Time Cursed

CHAPTER 19

  The room was beyond decadent. Arlana sat on the chair by the fireplace. It had been a long morning and she was enjoying the solitude. Once she had arrived at Monsieur Seraphim’s estate she was pulled into a whirlwind of activity. She had been taken to a room that held a bathtub that was already filled with hot water. The maid had washed her with soaps that smelled of lavender and roses. At first she felt uncomfortable being so exposed to these women she had never met. There was a young maid with black hair and brown eyes that brought in more hot water and there was an older maid with white hair and severe brown eyes that washed her back and hair. Arlana was certain that the woman would have washed more of her body parts if Arlana hadn’t made a point of grabbing the wash cloth and resumed cleaning herself on her own. The maid had made a disapproving sound but Arlana was not an invalid and was feeling insulted by the maid’s treatment. The younger maid seemed kind. She kept smiling shyly at Arlana. At one point Arlana caught her staring at her. When the maid saw she had been caught staring she blushed and said “I’m sorry my lady, your eyes are as amazing as Monsieur Seraphim had described them to be.” Arlana smiled at the woman. She was not sure what other response to give. She could not remember having ever met Monsieur Seraphim and was confused as to how he could have described her eyes.

  Just when she felt she couldn’t be any more humiliated, the older maid pulled her out of the tub and roughly dried her off. Eventually they brought her to the room she is currently sitting in. All they gave her to wear from the room she bathed in to this room was a thin dressing gown. The walk through the hall had Arlana jumping at every sound. She felt exposed in the thin material and not knowing anything about this house she feared she would be seen by any male in the area.

  When she entered this room she was relieved to see Christina standing by the wardrobe. She had the most beautiful dress Arlana had ever seen in her arms. Christina helped Arlana dress and then left to get her some food. The whole time she was dressing the same elderly maid made many disapproving comments. Arlana was too thin, her hands were too callused for a lady, her posture was inappropriate etc, etc.

  She finally had had enough of the rude old lady’s comments and asked her to leave. Arlana smiled when she saw the look of shock on the woman’s face. She had stammered on saying that Monsieur Seraphim had strictly requested she be at Arlana’s side. Arlana had finally told the lady that she did not approve of maids that did not know their place and had dismissed her. As Arlana remembered how satisfying that had been Christina entered the room with a plate of cheese, bread and fruit.

  “Christina that looks amazing! Please join me for this repast. I am in need of your company.”

  “Fifi, I do not think I should eat with you. The kitchen staff is quite kind and they warned me about the servant’s roles in this house. They are not treated as you and your father treat me. They are workers and nothing more. I would not want to get you in trouble for being friendly with me.” Christina said with tears in her eyes.

  Arlana had felt Christina’s solitude when she was dressing but she had assumed that the nagging old hag had caused it. Arlana was mortified to think that Christina would ever feel she was not worthy of her company.

  “My dear friend, I will not allow you to be treated so poorly. If my fiancé cannot abide his employees being companions with his wife then you will no longer be my maid servant but my companion. I will make sure he and the staff understands your place here. I cannot do this without you by my side.” Arlana said earnestly. She needed Christina and she would not abandon her to these heartless people.

  Arlana stood and looked out the window. She was surprised to find that it had started to rain. Although it was merely midday it had grown dark outside. Again she wondered how the weather always matched her mood. She felt as tormented inside as the weather appeared outside. Her fiancé seemed nice enough. He was older than she had thought, hoped, he would be. Beyond escorting her into the house she had had no contact with him.

  There was a knock at her door. Christina went and answered it. “Where is the girl that my son is to marry!” called out a voice. Arlana turned and looked at the door. A small woman with white hair and violet eyes entered the room. She held herself quite elegantly. Arlana walked towards her and curtseyed. “I am Josephine. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Madame Seraphim.” Arlana said as politely as she remembered how to.

  Madame Seraphim took a long look at Arlana. It was so long a look that it took all of Arlana’s nerves to not squirm under her gaze. Just when it got to be too uncomfortable Madame Seraphim smiled. “You are as beautiful as Michael led me to believe.”

  “Thank you Madame.” Arlana said shyly. The warmth in this woman’s gaze warmed Arlana’s heart. Madame Seraphim took Arlana’s arm and led her to the chairs by the fire.

