Reclaim

Chapter 16

A loud thump awoke Arabella as she jerked up from the bed where she had collapsed the night before. More thumps sounded from below and it took her a moment to realize that they must be setting up the ballroom. She thought back to Rachel's stories of Duke Wilhelm and renewed her determination that she would get away tonight. She got up gently trying to fight the dizzy feeling of moving. Closing her eyes helped her try to focus to move up off the bed. Once she was up she made her way to the window seat to slowly sit down. The lock clicked open and Rachel breezed into the room with the washbasin of fresh water. Arabella studied her, wondering if she could trust the new maid after she was kind enough to tell her about Duke Wilhelm.
"Rachel, do you know what has become of Corwin Quinn?" Arabella asked quietly. Rachel whipped around to glare at Arabella before she answered after a pause.
"You should not be concerned with anything about the likes of him! He's a scoundrel and hasn't been seen since he left here. He stole silver plates and cutlery from your aunt," Rachel replied with a sneer of contempt.
"Ah, well hopefully they sent a warrant out for his arrest then, how dreadful that he stole from us," Arabella replied. She knew it was futile to argue that Corwin would never do such a thing. Rachel had already been poisoned against Corwin, but perhaps she could maybe trick her into believing that she had been poisoned as well. Rachel looked Arabella up and down before continuing to get a new dress for the day.
"I had been warned that you took a fancy to Mr. Quinn and that was the reason for all of this rush around your ball tonight," Rachel said with suspicion plain in her tone. Arabella laughed bitterly as she struggled to get up off the window seat.
"Of course, did you see the man? Any young lady left alone would fall for his charms, I just happened to be his latest victim," Arabella said inflecting her voice with anger. Rachel turned and Arabella saw a tinge of sympathy in her eyes.
"I've heard he's pulled the wool over quite a few ladies eyes, Madame Dubois knows quite a lot about his exploits! I wonder if he targeted you directly because of your inheritance. What a pity there are heathens out there trying to devour innocent young ladies like yourself," Rachel nodded as if she had figured out the entire story in that moment. Arabella frowned and a small part of her wondered if the maid was so far off with her accusation. It had been very convenient that he had showed up quite suddenly when her birthday was so soon. Rachel noticed her frown and came over to pat her on the shoulder lightly.
"There, there. Even I have had a man spurn me after leading me astray. He told me sweet things like how he wanted me to marry him and bear his children. But then he found some girl who was better off than I was. She was a merchants daughter and had a whole income each year from her parents. Though he got his  just rewards as he became a soldier and died shortly after," Rachel shared with a light laugh. Arabella laughed along with her, Rachel pulling the nightdress off over her head. Arabella reminded herself mentally that Corwin had came to her wanting to free her and she refused. She felt like sobbing when she realized that she could have already escaped this place. Rachel pulled the new dress over her head and when she tightened it, she quickly realized it was an older dress that hadn't been modified. Even fully tightened the dress had slipped down Arabella's shoulders to reveal her bosom and then pooled at her hips.
"Oh! You have lost quite a bit of weight, my lady! This dress must not have been taken in, let me find one that has," Rachel exclaimed before going back to the wardrobe.
"I wasn't joking about them starving me, Rachel. I haven't eaten in five days, all I get is water," Arabella said evenly. Rachel came out with another dress and her expression looked sad.
"I know they have you on a very extreme diet for the ball, but I'm sure after you will be able to start eating again," Rachel said excitedly. Arabella fought tears that threatened to break free to run down her face. She hadn't realized how long it had been since she had food but the realization made her want to just give up. Rachel pulled the too big dress off and then fitted the new properly sized one on.
"The Maestro is waiting for your final practice, let's get you to him," Rachel said as she lead Arabella out of the room and down the stairs. The maestro was waiting nervously at the piano, his face shiny with a layer of sweat. Though he relaxed slightly when he realized Arabella wouldn't be accompanied by her aunt today. Rachel left Arabella there while the maestro started her with a warmup. Arabella followed along with the warm up as best as she could, only missing the right key twice. Arabella realized that her voice was actually improving, the maestro was indeed a professional. They spent hours going through the hymn piece by piece until Arabella sang it perfectly.
Rachel came by when it was nearly mid afternoon to announce it was time to get ready for the ball. A pit of fear formed in Arabella's empty stomach. She was not ready for her great escape at all, worried she would get caught before she had a chance to escape. Once they had laboriously climbed back to Arabella's room Rachel started the process of getting her ready for the ball. The dress fit Arabella like a glove, she felt like Madame Dubois had fashioned it as another cage trapping her in this misery. Rachel arranged Arabella's hair in little curls that fell around her face from a top knot. Arabella was pulled around the room to get jewelry strung around her neck and then across to have rouge and powder dusted on her face. Rachel fussed over which combs to put in the knot while Arabella fought to stay conscious.
There was a sudden knock at the door which sent Rachel to answer it, Arabella stood tensely watching. She knew Aunt Petunia would never knock, which left very little who would be visiting her. Rachel curtsied as she opened the door to allow the person in. Arabella's heart dropped to her stomach when she saw Duke Wilhelm at the door greedily looking over her as if she was already his property.
"May I have a moment with my intended, maid?" He asked with a tone that warned not to decline. Rachel bowed again before glancing back at Arabella with pity in her eyes and then leaving. Arabella sat delicately on the edge of the window seat and levelled her eyes on his polished boots.
"Isn't it bad luck to see me before the ball begins?" Arabella asked lightly. Duke Wilhelm paused before he walked closer to her.
