Isabelle's Mate (Shifters of the Bulgarian Bloodline Book 6)

by Daria Wright

  Her father stood there, her single bag in his hands. Compared to most bags, it was small and Abby knew that, but she had very few of her own things- and even less that she’d said she would take. She intended to leave everything she could to her family. Mama insisted that Abby buy some makeup, and there were a few personal items that Abby had not been able to part with. She stepped forward and took the bag from her father before he pulled her into a hug.

  “I love you.”

  It was all he said before pulling away.

  Abby opened her mouth to say something, to everyone. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t think of a single word to say to any of them.

  Tears pricked the corner of her eye. She took a deep breath and nodded, turning to the man who stood in the doorway. He held his hand out of the bag. Slowly, she gave them to him, she wasn’t used to having someone to take care of her things. She didn’t even own women’s shoes until a few weeks ago. She’s always worn her brothers when they grew out of them. She’d even packed them, of course without her mother knowing. She never would have allowed it.

  As she followed the Duke out of the house she’d grown up in she didn’t dare look back. A man hoped down from the front and pulled the carriage door open for her.

  “Thank you.” Abby spoke softly as she hoisted herself up inside it.

  “Sir, would you like me to keep the bags with me?”

  “No. We can keep them, it is just one.”

  He stepped into the carriage behind Abby, his hand brushing her thigh as he moved past her and sat down.

  Abby’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him to touch her so soon. Would he expect me to…? She couldn’t even finish the thought. She knew that being this mans wife meant she must lay with him, but that did not mean she was totally willing. Abby felt like one of the rabbits she used to hunt, before they moved. The skirts of town had become something only the rich could afford. Of course that didn’t mean they offered a fair price for the land.

  As the carriage began to move Abby was trapped inside with the man she was due to marry. He stared at her, his eyes soft.

  “Your family will receive payment this week.” He said.

  “Thank you.” That’s what this was all about after all, her family being able to live without starving- without someone having to turn down a meal at supper every night, just to give everyone else a little more.

  “I know it will be hard for you. To be away from them, but I assure you it will get easier, and perhaps we can see them sometime. You do, of course, understand that you will… have to go through some training, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  Abby must learn to become a woman that a Duke could marry. She knew it would not be easy. She was not well-schooled, although she loved to read, she had not had time. She been days away from taking to the streets before they’d gotten the letter. This had saved her and her family, and she knew it.

  “It will be hard, I know that. I’m sure you know that… but you must understand,” He stared out the window. “I had no other choice.”

  How could a Duke have no other choice?

  “And you… you seemed so perfect. You’re beautiful, you’re passionate, you’re smart.”

  “I had to drop out of school three years ago.” I told him flatly. I hadn’t pretended to be smart in my application. I had been honest.

  “That doesn’t mean you’re stupid.” He told Abby with a smile. His eyes sparkled. “You mentioned you hunt.”

  “That’s what sold you on me?”

  “Part of it yes, and that you were real.” He paused. “I wasn’t actually going to believe all the lies people put in their applications. If it sounds too good to be true then it is likely a lie.”

  “Were some of them truly that bad?”

  “Yes.” He laughed softly. He stared out the window, lost in thought.

  Abby couldn’t help wondering if the applications were still somewhere she could see them. Just to know what others had put in theirs. Her mother had not seen Abby’s application, otherwise she never would have been able to admit that she enjoyed hunting.

  “I’ve got several guns, you are welcome to them if you would like to hunt for the afternoon. Of course… if you do catch anything it will have to be taken to the servants’ quarters.”

  “I will not be expected to prepare it for you?”

  Abby lifted her hand to her mouth. Her quick tongue often slipped out before she had a chance to catch it.

  The Duke barked out a laugh. “No. you will not have to worry about cooking for me.”

  “That is most likely best for both of us,” Abby admitted.

  “I’m Thomas, by the way.” He held his hand out to Abby. She extended her hand, and his raised it to his lips.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  “No. The pleasure is all mine.” His eyes sparkled. “I’d like to discuss something with you before we arrive at the house.”

  “Of course. Anything you wish to discuss.”

  His cheeks flushed. “You must understand that what I’m about to tell you cannot leave this carriage.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “You will not be sleeping with me.” That was all he said. It was final, but Abby’s mind raced. She couldn’t figure out what he was trying to say.

  “I… you mean… until the wedding night?”

  “No.” He paused. Then a soft smile spread over his lips. “I see… you do not understand what I mean.” He cleared his throat, his cheeks turning a darker shade of pink. “I will not need you to be sleeping with me, because there will be someone else sharing my bed.”

  Abby’s mouth fell open. She stared at the man in front of her. Why would he take a wife if there was someone else sharing his bed?

  Then it all clicked.

  “You… you mean there will be a man sharing your bed?”

  “Yes.”

  He finally looked at her.

  Their eyes locked, and she could see the desperation behind them.

  “I see.” That was the best she could muster.

