hand and foot, but his calm demeanor made her change her mind, simply sighing. “I hate to be picked and poked at, and can look after myself.”

“I understand my Lady, but it is they duty to attend you, they are just doing their job.” He explained, following her in as she moved back to the chair. “They only wish to help you with anything you might need them for.”

She glanced at the bath, mentally admitting she couldn’t have gotten it by herself, at least without much effort, nor have unpacked so quickly…. likely taking most of the rest of the day putting things away. *well… I guess there are a few things they could be helpful with, but I’m not a baby who needs to be cleaned and dressed.”

“Yes my Lady.” Ian said nodding, and then turned towards the open door, snapping his fingers which made one of the ladies in waiting appear. “Lady Isabella wishes to bath alone. You will come back in ten minutes, knock before entering and then will quickly and quietly collect her travel clothes for washing.” The girl nodded. “You all will then remain outside her door in case she needs you, which if she does, she will called to you to enter and attend her.” He finished, looking first at the girl then out the door where Isabella assumed the others stood presently, finishing with turning towards her to see if that was acceptable.

With just a slight nod from her, Ian shuffled the girl out and exited himself, closing the door behind him, and leaving her in alone again. With her first smile since this whole thing started, she undressed and sank into the tub, finding the bath was indeed delightful after her long trip, soaking away her cares for a while. The girl returned as instructed, a soft knock bringing her attention to the door for a moment as the girl opened the door slightly and slipped in, silently grabbing the bundle of her clothes off the chair and leaving as soundlessly.

After her long and enjoyable bath, Isabella wandered about a bit aimlessly, familiarizing herself with the room before sitting and caring for her hair, brushing the long bright auburn locks with a steady hand. She did end up getting the help of her ladies too, calling them in to get their input on what to wear for supper as they would know better than her what was right/required, eventually also getting their assistance with the underskirts that went with the fancy gown, and giving in when one wanted to do her hair up in a fancier style.

Finally dressed, she was lead to the dining hall after a signal announcing it was ready was sounded, marvelling as she entered to find it brightly lit by the setting sun, first room she’d seen so cheery looking, and also noted Lord Preston was looking better kept than before, almost handsome in appearance…..

 

[silvertongue217]

"Princess Isabella"

Lance rose his chair groaning as he stood and Ian let her into the dining room. He noted her bueaty but very quickly his eyes turned stormy and he looked down. He pretended to brush some dust off of his tails and then cleared his throat nodding at her to come in as he struggled not to eye her.

"Come in come in" Lance said nodding at Ian to close the doors behind them. Ian did so and after pushing her in turned and walked off to tell the servents to bring out the first course.

"I hope the manor is treating you well" Lance said thankful he had the servants set her plate out at the end of the table opposite him "I know its seen better days but we dont get the company out here that your used to in the capital"

The servants came in bringing in the first course a nice soup and laying it out before bowing to them both and leaving. Ian hovered by the door but did not make himself announced just yet. Lance nodded at him in thanks any ways and poured himself some more wine from the large pitcher close to him.

"I hope the journey was well?" He said trying his best to make small talk even though his heart wasnt in it "Its been a while since I traveled to the capital I can tell you I dont much miss the long rides in carriage or horse back"

 

[Goldenbraid]

Princess Isabella?

She was almost tempted to correct Ian as he announced her, for though she was the king’s daughter and most know it, she wasn’t officially recognized and thereby didn’t have the standing…… as her sister pointed out many a time. She could just see the red and fuming face of her sister, not a good thing with her sister’s already lesser looks, if she heard Isabella being given equal title.

She let it go as Lord Preston stood in greeting, making her almost flattered, then she saw his face change slightly and him avert his gaze, making her frown a bit at his obvious attempt to not look at her. His ‘come in, come in’ sounded like an impatient called to someone lingering and hold up important matters…. even if wasn’t meant to…. as she was seated at the other end of the table by Ian.

“It has been okay so far.” She answered shortly as he tried to make small talk, noting his still not really looking at her.

‘If I wanted your attention I could have it in a minute’, she thought annoyed. First she was the daughter of one the most famous courtesans in France, one who had remained the king’s favorite for many years…. not an easy thing….. and took special skill to hold the favor of royalty so long. Knowledge her mother had seen fit to partly pass on to her to help her out if need be. Second she had been blessed with exceptional looks and grace, also just like her mother, which she knew was hard for men to resist. Lastly, she was one of the king’s top spies, having received much instruction in the arts of seduction… even some in seducing her own sex…. so if she wanted to put forth the effort, she had him eating out of her hand in no time.

As the servants served the first course, she made effort to calm herself, thinking she didn’t want this arrangement anyway so why did she care if he ignored her?

“It was rather long, but otherwise fine.” She commented around carefully eating her soup. “The palace carriages are of excellent quality and made to be very comfortable, if not as fast as horseback would have been.”

