Elizabeth

Chapter 3-Whales Bone

Collins had done it again, leaving me without a choice, just as he had done in the past when he took my mother away from our home. Now, he was sending me out, with no money or any of my belongings just to get his wish of sealing the deal with these people. I watched the moon curl up so peacefully in the sky having no knowledge of what its passing would make me do. Sleep eluded my eyes. It might not be that bad, he might be like the charming prince from a distant land and somehow I would be his lady, I thought whenever my head ached and I needed to compensate myself. My head pounced even more. It became unbearable, I crawled out of bed towards Collins's room to the small box where he dropped little bottles of concoction for pains like this.

“What do you seek for?” The bunk creaked, he must have heard me when I walked in.

“Opium, my head aches and I need something to subside it.”

“Oh my God, this is terrible. The duke’s people will be here by dawn and you need to be in perfect health. Here, here... Gulp it all down.” He handed me a bottle and I gulped the bitter content down my throat as its taste pinched my tongue. He soaked a rag in a bowl of water and placed it on my forehead.

“Do you think he would come along?”

"Who do you speak of as a child?”

"The duke I am to be married to?”

"I do not know that.”

"What do you think he would look like?”

"I have no answer for that as well.” I exhaled deeply, taking the towel off my head.

“Let it sink in. You worry too much.”

“Would you not worry too much if you were to be given out to some strange people?”

"This is different, this is good Elizabeth. You would have your chamber, and be treated like a queen. You would love him. Although I hear he is...” He paused at the sound of gallops in front of the cottage.

“What did you hear, Father, tell me, tell me, please. I need something to hold on to.” I was overwhelmed by what he had to say about this duke but Collins had left the bed to watch through the window.

“Oh my God, they are here, they came earlier than expected, these people must know how to stick to time. Hurry, hurry... put on the dress, you must look your best. I will buy you some time, I know we shouldn't be keeping the Lady waiting.” With those words, Collins left the room to the exterior. The dress lay on the bed, a sky blue dress with a full gown, the seamstress must have gotten her training from the Queen's land. The dress would have looked more beautiful on a noble’s body, it had a veil which I wrapped around my neck.

“This is too tight,” I complained as soon as Collins walked back in with the seamstress.

“You complain too much, let the expert take a look at it, you must be perfect.”

“She did not wear it completely.” The lady said, adjusting the drawstring at the corset and pulling it backwards, at that instant, my breathing seized as I could not feel my chest.

“This is much too tight,” I complained but they ignored me.

“Perfect!” Collins commended as soon as she was done, "Now, don't forget to always put on a smile. You remind me of your mother,” He wiped his dry eyes dramatically as I struggled to walk out of the house pulling the dress along. There was just one carriage with the same symbol carved on it. Two men stood with the carriage, the first man as soon as he saw me approach them, mounted on the horse. He seemed to be the rider. While the second man smiled, leading me into the carriage.

“It's time to let go now Elizabeth,” Collins whispered to me, I realized I had him in a tight grip.

“It would be fine. Don't worry I will just be in time for the wedding, get acquainted with the place and be on your best behavior.” Collins echoed, even the upholstery of the carriage seat could not comfort my aching back. I leaned a bit more facing the window just in time to find Collins receiving a leather bag, his eyes met mine as tears swelled in them.

“Take me out of here,” I said as soon as the other man got into the carriage.

“Are you sure? Would you not bid a final goodbye to your father?”

“He is not my father, my father would not give away his child for money.”

“You know it was more than that,”

“I did not seek your opinion.”

"I am sorry my lady, I only thought to cheer you up. Sam!” He gave a signal and the horse moved so did the carriage.

I was uncertain about many things, if I would survive being stabbed by the whalebone embedded in my dress or going into a marriage with a groom I did not know. My fear had become my reality, being shipped away like some goods. The neckline of my dress clogged to my neck as the carriage wheels hit a gallop. I pulled forcefully avoiding the gaze of the man in front of me, perhaps a guard, he shared a similar uniform with the driver.

“What do you stare at?” I asked firmly as I caught his eyes on me.

“You seem distressed, did you not like the dress?” I ignored him looking out the window.

“It's a beautiful dress if you ask me.”

"Well, I didn't ask you.” Just as I responded, my eyes rested on the side of his chest where a line of ranking was embedded. He was certainly not from noble blood but he had something with them. Maybe he was a trusted servant.

“What's your name?”

"Alex.”

"What are you?”

"I do not seem to follow my lady.”

“Are you like the duke's favorite?”

“I would not call it that. I am just his personal servant, my lady.”

"Then you must know everything about this duke I am to be married to. Is he old? Does he have a hump growing at his back? Tell me something....”

“It is not in my liberty to speak of the duke, my lady.”

“What is so special about this man anyway that no one speaks of him?”

“I'm sorry about that my lady but I am not liable to speak.”

"Why do you address me as your lady? I'm not even married to the duke yet.”

"You will be his bride in a fortnight, it is a noble thing to address you as who you are.”

“In a fortnight? I am to be married in a fortnight and I'm just getting to know now?” The feeling of uneasiness returned as cold sweat pooped off my forehead. The dress glued more to me, the rims of the dress slicing my neck.

Finally, the carriage came to a halt and Alex helped me off the carriage. My lips gaped at the sight, an edifice of beauty, its grayish concrete still sparkled even in its age.

“This way, my lady,” Alex led me in as more maids rushed out to help with my dress and just when I saw the noble ladies with their dresses I wished I had gone with my pig dress.

“Welcome my dearest, come sit beside me,” Lady Alice welcomed me and I sat beside her, there were other ladies there seated as they watched me. I heard their muffled laughter and talks in between them, there must be something wrong with me.

“This is Elizabeth,” Alice echoed.

“Elizabeth?” The ladies acted surprised and I knew I needed to speak.

“My mother was from London and named me after her godmother.” I managed to say.

“Lovely dress you have there,” The other lady giggled in between her compliments, I knew she was only being sarcastic as my dress was nothing compared to theirs.

“Eve!,” Lady Alice called out and a girl rushed forward, she had the handmaid uniform on like the rest. "This will be my son’s bride in a fortnight, take her to her chambers and prepare her”

“Elizabeth, this is Eve, your personal handmaid. Whatever you need, she will be at your service.” She whispered a few words to Eve before I followed her to my chambers, and other maids followed along helping with my dress.

“I can take it from here,” I said, as soon as I was out of the sight of the other ladies.