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Post by Monday on Feb 10, 2006 18:43:15 GMT -5
Day One Flirt, Laugh, and Kiss
Penelope grew up to be prim and proper, which was what happened to all girls at the time, and was exactly what she didn't want to be. And whenever she felt no one was looking, she would get away, and just ride her horse, as fast as she could in the opposite direction of whatever was bothering her. Of course lady's were only supposed to ride horses side saddle, and very slowly, but what was the fun in that? When she was younger it didn't matter as much, but there seemed a world of difference since she was a girl. And to the that she was now a young women of nineteen! What would the neighbors thing?! She grinned sardonically. Today, she was especially feeling very shut in to the stale life of the rich. She had known it since she was very little, and sadly it was almost all she knew. Besides that of which she learned from her books that is. She also knew that she was to marry the Duke Lonsborrow but, once again, it didn't make it any less easy to swallow. She supposed she should be happy. She had heard, that, he was very brave, not to mention rich, but he was also forty five. She thought of this as the wind blew through her very curly, blond hair. She wore a fine green dress, which matched perfectly with her bright emerald eyes. After a short trot around the pond, she went to put Buttercup back into the stable. She wanted to go inside and relax a bit before having to talk to her mother about her betrothed. The annual ball was to be held at their manner soon, and that was when she was going to meet Sir Harold. That's right. She had never even met the man before!
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Post by Monday on Feb 10, 2006 20:07:35 GMT -5
As she rode into the stable ,however, she met the one person she definatley did not want to see. "What are you doing here?" she asked staring down at the man. His name was Derek and was a renowned horse breeder in the area, though he was only 22. He had chestnut colored hair that coupled with his bright blue eyes to give him a rather handsom look. He was very well together for having practically brought himself up, and had turned out to be a rather well mannered young man... except to her. "Well I do take care of the horses, it is my job around here, and besides I should ask the same to you. Shouldn't you be inside like a good girl, instead of galloping at full speed all over God-knows-where? Wouldn't want to break that pretty neck of your's now would we?" he said waging his finger at her. "Derek Mathews, the day I start caring what you think is the day the world stops spinning!" she said sticking her toung at him and walking around him with her head turned up stubernley. She couldn't stand that boy, and the funny thing was she couldn't even remember why. She had been fighting with him since she was 5, but there always seemed to be plenty of reasons to be irritated with that Derek Mathews.
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Post by Monday on Feb 10, 2006 23:44:51 GMT -5
Penelope wanted to go somewhere, were no one would find her, but they wouldn't get mad at her when they couldn't find her. She decided on the old study with all the most ancient books. Though it was hardly used, it didn't take long for one of the maids to find her. When her mother wanted to talk to someone, it didn't matter where you were, she would find you. She walked in the room and her mother was wringing her hands nervously. This was not a good sign. When you grow up with people you tend to notice certian actions that mean what they are feeling. When her mother wrung her hands it ment she was anxious about something, and her mother was not the patient type. "Sit down, Penelope I need to talk to you. The mask is but a week away, and well, as you know that is when you will meet Sir Harold." Her mother paused at this. "Go on." urged Penelope a little nervous herself now. "Well it seems that he has decided that once you two are married to move to Wales. He wants to be married a week after the ball, so you will be leaving the very night of the wedding, dear... I'm sorry, but your father didn't want to offend the Duke, and we all knew it was too happen eventually. That's were his castle is. He's only been staying here for the past few years to court you." "Mother, am I really ment to marry a man that I will have barley known for a week?" "I am terribly sorry, but you will be very happy in Wales. I heard it's lovely in the spring time. I'm afraid I must leave you know, dear. There is still ever so much planning for the ball. Oh yes, and Sir Harold has decided that it was high time that he has met you. Tommorrow at noon, you shall accompany him by the lake for a picnic of tea and sandwiches. He is a lovely man. I'm shure in time you'll come to like him." She didn't want to like him. She wanted to love the person before she was married to them, not after. At least it hadn't come to a total shock. She always new she woulnd't find a story book love. She couldn't blame her parents entirely. Her marriage to the Duke would provide her and her family with protection, power, and privelage. Still, she didn't expect to be married of so quickly, either. It wouldn't be so bad moving away, she tried to convince herself. The only people she would miss would be several of the maids, which she had made friends with over the years. She would especially miss her friend Isabel. Her mother was the cook, and though they were from two different worlds, they had been freinds since they had met ten years ago. In fact, she felt like she should talk to her right now, about the current condition of her social life.
