pacificnorthwester
The Ultimate Pirate Princess
- Joined
- May 12, 2006
- Messages
- 1,416
This is a Short story I wrote for my english class. I think it's the best thing I've ever written and I am considering extending it into a novel. I know it's the probably the longest thing ever posted on the DIS but please read it and tell me what you think.
Her Ladyship. . .In the calm country side of northern England a young man, in his early twenties, sat wearing his simple ill-fitting suit with the remnants of his morning meal lying amidst many papers.
Joseph sat in deep concentration; he could do it tonight at the ball! No, too many people. It had to be quiet, private, and intimate. He looked around the rich openness of Wakefield Hall and snorted. Like hed ever be able to find a moment like that here! To think he had been tutoring Clarissa for seven months and as of yet been unable to find one solitary moment to tell her that he; No. There had been a hundred moments. He just hadnt taken any of them.
He could have done it at any point during his tutoring. Just looked up as Clarissa read a particular piece of text and said I love you (Always easier said than done) Joseph pondered this as he left his quarters and started to wander the wide tapestry-lined halls of Wakefield. Why hadnt he done it? What was standing in his way? Again he let out a cough. For two things did stand in his way. Both had names of royal significance, Lord Maximillian Winderly and Lucas Ellison, Duke of Hartfordshire. As he grieved over these names the former of the two walked confidently through the study door.
Good morning Joseph, Josephs beefy employer Lord Winderly greeted cordially. I trust you had a pleasant sleep?
Joseph cringed inwardly. He wanted to shout and rant, No, I did not sleep well and its all because of you and your daughter! but not being at liberty to speak his own mind he spoke the polite lie that was expected of him, and giving a deep bow he continued down the hall. As he walked the other name lurked into the transom of his mind leaving him filled with both anger and hopelessness.
What does she see in that great guy of a Duke anyway? He thought in a woeful tone.
Even as he thought the question he knew the answer. He was handsome and rich, and of course there was the fact that he never showed Clarissa his true self; Just a rose-colored vision of masculine perfection. Sometimes Joseph felt like he was the only one who could see past that pleasant and cheerful mask Lucas Ellison wore to cover the pompous, loathsome idiot within. What bothered him the most was that Clarissa seemed to be blind to it. Hadnt she always had insight into the most obscure and deep subjects? Wasnt she the one pupil who could always find the hidden meaning or moral in every book they had read together? Why couldnt she look deep down into Mr. Ellison and see that there wasnt a deep down?
He sighed and altered his course toward the gardens, hoping to catch a glimpse of Clarissa as she took her morning stroll. He knew she would be out there as she had said last night that she had to skip their morning lesson to work on a sketch for Monsieur her art tutor. Like many young ladies of her time she was pushed into several elegant accomplishments that most likely would never be put to practical use. He walked out through the manicured landscape keeping a sharp eye out for her. Finally he was stopped in his tracks at the sight of her bent over a sketch book among a grove of sunflowers. Sunflowers, the perfect flower for her, with their golden petals and deep brown center, practically a mirror to her long golden hair and deep brown eyes. Also the flowers were like a mirror of her soul. They were not perfect or exquisite like the nearby roses, or sweet and elegant like the long-stemmed lily. But they were happy and had a depth that gave them a beauty all their own; much like the young girl sitting at their base.
Joseph bore up and started toward the pretty picture before him. Clarissa heard the approaching footsteps and, quickly snapping shut the sketch book, looked up to identify the intruder of her solitude. As soon as she recognized him she gave a sigh of relief,
I thought you were father, She explained pulling her book open once more, He hates it when I lounge about the garden he says its hazardous to my social standing.
She rolled her eyes as if to assure him she didnt care about such things. Joseph smiled and bid her good morning, not missing the thick bulge from the center of her sketch book, guessing the presence of a novel within. She smiled back and patted the grass next to her inviting him to sit beside her. Joseph accepted the invitation all too willingly. He took these opportunities to be near her as often as he could. She did care for him, if not romantically, in a brotherly way. And if that was the best he was going to get he might as well have it.
He mentally shook that thought off, she would love him! He just had to bring up his courage and tell her. He could tell her right now! Right; no he couldnt. Joseph felt a growing sensation of self reproach. He was a coward. Worse than that he was a coward that had the opportunity to be brave but didnt take it! He would tell her right now. Joseph whipped around but just as the phrase began to form from his tongue to his lips Clarissa stopped him with these words,
So do you think Mr. Ellison will be at the ball tonight?
It was said very casually and with little emotion but Joseph sensed the hope hanging in the question. And painfully answered,
Yes, I believe so. He received an invitation, did he not?
