Episode 9: The Escape Plan

         

     Mrs Camila was saddened by what had happened  at the Manor so she sought ways to save Jaylyn from her impending marriage. The visit of Lord Bryan had stirred trouble for Jaylyn but he was the only one that could save her since his father was friends with her father. 

      The wedding was almost at hand, the urgency of her safety was ultimate. Mrs Camila paced around the kitchen thinking of clues to rescue her. 

"This time they have gone too far, l will never let this child suffer again!," 

she said with full confidence 

     Judging by their reaction to Lord Bryan arrive, it seems so clear that the young lord had made inquiry about Jaylyn in terms of marriage and the Baron was annoyed in order to cover his tracks, he needed to marry her to whoever he like to ruin her reputation for a better life to the one he orchestrated for her. 

Her uncle and aunt are greedy and social climbers, they would do anything to prevent their secret from being exposed to the public. 

If the news gets out,  it could ruin their well-conceived reputation and even ruin their children's chances to find suitable marriage proposals among their peers. 

Quickly she hurried to the post office to deliver a message to Lord Bryan. 

****

     Lockup for two days, Jaylyn regretted her outburst. 

If only  she had stayed calm and submissive, she blamed herself continuously. 

Now her uncle had commissioned all his stuff to monitor her movement,  preventing her from moving out. 

    This morning started with her cousins taunting her about her suitor . Olyvia reminded her that her father was a drunk just like her fiance. Since Jaylyn had lived with a drunk father all her life, it was indeed a match. 

Her relatives had made her a laughing stock. 

Lady Alfreda schooled her on her manners and how to approach her fiance. 

     That evening, Sir Victor, an old looking man arrived before lunch to visit his soon to be wife. His mere presence disoriented the entire manor as he staggered by the entrance. The female servants fled as he walked inside, his drunken state was an eyesore. 

Lady Alfreda orders her daughter to stay in their room as she walks down with her famous smile that holds no warmth to acknowledge his presence as her soon to be in-law. 

    " Sir Victor, you have arrived, welcome."

He bowed but he could hold himself properly to the ground. 

" Oh, You should be on your best behavior, you look drunk as a skunk, how do you think your new bride will feel. "

 she cautioned him playfully. 

She covers her nose with her fancy fan since she couldn't bear the foul  smell oozing out from his body

" I just had to have a little, " 

he staggered and nearly fell on Lady Alfreda who walked away before he could draw closer. 

Foul air spurt out from his mouth. 

    She looked at him with disgust but smiled again because she had to put up with him to remove her current problem. 

" Francis,"

she called the new Butler 

    ''Send Sir Victor to the garden parlor, serve him some Minted tea."

She ordered the new Butler to help him settle down in the garden parlor. 

While she brings Jaylyn out to greet him, this process was  to get properly  acquainted with each other. 

      Dressed in a blue lily, Jaylyn walked down to the garden. 

As she saw him her face turned pale, his presence made her heart drained to her feet as she suppressed the urge to vomit.

She nearly turned back but the nudge from her aunt reminded her, she had lost her will. She dipped her head and nodded with submission.

 It took her a few seconds to Compose herself. 

" Jaylyn! , darling go closer go!, " 

Her aunt beckons her 

" Meet Sir Victor, your fiance. He came all the way to visit, " 

she sang in delight, disclosing her excitement. 

  " You better don't act smart and don't  ruin this for everyone. " 

Lady Alfreda muttered and nodded to Sir Victor before she left them alone. 

    As she sat down facing him , Sir Victor examined her with greed, truthfully Jaylyn was indeed a beauty, her brunette hair sleek and soft gave her face a very appealing look.

 He pulled closer as he caressed her hand roughly. 

  "You are breathtaking, this time I choose right, we shall have beautiful children " 

He kept on talking as she tried to release herself but he held her tight.

" You see my previous wives were stupid , I know you know better. Don't be shy, once we marry we will know each other better" 

He patted her cheeks. His gaze traveled down from her face to her bosom down to her laps. After much examination and liking what he was offered for such a big price, he smiled sheepishly. 

    Jaylyn felt as if she had just been dished out like a dessert to be eaten alive as he tried moving inappropriately closer and closer.

 She gathered her courage and said, 

    " Sir Victor, please could you let go of my hands, you're hurting me. "

He let go of her hand

" Sorry to have frightened you". He caresses her face again as he moves closer to kiss her.

 His oozing breath made it hard for her to endure so she pushed him. 

     Sir Victor grew furious, 

"What's going on here!,... Sooner or later we will be married , now don't act shy, "

When he tried again she fled. 

    Jaylyn waited patiently for her punishment after she fled the garden. When Lady Alfreda arrived, a slap was served as a reminder that she had no say in matters concerning her future. 

The baroness warned her about her behavior and nothing could change the matter at hand even if she cried from then till the next day except death. 

     Meanwhile Lord Bennett warned Sir Victor not to go around spreading rumors of his wedding especially in his drunken state since it was going to be a hole and corner wedding. They plan on marrying her secretly and then flee to Lancoast to start a new life. 

****

     Jaylyn stared at the moon thinking about all she had been through. Maybe her life was indeed fated with a bad omen as everyone had said... Right from birth she was rejected, every chance of a breakthrough had been quenched. 

She taught about her life at Ravengate even if she was not able to live without problems, she had the will to make her own choices. 

    When her evening meal came, The maid placed it on a side table. 

Still lying in her bed Jaylyn said 

"Please take it away, I don't want to eat, "

When she looked up, she felt the maid was acting strange as she kept glancing around, self-consciously to see if the guards were close. 

    She hurried back toward Jaylyn. 

" Better eat, save yah strength and wait, "She whispered. 

She quickly placed a piece of paper near the tray. She hushed Jaylyn before she could speak and warned her. 

" Just be patient and don't act suspicious " 

       Once she left, Jaylyn read the note from Mrs Camila 

"Stay calm, prepare yahself, don't sleep next night, "

Her curiosity heightened after reading the note, tears of joy rolled down her eyes as her hope had been restored.