The Regency Witch and Werewolf

The slap to my left cheek should have resounded around the whole of the Irewicks household, and not just the hall that I and my mother stood in. At least that’s what it felt like. I knew that my cheek had to be flushed, as if someone had whispered lovely words into my ear, and not just slapped me for my disregard of my mother’s wishes. Quickly my left arm reached up to brush my hand against my numbing cheek. Salty water drops began to gather in my eyes, as I fought back the tears that so wanted to burst through. My mother Mrs. Scarlet, silk green skirts could be heard as she swooshed back and forth in front of me, her hands on her hips, anger pouring from her small frame. At last she turned pointing a matching green glove in my direction, her dark green orbs pouring into my own light green ones. “How dare you! You insolent child! How dare you defy my wishes? How dare you tell me what you want, when you know damn well that we do not stand a chance unless you wed well? A Duke has signed your dance card. A Duke has asked for your attention and you tell me you refuse to dance with him. To take the floors of a ball before many of our circle. It’s a match that would set us back on the right path of our standings. And you refuse!!!! So mark my words River Ann Scarlet! You will fix your face. You will take the floor of the Irewicks ball with your head up high, and in the arms of Duke Haywenth or so mark my words you will not see nothing but the four corners of your bed room for the rest of wretched life. Do you understand?!” My lips parted and I told myself to just nod my head, and to agree. I am sure I could take another good thrashing but I would rather not. “Yes mother….I am sorry…..I don’t know what I was thinking. I was nervous. “Yes blame my foolish actions on my emotions. There was no hope that for once in my dark unjustly life that my mother would think of me first, before her wealth, and fashionable life that she was used to. A deep sigh escaped her lips before that same hand that so quickly stung my left cheek, came up to caress it. “River you know what I do is for your own good. If you marry the Duke all worries about your future will be forgotten. Even with your ……………..even with your illness you will still be able to have a presence at all the balls and your cards will never be turned away. If you marry anyone of lesser stature they will surely lock you away and throw away the key. And your sister Annabelle is too young to make a debut. This falls on your shoulders my daughter. A heavy task I know but you’re our savior in this case. And shall be the savior of your own future as well. “ Even though I heard her words. I knew the underlining was more so for her sake. I couldn’t really blame her. My mother had been born of high breeding. To have to take a step lower in the circles she was so much use to would kill her. Lifting my chin away from her face I nodded my head. “I understand mother. “ Rather I had an illness or not my mother would never accept a lower rank in life. “You should head back out among the others. Let me get my face in order," I said already turning away from her so that I could fight back tears that I already knew and so well. There are two kinds of mothers in the world. One that loves their children and thinks of them first. And then those that love their children but think of them last. My mother falls in the second category. A swoosh of her skirts were heard and I knew she was returning to the ball. Her face would now be glowing from her victory. Turning the corner I quickly maneuvered around two ladies that were not of my acquaintance as they came out of the powder room. I sighed with much relief as I found the powder room quite empty. Moving towards the three panel floor length mirror on the opposite wall of the rather large room I made a quick look over my skirts. I knew I would find nothing out of order on my rose colored satin gown. All the lace and trims were in their place. My left cheek was now beginning to match my right side peach color. I had about a good five minutes here. Five minutes to perhaps come up with a plan. Something had to be done tonight to make my mother not see the Duke in a good light. But how to do that? Before I knew it I had begun to pace. My cream colored shoes lightly tapping on the multicolored large peach, rose, and brown Oriental rug. The walls themselves were of peach coloring with golden decorative swirls to keep the room more lively than most powder rooms. It could fit up to maybe 6 women comfortably with even the largest of petticoats. Two love couches sat on either side of the room. And in the far corner to the right was a large wooden decorative 3 panel changing screen. Biting my bottom lip nothing I could possibly think of would do. The Duke Haywenth was a well-known gentleman of England. His family was one of the strongest branches. To be even regarded by him was what every woman coming out could dream of. But they didn’t know what I knew. They didn’t see what I saw. They didn’t know the murder that hid in the high price sheeps clothing. “How…………how……….I cannot marry the Duke.” Not Duke Haywenth. “I said out loud to myself. “Hopefully you mean that. Cause if you don’t, I will have to find some form or fashion to try and persuade you otherwise. Even if he is wealthy the man is not what he seems," came a voice from behind me. It sounded like a child. Turning on the balls of my feet I found myself facing a child of maybe 10 or 12. She stood maybe at the height of 4’8. Bright blue orbs the color of the sky on a bright and sunny day were starring back at me. She rested against the door with one hand on the handle the other on her hip. Before she moved from the door I heard the click of the lock. Quickly she strolled to my side before making a quick turn about me. Her dress was plain black. Her own pitch black hair was up in a tight bun. Right away I assumed she was one of the young house maids. But there was no white apron. And something told me that this child was far from any maid. She circled about me with determination, and one who was used to authority. Stopping finally in front of me her arms crossed over her chest she parted her lips to speak again. “You’re pretty. Red curly fiery hair………I