The Chosen Bride

A Lady is Always Kind

Eleanor watched as a cloud of dust made its way over the hill towards the estate.

It had been nearly a week since Katherine had left Eleanor with Mary and Blythe. It was positively horrendous.

Eleanor now remembered exactly why she never had had children. They were a hassle. They were needy. They were disturbing.

When Eleanor had finally managed to get a few moments, alone, with her husband, the baby would suddenly need her and only her. When she had finally settled down with a good book, Blythe would need to go out for a few moments.

The young babe had used Eleanor as a replacement for her mother, knowing far well that Eleanor would suffice as a cuddle object.

And Eleanor didn't mind. She loved the young babe with all her heart... but Eleanor was in desperate need of some time to herself.

"Blythe, would you mind preparing Mary? I believe her parents will be home." Eleanor called as she whisked herself away from the window.

Eleanor had the servants prepare some food and a hot bath. She knew how hard riding could be on an individual, especially after fighting a war.

"What on heaven's green earth are you doing, woman?" Jacque asked as he looped his arm around Eleanor's middle, pulling right up against him.

"Katherine and Drake are coming home! We can finally kick the little babe off to their room and not ours." Eleanor exclaimed, turning in his arms and grinning.

Jacque tapped her nose with his finger, "And we can work on getting one of our own?"

Eleanor shook her head, "Now, now mister. We talked about—"

A knock interrupted the two of them and a servant boy came in, "There is someone at the door for you, your ladyship."

It was uncanny for anyone to come to the door for Eleanor and not Jacque, but Eleanor didn't mind.

She waltzed into the foyer, ready to scoop up her young protégée in a hug. She had missed Katherine dearly, even though she had understood her reasons for leaving them. She missed her best friend.

A frown formed on her face when she came into the brightly lit room. Eleanor had made it a habit not to frown, as it made her look older, but she could not help the confusion that overtook her.

A young boy, dressed in the royal court's attire, held his hat in his hand, standing at full attention. "Ma'am"

Eleanor cocked her head to the side, "You will have to forgive, dear boy, but I was expecting a lady and her husband. What is it you wanted?"

The boy came forward, lowering his head slightly, "Ma'am, I was sent by Lord Thomas Drake of his majesty's court. I have come to inform you that his wife was found dead in the forest nearly the border of his Majesty's camp. I regret to inform you and so proceed to bring you her personal affections, as requested by his Lordship."

Eleanor laughed, "Excuse me? I believe you have the wrong girl!"

The boy frowned, "You are Lady Eleanor of Blenheim?"

"Yes."

"The same Lady who is related to Katherine?"

"Of course."

The boy shook his head, "Then I have made no mistake, ma'am. Lady Katherine Drake was found dead."

The words reverberated in her mind. Dead. Stabbed. Buried. Her heart broke in pieces. Her vision blurred with tears.

Eleanor sank to the ground, her body trembling. She pressed her face into her skirts as she screamed.

It seemed the only just thing to do, to scream in grief, as she had just lost the one girl she could consider her family. She had lost two years of hard work to rear an adult into a lady. Two years of forming Katherine into her best friend.