  “I need a wife. Someone to carry on the family line, and someone to attend events with me. Someone like you. I can save your family from starvation, but that will only happen if you keep an oath of silence.”

  “Of course.”

  Could Abby have asked for a better situation? She’d feared having to lay with the man in front of her, and now she knew that she would never have to fear that. A smile spread across her lips.

  What more could I ask for? My family will be taken care of.

  “You do understand, we will need to pretend otherwise. And you will need to bare me a son.”

  “Of course.”

  A son was the most important thing to a man like Thomas. A son would mean that the family name could be carried on. That would be my use to him. Even if the son wasn’t his by blood, we would raise him as if he were and no one would know otherwise.

  “I’m glad we’re able to get this cleared up. My mother is thrilled. She does not know of our meeting. She was told we met during one of my travels.”

  Abby nodded, taking everything in. She took a deep breath and held her hands tightly to her.

  “The wedding will be according to my mother’s plans, and before anything else we will… get you a new set of clothes.”

  Abby’s cheeks flushed. She knew her out of date clothing would not do for long. She nodded, not daring to look at the man in front of her. I had hoped it would be enough for a little while. She thought.

  Thomas reached across and took her hand in his. “I know I will never be able to understand what you’re going through,” he said softly, “but I am here for you in any way I can be. And the best way I can be here for you right now is to make sure mother likes you, and that you fit in well.”

  He may have been doing what was best for her, but Abby wasn’t sure he understood what she would be going through.

  Of course he doesn’t. She took a deep breath, trying to remin
d herself that he never would, and she couldn’t hold that against him. God, please help me get through this.

  Abby stared out the window.

  “It will get easier with time…” Thomas offered. “My mother… she can be hard to deal with, but once she warms up to you it will be much easier. She often takes a while to warm up but once she warms up to you she is a very kind woman.”

  “I’m sure it will help that she thinks you love me.” Abby didn’t mean for it to sound bitter, but she couldn’t take her words back.

  “No, that will not hurt, that is for sure.” Thomas gave her a soft smile. He glanced out the window. “We’re almost there.”

  Abby gave a curt nod, her gut twisting. She tasted dryness in the back of her throat. She took a deep breath, trying to still her pounding heart.

  The rest of the carriage ride was spent in silence as Abby processed everything she had been told. She would not have to lay with her husband, but what would that mean for them? Would she be expected to be in the same room as him?

  With his lover? The idea frightened her but she didn’t dare ask about it out loud.

  Sooner than expected the carriage came to a stop. We’re here. Abby realized as Thomas adjusted his jacket.

  “You’ll have to excuse me, I’ve got some business to attend to. I’ll be sure that you are settled in and then you will have some clothing to go through.”

  Again, Abby gave a curt nod as the door opened, Thomas stepped out.

  “Owen, please see to it that Abby makes it to her room.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Abby recognized his voice as the man who had driven them. Her heart skipped a beat as she grabbed her single small bag and stepped out of the carriage, taking a hand that Owen offered her for support.

  “Welcome to your new home,” he said softly.

  “Thank you.”

  Owen extended his arm to her, like any gentlemen would. Abby took it and allowed Owen to lead the way.

  She stared at the scene around them. There was so much grass, all of it well kept. The house itself was larger than she ever would have dreamed. Just think, this is what I will call my home. With her parents they hardly had space for everyone in the house, here it… it was huge.

  “It’s quite the sight, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  The house was made of brick, towering above most of the trees around it. Only a couple were actually taller than the roof. Three stories, all with windows, and at the far end of the length was a thin tower. Abby silently promised herself that she would explore that at some point. But for now she allowed Owen to lead her to front doors, a rose garden on either side of it. Abby took a deep breath, trying to take it all in and not let her mouth fall open. She knew that soon she would not be able to allow something like that to happen.

  “I know it seems really big, but you’ll get used to it.”

  For the first time Abby turned to see the man leading her around the house. She came to a stop.

  His jet black hair was slicked back, his green eyes sparkled as his lips curved into a smile that made Abby’s heart skip a beat. She found herself standing there, just staring at him. He was well dressed, considering he’d been driving the carriage. Then she noticed the scar on his face.

  His eyes lowered to the ground, as if he realized that had been what she was staring at.

  “Is everything alight, ma’am?”

  “Um, yes.” Abby cleared her throat.

  They continued into the large house and up a grand stair case, down the hall to the left and to a bedroom marked. “Missus”

  I guess this is for me. She thought.

  “If you need anything, ma’am, please let me know.”

  Abby nodded but she didn’t move. Neither did the man in front of her.

  “Ma’am,” he cleared his throat. “We all know why you’re here,” he said.

  Abby stared at him wide eyed. What was she supposed to say?

  “I mean, we all know why the master of the house didn’t court to find a wife.”

  He’s saying they know about his disinterest in me.

  “Oh, well good.”

  As Abby’s eyes locked on the man her heart skipped a beat. Her smile widened without her even realizing it. She forced herself to look away from him.

  “And thank you, for showing me to my room.”