"It is a shame that such beauty be accompanied by your vile temperament," Duke Wilhelm said before grabbing ahold of her chin in his hand. He tipped her head so she was looking up into his eyes.
"I must apologize if you have thought my  behaviour not becoming." Arabella replied stiffly. Duke Wilhelm glanced greedily down at her bosom and then back to her face as he leaned in. His kiss was demanding and she fought to not shudder at his sloppy tongue slathering over her mouth. His clumsy and arrogant kiss made her soul yearn for Corwin even more. When Duke Wilhelm withdrew she kept a neutral expression on her face to not draw his ire.
"I will take whatever I want and when I want it after our marriage. I'll soon plant an heir in your womb and once you have provided me sufficient children then I shall make a puppet out of your abused body," He explained smugly. Arabella had been already abused, her body protesting with too much movement in the form of pain shooting through her.  The way he was talking made Arabella realize he meant to keep her as a breeding animal before then discarding her.
"As my Duke commands, it shall be so," Arabella replied in a monotone. He smirked at her apparent obedience and then turned to leave the room. Arabella felt like bashing his head in with the bronze candlestick placed on her desk. Right before he opened the door he turned and his eyes had an angry glint.
"He never loved you, if that's what you thought. The scum of a man you thought would take you away abandoned you at the first coin your aunt tossed at him," Duke Wilhelm stated with a sneer. Arabella felt a rush of anger as she frowned at his words.
"Well it isn't as if you had the coin to send him off, you gambled all your money away," Arabella snapped at him without thought. His sneer turned into a glare as he stormed out of the room. Rachel came back shortly after to continue placing jewels in Arabella's hair. Petunia swept into the room, looking over Arabella intensely as of trying to find a flaw.
"Madame Dubois has outdone herself this time! What a marvel this dress is and how much better it looks after you shed all that weight," Petunia said excitedly. Arabella glanced at Rachel to see she was gazing adoringly at Petunia.
"After the ball will I be able to eat again?" Arabella asked. Petunia froze for a second in shock, not expecting the question.
"Well of course we must keep your food intake moderate, you have a shape to maintain now!" Petunia said as if the question was silly. Rachel frowned slightly at the response but kept silent.
"Of course, Aunt Petunia. When will the Ball be starting?" Arabella asked politely. Petunia smiled tightly before she responded.
"That is why I have come to fetch you, the ball will be starting shortly and we must host," Petunia said firmly. Arabella nodded and they started down to the ballroom, Rachel bringing up the rear. Arabella hadn't come to this side of the mansion since she had arrived because she had never needed to. Now she regretted not exploring as she needed to figure out the layout while also trying to watch for the cue to run from Simon. There were already guests lining the halls with brilliant coloured clothes. Arabella noticed with dismay that she was the only person in white, a fact that made her stand out like a rose in a field of dandelions. She looked around and saw the main ballroom doors and the terrace as the only options for exits. Simon announced Arabella and Petunia to the crowded room, filled with people Arabella did not know. A smattering of applause sounded through the room and the musicians started a soft melody.
Duke Wilhelm appeared at Arabella's side and they started to dance. It took all of Arabella's concentration to not faint at dizzying moves of the dance. She caught sight of Simon serving drinks and her hope rose even though it was a near impossible situation. Once the dance ended Duke Wilhelm shouted over the crowd to be silent.
"I have a grand announcement to make! I have made a bid for Lady Arabella Mayfair's hand in marriage and we shall be married by summer's end!" Duke Wilhelm shouted proudly. A cheer rose up from the crowd with everyone clapping at the news. Simon appeared from the crowd with two glasses of dark red wine on a platter. As he stepped towards them Arabella felt a wave of dizziness wash over her and she pitched forward, grabbing Simon's arm in the process. Red wine splashed over Duke Wilhelm and Arabella both before Arabella fell to the ground breathing shallowly. The loud smash of the crystal glasses filled the room as glass scattered across the floor. A gasp ricocheted through the crowd and Simon ordered for the maids to bring mop and broom to clean the mess. Duke Wilhelm was rushed off to get cleaned up while Simon himself picked up Arabella to get her away from the shattered glass. He manoeuvred through the crowd to a bench at the edge of the terrace where he sat her down. The crowd was in chaos trying to see if they had sustained any injury or stain from the wine.
"Go now," Simon whispered at the barely conscious Arabella. She nodded and waited until he had left back into the crowd before she took her shoes off and slipped out onto the terrace. Grand steps lead to the gardens and she quickly went down them as fast as she could muster. Once she had finally gotten to the garden she hid behind a bush to rest for a moment. She knew she had to make it to the stables where Diana would be waiting.
"Trying to run, are we?" A voice called out. Arabella turned to face a very angry Madame Dubois.
"Let me go, madame. I have done nothing to you and I deserve to not be abused any longer," Arabella said defiantly. Madame Dubois grabbed her wrist and dragged her through the garden towards the stables. Arabella smiled when she saw the building come in view. Madame Dubois marched her over to an ornate carriage and opened the door. Arabella recognized the crest as Wilhelm's family carriage. She struggled to try to break out of Madame Dubois grip to get to Diana.
"You will never be free! You belong to Duke Wilhelm now, he already announced your engagement," Madame Dubois said as she shoved Arabella into the carriage. Arabella struggled to get up and get out of the carriage with tears streaming down her face.
"No! Please don't lock me in here! Madame Dubois please," Arabella pleaded as the woman slammed the carriage door shut. She then wedged a stick through the handle to secure it before leaving to go back to the ballroom. Arabella screamed hoping that Diana would hear her but there was nothing but silence.