4. Eleanor

4

ELEANOR

O ne more hour.

Eleanor repeated in her mind as she sat in front of a full-length mirror. Staring at her reflection absentmindedly, she tried to fool herself into thinking that she was not wearing a wedding dress, nor was she getting married.

Penelope stood behind her, tending to Eleanor’s tousled hair, attempting to style and tame it. “You never know,” she said timidly, “he might be better than you think.” Penny ran the brush through Eleanor’s hair a few more times, pulling back the loose strands as she pulled out some long hair pins and began styling it. “I heard he comes from an excellent family. Try to be happy,” she added.

Eleanor’s eyes lifted to meet Penny’s worried gaze. She knew her friend meant no offense or ill will by her comment. Even while knowing Penny’s words were usually to be taken at face value, she still could not bite her tongue in time to stop her own truth from slipping free. “What difference does my happiness make when the outcome will not change? It’s all the same in the end.”

“Ellen,” Penny began, lifting her eyes from her hands which were still toiling with Eleanor’s hair. Brows knitting together, she bit her bottom lip. She opened her mouth to speak, almost as if she were going to say something, but then shook her head and smiled once more. “Look at how beautiful you are. I am sure whatever kind of man he is, he will see that someone as comely as yourself should be treated with care.”

The door to Eleanor’s room opened behind them, jarring both women from their conversation.

Eleanor’s eyes moved to the reflection of her door as her uncle walked in, dressed in a black suit with a white pocket square. His left hand fastening a gold cufflink as he approached.

“How is our bride-to-be?” he inquired, his voice eager and excited, as if this were truly a joyous day. Although, for him, she supposed it was.

Penelope stepped back from Eleanor to grab a decorative hair piece before coming to stand behind her once more. “Almost done!” she confirmed in a cheerful tone. “Just a little bit longer and she will be ready.”

Just one more hour.

Her uncle took another long stride towards her. “In time,” he began, placing his hand on her shoulder, “you will see that this is for the best.”

“Yes, Uncle,” she whispered.

He nodded his head as he stepped back, clasping his hands in front of him. “I shall leave you to it, Penelope. Will your father be in attendance today?”

Eleanor wanted to scoff. The only reason he acts as though he cares is because of what this union meant for him. As much power as he had before, with every prominent member of the town here now to witness a union held on a night such as Hallows Eve, his respect increased tenfold.

“Yes,” Penny said with a smile. “He sends his best wishes to the new couple as well.”

“How wonderful,” he responded, trying to match Penny’s enthusiasm. “Today shall truly be a grandiose event! Don’t you agree, Eleanor?”

Eleanor barely registered the question, her mind drifting back just two days prior.

She knew she could not escape on her own. Eleanor knew she would need assistance. She also knew that though Penny was her friend, she was too timid to go against the wishes of her father or the town.

‘That vile man has crossed the final line!’ Mr. Halton shouted as she told him everything.

‘I only have once chance,’ Eleanor pleaded, trying to keep her voice low. She had arrived before opening hours and gossip traveled faster than light in Autumntun. ‘Please, help me leave here.’

‘But the Headless Horseman, or what if a vampire finds you and makes you his blood pet-’

‘If I leave, I am merely taking a risk. If I stay, I will seal my fate.’

His worried expression hardened as he placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Tell me what you need.’

The last two days had gone by in a haze, as all her time went into planning her escape. Now, she only needed to bide her time.

Just one more hour.

“Yes, Uncle,” she said with a smile of her own. “I am sure people will talk about it for years to come.”

Mr. Carver nodded his head. “Indeed, they shall,” he said, turning to leave. As he made his way out of the room, she could hear him whispering to himself. “Where is that bloody cake? We cannot start without it. Today must be perfect.”

Step two.

Mrs. Pencrook’s voice played in her mind as the corners of her mouth cocked up in a smile.

Always have patience.

Never be in a rush.