Excerpt
Isabel sat at home, afraid for her life. After receiving a scolding from her brother, she closes herself in her room. It’s been hours, night is falling and her tiny body is still trembling in fear. The rapping on the front door causes her paled form to leap and she cowers beneath her covers. Her fears play in her head. Perhaps he’s here to arrest her for dishonoring a noble – a prince besides. He had the authority to imprison her for the rest of her life. What would she do?
Her brother came at her, red faced in anger.
“What have you done?” He demanded.
“I…I don’t know.” She stammered.
“Well your bloody ‘patient’ is here in full armor with two men demanding to see you.”
“I…I can’t.” She cried tearfully, her heart beating violently against her chest.
I’m going to die. She thought.
Her brother carried her pale, limp, trembling body to the front of the house where he’d dropped her on her feet and shoved her forward. There before her was a horrific sight. The three men, clearly soused to the gills, hovered menacingly above her. She turned her head to see her brother, his arms crossed guardedly, staring intently at her. At this moment, the prince spoke while his friends chuckled and hiccupped.
“Isabel, I demand your hand in marriage.” He announced and his companions laughed louder.
She backed away. He couldn’t be serious. Before she could find a word to say, her brother approached.
“What if she refuses?” Bartholomew asked.
“Then your household will be placed in the dungeon.” One of the other men said harshly before laughing hysterically.
They didn’t hear the prince hush up his friend as she stared horrified at her brother.
“Please don’t.” She whispered to her brother but he ignored her.
“What do we get if we give her to you?” He continued.
“Fifty pieces of gold.” The prince replied, stumbling slightly.
Before Isabel said a word, her brother accepted the offer, adding…
“Don’t bring her back here again.”