Infuriating Attractions (on hold)

Infuriating Attractions

Hello all! This is my new story and kind of sequel to Unlikely Endings. It's not imperative that you read UE but it's highly recommended as there may be certain characters/events that could be better understood.

This is Thomas Black's story for all that thought he was a little neglected and takes place after UE.

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Annabelle Wetherby, daughter to the Duke of Pratershire had always had terrible luck.

The sort of bad luck that seemed to follow her around like a terrible and infuriating dark cloud. It had become somewhat of a family joke; her two older brothers instinctively removed any heavy or sharp objects whenever she entered the room with a laugh. Godric and Richard Wetherby enjoyed teasing their younger sister incessantly, especially when she would trip over and fall into a puddle of some sort which had happened a ridiculous amount of times.

Her mother, being the worrisome sort, had even taken her to the local priest, convinced that some supernatural curse had been inflicted upon her daughter. The poor man had struggled not to laugh as she had explained their plight.

However, now as she sat bouncing about in her carriage Annabelle felt her luck would truly be turning around. At the archaic age of eighteen she was finally being allowed to join her brothers at court and begin testing suitor after suitor for an acceptable husband. She shivered in pleasure at the thought of the dashing handsome man she was sure to marry. Her brothers had attempted to keep their sister away from court for as long as possible, they claimed it was a place of debauchery and loose morals. The absence of the notable Duke's daughter had surrounded her with an air of mystique and now that she was about to make her debut Annabelle was sure to garner some attention.

"Oh curse this road!" Elizabeth, her maid exclaimed as they hit another bump that shook the carriage. It was her task to chaperone Annabelle on her journey to the castle of Varsteel which was no chore, the two women were firm friends regardless of their difference in status.

Annabelle could not help but chuckle in response. Elizabeth had been just as against this journey as her brothers, she was two summers older than Annabelle and had previously served as a maid in the castle of Elereld. She too ranted and raved about the seedy nature of court, citing that it was filled with those talented in manipulation.

"I hope you do not plan to be in such a mood for the entire journey" Annabelle laughed "We have yet two hours and I much prefer your company when you are happier"

"I do not see why we are even going" she huffed for the hundredth time "Your brothers and father could arrange a perfectly suitable husband for you without you ever having to leave Pratershire"

"How dull!" Annabelle replied "You have travelled and seen other things, I have never left my home and do not intend to remain in a single place for my entire life."

"Well you would leave when you married and live with your husband"

"Come now Elizabeth" she chided "That is hardly the same thing. Besides, you know King James requested my presence, he considers it an insult that I have yet to be present though I am of age"

"That man!" Elizabeth growled "He cares nought for anything but wine and the silly servant girl he married"

"Hold your tongue Elizabeth!" Annabelle cried "I have heard nothing but good things about King James, though his marriage may have been a little...scandalous. Besides, the rumours of your beloved King Henry speak far more of debauchery"

"A few whores here and there before marriage" she replied airily with a wave of her hand "Tis only normal for a man, how else is he to amuse himself before properly settling down?"

Annabelle blushed in response to her maid's frank way of speaking. If her parents knew the kind of things she spoke of to their daughter they would have thrown her out of the estate. She had often wondered about the extent of Elizabeth's experience with men but never had gathered the courage to enquire.

"Well I would want an honourable man, I would not want my husband to have gallivanted around with-with-"

"Whores"

"Yes! Fine! Whores!" Annabelle cried suddenly flustered and bright red, trying and failing desperately to conceal her naivete. She prayed desperately for a change in subject, but the truth was that she was incessantly curious about the goings on between husband and wife. From what Elizabeth had mentioned here and there the deed was meant to be rather pleasurable indeed. Before she could properly analyse the tingles that ran up her spine at the thought, the carriage came to an abrupt and unexpected stop followed by a loud thump.

"Did someone say whores?" a voice called from the road and Annabelle gasped. Thieves! She truly was cursed after all.

Sorry about the length but it's really just an introduction, i'll be updating fairly quickly as i'm bored at the moment and excited to write this one