Soul Searching (Chapter 18)
Mandie:
Summary:
An arranged marriage turns into a love of a lifetime. When they are tragically torn apart, the two lovers’ souls go on a search for each other. Finally, they find each other again, but the people the souls now inhabit are complete opposites. Can love find a way through their differences, or do the souls have to continue their search?
For those of you who have asked, I have not forgotten Time For Love. I will finish it, my muse was just pushing this story on me. Please enjoy this one until I can go back to that one. ~M
Mandie:
April 15, 1100: It was always cold and drafty in the students quarters of the nunnery. Winter’s chill still lingered in the air. Mary Elizabeth Marbourne burrowed under her threadbare blanket thinking warm thoughts. It had been ten years since she had been home, but deep in the recesses of her mind she could almost remember fluffy feather beds and large warm woolen blankets. Sitting up, she combed the braids out of her thick blonde hair, only to plait her hair and braid it up again. Sighing, she realized that day was dawning, and Sister Katherine would soon be screaming at them all to WAKE UP! Deciding to do ahead and get up now, she swung her feet out and cringed as they hit the freezing floor. She minced her way to the porcelain pitcher on the cabinet, and poured some of the cold water into the matching basin. Plunging her hands into the water, she had to stifle a screech then quickly washed the sleep from her eyes. Burr, there was nothing that woke you up like a face full of cold water.
Mary had just finished washing up when the expected yell came through the open door. “Wake up, girls! Ten minutes.” Four sleepy faces emerged from their own cocoons. Elena, the youngest at seven, was the first one out of bed. Handing the washing cloth to the little girl, Mary tiptoed over to the shared wardrobe for a dress. All the girls followed, and they quickly and quietly got dressed, and were waiting in a straight line when Sister Katherine finally appeared in the doorway.
“Good morning, ladies.” Sister Katherine seemed to be in a rare pleasant mood as her creased face eased into an almost unseen smile. “Are you all well rested this morning?” Her gaze seemed to pause on Mary.
“Good morning, Sister Katherine.” They all replied in unison. Nodding their heads in response to the second question, they all exchanged looks. Why was Sister Katherine being so nice? Usually she would just lead them stoically to the dining hall, never saying a word except the morning blessing.
Following the elderly nun single file, they marched down the stairs and into the dining hall. Silently, the girls took their seats, bowing their heads as Sister Katherine prayed. Mary grimaced at the sight of the bowl of watery gruel in front of her. It might not be so bad if it had any taste to it. As the first spoonful slid down her throat, Sister Katherine stood up.
“Today, one of you girls will be heading onto the next stage of your life.” She seemed to be pleased at her announcement. Spoons clattered as they were dropped into wooden bowls and five pairs of eyes turned toward the elderly nun at the head of the table. “Happy Birthday, Mary.” Sneering slightly, she groaned as she took her seat again.
Mary gasped. How could she have forgotten this fateful day? Not just any birthday, but her fifteenth birthday. The day she would leave the convent, go home, and marry the man her parents had chosen when she was born.
Mandie:
Every other girl looked at her, sorrow in their eyes. The nuns had taught them all to be good chatelaines of their households, taught them to be competent healers, but most of all warned them of the pain of becoming a wife. No woman enjoyed the marital bed, but it was a part of their duty. Mary did not want to marry, but it was her duty as the daughter of a wellborn family.
She dreaded the endless nights of pain in front of her. The pain of submitting to her husband, and the pain of childbirth. The only break she would have is during her monthly courses when her husband would not touch her. “... your father’s garrison arrived late last night.” Sister Katherine’s voice interrupted her musings. “They would like to leave as soon as possible, So I’d like you to pack your things as quickly as you can. You must leave within the hour if you are to make it home before nightfall.” Sister Katherine picked up her spoon and began to eat, assured that she would be one less girl by the end of the day. Those foolish wealthy girls, no appreciation for the service that the sisters performed for God. Mary stood quietly, her appetite gone.
“I’ll just go pack, then.” With Sister Katherine’s nod, Mary left the table and trod back up the stairs. Most of the clothes that belonged to her were not really proper attire for the daughter of an English Lord. Even less so for the wife of a Baronet. As she folded the few things that actually belonged to her alone, she laughed wryly. Ten years of her life had been spent in this drafty convent, and what did she have to show for it? Knowledge yes, but not enough possessions to fill the small trunk that she had arrived with. Soon, all too soon, Mary was finished packing. Physically ready to leave, but emotionally never wanting to face the real world. Just as she had hardened her heart to leave the room, the other girls burst in.
“Oh Mary!” Elena threw her arms around her stomach and cried hot tears onto her tunic. “You can’t leave us! Not to be married!” Yes even Elena had been exposed to the horrors of marriage. All the girls had tears running down their faces. Mary might as well have been sentenced to death. Every girl took a turn to give her a bone crushing hug, then it was time to leave.
Kielen:
Awwww....so cute!! More soon??? Please??
Mandie:
The sun was peeking over the mountains, bathing the land with the pale colors of dawn. John William Blake stood at the window, lost in thought. Brushing a black curl out of his eyes, he leaned against the wall. He was unable to sleep any longer. April 16, a date that had been burned into his memory for the past fifteen years. At twenty-one, John was more than ready to marry and start a family, but he wasn’t looking forward to marrying a girl he had never laid eyes on. As the eldest son of a baron, he had always known he didn’t have the luxury of choosing a wife, but he would have liked to know the woman before marrying her.
