"Eleanora you must be ready by now?" a voice quipped from the outside of her room.
Eleanora stood in front of the mirror wanting to cry. Why must I do this?
"Is she ready?" a booming voice echoed down the hall.
"She needs time sir." A sweet voice responded.
"We do not have time, the girl needs to be downstairs eye glowing and cheeks rosy." A pounding on the heavy wooden door followed. "You hear me, girl, you are to be downstairs in ten minutes time."
The urge to turn and scream filled Eleanora. She wanted to rip the white from her body. It was all a lie. This day, this purpose and the color of this dress.
The white gown that covered every inch of her body sickened her.
She had to push past the anger and remember her duty. Turning toward the door and lifting the train she walked toward her imprisonment.
Composing herself, she lifted her chin as she swung the door open. Behind it was her mother, her lady in wait, and unfortunately her father.
"Are you quite done with your sniveling? You have kept his lordship waiting long enough. Now come." He extended his elbow waiting for her to grasp it.
Defiantly she dug her long nails into his arm.
"I'd hold back your contempt child. This is the only way to live the life you want and once had." He whispered under his breath.
"Pardon me, sir. The life I had was educated and free. I had a chance to lead my own path. You are afraid of losing your influence. So you used me to maintain your station." She looked up at the same man who spared no expense for her education. The best private tutors all of which taught her as if she was a male heir.
There was a slight spark of regret in his eye. It was snuffed out upon the arrival of the grand hall. Decorated, in dated fashion. At the end of the aisle was a man 15 years Eleanora's senior. Which was nothing compared to the age the ladies she attended social events married. One friend had written her saying her husband was 70 years old, like Eleanora, the girl was only 25.
Eleanora felt her throat tighten at the thought of reaching the end of the aisle. Stiffening her upper lip she produced a false smile.
It was met with a warm smile. She had to admit he was not ugly but she had been with far better.
At that thought, she felt her mind wander to the beautiful face. A man from her past, that no one knew about, and was definitely not her husband. His straight smile. His curled black and brown hair. Eyes that were deep and dark and lite a fire she never knew she had. Just the thought of his name brought forth indecent memories.
As she stood in front of this wealthy and noble gentleman. She let her mind wonder to those hot nights. All ruined by the war. Now she and her family run to England. Like a child running to its mother. Much of their wealth left behind, and her dignity with it.
It wasn't until the cheering happened that she realized she was married. Her husband holds out a kind hand to her.
In a daze, she walked toward the carriage waiting to take them to the garden. Where they will celebrate. In the crowd, she thought she saw a flash of someone familiar.
"How do you fair my dear wife?" an unfamiliar voice spoke.
She looked over to the eyes of her husband, kindness overflowing. Like he understood what she was thinking. How she felt about the whole event. It offended her, he did not have the slightest idea of what she was going through.
"Excellent my lord. Happy to be..." She was at a loss for words. What would she be happy about? Â long awkward minute fell over them.
"Do not worry dear Eleanora. I know we have not known each other long but I can promise you, you will have happiness." He smiled and looked out the carriage window. Giving her privacy once again.
She wanted so badly to believe him. To forget the past. To marry him and be satisfied. However, she feared the church was right, she was tainted. Not because she was impure, but because every man would seem insufferable to her past lover.
Upon arrival to the Duke's mansion, she was amazed at the enormity of it all. She counted three levels, and at least 20 windows across. All made of red brick with black trim and ornate accents. The measurements from the main road to the front steps looked like it would take half a day to walk. The garden where the guest gathered was decorated and lush. With a maze and millions of white flowers.
It must stay magnificent, it was competing with the palace, which was a short ride away.
"There are at least 15 bedrooms." She jumped at her husband's voice.
"Nearly scared me half to death."
"I do apologize." He laughed at her reaction.
Exiting the carriage first her husband helped her down. The approached the festivities together arm in arm. Her short white train slid across the grass. The sun was just setting and the dressed elegantly servant brought out candles and lit the lanterns in the garden.
The evening would have been magical, if not for the nauseating feeling Eleanora was experiencing.
The musicians played in the grass. It was all she had imagined a wedding should be.
"Shall I have this dance?" Eleanora felt her husband pull her to the direction of the crowd.
Awkwardly, they did the Saraband a dance that was brought from the French court. Watching her husband and the guest all harmonized dancing across the grass was hypnotic. The upper class with their beautiful clothes and sweet words. You would never recognize the snakes among them.
Then a glimpse of rich raven hair caught her eye. She kept turning her head to find it once again.
Her husband had excused himself to converse with some of the other dukes. But, Her eyes were too busy looking for the black hair. She couldn't even hear the guest approach. Complementing the match of this noble couple. Their giggles and even hidden insults about her families financial status weaved in with their compliments about catching the most desired Duke in London, did not even disturb her. All she could see was the raven.
"Excuse me." She whispered and walked toward the mansion.
Wondering the great hall of her new home Eleanora felt overwhelmed. It must have been a hallucination. As she looked at the dark plum walls and the large paintings of men riding across black oceans fighting on horseback covered the walls. She attempted to return to her guest but felt overwhelmed. Every corner she turned she seemed to get further away from the music. She was certain she was lost.
She nearly screamed as a hand grabbed her and pulled her toward the dark corner. "My lady how you have not changed at all."
Stunned at the deep and familiar voice Eleanora looked up into deep dark eyes that made her want to fall to the floor. Before she could respond, he pressed his full lips against her mouth. Her heart raced at the urgency his mouth moved against her's.
"My dear Nora." He whispered against her lips. "I have so missed every part of you. Your lips. Your breath." His hands wondered down her waist, causing her to pant. "And the sweet sounds you make."
"Charles. Please. Stop." She said half-heartedly.
"Why?" he asked, as his mouth wandered to her neck.
Why did he have to stop? She wondered. Why was she mad at him?
Deep down she was happy to let him continue. His lips teased her sensitive neck. Teeth grazing her collar bone. Her rapid breath congested their dark corner. The familiarity was intoxicating.
Until she was reminded of where she was with the sound of her husband's voice pulling her out of her trance.
"Have you seen my wife?" he asked kindly to what she assumed was a servant.
"She went down that way, my lord." She remembered seeing him in the hallway.
"My lady explores her new home. I will find her and give her the tour she deserves." His voice danced closer to their position.
"The guests my Lord?" the boy worried.
"Keeping pouring the wine I promise you they will not miss us. Eleanora." He called overfilled with joy, or wine.
"Get off me." She pushed Charles away.
Just as she straightened her hair. Her husband walked in.
"There you are Eleanora." He smiled at her. Like she looked as she did walking down the aisle.
Then his eyes turned toward Charles. His surprise only lasted long enough to remember to bow. "You're Highness. I am so honored the king would attend my wedding."