The man behind the mask

The announcement

"My lady....my lady" I hear a faint voice repeat "It's time to wake up, your mother and father are waiting for you downstairs"

"Uggh" I groan...."Five more minutes please, I beg"

I felt as if I had only just closed my eyes....I had hardly slept a wink last night due to a stupid owl hooting away like it was nobodies business... I swear I'll get somebody to shoot that damn bird..

Suddenly I was blinded by daylight because Mrs smith ( our head-house maid ) had decided to unkindly open the curtains..."No..no please I can't get up.."

"Yes you can my lady and I've prepared a bath for you...so please for goodness sake get up"

I don't reply.... and start to drift off back to sleep...

"there's pancakes waiting for you downstairs.." she says in a completely bored tone.

I shoot up from my bed " Well why didn't you just say that" I complain as I start to climb out of my warm....did I mention WARM bed.

I start to walk over to the bathroom still in my night dress and might I add, half asleep.

When I enter my bathroom which was painted a lovely ivy green and had dark wood flooring, I saw the copper bathtub was steaming with hot water...I had never been more excited to have a bath in my life. I quickly undress and get in the warm soothing water...

After what only felt like ten minutes (probably was to be honest) I was being nagged to get out because breakfast was going cold downstairs. Like can't a girl get some rest?

I dry off quickly and Mrs smith helps me into my corset and beautiful silk blue dress my mother had bought me when she visited a friend from further up the country.

I sat on the stool to my dressing table and looked in the mirror to powder my face... I looked pale today my dark brown hair falling messily over my face....sometimes I don't even recognize my own face, a lot had changed over the years...I now had high cheekbones which is a big contrast to me three years ago, when I used to get teased for having chubby cheeks....I cringe at the memories...at least I still had my mothers crystal blue eyes.

Mrs smith had helped me brush my hair and now I was heading out my room into the hallway which had walls covered in expensive paintings, because my father had always been quite a fan of such artwork.

I make my way down the stairs...nearly tripping up over our family dog- Pepper, she was a bit of a clumsy dog.

I walked through the huge double doors leading to the dining hall and I was engulfed by the delicious smell of scones and eggs....and...PANCAKES, I nearly drool at the thought. The huge table was covered in all sorts of different foods.

At the end of the table I saw my parents sat there...just sat there....quietly sipping their tea...well that can't be good...they're never this quiet...

"Morning? is everything ok?........Has someone died?!"

They both looked at me with a slightly sad expression "We need to talk to you about something Delilah"

Oh no....my head started to run wild thinking of everything I had done that week..

It couldn't be because I accidently laughed at Lord Baldwin when he refused a scone because he was on a "diet" or maybe when it was when I put salt in his tea instead of sugar?... that's it I'm dead...might as well accept it now...

"whatever I've done I didn't mean it, ok?....it's not my fault Lord Baldwin looks like that..."

"Delilah don't say such things at the dinner table.....and no it's not about that" my mother said.

"Oh thank goodness"... "wait, what is it about then?" I questioned.

My father finally speaks up- " It's about marriage Delilah....we're losing money, because I-"

"Because" my mother interrupts "Your father decided to be the imbecile he is and bet our money on some ridiculous horse race" she spits out angerly.

"Wait...w-what?" I stumble on my words "I've only just turned seventeen. How would you expect me to marry? I haven't even met the right suitor yet"

"We understand that, and that's why I have spoken to Lord Baldwin and he is more then happy to ask for your hand in marriage...I know you don't really take a liking to him but he is a Lord and has-"

"I'm sorry....you what?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing...how could my own father betray me like that?

"He's a good man, Delilah" my mother states as if I was delusional.

"How...how could you? you know how much I hate that... that pig" I screech out.

"How dare you talk to me like that! when I am doing what's best for you...you ungrateful child" my father angerly says.

I didn't care one bit... how could they even think of such a disgraceful idea...im not even the one who lost all their money....

I stormed off, straight up to my bedroom..I couldn't even look at them..

Once I close my bedroom door...my eyes sting with tears.. I can't marry that disgusting old man....I can't.

I spent the rest of the day in my room, reading books... at least trying too, but I couldn't stop the thoughts of how I could be forced to have that things children and so before I know it I'm sobbing myself to sleep...

"Delilah sweety" I hear my mother say softly...

By the looks of it I had slept all the way through the night as the morning sun was shining brightly through the windows..

"hmm?" I manage to mumble out, trying to open my eyes that felt swollen from crying so much..

"Your father and I have discussed the issue regarding marriage and have decided that we'll give you until you're eighteen...and then you'll have to marry, whether it's Lord Baldwin or not...but over this year we expect you to try and find a suitor that pleases you"

"Really?" I say.. shocked by how my mother was acting.

"Yes, of course.. it's not that I want you to marry someone you dislike, It's just I don't want you to end up having to marry someone of a low status because of your father.."

"I Know.....and...and I'm sorry for the way I reacted yesterday" I say despite it being hard to admit, I might have over reacted a bit.

"It's ok Delilah, I know its a big step in your life.. so, of course you'd be upset over an arranged marriage....just know that I love you...ok?"

"I love you too and thankyou"

I give my mother a hug...and she felt thin and cold...different to how she used to feel..

"come on.. lets get you something to eat" she says with a smile.

"you read my mind" I say with a laugh.

-

My first chapter... what do you guys think?

Since this is my first story on here please be patient with my spelling etc.

what do you think of Delilah? thoughts on her character?>

Happy reading x