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Post by Monday on Feb 11, 2006 16:54:48 GMT -5
Penelope ran down to the kitchens. Isabel worked beside her mother as a scullery maid. At last she finally found her, in front of a waist bin, peeling potatoes rapidly. She wore the same uniform as all of the other maids and alike, a plain light blue dress with an apron over it. Isabel was short for her age but very beautiful, with her marvelous tan skin and flowing black hair. Penelope had always envied her, especially her grace. She had never once seen her trip and fall, though she was stumbling about all the time. Penelope was a gangly little thing and had never quite mastered the trick that gravity was often playing against her. "Isabel, can I talk to you?" "I'm kind of busy at the moment... your mother insisted on having mashed potatoes tonight." "Please, it's really important," said Penelope giving her the desperate friend look. She used it often and was quite affective at it. "Oh all right, but this better be good," said Isabel setting down her potato and knife.
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Post by Monday on Feb 12, 2006 14:52:42 GMT -5
Penelope sat her down in the next room, and told her all of what had just happened, including the fact that she had lunch with Sir Harold tommorrow. "Well it's obvious what you have to do, isn't it?" said Isabel after Penelope had finished. "What's that?" siad Penelope with a smile. Isabel was always the adventerous one, and could come up with a plan for anything.
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Post by Monday on Feb 12, 2006 15:32:19 GMT -5
"You are going to get married in two weeks! Don't you think you should make the time you have last." "I'm still not following you..." "At the ball next week, everyone will be wearing masks; no one will be able to tell who is who! For one last night you are going to be a free woman! Flirt, laugh, and kiss while you still have the chance!" "That's a great idea and all, but what happens if I get found out? I don't think they'll be too happy." "Look, all I'm saying is that this is your last opportunity! Isn't it worth the risk!"
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Post by Monday on Feb 13, 2006 22:40:31 GMT -5
After her little chat with Isabel, Penelope decided to go to the large willow tree by the pond. It always gave her a sense of relaxation, and was her own little gettaway. As she sat benethe the tree, she pondered on what she should do. It was easy for Isabel to make such a decision, she was always brave. She would rather swap place with her in an instant. She would be loosing her life of luxury and riches, but they were worthless to her if she would have to endure the company of someone she didn't love for them. After alot of thinking, and well after sunset she decided to go ahead and have one last night of freedom. She would put her hair up differently and where a dress no one has seen, and be a completely different person. She wouldn't even use her name. After the night was over she would stay by her fiance's side, just like her parents had intended. If she couldn't decide who she wanted to be with for the rest of her life, she was at least going to choose for this one night...
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Post by Monday on Feb 15, 2006 23:58:21 GMT -5
Day Two Tea and Sandwiches
"Well. What has little-miss-lazy gotten herself into now." Penelope woke with a daze when she heard the very familar words of someone who greatly annoyed her. When she finally could see clearly she realized that she had fallen asleep beneath the willow tree last night and was now staring up at Derek Matthews who so rudly was waking her. Then she realized, to her true horror, that she was supposed to have lunch with Sir Harold at noon. Jumping up quickly, she looked around and realized that the house was already beggining to stir, and that she would never make it back to the house before her mother realized she was gone. She looked around and realized that Derek was staring at her with ammusement in his eyes as if enjoying her humiliation. However much she despised him, she needed his help. "Derek would you kindly give me a ride to the house, and quickly." "And miss the fun of you getting in trouble? I should think not!" said Derek with a smirk. "Please, Derek, this one time!" "Have you already forgotten the numerous times I've helped you out of trouble before? What about the time you had broken that vase and I helped put it back together, or the time you spilt lemonade all over the silk table cloth, or the time you let the parekete fly away, or the time-" "All right, all right! I get the point! Now are you going to help me out or not!?" said Penelope becoming more annoyed with him bye the second. It's not as if she was never greatful that he had helped her! "I suppose I must, being a gentleman and all" he said giving her a lift up onto his chestnut colored horse,... called, well, Chestnut. Penelope tried to surpress a laugh about his comment on being a gentelman, but it was in no way easy. He hardly seemed to be a gentleman in any way.
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Post by Monday on Feb 16, 2006 21:25:46 GMT -5
"So why do you need to rush back home so quickly?" said Derek still smiling. "If you must know, I'm having lunch-in with my betrothed, Lord Longsborrow," said Penelope trying to empress him with her fiance's title. "Well, that's a shock!" said Derek, with truth in his voice. Penelope blushed at his comment. "Well, I know he's old, but I would think that, with time-" "No, no. It's a shock that he would ask to marry such a stubborn, childish girl like yourself. I thought he was more intelligent than that." Penelope could feel her face becoming red, but not from embarrassment this time. "How do you know how smart he is, anyway! And what gives you the right to chastise me like that!" "Well first of all I am far more mature and wiser than you, thus giving me the rank to comment on your behavior," said Derek in a, what Penelope thought, was a very annoying tone that truly did make her feel like a child. "And second, Sir Harold and I happen to be acquaintances."
