Bitches Beasts and Broodmares

Chapter 1

The over cast skies cast gloomy grey over the fields of Haflet house. It had been a cold morning colder then Anne had imagined when she first toke it upon herself to venture out. The gardens where just as she remembered them wild bushy and filled with secrets just like the estate itself many thought the place hunted and filled with evil just waiting for the opportune moment to leek through its old jagged architecture but as long as the towns people waited the castle and its secrets stayed locked like a fortress. Haflet house, its lands and titles all remained in the noble Halingston family and had done so for centaurys the Halingston were the reigning lords of Hafletshire and a well breed English family at that. For generations the estate had fallen to the eldest son and for generations they had upheld the Halingston family name with pride and honour that was until Anne Halingston was born. An only child and a girl at that.

Anne was a tall copper haired girl with striking green eyes and a pale complexion, her vibrant personality and wild mindset was nothing short of a catastrophe for the family that wanted nothing more then for her to seep back into the cold stone walls and never return. she had not always been a disappointment it was only when it became apparent that she would be the only child born to her parents Lady Mary and Lord William that she began the very root of all evil that had occur on the family. upon her birth when her parents were certain theyd have an heir. her mother had simply past it off as its alright Im sure we can marry her off to further benefit our family which her mother did without delay. At age 17 Anne had been married to rather a dull idiot by the name of Sir Stewart Covan a wimpy tall slender boy with bright blonde hair and a pinched in face that would remind anyone of a mouse. He was the lord of an estate in Ravenharl far smaller than Haflet house but well respected in that end of the country. Never the lest Annes beast of a mother had very quickly met with Stewarts impulsive yet very rich parents and made a deal. A few weeks after their marriage stewards father died and the sniffling boy became a lord as his tyrant mother kept a watchful eye. Consistently telling Anne you are the lady now this is not like your family there will be consequences if you dont have an heir. Something Anne suspected would not happen at all as she believed very strongly that Stewart was as barren as the fields his estate rested on. Annes mother was also very keen on the idea of her having a child probably to cement her position in Ravenharl to ensure she would not return. Anne had never truly seen eye to eye with her mother, no matter how hard they tried they could never get on.

her mother was a social climbing bitch and Anne was more unique out of place girl. However, Anne and her father got on very well he had always loved her for her and never once minded that she was a female he even went as far as to declare her his heir much to the hatred of the rest of the family. But now he was dying. It had been only a week before when Anne had received a stanch yet urgent letter from her mother becoming her home as her father had fallen gravely ill and was detreating fast. So without hesitation and her husband of two years Steward arrived at the towering gates of Haflet house with the knowledge that next time them left they would be the new lord and lady. Even in such dark times her mother seemed to grace everyone with her bitch like charm. As soon as the carriage had pulled up at the door her mother had greeted Anne with a oh youre not pregnant yet, how disappointing. Some people just dont change.

The fresh morning air floated about Anne as she sat carelessly on the lawn and gazed into the misty fields beyond simply contemplating what was to happen in the weeks to come it was the day after her arrival and yet she still didnt feel at home I a place she had longed for two years. Suddenly her thoughts were shattered by the sound of her husbands voice echoing from the porch Anne, come back inside, your family is starting to arrive, dont you think you should greet them Anne turned and gazed back at the slender thing clutching a house beam Anne please I dont want to be alone with these people I dont think they like me Stewarts weak voice trailed off. trust me dear they dont like me either Anne muttered.