  “I hope you do not mind my intrusion. Michael has talked of nothing but you for the last two weeks. It was I that contacted Monsieur Bedel to make your acquaintance.” Arlana felt confused. How was it that her son knew her?

  “Ah, I see by the confusion on your face that Monsieur Bedel did not explain how my son knows you.” Arlana smiled and shook her head. Madame Seraphim smiled warmly. “Michael is a very successful man. He is brilliant which is what leads to his success. He comes up with amazing ideas and makes the world better by utilizing these ideas. Such brilliance comes with a restless nature though. He is prone to riding across the countryside to find solitude in his thoughts. One day he was riding in the woods near your village when he saw you and your maidservant. He said you had a bow and arrow and that you were stalking a deer. He saw you kill the deer with just one shot. When you and your maidservant grabbed the deer to put it on your horse he saw that you had shed tears for it. He was curious and followed you to a house at the edge of the village. The family there seemed very poor. You gave them the deer. When they tried to give you some bread you shook your head and left with nothing. He inquired about you at that house and found out who you were. They called you their angel of mercy.”

  “There have been many women who have vied for my son’s affections but he has never shown them any interest. From the moment he saw you he could talk of nothing else but his angel. He finally had found his angel and he couldn’t lose you. That is why you are here my dear.”

  Arlana was too shocked for words. She remembers that deer. She had even mentioned to Christina that she thought there was someone out there but Christina scoffed at her.

  “Thank you for sharing that with me Madame Seraphim. It clarifies much for me.”

  After that Madame Seraphim left Arlana’s room. She looked at Christina with relief. “Christina, this could be good news. If my fiancé knows that I hunt then perhaps he will allow me to continue helping the poor.”

  Later that day Arlana left her room to roam the house. Christina stayed with her so that she would not get lost. The rain had let up and the sun began to shine through the clouds outside. Arlana felt restless and wanted to go for a walk around the estate. “Mistress Fifi I think we should stay inside. I am sure Mari has had the villagers roaming the countryside and is most likely heading this way. I do not think it a good idea for them to see you here until you are married.”

  “Perhaps we could have one of the menservants escort us around. I am so restless right now Christina. You know how I hate being cooped up inside. Please we must go out for a walk. I think the fresh air will help.” Arlana pleaded.

  “Very well let us ask someone for assistance.”

  As chance would have it they ran in to Monsieur Seraphim in the entrance way. He agreed to escort them outside. “It would be nice to talk before our wedding tomorrow.” He said pleasantly.

  “I hope you are being treated well here.” He said slightly awkward.

  Arlana smiled. “I am Monsieur. Thank you.”

  They continued to walk in silence. Arlana took this time to take sideways glances at this man she was to wed. He was quite handsome. He had black hair that was graying
on the sides. His eyes were violet like his mothers and they held solitude in them that made Arlana feel sadness for him. Although his earlier statements of possessing her had unnerved her she saw that he was kind. She knew that he would care for her but she felt no attraction to him. He seemed a little old fashioned. Although he was intrigued by her because of her hunting she sensed that he would not allow her to hunt anymore. This thought distressed her and as if he read her thoughts he stopped and turned towards her.

  “My dear Josefina, I realize that this must be strange for you. I am not a man of many words. I have lived here on my own for a very long time and am quite set in my ways. I want you to know that the kindness I saw in you has touched my heart. I will do everything in my power to take care of you and protect you. You are currently in a difficult situation with the people of your village. You are different and they do not like that. I must ask that you obey me so that I can ensure your safety. You must stay near the house. If you are to wander outside you must have an escort. I will ensure the staff is aware of this. I would hate for anything to happen to you. My mother has told me that she senses a free spirit within you. You may not be happy with me but I must forbid you from hunting or riding. Please respect my wishes and you may have anything else you desire.”

  Arlana gasped in surprise. Could he be reading her thoughts she wondered? She knew that was impossible. She knew he was protecting her but she bristled at his forbidding her to hunt and ride. She had never been forbidden to do anything and this upset her. What could she do? She couldn’t live with such restrictions. She didn’t want to hurt her father but she realized that this was the cage she feared. If she married this man how would she know that he would ever allow her out on her own? For now she could do nothing. She smiled sadly and looked at him. “Monsieur, I understand that you are protecting me but this is distressing news. Please give me a moment.” She turned and began walking towards the entrance gate. She needed to compose herself. She began to feel trapped. She panicked and began to run towards the gate. “Josefina! Stop!”

