Widow's Peak

Chapter 1:

Chapter 1:
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The sky was dark when I awoke. The soft breathing of the girl who shared my room the only sound. It was early morning, yet I couldn't make myself sleep. I never could. I was always restless at night. I would move, and turn, but I could sleep perfectly in the day. I sighed before throwing the thin quilt off of me. Mrs. Holbrook didn't have enough funds to let us live comfortably. Mrs. Holbrook ran a home for girls who didn't have homes. I was one of them. I never knew my parents. Mrs. Holbrook said she went to open the door one morning, and I was just there. I've grown up here; I've seen the same white, stone walls, and felt the same chill every winter. We don't get very many strangers, or very many new girls. The last new girl to come had been over ten years ago. Some leave as quickly as they came. They filter in day after day, all from a different background. All running from something they left behind. Some of them were pretty, their faces hinting at aristocracy. It made me wonder where they'd come from. Mrs. Holbrook told me not to wonder such things. It was best that I didn't. These girls liked their privacy. As much as I liked it myself. I hated people's probing questions. All wanting to know my lineage, or where I'd come from. When I mentioned where I lived, they would shrink back in disgust. Any girl who lived here was not a girl society was willing to accept. I wrapped a cloak around myself before slipping into the corridor. The moonlight filtered through the windows creating a soft glow as I walked. Door after door all housed two girls per room. Amy was the name of the one I stayed with, or was it Anne? She made new move to become friendly towards me, so I returned the indifference. I do not know much about her, nor her me. It's the way things worked here. Don't give people much to go off of, and you'll be fine. I walked to the end of the corridor to the front door. Opening it quickly, I slipped outside into the cool, crisp morning air. The sun had not yet risen, so there was not a soul in sight. I enjoyed this. These quiet moments where I could just sit outside, and feel the moon caress my skin. Mrs. Holbrook called it strange. I called it comforting. Mrs. Holbrook's full name was Janine Marie Holbrook. She was once married to a man named Henry, and she was once beautiful. Henry died though, but she was left with all of his riches. The first good amount was spent to making this a home for us. Then, years passed of caring for us, and her funds became tight. We did not have the luxuries we used to. I had never seen Henry, Janine said she hadn't either. They were forced into a marriage by their fathers. Good children were supposed to come of that marriage, but Henry's untimely demise happened before it could be done. I often wondered if the two would ever have had children in the first place. At first, I thought Janine named me. But, it turns out I came with a scrap of paper with the words 'Valerie Roux,' scrawled on it. Whoever my parents had been, they took the time to name me. Roux. It was a strong name; a name that held hidden wealth. I, sadly, had none. I was penniless, and not as beautiful as the name preludes. There was a girl here named Isobel who better fit the name. I watched as the sun slowly lifted over the horizon. It illuminated the town, and with it came the sounds of awakening. Doors being opened by servants, breakfast being made. New babies crying at first light. Then, there were the sounds from inside my home. Doors creaking in protest as they're being opened. Janine's rather loud voice commanding our cook, Pauline, to make breakfast simple. A nice, warm broth. Oregon was always this cold this time of year. The girl who stayed in my room slowly discovering that I was not there. They knew where I was. I'd come in when breakfast was ready, as was custom. I sat there still watching the town. Ladies stepped out in their lovely dresses, suitors reached to kiss hands, and men headed to find work. "Valerie," I heard the door open. I turned back to see Isobel in a thin green dress that she most likely brought with her. It was nice, but not as extravagant as the girls born into higher classes. I stood "is breakfast ready?" Isobel shook her head "no, but Mrs. Holbrook told me to come get you. Someone has called on you." I stood with a frown. I had a caller? No one had ever come to call on me. We had a lucky girl in the past. A Duke fell in love with her, and carried her away. Yes, there had been rumors for why such an affluent Duke would marry a homeless girl. Perhaps, it had something to do with her past. I silently followed Isobel into the drawing room. Mrs. Holbrook kept the drawing room the same. The rest of the home was converted into rooms for us. I saw Janine first, her dark blue skirts on the tile floor. She had a big smile on. A smile that made her look youthful. I could pick through the years to see hints of when she was young and beautiful. Then, I saw the man. He was tall, and thin with hair that cast his face in shadows. His eyes were frosty as they took me in. He had an aura about him that made him seem dangerous. I involuntarily took a step towards Janine. "Yes," the man's voice was gravelly and cold "you are his daughter." I shook my head "excuse me?" Janine stepped forward "Valerie, darling, this man has come from your father. It seems that after his untimely death a few days ago, he left his estate to you. Valerie, you're wealthy." I took another step back. No. I wasn't wealthy. I wasn't this man's master's daughter. My father wasn't dead. He was out in the world with the mother who didn't want me. I was just another homeless girl in Janine's care. None of this was real. Perhaps, I was still dreaming with Anne, or Amy's breathing drawing me awake. I shook my head again. "I'm sorry," I finally spoke "you have the wrong girl." The man stepped forward slightly with a frown "no. Valerie Roux. Your father's name was Lincoln Roux; he was.....ill. Had been for a very long time." Janine stepped forward as well making the small space seem suddenly crowded. Janine smelled of flowers, and winter; a scent I had always been used to. But, this man, this man smelled of storm clouds, and darkness. A danger that I was sure awaited me. What kind of man had my father been to hire someone like this? "I never had the pleasure of knowing your name, sir," Janine asked suddenly. "Irvin. Irvin Remington," the man stood taller "your father was my business associate. Upon his death, you must inherit your father's estate." I breathed in quietly "where is the estate." Irvin stepped away from us. He glanced around as if saying the name would summon something. My eyes narrowed. "Widow's Peak," he told me "the carriage is waiting outside for you." And, that was that. I had no voice, no option. My wealthy father who abandoned me, left me a large estate on an island. Janine did not let me argue. I went to pack what little things I had, and the next thing, I was sitting in the carriage watching Irvin. He did not watch me. In the close space, his aura unnerved me. I closed my eyes. This was happening. And, I was no where near prepared for the danger I would face.