For Worse or For Better

@ BBBibles

Thomas spent a good hour arguing and shouting with his parents before he stormed out of the house, knowing he needed to find Clara and apologize. When he found her in the garden he cleared his throat awkwardly as he saw her, not wanting to startle her. "I'm sorry, Clara... They've decided to cut their trip short, but the soonest they'll leave is two days from now, and they won't budge on us sharing a room.. But I don't intend to share your bed. I'll sleep on the floor, or stay up in my office reading if you'd prefer I wasn't there at all. After they're gone I'll return to my room, and I won't bother you in your space again. I'm also preparing to fire the servants, since they're just loyal to my parents, but if you'd like to hire new ones to better fit your needs please do, since I don't really need anyone to change my sheets or do the laundry when I can do it myself." He explained everything quietly, looking down at his hands as he finished speaking. "I'm sorry that you have to go through this.. If I could find a way out of this marriage for you, I would, since I don't like seeing you unhappy."

---

Eleanor had been looking at one of the simpler dresses when the merchant and his assistant came over to her, blushing as they asked if she wanted to try it on. "Oh, no, I was just looking.." she started, but then fell silent when William told her he'd wait while she tried it on, hesitating before nodding and allowing the assistant to lead her into the back to help her into the dress. Eleanor returner a few minutes later wearing the dress, a bright blush on her cheeks. The assistant having braided and pulled her hair up into a bun to keep it out of the way, and in the dress she looked completely different. "I-It's too nice... I should take it off, so someone who will actually buy it can try it on." She said as she attempted to go back to the changing room, but the assistant blocked her way, ushering her over to a mirror so she could look at herself. She felt foolish wearing it, and as she looked away from the mirror she looked like she might cry. "May I take it off now, please?" She asked softly, the assistant giving a worried look before bringing her back to her her changed out of the dress. Once she was back in her other dress she hurried out of the store as she tugged her cloak back on, pushing her way through the crowd until she found a quiet spot to sit in the nearby square. She knew it was wrong to leave William all alone, but she'd panicked and couldn't stand being in the store any longer, feeling like she might be ill.

@ katahdin
After walking around for a while Clara felt herself slowly calming down. She was still upset about his parents arrangements. But knew what needed to be done and would handle it. When Thomas walked up she chose to ignore him, feeling a bit childish having stormed out the way she did. She turned be shaking her head. "I'm not upset about sharing a room, we've talked about doing it eventually." She told him, knowing that it would be awkward none the less. But that didn't mean anything would happen, and she trusted him to respected her wish to wait. "Is that what you think I want?" She questioned him, she'd been forced into a marriage once. And having to go through that again would kill her. And the chances of finding a man who'd respect her would never happen again. "I can't stand the way they treat you." She informed, "and it's like they are trying to punish me in order to force you to conform to their wishes." She hated that they couldn't be just content to them to build their relationship. "Though I believe that if we are going to have any peace while they are here, you're right we don't need the maids. We can keep the kitchen staff, and I'd like to keep my chamber maid, but the rest can go." She knew that it wouldn't appease his parents at all. And it may even push them to leave sooner. If his parents wanted to push them closer then they'd managed, but they would get a taste of their own medicine.

---

Williams watched as she stepped from the dressing room, a smile fitting onto his face. It wasn't something that he would have picked, but it suited her perfectly. And he was glad he'd suggested bring her shopping. Turning to browse some more he missed the events of her requesting to change out of the dress. Though he turned back in time to she her rush out of the store. Looking at the shop attendants they were just as surprised as she was, "wrap it I'll be back." He told him, before quickly darting off after her. He did his best to find pushing through the crowd, apologizing every now and again when he bumped someone. He stepped to the side once there was a clearing. Letting his eyes scan the area, he'd told her to stay with him so this wouldn't happen. And he didn't know this part of town as well as she did. Walking in the direction he believed she went he did his best to keep his eyes peeled for her.

@ BBBibles

"We talked about doing it when we were both ready and comfortable, not when my parents decided it was time." Thomas sighed, taking a seat on a nearby bench as he buried his face in his hands. He hated his parents, he didn't understand why they wouldn't just leave him alone. He glanced up at her when she spoke about hating the way his parents treated him, shaking his head a little as he looked back down at the ground. "I'm sorry, about them.. If I could make them leave I would. It's not fair of them to treat you the way they have been." He nodded when she mentioned getting rid of the staff, making the mental note to keep the few who worked in the kitchen plus her chambermaid. At least he could do that right. "They'll be gone by tomorrow evening. And hopefully it will drive my parents out faster."

