Warning: Depictions of simulated violence, and a brief non-medieval statement follows.

Lady Alexia Donovan; eighteen year old daughter of the Late Katherine Donovan and niece to Lord Vagel Van Donoavan, was throwing a tantrum.

Stamping her foot she yelled loudly. “I do not want to go and you cannot make me!”
Her Uncle sighed loudly. He’d known she would be difficult to convince.
He’d known her temper would flare and he’d foreseen the coming tantrum. Still he felt a tinge of disappointment with her.
Looking at her Uncles face, she quieted and took a step back. “Mother has only just been buried, three days in fact. How would it look to all for me to go to a Ball, no matter who is giving it.”

Standing Vagel slowly walked to the bar and poured himself a drink.
She stood quietly watching him a moment before continuing.
“Uncle, I really do not think it proper for me to be out so soon. And, I do not particularly like the Duchess. She seems so disagreeable, and the way her husband stares at me….”  She said, shuddering slightly her words trailing off.

Suddenly her Uncle turned to her and she jumped slightly at his outburst.
“You will go to this Ball and you will find yourself a husband!”
Pausing he calmed slightly and took a deep breath. It was not like him to lose his temper. But it was due in part to fear. That she would be so naïve of her beauty and men’s desires. Of course any man would look at her with lust in their eyes. Frowning he moved to take her hand, sighing when she pulled it away.
“Your mother refused to force you to wed, though I told her repeatedly that you were becoming to old. Now she is gone and has left you alone.” He said, shaking his head sadly.
You, would have me wed?” she asked a look of confusion on her face.
“But I have plenty of time to marry. Uncle,” she implored
“Please reconsider. I do not wish to marry now. Not yet anyway. Mother never even mentioned…”
Cutting her off he shook a finger in her face, “Your mother would have you tied to her as a companion for the rest of your days. However; she is gone now and I am your guardian. You will be wed. I will not be here forever Alexia, you need someone to take care of you. You were not meant for the life of a spinster. You must have children, and a home of your own.”

Alexia stared at him for a long moment. Se knew his mind was made up and there was nothing she could do to dissuade him. Turning she angrily left the room, pausing in the hall to collect her thoughts. How she wished now, more then ever, she could talk to her mother. She frowned harshly at the thought. Maybe her Uncle was right. All her life, she had only had her mother to turn to. Now her mother was gone and she was alone. Her Uncle was old and like he said, would not be here forever.

Turning she went back into the room.
Her Uncle sat in his chair again a sad expression on his face.
“I..I am sorry I shouted Uncle.” She apologized.
He waited patiently as she continued. “I know you want the best for me, and I love you for taking care of me and Mother all these years. If you think going to this Ball and finding a husband is what I should do, then I will do it.”
Fighting back tears she turned and left the room, leaving her Uncle to stare after her in silent surprise.

————————————————————————————–

Violetta, the Duchess of Briton eyed her maid Suzette critically. “You look so very pale and tired.” She commented her face screwed into her usual grimace.
“Sorry My Lady.” Suzette responded handing her a glass of murky warm liquid. “The woman I spoke to said you are to take this two times a day for a week. If nothing happens then she says you should go see her.”
Violetta smirked taking the glass quickly swallowing it down; she gagged slightly at the taste. “Me, a Duchess, go see her. It’s laughable. Her potion will just have to do its work.” Frowning she handed the glass back and continued what she had been doing.
“Ah look here!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Lady Alexia and Lord Donovan will be attending. I thought for sure they wouldn’t, with her mother dying so suddenly and all.” Grinning she added the card to the steadily growing stack of accepted invitations, carefully avoiding the fact that the decline pile was larger.
“Well that is all of the invitations sent out. I wonder if the Montague’s will be attending. I have not received their response.” Looking to Suzette she frowned thoughtfully. “You need some fresh air. You do look pale. Go visit with the Montague’s servants today and find out whether or not they will attend. Do not take too long. I will be waiting for you.”
Nodding Suzette hurriedly left the room. It was not often she got time to herself. Although she would be “working” in a sense, it would be nice to visit with her friends.
Hitching up the buggy she quickly clambered in and took off, afraid the Duchess would change her mind.