  She knew she was acting childish but she couldn’t help it. She had the strongest urge to get away from this place. “Fifi! Stop! The gate! There are people with torches!” Arlana stopped at the gate. She hadn’t been paying attention. Christina’s words had halted her too late. She felt a hand grab her arm. She looked up and saw Mari standing in front of her. “We have the witch! She must burn before we all suffer!”

  Arlana heard shouting all around the front entrance; she couldn't believe her ears as Mari prodded them on. She heard murmurs of burn her, drown her, and do not let the witch live echoing throughout the mob. She felt dizzy like she could faint and she wondered if it was all a terrible dream. Mari had her by the wrist and held her close to the gate. She suddenly felt a pull from her other arm and realized that someone was arguing with the mob, she turned and saw Madame Seraphim was the one who was holding her.

  “You will unhand my son's betrothed! What rights have you to be here on our property shouting these foolish and unfounded claims?” Madame Seraphim was livid.

  Mari spoke up, “These are not unfounded, this witch raised herself from the dead, and she hunts, as well as swims. There have been several women in our village that have been sick and one woman who lost her child because of her!” Mari pointed at Arlana while still holding her wrist.

  “Who are you? Why do you think you can speak against her? Do you know who this family is? She is part of this family now, you will not touch her!”

  “My husband and family are well regarded in my community, I don't know who you are and I don't care, we will be taking Josephine with us to see that justice is served for her crimes.”

  “It seems to me that you have no proof, just your own babble, unhand her now!”

  Arlana seemed to come into herself, as if waking from a dream. Why have I not pulled away from Mari, she wondered, I am much stronger than her. And with that thought she ripped her wrist out of Mari's grasp.

  “Ouch!” Mari screamed, “The witch burned me! She stung my hand!”

  “I did not!” Arlana shouted back.

  Mistress Seraphim pulled Arlana into her arms, “Hush child, let's get away from the gate, I can only hold them off for so long.”

  “Get back here!” Mari screamed and the mob grew loud with fury as Arlana was whisked back into the house.

  “Where is Michael?” Arlana asked feeling confused by what had just taken place.

  “You are in deep trouble my dear, Michael fled through the back, he is going to get the priest to hurry and marry you two, and we’re going to have to get you out of here. He will bring back reinforcements to make sure no one gets through the gates and then we will sneak you and Christina out of here. Don't worry yourself I'm not going to let anyone steal my son's happiness or my first real chance at grandbabies,” Madame Seraphim smiled. Arlana knew she was trying to make light of a very heavy situation.

  Arlana clung to Christina, “I am so glad you are here with me now, everything has become too much to handle.”

  “I know, I am glad we are together too, I am here for you no matter what.”

  Madame Seraphim had gone out of the room to arrange what must be packed for Arlana's journey. Arlana was told that after the ceremony she would leave immediately with Christina and some of Michael's guards. He had a house about four days travel from where they were that he had recently purchased. She was to stay there until things settled down. He would then come to stay with her and they would have a proper honeymoon.

  Madame Seraphim reentered the room. “Come Josephine, Christina, we need to get ready for the ceremony.”

  Madame Seraphim led them into a beautiful suite. The walls were painted white with a light blue trim. There was a canopy bed draped with blue and white flowing satin. All the furniture was a dark Maplewood. Spread across the bedspread was a beautiful wedding gown. It was white silk with pearl embroidery. The sleeves were fitted until just above the elbow where they opened up and flared out across the rest of her arm. The dress fit perfectly. As they attached the veil to her hair it felt like she was living someone else’s life. This couldn't be her getting married, she thought, it seems too soon, it seems wrong. She had hoped that when she married it would be to someone she was sure that loved her, someone that she loved. It seemed to be a hope against hope in her life, she thought sadly, now she would be lucky just to survive. But what would it be like to be in love, she wondered, and at that moment she pictured a face in her mind, a handsome man who smiled at her and looked at her with beautiful hazel eyes.