Bloody Love

MARY

The woolen blanket scratches my skin as I huddle under it for warmth. Winter will come soon, and the nights are already getting colder. My sister has it all. Long brunette hair, hazel eyes, and large breasts; a mother’s dream daughter. Me, I’m the dirty blonde haired, blue-eyed abomination. My mother said she had considered getting rid of me, but I ended up being kept around solely for serving them, as they believed that was my only value.

Heavy footsteps above me mean that my mother is up. I’ve learned that I should have the table set and breakfast ready by the time she comes down. I don’t have time to do much for myself. With only a sink and a toilet, both in my room, so I didn’t taint theirs. I quickly sorted myself out before opening my door carefully. Since my sister liked to play games with me, I never knew what would be waiting on the other side. Today there is nothing.

I breathe a sigh of relief and make my way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. With the fire stoked, I boil the kettle and slice the fresh bread to go with the rashes of bacon and eggs she will want.

The sound of my mother and sister coming down the stairs makes me hurry and put their breakfast on plates and pour their morning coffee. I stand back next to the stove as they enter.

“It better not be cold?” My sister snarls at me. “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes if it were.” Then she laughs. “Oh, you don’t have shoes, do you?”

I have a pair of ballet pumps, but they are so worn the soles of my feet touch the floor. My mother looks down at my feet and heaves out a sigh. “If you work hard this week, I’ll look at some new ones. After all, I don’t want people to think that I don’t look after you.” She passes me a list and a purse. “These are the things I need you to get this morning. Then I want you to start filling the wood store. It will take you the next two weeks to find wood from the forest behind us and fill that store for winter. But you don’t go out after sunset. You know those night creatures will kill you, and we don’t want that.” She gives me a smile, but it is a hard one, one that is out of fear. Without me, they would either have to pay someone to do their dirty work, or do it themselves.

“Yes, mother,” I say in a polite voice. One groan and it would result in no food for the day.

“Isobella, we shall go out for lunch and get our hair done, ready for the announcement this evening.” She smiles sweetly at her, and I hide my hatred for her.

“So it is true, then? Lord Blackwood is looking for a bride?” She beams brightly. “I am sure to catch his eyes this time.”

I turn and face the stove, holding my lips together. She may have it all, but a natural prettiness she doesn’t. They give me permission to have what is on the table after they finish. Today it is a piece of bread. Mother’s eyes scan the table, then she checks the cupboard and the refrigerated room. Everything she takes a mental note, it is one thing she is good at remembering. If I touch even a crumb extra, she will remove my food the next day.

Once they have gone, I tidy up and make their beds, collecting their dirty laundry to do later. I wrap my hair up in a scarf, then place the cloak on that I am allowed to wear when out. Whilst out at the market, the fruit guy calls me over.

“What shall it be today, princess?” He always calls me princess and makes me blush. I tell him what fruit I need, and he hands it over with an extra apple. “For you, my lovely.”

I thank him and tuck it away for later. As I collect the other things, I hear whispers that Lord Blackwood is holding a ball. I hang close to the talking ladies. “And invitations will get sent out to each household where single ladies live.” She swoons in a dreamy voice.

A funny tingling erupts inside my belly. But then the sinking feeling that I won’t be able to go because I have nothing. My sister will probably get to have a dress especially made for her.

I drift away from the gossip and buy the other items before heading back. With everything away at home, I take my apple and head outside and collect the ax to chop some wood. In the past, I have learned how to make the best use out of things. I grab the rope and sling it around me as I head into the woods behind the house.

In my thoughts, Lord Blackwood’s name keeps resurfacing, distracting me from my surroundings. What would his physical appearance be like? From what I’ve heard, he must be quite handsome, as every female I’ve come across can’t help but swoon over him.

I come across a fallen tree, one which will be perfect for chopping into different size logs. It is too big for me to move on my own, so I take a seat on the fallen tree and eat my apple. Out here, my mother can’t know that I’ve had something extra. Once I’m finished, and there is only the core left, I throw it for whatever animal will collect it later. Perhaps it will go into the ground and create a tree here?

Some of the smaller branches I chop and gather them together before I tie the rope around them and drag them back to chop up later. Two trips later, I’m back for the larger pieces.

I wipe my brow and wonder how I am going to move the larger trunk back. Puffing out a breath, I heave the rope around part of it. Alone it is too big, so I chop it in half. At least then I should be able to drag it. The rest I’ll have to come back for another day.

“Do you need a hand?” The voice makes me fall over the trunk and scream. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He holds a hand out.

In the depths of my chest, my heart races with an intense, frantic rhythm. I’ve never seen a man so breathtakingly handsome. His silky, black hair falls gracefully past his shoulders, and his complexion exuding a creamy radiance. But it is the magnetic allure of his dark, piercing eyes that leave a lasting impression.

“Miss,” he gasps and then reaches out and his fingers wrap around a piece of my hair.

I snatch it back and tuck it under my scarf. No one is to see my hair. Panic sets in as I fear he will tell my mother that he has seen me. “Please leave.” I pull myself up and grab the rope.

As I pull the tree trunk, it seems not as hard as I thought, but it is when I arrive at the house I turn to find that he is at the base of it and is pushing it. He looks over at the back of the house and then back at me.

“Do you live here alone?” He steps forward, closer to me.

“No, my mother and sister live here as well.” I cross my arms. “You must leave before they return.” I grab the ax. “Thank you for your help.”

He glances at all the wood I have and raises an eyebrow. “Do they not help you?” There is a hardness in his gaze when I shake my head no. Then he steps even closer and I can smell his sweet scent radiating off him. He makes me quiver under his gaze, and a smirk plays on his lips before he drags a piece of my blonde hair out from under my scarf. “I’ve never met such beauty before. What is your name?”

“You must leave.” I press my hand on his chest to push him away. “Please,” I beg him.

His head twitches to the side as if he is listening, then he takes my hand and places a kiss on the back of it. “Until we meet again.” Then he turns and leaves, leaving me breathless.

The back of my hand buzzes with a gentle, electric tingle, as if his tender kiss infused it with a radiant happiness. I’ve never experienced a kiss until now. A smile spreads across my face and I hum a tune as I cut the wood up.

My hands ache, but I finished cutting enough wood for today. I tidy myself up and wash my hands, ready to prepare the evening meal. By the time those two come in, my sister has her hands full with bags.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Help your sister with her things.” Mother barks at me.

“Yes, mother.” It is about the only words I say to them now.

They have both had their hair done, and the bags are full of pretty dresses and accessories. I help hang them up and look at the sizes. She has bought a size smaller than usual. Without a word, I leave the room and finish the dinner, laying it out on the table.

Mother allows me a plate at dinner. It is the only main meal I get, so good behavior during the day is always a must. They seem to be full of talk about the announcement of Lord Blackwood, and a ball that is going to happen.

“We must get your hair done nice, put those sparkly hair accessories in.” Mother fusses over Isobella’s hair.

“Do you think I should dye it black? I hear he likes black hair.” She smirks at me. “No point in you going. You would only embarrass yourself and us.”

“Not that she would get an invitation, anyway.” Mother chuckles, and Isobella joins her.

I gather the plates and take care of the washing up whilst those two ready themselves for the announcement. The sound of a trumpet horn has my heart racing. This will be the first time I see Lord Blackwood.

“Make yourself scarce.” Mother shoves me out of the way and towards the back of the house. “Go chop some more wood and make yourself useful.”

There goes my chance. It makes me wonder why they hate me so much? Am I so horrible that they are ashamed of me? I can feel the weight of despair in my tears as they silently stream down my cheeks, extinguishing any flicker of hope I had to leave this place.