————————————————————————————–

Later that evening Lord Donovan was sitting in his library when Lucy ushered Lady Montague in. The woman looked the worse for wear he thought. She was limping slightly and he could detect a faint redness under her nose. Frowning he stood to greet her.
“Lady Montague, what an pleasure to see you.” He said, clasping her hand warmly in his. “Tell me, to what do I owe this honor?”
Smiling Madeleine gently extracted her hand from his, her fingers sore and slightly bruised from her husbands grip.

“I cannot pretend this is a social call.” She began, her voice trembling in slight nervousness. “I have known you so long Vagel, please call me Madeleine..”
Nodding he asked frowned wondering at the reason for her visit. “Madeleine then. Tell me what troubles you.”
Making no hesitations she simply blurted out. “Would you consider taking my Maryanne as your wife?”
Lord Donovan stared at her his eyes wide. “Your Maryanne?” he asked looking a bit puzzled.
“It is of the utmost importance that I find her a husband Vagel. And though you are older then most bachelors I know you would treat her well.”
He looked at her concern marring his brow. “Is it Boris? Has he…harmed her?”
She shook her head. ”Oh no, I would kill him before I would allow him to harm my children. It is that I know he would choose poorly for her. Maryanne is a delicate girl and needs love and tenderness. Boris would find the richest or most powerful man to marry her and not have a care for how he treated her. Tonight I asked him for permission to find her husband.”

Vagel stepped back and stared in space for a moment. “So you thought of me then?”
Nodding she continued. “I know you are older then she is but you need an heir do you not? When Alexia marries she will leave here and you will be alone. Your family name will die with you.”
Clasping his hand in hers she looked at him imploringly. “Vagel, please consider it. She is young enough to be taught how to be a proper wife. Not…not like me.”
Frowning he looked at her, “You are a perfectly fine wife and a wonderful mother. It is that brute your father made you marry that is bad.”
Patting her gently on the hand he smiled. “I will consider it. In the meantime, you go home it grows dark. I will come visit you and tomorrow afternoon so I can properly meet your daughter.”
Smiling through a sheen of tears she kissed him gently on the cheek before departing.

Feeling he needed a bit of fresh air he called to Lucy and requested a meal be ready when he returned before he exited through the side entrance leading to the small lake running behind the manor.
He walked slowly around the grounds surrounding the manor. Stopping at the stables he looked to where his sister was buried and frowned seeing Alexia standing there.

It had been nearly two weeks since he’d had to bury his sister and he felt a sort gray sorrow as if it were seeping into his bones. There were no more ladies teas or picnics. No late nights out at balls or masks.
It was as if the life. The social life of the manor died right along with Katherine…

Turning to go back inside, Alexia caught sight of her uncle watching her.
Seeing the sad look on his face she impulsively pulled him into a warm hug.
He was all she had left she suddenly realized as she gazed into his eyes.
“Uncle Vagel, are you alright?” She asked worriedly, as if realizing for the first time his great age.
“Oh yes, I’m quite alright. I was coming to look for you dear. Will you come sit with me a moment?” He frowned at her, wondering why she was once again wearing her mourning dress.
“Have you been at your mothers grave all morning?” He asked her as they went into the hall.
Nodding she looked down, not meeting his eyes.
He sighed heavily, “Alexia dear, you cannot spend your life mourning for your mother. She would have wanted you to go on.”
Frowning she shook her head. “Come with me Uncle.”

He followed her into the dining room where a meal was awaiting them. A stack of correspondence sat at Alexia’s plate.
Assisting her to her seat Lord Donovan sat opposite her and cast a curious gaze at the pile of parchment.
Alexia she lifted the thick stack of cards and waved them slightly.
“I have accepted every invitation extended to me for the next month. Tomorrow I go to have tea with Lady Briton, and have told her that I am seeking a husband.
Setting the stack down she smirked slightly.
“The Duchess seems to think she has a match or two in mind for me. I have also accepted a ride in the countryside with her and a few of her acquaintances. Hopefully something will come out of it.”
Lord Donovan nodded. “That is good. I should also let you know that I plan to take a wife soon.”
Alexia stared at him a moment before draping a napkin across her lap and beginning to eat.  “Well, that is even more reason for me to get on with this marrying business. I wouldn‘t want to cramp your style.”

————————————————————————————–

Earlier this evening in the Montague household.