He dressed quickly, preparing for his day. Tomorrow was his wedding day. One day, while his future wife traveled home. One more day of freedom, only one more day. Forgoing breakfast, he headed for the stables. As he saddled his horse, the stableboy emerged from his room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Upon seeing who was in the stall, he turned, yawning, and found his bed once more. John prided himself on being self reliant. The servants knew to leave him alone unless he specifically asked for help.
Once the horse was ready, he swung up into the saddle and galloped out of the stable. The wind whipped through his hair as he tried to outrun his troubles. He knew he would have to face his future eventually, but for now, he was free. He had one destination. The time had some to say goodbye to Sally.
The saddle creaked as he lowered himself in front of the small, one-roomed hut. Many men, most in fact, had mistresses. He was not going to be one of them. Men in his family were faithful to their wives, whether love was involved or not.
He tapped softly on the door. A pair of almond-shaped brown eyes looked through the crack that opened up. “I was expecting you this day.” The door opened fully, revealing the petite curly brown-haired woman within. Her cherry red lips curled into a wistful smile. “This is it, then? This is goodbye?”
Wrapping his burly arms around her small frame, he kissed her forehead. “As much as I care about you, I’m afraid that I must say goodbye.”
The woman sadly nodded against his chest. She had known this day would come. She had been warned, but it had never seemed like it would ever actually happen. These last few years had been the best of her life. John was a wonderful, thoughtful man. Never one to delude herself, she knew they did not love each other, but she had been happy, and comfortable. She wasn’t sure she was ready to return to her previous life of poverty. “Do you want to join me one last time?” Her tone was hopeful. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye, not yet.
He softly stroked her cheek. “I am sorry, Sally. This is the only goodbye I can give you.” His lips touched her cheek, then he turned to leave.
Sally leaned against the door frame and watched the tall, dark man mount his horse and ride away. She wanted him to stop, look back, and realize he was doing the wrong thing, but of course he didn’t. As she turned to pack her things, she hoped that his wife truly deserved him. While John wasn’t her future, surely something good waited for her around the bend.
John rode around the estate, trying to enjoy his last day of freedom. While he consciously made the effort not to think about tomorrow, he couldn’t help it. As he rode past the crystal lake, he wondered if his fiancee liked to swim. Would they shed their clothes in the summer heat and play naked in the water? Would she be willing to make love to him in ths cool waves, or would she only accept his advances in a darkened bed chamber?
The morning flew by as he tried to picture his life with a wife, and soon he headed back home for lunch. His brother, Robert, was already eating when he entered the dining room. Sliding into the seat adjacent to him, he waited until one of the serfs had delivered his lunch and retreated again before remarking, “Well, it’s done.”
Robert paused, his food halfway to his mouth. “You really said goodbye to Sally?” At his brother’s nod, he continued, “I didn’t think that you’d actually do it.” He chewed his bite slowly, then swallowed loudly. His dreams had finally come true! Sally was free! With a muttered curse, he leapt from his chair and ran from the room. John stared after his departing brother with confusion until he disappeared. Shrugging, he turned to finish his meal.
After he had eaten, John strode into his father’s bower to help him work on the books. Baron John Robert was losing his eyesight, and couldn’t handle the running of the estate by himself anymore. All the more reason for John to marry and take over. The elderly man smiled vacantly as his son entered. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow, son?” John glared at his father.
“Oh yes,” he said, sarcastically, “It’s the day every man dreams of. Marrying a woman he has never met. A woman he knows nothing about.”
Baron John looked at his son, confusion shining in his cloudy eyes. “What do you mean, John William? You are the son of a Baron. The oldest son, in line for my title. This is the way it’s done. It’s the way it’s always been done.”
Just because it was tradition didn’t mean that John had to like it. Robert was going to be allowed to choose, why couldn’t he? He patted his father on his frail shoulder as a way of apology, and sat down to work. No more words were exchanged as father and son worked at their individual tasks.
As the sun was disappearing beyond the horizon, a serving wench bustled into the room to light the candles. “Supper will be served in an hour, milord.” Sometimes the men got so involved with their work, they would forget to eat. Baron John nodded his grey head, and John stood, stretching the muscles in his back.
“I’m going to go for a walk, father. I’ll come back here to get you before dinner.” At his father’s nod, John left the room.
At dinner, the entire family gathered at the table. Baron John was hunched and frail in his old age.
Baroness Charlotte had crinkles around her bright blue eyes and laugh lines around her mouth. Although she was short and reaching her dotage, she was still able to corral her strong, tall boys.
Robert looked much like John, only his hair was brown and he wasn’t as broad in the shoulders. He looked much more like an English Lord than John himself.
John had curly black hair, his eyes the same bright blue as his mother’s. His shoulders were broad, and his upper arms were almost as thick as his thighs. Muscles bulged on his arms and legs, his chest and stomach rippled with every movement. He was a handsome man, but built more like a knight than a Lord. His complexion was tanned from spending so much time outside as opposed to his brother’s and father’s pasty complexions. He always felt like Robert was more inclined to be the Baron. He actually enjoyed working with the books, whereas John only tolerated it.
After eating, the men enjoyed a tankard of ale before turning in. Morning would come soon, and the family planned on leaving at first light.
A/N WooHoo my first FB! Thanks! Please contine to R&R!
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