hear is a thing for grownups.” She wrinkled her nose her eyes briefly going to my hair that was up in a bun of twist and braids. A few red curls dangled here and there that refused to be tamed. “But I do hope you meant what you said. That you don’t want to marry the duke. “Her eyes seemed to narrow as she continued to stare daggers into me. I was still pretty shocked at her thoughts on what adults thought of. I felt my lips open and then quickly I forced them shut again. Whom was this child to judge me at all? Or for the better nose her way into my business. “I don’t think that is any of your concern young lady. If you’re a maid of this house you should be seen briefly and never heard. “Crossing my own arms over my chest I stared down at her along the bridge of my nose as my mother used to do to me. Quickly I dropped my arms and turned away. The last thing I ever want is to become like my mother. “I don’t have time for this. I have to go. Do what you must. I didn’t see you. “Moving quickly around the small child I made for the door only to feel my wrist quickly grabbed and held firm. My eyes drifted down to where the young girl held it. “And if I tell you he’s a murder what will you say to that then Miss.” Her eyes were full of seriousness. A hint of worry was hidden deep within. Briefly the thought of wanting to know more of this child crossed my mind and I wished to remove my gloves to see her secrets. But unfortunately I was more concerned with the fact that this child knew the Duke for his true colors. A murder. But how? How does this child know? “How……..How do you know this?” I heard myself ask long before I realized my mouth had started to move. “Gently I shook my wrist indicating my wish for it to be free. The child let go and moved back a few feet. “It would be too much to explain right now. Just know he isn’t a good man. He has killed many. And killing is nothing but an enjoyable sport for him. Especially women. His favorite being girls about your age………you’re 16 or maybe 17 correct?” Her eyes traveled over me again.” This is your first season?” I could feel my eyes widening again. “Who are you?” “Whom I am doesn’t matter. “She shook her head at her words.” Stay away from the Duke tonight. Regardless of anything you do stay away from him. He’s a dark and evil man. You shouldn’t be tainted by him. “ So she wasn’t going to let me know who she was. “I have to go back ………It has been too long. I have to dance with him as soon as I return to the floor. So unfortunately I cannot avoid him for long. I am sure he will stand beside me and want to speak with me afterwards. So avoiding him I am afraid will not happen. “ Gently the girl tilted her head to the side, before straightening, and letting her eyes move around the room before landing them back on me. Her eyes narrowed again as she seemed to ponder over something. Her head eventually lowering in thought then suddenly lifting. “No worries. Dance your one dance with the Duke. But shortly after he takes you off the floor to talk another will join you. I am sure you know of him. He is known as Lord Black. He will inform you that he has great information for you and wishes to speak in private and ask that you take a turnabout with him in the gardens. Do that and you will have no more worries about tonight and the Duke. I can help you in this matter if you’re willing to do this. This is the only way out of a terrible fate you’re about to dance your way into.” One cream colored glove rested on the door handle as I stared back at the child before me. Had I heard her correctly? Lord Black. The Infamous family so high on the totem that they say they’re royalty among the nobles themselves. It had been whispered that the family had returned from India. And there were whispers that the young lord was here. How does this child know him? What does he have to do with this at all? “And if I say no?” Smirking a bit the child lifted her small arms and shrugged her shoulders.” Then I can make no promises of the outcome of your evening. But if you do I can promise you this. You will return home safely tonight. Enjoy the rest of your evening and your mother whom I am sure has put you up to this will be looking for another man to attach you to tomorrow evening. “ Her words were spoken with such assurance. How did she know this about the Duke? Especially when I thought only I knew. How was she connected to Lord Black? I didn’t even know what the man looked like.But time was out. If I didn’t leave now and return to the ball my mother would be full of rage anew. Biting my bottom lip I nodded my head.” Very well………..I agree.” Quickly my fingers turned the lock and I opened the door. “Wait…………your name for when Lord Black comes for you. I need to know it to give it to him?” Turning my head I glanced back at her.” River Scarlet……….Do I at least get to know your name?” She stared back at me for a few seconds before answering. “Only if you answer a quick question………Do you…………do you know what the Duke really is about. You didn’t’ flinch at my words of him. You accepted it as if you knew his secrets already.” My hand clutched the handle of the door tighter. I had wondered when the girl would notice that. “Yes I know of his secrets. Of what you say of him is true. But………….but ………I had no part in any of it. I only know that he’s what you say he’s……….Really I must go or we will have my mother to answer to shortly. “Glancing out the hall I was sure I was to see her skirts coming around the corner at any moment. “Abigale. Call me Abigale, came her young voice from behind me. Turning I looked to Abigale. I didn’t know what her task might be for this night. Nor did I want to know. But something told me our chance meeting was put into its path by fate. Fate had played with my life since the day I was born. And I learned quickly that avoiding it or running form it was unnecessary. Fate found you and made sure its story fell into place. Whatever ours was. I and this child Abigale’s fate story was far from over. But for now I had a dance to make my way through. Nodding my head I slipped out the door and down the hall to a fate that I couldn’t run from. But by the luck of a child’s words that rang such truth, my fate that was intertwined with the Duke of Haywenth might be cut for good.