 

[silvertongue217]

"Of that we can both agree on" Lance said nodding at her and taking another healthy swig of his wine. He watched her noting the careful way she ate her soup and the anger she was attempting to keep in control. In a way he felt bad for her, it was not her fault that she had been "gifted" to a man who could not love her. It was a punishment from her father and what Lance had no doubt her father saw as a reward to him.

"I am sorry for all of this" He told her finishing his soup at the same time she did. The servants came in collecting the plates and after taking them coming back with a roast. They placed to plates down and within moments they were gone again lying in wait for when they would be needed.

"I know this is not ideal and certainly is not for you" Lance told her cutting into the roast and waiting for her to eat before he did "The other princess has always been a prudish sort of girl and from what I hear you were quite the worker for your father its impressive and seems a shame to punish you by shacking you with me"

"I mean you no harm and really I dont mind if you take.... extra interest there arent many lords around here who arent old like me I am afraid but whatever you want..... whatever you need I will do my best to make happen for you" He promised her.

 

[Goldenbraid]

Isabella ate her soup mostly in silence, not sure what to say after his agreement with her last comment, just finishing as he suddenly made an apology for the situation, which surprised her some and left her more speechless as the servants cleared the soup dishes and brought the next course.

He continued to speak about how bad the situation was, making her wonder if she was wearing her heart on her sleeve or he was more intuitive that she gave him credit for….. deciding it was likely a bit of both. As he went on after serving them both some of the roast brought in, she wondered if he knew about her being a spy for the king from his comment, and smiling at his words about her half-sister.

“My sister….. half-sister….. tends to take her position a bit too much for granted is all.” She said off-hand, slightly surprised at herself for actually sounding supportive of her sibling. “And I suppose I do push the limits sometimes with things.” She finished shrugging.

She even more surprised as he told her accentually he would support her ‘playing around’ if she wanted and offered to do anything to make her stay happy.

“I’m sorry if I don’t seem appreciative of things.” She told him, setting her stuff down. “And that it seems that you too have been forced into a situation you don’t want either because of my father’s wanting to punish me.” She sighed. “I will remember your offer, and promise to cause as little drama and disruption in your life and home as I can. Maybe in time, when his anger has lessened, we can petition the king to reverse or fix things.”

She went back to her food, eating quietly for now.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I think you seem as appreciative of things as you can be all things considered" Lance told her his eyes softening at her "I hope you dont also find me to be non appreciative as well even though you were forced into this situation but your company I am sure is very lovely and it is as well nice to see some one back in the house"

"My situation is very complicated for lack of a better word" Lance said nodding at her "I am sure you know most if not the whole truth and I dont wish to bring it up and spoil the evening your father might when he is in a better mood anull and rescind his orders but I some how doubt it"

"We in the country tend to get forgotten to him unless your mother is actively working to help get you out of it I doubt he will give it little thought or regard" Lance said finishing his roast and watching her "I do hope it changes but for now we shall make the most of it"

Lance rose clearing his throat and giving her a tentative smile "If you wish I shall be in the library reading your more than welcome to join me or go back to your room" He told her nodding as Ian came in to clear the plates "there is also I believe dessert cooked in honor of you coming"

 

[Goldenbraid]

Isabella nodded and shook her head in answer as he talked, eating casually, agreeing they both seemed to be trying to get along with the situation, and though not knowing the whole story had heard rumors of his wife’s death hitting him hard and making him give up his position and retire to the country. She did like his suggestion that she’d be forgotten out here by the king, even if it was partly true he didn’t give much attention to things outside of the capital much.

“I would hope my mother is doing her best to help me, but I didn’t get to talk much to her before my trip.” She said finally, honestly not sure how much mother could or was doing.

Her mother did have good connections with the king, but her status wasn’t totally secure and she know her mother wouldn’t risk it too much as she was getting older….. would she sacrifice her own daughter to not risk own position?

She gave a courteous nod as Lance stood and indicated he was going back to his library, and extend her an open invite, considering returning to her rooms till he mentioned dessert…. the kid in her still loved that. So she waited for the dishes to be clear the dessert brought, watching him depart the room…..

 

[silvertongue217]

The minute Lance was gone Ian came in along with a plate of dessert.

"My lady" Ian said bowing and backing up "Consider it a welcome from me and the staff"

Ian turned to go before he hesitated and turned back.

"Princess" Ian said clearing his throat "not that it necessarily falls on you but our master.... Lance he is a good man I assure you but he has become lost consumed with anger and mourning I hope that you will try to help him I know I have no right to ask none of us do really.... but we care about him all of us do he is a good man was a good husband we would like your help to bring him back to that greatness"

He bowed once more before he turned and moved to the door. He opened it stepping outside and closing it before he went to tell the staff in the kitchen that she liked the dessert.