Chapter Three

"Elizabeth," a quiet voice enters the haze of my sleep. "Elizabeth, the carriage will arrive in an hour."

I open my eyes to a cascade of ash blonde hair tumbling forward and deep blue eyes regarding me. I become aware of a light flowery scent that makes my heart race and suddenly, I am filled with a nervous energy that can be only explained by my imminent departure.

I glance about and notice the room is lit by the light of the fire crackling in the hearth. "Heavens, what time is it?"

"Just a little before five thirty," Amelie replies as her warm hand leaves my shoulder and she moves about the room packing final items into our respective trunks.

I rise to my elbows and watch Amelie collect my dress for the day and bring it over. I cannot help but notice she is already fully dressed in the dark green dress she had slipped knives into last night. I look closely at the areas I know they are hidden, but I still cannot detect them. If I hadn't watched her put them in there, I would have no idea. Then a second thought occurs to me, how did she manage to lace up her own corset so neatly?

I flop back into the mattress, she is dressed and ready for the day and I cannot muster the energy to get out of bed. Still, it is my duty. Father will be appropriately disappointed if I do not make this trip today to meet my groom.

A knock at the door and Amelie is instantly alert and sweeping towards it. She pulls it open, and I hear a timid voice say, "I have brought Miss Hawkford some tea."

"Thank you, Jocelyn," I call out. The promise of tea suddenly motivating me to get out of bed.

"I will take it to her," Amelie says briskly at the doorway. "Thank you."

There is clicking as the tray is transferred over and Amelie brings it back into the room, preventing Jocelyn from entering. I watch as she carries the tray over to the small table by the fire and pours out two cups. I drift over and she hands me one, I sip the bitter tea and cannot help the small grateful noise that falls from my lips or the way my eyes drift shut. This latest batch has been exceptional, and I am determined to enjoy my last cup of it.

When my eyes drift open, they land on Amelie regarding me quietly as she too sips from her cup. My cheeks heat up as I realise the noise I had just made might easily be deemed inappropriate for company. To be fair, I normally drink my first cup of tea alone.

"The tea is good," I murmur as a lame attempt at self-validation.

She smiles and my heart moves just a little quicker as she says, "Indeed."

I turn to look out the window and down at the carts moving along the dimly lit lane to the town centre. Father likes to live close to the town centre, having chosen to rent the lands furthest from his tenants who farm our land. I never enjoyed all the noise that came with living so close to the centre and I find the idea of moving to the country slightly appealing. Perhaps I can find a way to embrace the choices that Father has made with my life. Perhaps my new husband will even allow me to have a garden that I can tend?

I smile and shake my head. I haven't even met the man and my brain is already trying to come up with a request to do a task no sensible man would enjoy accompanying me. After far too short a time, I have finished my tea and I turn towards Amelie who holds up my light pink dress for the day.

I step into it and together we manage to squeeze me into the tight garment. It only occurs to me after I am dressed, that I perhaps should have worn something more suited for a day of travelling in a cramped carriage. We should arrive in the middle of the afternoon and there will be few opportunities for breaks along the way.

Amelie ushers me down the stairs to the dining table where a few toasted pieces of bread, eggs and fruit are laid out. Mother sits at the end of the table sipping her tea and I can tell from her expression, she is not at all pleased about being up so early.

"Good morning, Mother," I say nodding my head to her. "Will Father be joining us?"

"Your father is feeling ill, and he sends his regrets," she replies briskly.

I clench my jaw, my father's illness is overindulgence of wine. "I hope he is well again soon," I say curtly as I perch on my seat and begin to eat.

Amelie sits too and helps herself to breakfast. This gets Mother's attention and for the first time she seems to notice Amelie's presence. I can see the burning embers of fury building in Mother and I am quick to interject.

"Mother, this is my dear friend Amelie. Father has arranged for her to accompany me as a lady's maid, so I will have someone familiar in my new home." Mother looks at me confused and I add, "While it is unusual for the gentry class to serve one another in this capacity, as I will soon be a lady it will all work out for the best. Amelie will get to serve a lady and be exposed to the gentlemen of higher class, and I will have a friend for comfort."

Mother seems immediately reassured by the knowledge that the woman helping herself to the food at our table is of the same social standing.

"How thoughtful of you to look after each other like this." Mother turns to Amelie and asks, "Are you hoping to secure a gentleman from the peerage class for your own?"

Amelie smiles smoothly. "It is my father's hope my presence will gain some desirable suiters to improve our family standing. But my immediate intention is to see to Elizabeth's wellbeing and to help her settle into her new home."

Mother settles back in her chair nodding approvingly. "Your father has made an excellent choice in arranging for your friend Amelie to accompany you."

I grit my jaw as I fight back a wave of nausea the comes with the thoughts of exactly why Amelie has been arranged to attend me. I doubt Father would have been so considerate of my adjustment to a new home had all his hard work in securing this marriage not been under threat by letters supposedly indicating my imminent demise.

"Father often makes well calculated choices," I say with a forced smile.

Amelie's eyes dart to me, and I can feel the intensity of her gaze even as I fight to keep my eyes on my smiling mother. A throat clears and we turn to stare at Jocelyn who fidgets uncomfortably at the attention.

"Mrs Hawkford, Mr Hawkford has requested your presence," Jocelyn says in a small but clear voice.

