Page 5 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
“Nothing that a firm hand and watchful eye won’t prevent.”
Duke Marc of Greenbrooke considers my father’s words for a moment.He runs a long, fingered hand along his short white beard.He is dressed in silver and gold with not a hair out of place.He is older than my father but hardly looks it.After a tense moment, the duke nods sharply.
“We will keep an eye on her until a son is born—perhaps even two.Then we will have no need for her or her melancholic state.In the meantime,” the duke pauses, nodding to his nearby guards stationed behind them.
Two men grunt as they lift a heavy chest and drag it over to my father.The hinges squeal as the lid opens, and the sight of unimaginable wealth greets my eyes.There must be thousands of gold coins in there.Jewels of all sizes and colors glow from within.My father is practically salivating over the riches.
At the top lies a piece of parchment sealed with the house crest of Greenbrooke.My father’s smile widens as he reads it over, beady eyes lifting to the duke’s for confirmation.The other man inclines his head.
“Congratulations on your new title and lands, Richard.She better be worth all of this.”
If he weren’t so wretched, I’d almost feel bad that this union won’t last until the wedding feast.I will have my revenge on Earl Bram, and my only regret is that I couldn’t ensure my father’s demise as well.
His lands and title will die with him.That is my only solace.
The two guards heft the chest onto my parents’ carriage.With one final nod, my father collects my mother by the arm and turns them both away.I try to catch my mother’s eye, but it is no use.If there was any remorse in her gaze, she’s hidden it well.
“You aren’t staying for the vows?”Duke Marc calls out as my mother steps into the carriage.
My father laughs, then shakes his head.
“I have what I came for.She’s your problem now.”His eyes harden on me one last time.“Do with her as you please.”
Without another word, my father glides inside the carriage, and it pulls away.The train of my wedding dress blows behind me in the salty breeze.Briny air coats my skin, causing goosebumps to break out.This is it then.I’ll never see my parents again.
In the end, at least my father was truthful.A problem is all I was to them.I was not a boy who could inherit the lands.I was a girl—headstrong and wily, who had ruined herself with someone far below her station.It did not matter if I loved him.It did not matter that I would not take one coin of my father’s wealth if only he had given me the freedom to be with my love.
My only value was in this betrothal.I am the only noble bride for miles.If the duke and his son had any hope for legitimate heirs, they needed to secure my hand.No matter if it was given without my consent.
Any outside force that could’ve prevented it from going through had to be done away with decisively and swiftly.My father saw to that.Whatever pain he caused me didn’t matter because, in the end, he got exactly what he wanted.What became of me never mattered, so long as his wealth and lands grew.
“Come now, child.”Duke Marc’s voice rises above the sea.“Let’s get this done.”
At twenty-five, I am hardly a child.Any older and the duke never would’ve agreed to the match.It’s why it all came about so swiftly.The window of time for me to make a suitable bride was rapidly closing.No matter that my bridegroom was nearly thirty, women seemed to have an expiration date men never have to contend with.
There was a time when I thought the longer I remained unmarried, the more I had a chance of choosing who I would end up with.I thought my father had learned of my desire and would be sympathetic to my plight.I had made a plan to ensure he could secure his legacy.I was a fool to believe there was a chance for even a moment.
My father had been waiting for the most advantageous proposal.The duke offered him something my rudimentary plans never could.My pleas and words of devotion were met with disdain and dismissal.It mattered little to him if my marriage was loveless—it mattered little to him if I even drew breath.
Earl Bram takes my arm.
Even with his gloves on and my sleeves, I can still feel the coldness of his palm.It radiates from the wretched heart beating inside his breast.It isn’t fair that he draws breath—someone capable of such evil lives amongst us while my love rots below the ground.I must not give in to those thoughts.
The end is near.As the priest launches into his sermon, I resign myself to being patient.We aren’t far from the cliff's edge.The guards are too far away to grab me.Even if I am not able to take Bram over with me, I will still greet my end with a smile.In death, I will be reunited with the one I love the most.
The rocky shore calls to me like a siren’s song.Lulling me into a numb state as the priest recites the marriage vows.My own words of devotion and obedience are stuffed into the bodice of my gown.I will never say those words to Bram.
Bram’s grip on me tightens as if he can read my thoughts.He stares down at me, but my gaze remains transfixed on the cliff’s edge.My desire could not be more apparent.He will eventually loosen his hold.Something will distract him, and that’s when I will seize my moment to finally be free.
“Do you, Earl Bram of Greenbrooke, take Lady Scarlett Crest as your one and true lawful wife?”
The priest's words shock me out of my daze.Bram’s hand tightens on my arm like a vise.I have no choice but to look up at him.Were his eyes the last my love saw?Rage kindles in me, and my teeth bare of their own accord.
“I do.”
Those two words echo along the barren cliff.The priest turns to me, eyes wary but expectant.
“And do you, Lady Scarlett Crest of Broken Cliff, take Earl Bram as your one and true lawful husband?”