Yes, I suppose youre right. So, are you going to be escorting some young lady to our little party tonight? She asked him playfully.
Joseph considered how he would answer this,
No, but there is a young lady Ive wanted to escort.
Clarissa seemed slightly surprised by this
Oh? Would I know her? Shes a very fine girl I suppose?
You may know her slightly, Joseph answered with a suspicious smile on his lips. She is a very fine girl but I dont think she is interested in me. Actually lately shes been pining after someone I think is unworthy of her.
Then why bother with her? She sounds like an utter simpleton to me.
Joseph suppressed a laugh. Oh how he wished he could excuse her as a simpleton and move on! But of course he couldnt, simply because he knew Clarissa. He knew her thoughts, her wishes, and most importantly her heart. Through everything she was a wonderful girl who deserved better than some ponce who wouldnt appreciate her active mind and deep soul. He sighed and looked up at Clarissa,
I bother with her, because she is worth the bother, he said simply.
This left them in silence for a moment. Clarissa, unsure if she liked the turn of the conversion murmured a reply and excused herself.
The rest of the day was spent in a quiet revelry until Joseph came to the decision. He would tell Clarissa tonight at the ball if it killed him! He started getting ready a half an hour in advance. A rare thing for his easy-going nature and as soon as he could meet his shrewd eye in the mirror he headed to the ball room. Clarissa was already there greeting her guests with a polite enthusiasm that was a joy to watch. Joseph looked her up and down as his eyes softened. She looked radiant! Her hair was bound up in an elegant curled knot while her form was gracefully dressed in pale green satin. He took a deep breath and walked up to his pretty hostess, whos eyes warmed as he approached,
Good evening Master Harrison, She made a slight curtsy her eyes twinkling with fun, Pleasure to see you this evening.
Joseph grinned and made a deep bow before her,
The pleasure is all mine your ladyship!
Just then the first strains of a waltz began to waft through the air. Clarissa looked shyly to the ground; Joseph saw his chance and reached out his arm invitingly. Clarissa smiled and took it awkwardly, and was steadily lead out to the dance floor.
The next few minutes were like a wonderful dream, as Joseph guided Clarissa swiftly around the floor, she chattered cheerfully, articulately, and, to Josephs delight, a bit nervously. As the dance ended and Joseph led Clarissa to a chair, a shadow fell from the doorway that caught her attention.
The rest of her night was spent with Lucas Ellison. Joseph hung back in the shadows watching as Lucas chattered and coaxed Clarissas musical laugh which for the beginning of the evening had belonged to Joseph and Joseph alone. At dinner he watched in agony as Lucas filled her plate and kept her attentions constantly. Finally the guests began to dwindle away and the orchestras music seemed to quiet. Lucas steered Clarissa surreptitiously out to the balcony. Joseph watched this performance with aching curiosity and dread. He wasnt the type to spy on them; Then again?
Joseph hurried nervously to the pillar at the balcony entrance. He watched for a minute as Lucas, like a sly serpent, slithered up to Clarissa as she watched the brilliant stars over head. He felt his pulse quicken as Clarissa turned in his direction. But his heart ultimately dropped as he watched Lucas lower himself to one knee before his darling Clarissa.
Joseph turned away from the scene in misery. All was lost. Whatever chance he had ever had with Clarissa was all gone now. He started away from the dreaded balcony not wanting to hear the words he knew were being spoken, the starry-eyed raptures, and the affectionate moments after the proposal. Well good! She was getting the exact man she had been wanting. Joseph pondered these thoughts and finally came to a decision. It was drastic he knew but what else could be done? Nodding to himself he started toward the study where his employer was reveling in the after-party calm.
When Lord Winderly looked up and saw Joseph in the doorway he gave a nod of welcome and sat up casually in his chair.
Hello Joseph, I hope you enjoyed yourself at this little get together of ours?
Once again Joseph was forced to give a polite little pleasantry that nowhere near described his feelings about the nights events. This slightly compensated for them. It was almost like removing any possibility of hope could make this extra blow a little more superfluous, as if this man of station would have ever let him marry Clarissa anyway! He would want her to marry a man of wealth and a title to add to their already limitless fortune. What would he care if Joseph loved her? But he soon shook off these feelings and he got to the true point of his visit,
My Lord, I have decided to resign.
Lord Winderly looked shocked,
Why Joseph! I certainly hope you have not felt unwelcome here. Clarissa is very fond of you, you know.
Joseph winced and forgot to hide it.
