The Ring

Part 10

After Dominique's death, Frederick developed a more somber countenance and became noticeably less sociable. It was Isobelle, who brought about a more positive change in him. She attended to him like a dutiful wife and offered to stay on past the summer if necessary. Cleveland didn't understand the sudden change that seemed to come over his son, but was very happy to continue to support Miss Isobelle, who seemed to be having a beneficial influence on his son. After some exchange of letters, Isobelle's parents had agreed to her staying through the winter and beyond. Isobelle's mother was also invited and accepted the invitation.

The two Barrington ladies really effected a change to the manor house, which was by all accounts, for the better. By the closing of the winter, with the combined influence of the women and Cleveland together, Frederick had proposed to Isobelle and they were to be married in the summer. Frederick had come around somewhat, and accepted that Isobelle was indeed a beautiful and kind woman and he thought that he might not find a more suitable match. Nevertheless, Frederick still felt that he was not the same man that he once was.

The wedding was a grand affair, with the sheer number of guests straining the capacity of Faircroft manor. Cleveland was so happy to see his son make such a perfect match that he was soon drunk and Frederick found himself having to keep his father out of trouble, as he had insulted a number of guests almost to the point of physical violence.

After the wedding, Isobelle set about running the household. Frederick had changed his attitude towards the estate. He left the management of the estate to Manson and no longer took long rides in the evening. Frederick had not returned to the little beach since the day that he had found Dominique's body. He was now more inclined to accompany his father to the city and immerse himself in the pleasures of society. Cleveland was inclined to find a gambling table, and Frederick, who was not inclined to gamble, thought that his presence might serve to keep his father out of trouble and possibly prevent him from losing his fortune.

Isobelle's pregnancy brought a ray of happiness to the Manor. Cleveland was excited at the prospect of new member and heir to the family estate. Both Frederick and Cleveland became quite focused on Isobelle and her wellbeing. For a few months, the grand manor house was busy with excited preparations. The newfound happiness matched the new spring growth outside and Frederick found his own heart softening and quickening with anticipation of the new arrival.

The day of the birth arrived and heralded a long and painful process. The labour lasted two whole days and when the baby was finally delivered, the strain of the event was evident on both mother and child. The child was a boy and was named Cleveland. However, the child seemed to be fighting for life and Isobelle was visibly drained and could not move from her bed. A wet nurse was called in order to try and help the baby over the trauma of birth, but the child didn't seem to respond. Two days after the birth, the child was dead and Isobelle was just clinging to life. Frederick stayed by her side and was holding her hand to comfort her and gently stroking her hair. He had tears running from his eyes. Isobelle, was weak, but pulled Frederick to her face and whispered that she was sorry for what she had done. Frederick was confused, but she could say no more. She passed away in the night leaving the great house without hope.

Once more Frederick felt a great loss, but this time it was echoed throughout the house. Cleveland was also greatly afflicted and wasted no time in setting out for the city, even before a funeral could be arranged. That was to be the last time that Frederick ever saw his father. A rider arrived two days later with a message stating that Cleveland had been killed in a duel, due to a quarrel over a gambling incident. Frederick buried his father, his wife and his child together in a small family cemetery on the estate grounds. He felt hollow inside, like somehow both his past and future were now buried.

That evening, Frederick once more felt something within him drawing him towards the little beach. When he arrived there, he stood on the hill overlooking the cove that nestled the little beach in its arms. He looked out towards the horizon, as if searching for something or someone. He closed his eyes and emptied his mind to let the sounds and scents dance on his senses. The little beach seemed to be calling him once more. So absorbed was he in his thoughts and senses, that he didn't notice the footsteps behind him. It was only when Manson spoke that he realized he was not alone. He turned and saw Manson, the estate manager standing just behind him. And Manson simply said, with a rather wicked smile on his face that, she was here. That she saw everything. Frederick was perplexed, but there was a little flicker of understanding growing within him that connected these words with those that Isobelle last uttered. Manson continued: The farm girl's father told me. He saw you together and came and told me. She could never be yours and you should have known that. She was to be mine, but you took her from me. So I took her from you.

Frederick's eyes flared at the words. He lunged at Manson, but the estate manager was bigger and stronger than Frederick and easily deflected him. Manson kicked Frederick in the groin and then landed a heavy punch to his face, which knocked him down as blood streamed from his nose. Frederick lay on the ground as Manson continued to relate the details of that fateful day. Isobelle had agreed with Manson that Frederick could never take Dominique as his wife. Isobelle had accompanied Manson and watched from the hill as Manson had confronted Dominique on the little beach. He gave her two choices; to give her self to him or to walk into the sea. She chose the latter. Manson then proceeded to kick Frederick on the ground. A fire burned within Frederick that overcame the pain. He avoided one of the kicks and managed to grapple one of Manson's legs, unbalancing him. Together they rolled, one over the other, down the steep rocky hill, coming to a stop somewhere far down the little path. Frederick had been lucky enough to end up on top of Manson's body. It didn't move, and Frederick noticed blood coming out of Manson's ears and nose. He was still breathing, but the breaths were shallow and rapid. Frederick got up. He was shaken but appeared to have not suffered any serious injury. He considered his options for a moment. He considered finishing Manson or dragging him into the sea as a means of avenging Dominique, but that was not his nature. Nothing he could do would bring Dominique back. Frederick left Manson on the track and continued down to the little beach. There he stood for a moment looking out to sea. The sea air filled his nostrils and the stars of the evening sky were reflected in the water below. Frederick felt that one of those restless speckles of starlight was Dominique, out there, waiting for him. He thought he should cry, but couldn't. Not anymore.