Ethereal Burn

Goodbye

My father took it upon himself to write to my husband, the Duke, on my behalf for the family, seeking out financial support.

I didn't care really, I just wanted this to be over and done with. All my family cared for is money.

In the coming days I packed what I wanted to bring with me to the east. I knew I'd be traveling in a carriage so I truly didn't want to bring a lot, just what was meaningful to me. I didn't know exactly when I'd be leaving, but I figured it was best to be ready in advance.

Amongst the items I selected was a small painted portrait of  my mother, a few gowns, shoes, my hair brush and of course my favorite books.

I didn't own any jewelry, besides my ring given to me by the Duke. My stepmother always believed wearing none looked good on me.

All in all, I only had one suitcase worth of belongings that I wanted to take with me. I suppose this fact was rather sad, but so was my life, so this wasn't at all surprising to me.

***

My father's angry shouts followed by my name had me tightly gripping the book I was currently reading.

What is it now?...

The past week father was in such a terrible mood, I avoided even going down to dinner just so I didn't have to be near it.

A knock, followed by Butler Fredrick opening my door had me releasing a heavy sigh.

Placing the book down, I stood facing our family Butler.

His face conveyed his sorry and worry.... "Lord Holbrook requests your audience urgently"...

I nod a simple understanding and follow Butler Fredrick to where my father is.

It's no surprise to find him in his office, but what was surprising was his disheveled appearance. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days, his tie was off and the top buttons were open. A bottle of wine sat half empty on his desk.

I stood before his desk, not daring to speak a word until spoken too.

"It would seem your dear new husband refuses to send us a penny until you are in his reach... you leave tomorrow morning. You can go now" ... his tone conveyed how irritable he was at the situation, with no ounce of kindness in his words towards me.

Not wanting to be in his presence for longer than necessary, I agreed understanding his wishes and left back to my room.

My packed suitcase was still in the same place I left it beside my bed. I pulled out the outfit from my closet cabinet having already chosen it the same day I packed.

It was a light green dress with long sleeves, it had white threads sewn into a flowery design along the sleeves. A respectable round neckline and a silver band was woven around the center where my lower stomach will be. The fabric that was the entire skirt had the same white flowery design sewed all throughout it. The pattern was beautiful, and in truth it is my favorite dress.

I hardly ever wore it, in fear I'd ruin it from over wearing. Stepmother rarely bought me new dresses. This one, she bought for me only because she was pressured to keep up appearances. Another noble mentioned me to her in conversation at the dress shop as she was originally there shopping for only Margaret. But at the mention of my name she pretended to be a loving stepmother who also buys her stepdaughter, beautiful gowns.