Lady Montague cautiously sought out her husband in the immense castle they resided in. She usually avoided him as often as possible but at the moment it was a necessary action she hoped she would not regret. She was fervently hoping to get this marriage business over and done with.
Now she stood before him her eyes searching his face, trying to gauge his mood. She flinched when he lifted a hand to caress her face, her hand instinctively capturing his. A mistake she saw at once as his eyes hardened and narrowed into angry slits.
“Ah so you would deny me my rights again then?” He asked, his hand gripping hers tightly.
Knowing better then to cry out with the pain of his hand crushing her still sore one, she shook her head. “No, of course not My Lord. I only hoped we could talk a moment.” Her voice though low and soothing, belied her internal feelings as a small knot of fear formed in the pit of her belly.
In truth she feared and loathed his touch. And the thought of falling pregnant again terrified her. Not so much for herself but for the child. She couldn’t bear to have another innocent live under his rule. She only prayed she could get both her daughters away before she passed on. With each beating she felt herself slipping closer to that dark void.  Only the strength of a mothers love kept her going.
“Talk,” he snorted softly, moving away to stand near the bed, his eyes on her. “And what would you have us “talk” about?”

Straightening her spine she took a cautious step towards him. “Our daughters, sir. I know you would make a good match for them. But I thought perhaps you would consider someone of my choosing for… for Maryanne.” She cringed slightly, the small knot of nervousness in her belly expanded so she almost fled the room.
Turning to her, Lord Montague raised an eyebrow in question. “One of your choosing? The last time you dared speak of it you mentioned the Church to me.” Narrowing his eyes angrily he stepped closer to her. “Is this, the “someone” of your choosing?” He sneered.

Shaking her head quickly she looked down her hands nervously clasped together. “No My Lord, it is only that. Lord D…Donovan made mention that he wanted Lady Alexia to wed soon.” She paused, the lie tasting sour on her tongue. She knew Katherine had wanted to keep Alexia close and had refused to even consider her child getting married and leaving her.
She knew the siblings argued over this and only hoped that with Katherine now deceased, Vagel would want Alexia to marry and carry on the Donovan bloodline. However; she knew with him being the only remaining Donovan, the family’s name would fade away with him. She prayed she was right and could convince Vagel to take her sweet Maryanne as a bride. Though over thirty years her senior, she knew he would be kind to her and; she prayed, not as demanding as her own husband.
Frowning Boris stared at her, his curiosity piqued. “And what does this have to do with our daughters?”
Her courage failing rapidly, she thought it best to get it over with.
“Well, he would need a wife himself as his niece would certainly move out when wed. And as he has no heirs…” her words trailed off and she stepped back her eyes locking with the angry ones of her husband as he advanced towards her.
“No heir…” he gritted out angrily. “ It seems we both have something in common then.”
A small snort of derision escaped her lips before she could stop herself.

She barely had time to brace herself as his fist smashed into her face.
Stumbling back she tripped on her heel and fell, crying out sharply.
Standing over her he angrily pointed a finger at her. “You, think a decrepit old man would make a better husband then me?!” He kicked her sharply in the leg making her cry out a second time.
“Let’s see how long it will take before the little bitch disappoints him as you have done me!”
He snarled angrily before turning on his heel and stomping out the room.
Curling up against the wall she closed her eyes, wiping at a small trickle of blood from her nose.
Millie, quietly snuck into the room to help her mistress to her feet. She had come to ask her mistress something when the sound of Lord Montague’s shouts had made her pause.
“My Lady, are you alright?” she asked in concern.
Nodding Madeleine stood, flinching slightly at the pain in her leg. “I am fine. Please, go hitch the buggy. I need to go speak to Lord Donovan right away.”
Nodding Millie started to leave the room but paused, remembering why she had come in the first place.
“My Lady, The Duchess of Britons maid Suzette has come to visit with Fran, she mentioned that they have not received word on whether you will attend the Ball.”
Madeleine closed her eyes a moment. She had completely forgotten about the masked Ball. She’d have to call the dressmaker to come and get the girls fitted for costumes and masks would have to be made…
“Look in my vanity drawer“, she murmured softly. “The acceptance is there. Give it to Suzette to take back to her mistress. I have gotten a husband for one daughter; maybe we can find another at the ball.”