Through My Eyes

Chapter Twenty-Three

This chapter is dedicated to dcevezbp1000 for her continuous support, not just for Through My Eyes, but for my other stories too. You are awesome! I love you!!

Chapter Twenty-Three

I am sitting at the dressing table and a maid is pushing some final pins into my hair. The door opens and aided by a gust of wind, Master Phillip rushes in, his cheeks flushed, his eyes wide.

"You may leave." He says to the maid. "I have some business with my daughter-in-law."

The maid scurries out of the room obediently and I stand up, turning to face Master Phillip. "What is it? Is Damon alright? Has something happened?"

Master Phillip beams excitedly. "I will tell you nothing. Are you prepared for a little travelling?"

"Whatever do you mean, Master Phillip?"

Ten minutes later, Master Phillip and I are seated in a coach, being swayed by the potholes in the road. Master Phillip is fidgeting like a mad man, his hair ruffled from his repeated tampering with it, a manic gleam lighting his eyes, a bright grin splitting his face. I sit still, watching Master Phillip warily, wondering what is going through his head. He had bundled me into the coach so fast, that I could barely see Lady Elizabeth and Emmanuel waving goodbye to me.

I did, however, see Emmanuel's warning glare which meant 'Do not try to escape or else'.

I glance at Master Phillip, who gets more excited with every corner we turn. I sigh. "Master Phillip, please can you inform me of where we are headed?"

"No." He replies curtly. "You will see for yourself in a little while. Stop being so impatient!"

I glare at him. "With all due respect, Master Phillip, I am not the one fidgeting like a five year old in a boatload of sweets."

Master Phillip ceases his fussing and smiles. "So I am. Excuse me for my childishness, I am rather excited today!"

"But what are you excited about, Master Phillip? What is going on?" I ask.

"Eloise, my dear, dear, child. You will see soon, just while away time before then." Master Phillip smiles and then resumes his fidgeting. I sigh and return my attention to my clasped hands, letting my mind drift to the past and the happiness it had brought. The past, meaning Damon. Damon is all I remember of my past life. Even Mother's beatings are not a highlight of my life as a bachelorette; all of those minor events seem irrelevant now.

A sudden gasp from Master Phillip catches my attention. He jumps up and down in his seat. "We have arrived!!" He says in a sing-song voice.

"Master Phillip, compose yourself." I say in a calm voice.

Master Phillip just beams as the coach rolls to a stop. "Come on, my dear! We are here! Ooh, that rhymes!"

Master Phillip jumps down from the coach, narrowly avoiding a puddle of water. I am helped down by the coach man and plant my feet nimbly on the ground. I look around and my breath hitches in my throat.

So much chaos.

There are market stalls set up a few feet from each other, with their owners screaming out their wares, attempting to lure customers in. People jostle each other, carrying baskets of food and flowers and dishes and cutlery and everything you can think of. Smells of steel and aromas of food rise and mingle with the air, providing a sickly sweet smell. Children rush to and fro, clutching rag dolls, their smeared faces lit with glee. Hunched, wrinkle-faced women stumble around, their palms turned upwards, searching for alms from the more fortunate. I see how they are swerved by others, who avoid them in order to continue their bargaining and shopping. The cobbled floor beneath me is rough and uneven. I have no idea how the children aren't falling over, what with the amount of running around that is being done.