Mother rises from the table in one swift movement, she glides across the room and places a brisk kiss on my cheek. "Farewell Elizabeth, your father and I shall arrange to come visit you in a few weeks once you have settled in."

"Goodbye Mother," I say as she moves briskly from the room followed by Jocelyn carrying a pitcher of wine.

The moment they leave the room I sag in my chair.

"Elegant," Amelie says in an amused tone as her eyes drift over my spread-out form.

"Amelie," I say rubbing the bridge between my eyes and I stare up at the intricate ceiling. "You will learn many things about me, but the first thing you should know is that any appearance of elegance is a front and not in any way a natural inclination on my part."

Amelie lets out a deep rich burst of laughter that draws my eyes to her face, radiant in its mirth. All I can do is stare as the woman's face transforms into something mesmerizing. Her joy makes her eyes glitter and her cheeks flush. I cannot help the smile that spreads across my lips as I take in the vision.

"Elizabeth," she says after taking a few calming breaths. "I have a feeling you and I are going to get along quite well."

A knock at the door draws our attention as Thomas, our footman appears in the doorway dressed in the awful yellows that make up our house crest. At least a marriage will afford me an opportunity to have a different set of family colours. I give myself a small burst of self-praise at finding one small positive in this big upheaval in my life.

"Miss, your carriage has arrived," Thomas says in his wobbly voice. His cheeks flush at the break that happens midway through the word ‘arrived' and he looks at his shoes. Poor Thomas is almost fourteen, and his age is showing its way through in his wobbling voice and the angry red blotches on his face.

"Thank you, Thomas. I believe Jocelyn has organized our luggage. We will be out momentarily." He nods his head and steps out of the room without another word.

"Poor fellow," Amelie says as she rises from the table. "Entering manhood is not being kind to him."

I nod as I follow her towards the door. "Hopefully the transition for him is swift."

I rise from my chair and move towards the door. I cast one more wistful look back into our dining room and I am unsure about my feelings regarding it. Living with my family has been in many ways repressive because of my desire to undertake activities not suited for women, but at least it was familiar.

I return to the entrance hall and step out into the brisk cool air of the early morning. My eyes are drawn to the stunning oranges and pinks that light up the sky with the promise of a spectacular sunrise. I find myself wishing for more time to gaze upon it, but Thomas opens the door to the small yellow carriage, and I dip my head and climb into the vehicle.

Amelie enters swiftly behind me and perches in the seat across from me as Thomas slams the door shut behind us. The entire carriage rocks with violent movement and I feel the tell tail signs of a migraine coming on. I let out a small sigh and rub my face, it's only going to get worse with all the noise inside the carriage. Already I can hear the impatient clomping of the fully shod horses as they bounce on the cobblestones. The carriage jostles with it, and the creaking of the leather straps under the wooden frame makes it clear this will be a long and unpleasant ride.

"Headache?" Amelie asks quietly.

I nod and face the beautiful woman, the smell of her light perfume already filling the space around us. "They are a frequent burden."

The carriage lurches forward and we sway with movement. I close my eyes as the sounds overwhelm me and only serve to make the pounding in my head harder to endure. I long for the quiet of my room and wish for nothing more than to be curled up in my armchair with a good book as the fire crackles gently beside me. The thought helps to relax me, but only momentarily as I remember that is a pastime I will not get to enjoy again for some time.

I sit with my head back and my eyes closed as a battle rages within my head as it seems determined to burst with all the noise. I long for the relief sleep will bring, even if it is only temporary.

"I might be able to help," Amelie says in a quiet voice.

I open my eyes to find the curtains in the carriage have been drawn and I am immediately grateful for the thoughtful gesture. I smile, "I have tried many medications and I do not enjoy how they make me feel."

"I won't use a medication. It is a foreign technique I learned during my martial arts training," Amelie replies in a serious tone.

I sit up suddenly interested. I have always been curious about other countries, but Father has continually insisted the British have the best way for everything and learning any other way is a waste of time.

"Okay," I say eagerly even as my headache spikes with a particularly violent pothole.

"I will need to touch you," Amelie says. "Do you consent?"

I raise an eyebrow, no one has ever cared about my consent about touching me before. "I consent," I agree almost desperate for any kind of relief to the pounding in my head.

Gently she takes my hand, and I am startled by how soft her cool hand is. I watch with interest as she places her thumb on the back of my hand, almost perfectly in line with the knuckles of my index finger and thumb. Then she presses and the relief that floods through me is instant.

I drop my head back with a relieved sigh, unable to concentrate any longer on her movements as the relief that flows through me is all consuming. After a long moment, she switches to my other hand and repeats the action. This time I am able to watch as she rubs a firm but gentle circle in both directions over the point in my hand.

"Once you are feeling a little better, I will be able to teach you how to do this yourself. It is a discreet way of finding relief from these kinds of headaches," Amelie says as she lets go of my hand.

I feel an immediate sense of loss as her hand falls away and frown as I try to analyse the reason. Suddenly, I let out an unseemly yawn and Amelie smiles.

"You should get some rest while you can, this type of relief is temporary," she says in a voice that almost seems like a demand.

I cannot help the small smile that quirks in the corners of my mouth as I lean back against the carriage wall and close my eyes. I don't get very long to think about anything before I am consumed by the exhaustion caused from the headache.