  “Of course, I’m sure the maids will be waiting for you.”

  “Then I shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

  Owen stared at Abby for a couple of seconds then laughed softly. He bowed his head and left her standing there.

  Abby bit her lip. Now or never. She thought as she turned to the door and opened it. Two women looked up quickly from where they’d been sitting on the bed.

  “Ma’am,” one said quickly, “forgive us, we’ve been waiting so long and needed to rest our legs, we didn’t mean to sit on your bed, we’re-”

  “It’s quite alright,” Abby smiled softly. She looked around the room before stepping into it. The room itself was about as big as the living quarters in her old home. Old home. It began to sink in that this was going to be her life. Maids! She couldn’t believe it.

  She stepped into the room and looked around as she made her way to the bed and lay her single, small bag down on it. She turned and faced the maids, forcing a smile over her lips.

  “My name is Abby.”

  “Marie.”

  “Victoria.”

  Both women bowed low to her.

  She looked them over when they stood up.

  Marie had long brown hair, tied back in a braid. She had soft eyes, and young features. She couldn’t be much older than Abby- if she was older at all.

  Victoria was a little older, and Abby couldn’t help wondering if she had a family of her own. A husband of her own.

  “Let’s get you dressed.” Marie said, ushering Abby towards a mirror. The girls worked quickly, helping Abby remove her dress and providing her with fresh underclothes.

  “Have you ever worn a corset?” Victoria asked. Abby’s eyes widened, revealing the answer. Victoria pulled out a pure white corset. Abby had seen them in the stores, but she’d never thought she’d be able to wear one. She never thought she’d be able to afford one. “It’s not as scary as one thinks.”

  Abby nodded, her voice escaping her as Victoria helped her into it. Once Abby had hooked it up in the front Victoria pulled at it from the back, all the breath in Abby’s lungs being taken from her body.

  “We’ll start you off nice and easy. It will be tight, but over the next few months we’ll start getting it a little tighter.”

  Abby nodded, not trusting her voice. She took a deep breath, there was no doubt her breathing was a little strained. I’ll get used to it. She told herself. After all, she had to if she wanted to remain a good wife, and keep her husband-to-be’s ruse up. Which would be the only way she could provide for her family.

  “Hoops,” Marie said.

  Abby took everything in as they dressed her. It seemed like layer after layer after layer was used to get her ready, and finally when they put the blue silk dress on- the last layer- Abby gasped, looking at herself in the mirror.

  “You look beautiful, ma’am.”

  “Thank you.” Abby couldn’t believe it. She traced the silk down her skirt, taking everything in.

  “Now, for the hair.”

  An hour later her hair was done, she was given gloves and she even wore a small amount of makeup! She couldn’t believe it. Rouge lips. Never in her lifetime thought she’d be able to have rouge lips without making them bleed!

  There was a soft knock on the door as the maids were about to leave. Owen opened the door tentatively.

  “Is everything alright in here?” he asked.

  “Yes.” Marie answered, her cheeks flushing as both her and Victoria led the room.

  Owen turned his attention to Abby. He stared at her, his eyes wide.

  “Wow,” he whispered softly.

  Abby�
�s cheeks burned as she lowered her eyes to the ground. “It’s… quite the transformation, isn’t it?”

  “I’d say. Not that you didn’t look beautiful before.”

  Abby’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s very forward of you.” She raised her eyes to meet his.

  “I’m a very forward man.”

  Their eyes locked, and Abby’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at him. He didn’t look away from her, he just stared, his smile widening as he stepped into the room, closing the distance between them. He reached out, his fingers brushing over her cheeks. Red heat rushed through Abby’s body. She stepped back from the man in front of her, despite the fact she wanted nothing more than to let him touch her.

  “Owen,” This was the first time she’d used this voice. “I may not be laying with the master of this house, but that does not mean-”

  “Do you not think he will let you do as you please?”

  Abby stared at him. Was he trying to say that if she’d wanted to Thomas would allow her to have someone? Despite the fact that they were married.

  He does have someone. She thought.

  “And who better than someone who is sworn to serve him?” He made a point, though Abby would not admit that to him. She took a deep breath, her eyes locking on his but did not say anything.

  A soft smile touched his lips after a couple of seconds.

  He looked away from her as he stepped closer to her. “I understand. Come, I’ve been sent to collect you, Tom’s mother is here.”

  Tom? Owen didn’t address his employer formally?

  Abby didn’t have time to think about it. His words set in. She thought she might fall, and suddenly she realized how little she could breathe with her corset on. He held his arm out to her, and she took it allowing him to lead her from the room. Fear stricken, Abby was not sure she’d have been able to move without letting Owen guide her to where she needed to go.

  “Just… stay quiet, answer as shortly as you can, and let her do most of the talking,” Owen offered as they made their way back outside to a table waiting for them.

  “Thank you.”

  Abby couldn’t tell him how much it meant to her to have some advice. She was being tossed head first into the deep end of a pool and she knew it.