No, you have been a very kind employer and I have greatly enjoyed teaching Miss Clarissa, but I feel I am no longer needed as the pupil has surpassed the teacher on many points both intellectual and domestic. I will miss Wakefield dearly but I know that what I am doing is the proper decision. Thank you Sir.
Lord Winderly watched the young man thoughtfully as something occurred to him that hadnt before and the jolly, old Lords mouth twitched up in a smile.
You know Joseph, Clarissa will be dreadfully disappointed at your departure. Quite destitute really, are you sure you want to leave me with a grieving daughter?
Joseph sighed, Yes Sir. Im sure Clarissa will find something else to occupy her time to compensate for my absence.
You mean the Ellison boy Im sure. . .Yes, he certainly has kept her busy, but I dont think he will win the prize. . .Clarissa is far too much like me.
His Lordship rose out of his chair and strode over to a large portrait of a lovely woman with Clarissas features, obviously Lady Winderly,
Where will you go when you resign, may I ask?
Most likely back to Derbyshire, I can help with the school my sister has set up.
Aw yes, of course. Did you know my late wife was from Derbyshire?
No sir, what part? This was surprising to him, what ladies of station had ever lived in his little village?
Oh, just off of the village, she was a schoolteacher.
The next morning Joseph packed up his belongings in a somber revelry. He wrote a quick letter to Clarissa expressing his congratulations on her engagement and his sadness that they may no longer meet. He signed it cordially and definitely. And after placing the letter carefully on the table where they usually studied, he walked out to the carriage. With one last look up at the ornate walls of Wakefield he was off toward home with a strange feeling that he was leaving it instead.
The drive was long and almost unbearable. With every mile he was being taken farther and farther away from the one person that had ever made him feel like he could be more than himself. And now she was gone from his life forever. As his carriage pulled up to the lonely old house where Joseph had grown up, he was feeling all the lower knowing that this was to be his fate. He walked inside and was warmly greeted by his elderly mother and younger sister. He simply told them that he had very much enjoyed his time at Wakefield but was certainly glad to be home. In other words he lied. He dismissed himself saying he was tired from the journey and wanted to get some rest before he started work in the morning.
Hours later he was still staring up into the abyss listening to the gentle clatter of rainfall on the roof; his mind wondering what was to become of Clarissa. Would she soon discover that she was betrothed to a cad? Would she have time to break the engagement before forcing herself into a lifetime of unhappiness? Just as these thoughts were beginning to subside he heard an urgent knock coming from downstairs. He listened for a moment and decided his family had already gone to bed. In a fit of chivalry he got up to get the door before it disturbed his mother. He carelessly pulled on a pair of trousers and a jacket over his night shirt, and started towards the loud knock that persisted on and on. Why dont they stop with that infernal knocking before I get the door! he thought with a groan. With a quick smoothing of his hair he roughly turned the knob and pulled.
Hello Joseph.
Joseph stood stone stiff in the doorway. It couldnt be. No, it had to be! That was her voice, her shape, the damp hair rippling across her shoulder was most certainly her golden locks. He was so busy marveling at her presence he had almost forgotten that he was still standing there like a fool with his mouth agape,
Hello Clarissa, this is unexpected. Wont you come in?
She smiled through her rain splashed cheeks, Yes I suppose its rather damp out here.
When they got inside Joseph led her to the drawing room fighting the temptation to sweep her up in his arms. Clarissa quickly turned. Suddenly looking very nervous, she took a deep breath,
You once told me you liked a girl, I was just wondering, could you have possibly meant me?
Joseph was shocked, unsure if he was at liberty to speak his mind this time. He decided to test her motives,
Why do you ask? Has your fiancé questioned your feelings?
Clarissa smiled shakily, What fiancé? I have no fiancé, and the only feelings that are being questioned are yours. Do you love me?
Joseph stared, could this be true? Could he really be given another chance at happiness? He knew one thing. He wasnt letting this chance go with the others,
Yes, I do. Do, do you love me?
Joseph held his breath. He was slightly reassured by the smile his answer had produced but was unsure if it was one of happiness or pity. Then it came. The one thing he had been so sure could never happen
Yes Joseph, I do.
His eyes widened, his heart quickened and he lost all inhibitions. He finally did what he had been planning to do for six months. He gathered his Clarissa up in his arms, and she gladly returned the favor.
Three months later they were married, with hearty blessings from Lord Winderly. Lucas Ellison married a widowed countess ten years his senior, living in a cold, civil state for the remainder of his life. Lord Winderly would always say that Josephs courage had won him Clarissa. But Joseph thought differently. He says that Clarissa gave him his courage. Clarissa agrees
