Chapter 5

It was a bright day again, Dominic was actually surprised because it was winter but it felt to him as if it was a summer’s day.

“How is she?" Dominic's father asked as they walked to the house on return from their morning chat.

"Disobedient, challenging and rude," His son replied glancing at the dog house he had been subjected to he could not wait till all the papers were completed so he could return home and live in comfort. Rubbing his head, he frowned as the noises of the city ruined his sleep.

His father puffed some of his pipe, irritated at the fact the priest could not allow it in his home.

Dominic's continued rambling. "Yes I shall she is interesting father but I'm unsure about children," He posed his worry; she had been bountiful breasts fit for milk and already shapely. Her hips fit snugly in her dress but she was too meek. How would he advance on a woman who could not look him in the eye? Failure on his wedding night would be laughable.

His father patted his son knowingly, "Dominic we are French seducers of the opposite sex, stay for a while charm her, compliment her and then on your wedding night do what is necessary afterwards you may treat her as you like."

He smirked slightly, agreeing with his sire they walked indoors. "Good Morning Jacqueline," He kissed her hand lightly, smiling at her.

"Good morning, my lord" She curtsied, looking anywhere but him.

"My lord?" she looked up" I thought we were past that, we understood each other and now can talk as if we are friends," He grasped her hand tightly, reminding her of the previous.. The first encounter, she shook him off and caught the other man’s eye.

Looking at his father bobbing a quick curtsy, he had raised a bastard; she wanted to scream at him. "My lord, good morning," The older man nodded and walked off

Dominic and Jacqueline were left alone. "You look beautiful, Jacqueline"

She looked up; his face looked straight at her. He had no smile on his face, saying it as is he was obliged to. She was furious ignoring him she responded with a sarcastic “Thank you,”

"That's quite alright as my wife I will be complimenting you more of course," He offered her hand and she politely took it, as they walked to the dining room.

“What does your home look like, my lord?”

The food was placed before them, steaming broth and a meal of bread and meat they ate calmly not looking at each other. "My home has sixteen rooms we will of course share a room together as husband and wife,"

Of course husband dearest, she thought sarcastically.

Looking at her plate, forgetting that she would have to leave her home start a fresh. One relief of being married was she would be removed from the hatred of her father. The scorn he had ever since she was a child because of her sex. Some fathers doted on their daughters she knew, but never her’s and she had ever been loved by a father figure. She only had brothers, she only had Anthony, William and Alex to rely on but now she was being ripped from all three men.

He continued eating. "And of course you will be lady of the house no one above you but me." He sighed, now he was content. "A wife is to serve her husband and god we will attend church together and you will be the wife expected of a nobleman."

She sighed, her head reeling a question forming on her lips. "What is it?"

"Nothing, my lord" She lied. Looking at her ring that had been given as an engagement ring she had felt like baggage when she realised what the word was on it. Dominic's.

He glanced at her, facial expression still distant unaffected. This plan would not work he would have to try or just control her make her submit to his charms. "I know it is difficult but I am your husband I will look after you if you obey me."

She was quiet, and sick of him. "I am full, my lord."

Content with himself he rose and gave his hand. "I will leave you with your brother as chaperone I must go into town for business,"

She nodded and took his arm, not talking to her. "Tomorrow you will leave for my home do not bring your clothing you may have some for one day of course."

He opened the door for her, bowing towards Thomas he quickly left. "Thomas," She curtsied towards her elder as he signalled for her to be seated.

"Your husband is satisfactory sister?" She nodded knowing only William knew her pain. Thomas being the favourite of the three siblings had a choice in his partner as well as respect now as a solider. Thomas would never care for her again.

"Aye brother,"

"Good I do not want any incompetence reported to me, understood?" Her twenty three year old brother glared at her, he ruffled his red hair sipping the drink, beside him.

"Yes," She glanced at her hands, she had never been close to her older brother only as a young child and even then he seemed superior to her.

"Good I will be your chaperone. William is fasting and in prayer I told him I would do it," She stayed silent, looking at the room she would say goodbye to everything surrounding her. He spoke of it as a chore.

"I will leave of course as soon as we arrive so you can bond but of course....." he trailed off as a tear leaked from her face. "Dry your tears," He spat.

She ignored him and continued to cry. "Some women are married to men old enough to be their fathers and repulsive, you have a good man and if you listen to him you'll be happy,"

She allowed the tears to flow freely, she always did. "Tears show weakness."

She spat on the ground next to him, she didn’t care and he got up. Before sinking back into his seat as she continued to talk.

"Listen, why should I always listen to men?”  She spat. "You walk around high and mighty but we have to listen and obey. You are such a sexist bastard."

He was quiet sipping his drink smoothing his shirt. "So what do you want to do with your life sister dearest?”

She didn't have to think about it. “Not get married, look after no man, live happily and independently and work for a pay, as many woman do."

He frowned. Those women were mostly prostitutes, and even then their fathers or brothers took their money.

"You don't think I'm capable do you well I can read write I know almost as much as you do."

He sagged, another lecture from his sister. He just wanted to slap her and go to the tavern but she was another man's, he could not touch her.

"I am tired and sick and about to be married off. Like cattle. I have to leave my home everything I've known. Don't I get some pity Thomas? Is there any compassion? Unlike you I actually have a heart,"

Her brother was stunned, then furious how dare she! "Get out of my sight, maybe you should pray for God to give you some sense; you may be able to understand why you should think before speaking to your male elder like that."

"I have sense brother not all women are dumb, as you assume. But then you’re so dumb," she waved her hands in frustration. "That's all you do, assume. I don't even understand why you were knighted in the first place you are not noble or have any sense." He looked at her, his mouth unable to respond, brain racking for when his sister spoke to him that way.

"Get out of my sight," He responded, Jacqueline stayed silent sitting down watching him. Till he physically shoved her out the room, he dragged her out and slammed the door behind him.

She hoped she had not ripped her dress, but the pain hurt her and she wished she wasn’t a woman. She wanted some comfort now and she knew where to find it.

William was bowed on the ground, his eyes closed in prayer. Jacqueline walked gently slipping her shoes off to not disturb him, her cream ruffled lightly, she lifted it up her dress and kneeled next to her brother.

"Protect her, my lord and master, love and cherish her as she renounces a name and takes another, take her lord to her wing as I have these past sixteen years of her life. I have loved her as much as any man has and I pray that her husband will to." He paused, a tear sliding down his cheek.

"Blessed be thy name who protects forgives and cherishes. Amen."

He opened his eyes, she was kneeling staring at the statue of Mary holding Jesus. He lightly squeezed her hand as she nestled her head into him. "I'll miss you brother," she whispered.

"You will see me at events and parties. I will not disappear, I love a party! Because I am not a monk," He kissed her head. "I will visit you at your house," She nodded into her brother. "I'll never leave you.

It went silent for a while, William stroked his younger sibling’s hair, and they nestled into each other. Not speaking just thinking. William wearing his normal clothing which was a simple white shirt and black suit, his sombre mood did not reflect in the room but only his comfort- to Jacqueline anyway.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jacqueline's neck was clamped on harshly by Dominic's hand.

"Get off her immediately!" William barked. Shoving Dominic to the ground, as he talked, this man needed to use his sense before assuming.

Dominic paused, he was an idiot, one of the only men that were safe and he had embarrassed himself “I’m sorry Father. I didn't know it was you," Dominic bowed his head in shame. He was ruthless when it came to women but he knew to be fair and insulting her in front of a priest and her brother. It was a mistake.

"Now apologise to, my sister." Dominic looked at her with absolute hatred. Before he began speaking...