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Post by Monday on Feb 18, 2006 19:00:42 GMT -5
"Well I surley hope he is not as profoundly annoying as you!" siad Penelope, truly meaning everyword. "Trust me, it's no more pleasent for me too be with you either." They had hardly been with each other 5 minuetes and they were already bickering like school children. When Derek finally got to the house, Penelope pratically jumped of the horse. "Why do I even bother helping you? And I've never even gotten a thank you either!" siad Derek with disgust in his voice. "I'll give you a thank you! Thank you for once agian proving to me that you are nothing more than a rude, obnoxious, boy!" "Well atleast i'm not a clumsy, stupid, girl!" She stuck her toung out at him and turned on her heel towards the house, while he hottely turned the horse around and started to trot off mumbling under his breath, though she couldn't make out exactly what he was saying.
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Post by Monday on Feb 19, 2006 13:10:56 GMT -5
As she walked towards the front entrance to the house the butler,James, opened the door with a smile. "Young ladies do not stick their toungs out at people," he said in a sweet, but strong vioce. "Well, most young ladies don't have to deal with Derek Mathews," she said in response, returning the smile. James was a kind old men and had always been there for her family for as long as she could remember.
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Post by Monday on Feb 19, 2006 13:33:21 GMT -5
Penelope practically ran to her bedroom and no longer than a minuete after she had rapped herself up in her cover did her mother come in, waking her for the day. "Penelope, dear, you must get up soon. The duke likes to have luncheon earlier than we are used too. Pamala will asist you in getting ready. I must go tend to other things." she was gone as quickly as she had entered. It was no surprise to Penelope, though. Pamala had always taken care of her, since her mother was not the tipe to raise children. "Why dear you must were this lovely blue dress! It will look ever so wonderful on a day as beautiful as this!" said Pamala with a cheery smile. She had always been the happiest made she had ever known. It was most likely from the fact that Penelope's father had saved her and her husband from the streets of the city and had given them a job here. Pamala's husband was the kind butler James. Together, they were like the grandparents she never had.
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Post by Monday on Feb 19, 2006 17:10:55 GMT -5
She slipped on the clean and crisp blue dress, with the help of Pamala, and walked down stairs. It was already noon. She didn't know how she managed to sleep that long. If Derek hadn't of come along she could have been in big trouble. She hated to think that she needed his help. She couldn't stand him. She was now becoming worried about meeting Longsborrow. If the two of them were friends, she suspected he might be just an older version of Derek. What a nightmare that would be! As she walked into the parlor there stood her mother, father, a few servants and a rather large man she assumed was Duke Longsborrow. He must have been over 6 feet tall! He had a worn, but happy face adorned with a dark brown beard, which she noticed had quite a few streaks of grey in it. "My lord" said Penelope with her best curtsey, though curtseing had always been a bit of a problem with her. She managed, however, to do so without falling backwards which was a huge relief to her.
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Post by Monday on Feb 19, 2006 23:25:12 GMT -5
He bowed so low that Penelope thought at first that his nose might touch the ground. "On shanty madamwasel." siad Sir Harold in a terrible fake french accesent. He bent down once agian, only this time kissing her hand. "It's very nice to meet you." siad Penelope trying to sound sincere as she slipped her hand out of his grasp. She preferred her hand to be slober free, thankyou very much. All of a sudden a small roar came from Sir Harold's direction, and startled Penelope until she noticed it was coming from his stomach. "I'm starved! shall we be off to the lake now for lunch." All four of them walked the short distance to the patio by the lake. It was an all together lovely day outside and Penelope would have greatly enjoyed it, if Sir Harold hadn't been vacuming down the food. Not only that but he kept rambling on about various war battles, that made Penelope want to fall asleep. She would have too if her mother hadn't of kept jabbing her with her elbow every five minuetes to make her pay attention.
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Post by Monday on Feb 21, 2006 22:39:14 GMT -5
As Sir Harold continued to talk about how he single handadly one the battle at Buckanese Bridge, Penelope's mind wandered to the beautiful grounds that there house sat on. Her beloved willow tree sat at the opposite end of the lake. Little duckling swam by the water's edge, with the watchful eye of their mother protecting them. The lilies were all in bloom at this time of the year and were scattered everywhere. It was the most picturesque sight, and Penelope would miss it so. "Wouldn't you agree with me, Penelope?" Sir Harold asked her while she was still amidst her thoughts of the land. "Huh?" "Sir Harold was just telling us about what a splendid meal this was." "Oh, yes, it is quite delicous." siad Penelope not really thinking, and then looking down at her plate to realize that she had barly touched her food. Sir Harold smiled at her. "Would you like to accompany me for a walk about the lake?" Penelope didn't want to go, but it would seem rude not to say yes and well, he was her fiance. "I would be delited." she said giving him her best smile.
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