---

It hadn't taken long for a few men to spot Eleanor as she wept softly on the bench in the square, moving over to harass her as they asked for her to spend the night with them and called her names. She attempted to tell them to go away, but that only made things worse, so she stood to leave and go back to the market to find William, but one of them grabbed her arm to try to pull her back. "Where are you going, beautiful? Why don't you come with us. We'll treat you right." The men laughed as Eleanor squirmed, struggling to break free of his grasp. When she finally did she stumbled away, turning to run, but stumbled right into William, who'd come looking for her. She initially recoiled when she realized she'd run into someone, but upon realizing it was William she wrapped her arms around him tightly as she hid her face in his chest, trying to hide her tears. "C-Can we go back now..? Or go buy some fabric so I can make my own dresses? Th-There's a merchant that sells cheap cotton for a decent price, a-and I think I should have enough money back at the inn with my things to pay you back, and if I don't I'll find another way to make money to pay you back.. Please, I just want to go.." She murmured into his chest, doing her best to ignore the men, who were still harassing her.

@ BBBibles

@ katahdin
Clara felt her heart lurch as she took in his appearance. Moving to him she gently ran her fingers through his hair. It wasn't the first time they'd shown their feeling to one another. But she wanted him to know her positions as his wife, meant that she was there for him. "You have nothing to be sorry for." She told him. "I'm just surprised such a wonderful man was raised by them." She shook her head. Smiling softly down at him, she wanted to hold him. But she didn't dare. They were both dealing with their own struggles, and she didn't want to rush things. "Well maybe things will be better." She told him, knowing that she'd been feeling the push back from the maids since she'd taken over as the woman of the house.

---

Feeling a relief flood him when she collided with his chest. He'd started to worry that she'd wanted to run away. But he lifted his head when the men started harassing her. Grabbing his hood he pulled it off. Glaring at the men as they noticed just who she was wrapped around. They quickly started to leave. Placing the hood back on his head he turned and walked them back towards the merchant. "I asked you not to leave me." He told her softly, not wanting to let his anger to come out towards her. "And you don't have to pay me back." He told her as they stopped back by the tent she'd been in trying on the dress. He smiled as he pulled out his coin purse and paid the man for the dress. "Thank you." He told him. Before he passed her the parcel. "I don't want to hear any of it." He told her, hoping that she would complain or try to tell him she'd pay him back. "If you do I'll go and buy you every item." He threatened. "This is my gift to you."

@ BBBibles

Thomas leaned his head into her hands a bit as he felt her fingers running though his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh, although his shoulders did relax a bit. "I should have done more to keep them from harassing you.. This is supposed to be our house, I'm supposed to be your husband, I'm supposed to take care of everything.." He sighed, looking up at her with a weak smile after a moment. "They'll be gone in a few days, and we'll hire some more staff that will actually listen to us, and you'll have your room all to yourself."

---

Eleanor clung to him, her face tucked into his chest, although when he pulled off his hood she glanced back to watch the men hurrying off, although she kept her grip on his shirt. She kept close as he led her back toward the merchant, nodding apologetically when he mentioned her leaving him. She could tell that he was angry with her, but was sure it was better to remain silent for now. When she saw that he'd purchased her the dress though she looked up at him with a frown, shaking her head a little. "Please, William, you can't-" She started, but when he silenced her by threatening to buy the entire store, nodding a little as she looked down with a sigh. "I don't deserve it... But alright.."

@ katahdin
Clara nodded to him, "this wasn't what either of us could have foresaw." She told him, she wanted to comfort him and keep him from blaming himself. "I feel that once the staff isn't under your parents control we'll be just fine." She told him, knowing that it was pointless to argue with his parents. They both were set in their ways and as long as they had control then there was no use in arguing. "And I think you're a wonderful husband." She told him, knowing that they'd spent some of their time getting to know each other personally rather than physically. And he was giving her a chance to fall in love with him.

---

"Does a wife deserve a new dress bought by her husband?" He questioned her. "No one really deserves things." He told her. "But out of the kindness of hearts one gets gifts lavished upon because they are cherished by the person giving." He told her. "And though one doesn't see themselves as worthy of such, doesn't mean they aren't." He told her, she'd requested they head back however he still wanted to look. But his feet were already moving in the direction of the castle. "Love comes in all shapes and sizes," he told her firmly. He knew that she'd been struggling all her life, being a peasant woman didn't build ambition. As women were seen a property, to be trade or given away. And she knew her place well, though he wished to break her from this. As her place was where he put her.

@ BBBibles

Thomas sighed in frustration, not with her of course but with his family, wrapping his arms around her waist to tug her close, hugging her gently. He felt better after hearing her words of comfort, and wanted to do the same for her, but wasn't sure what he could say to comfort her, so he figured he could show her through his actions. "I think you're a wonderful wife..." He murmured, looking up at her with a little smile before standing, pressing a kiss to her forehead before offering her his arm. "Come on.. I've convinced my parents to have dinner brought everyone's rooms so we don't have to interact anymore, so you can show me where on the floor I can set up a blanket and pillow to sleep."

---

Eleanor blushed as he began to speak about why people give gifts, especially at the mention of husband and wives, and love. She wanted to argue that they weren't in love with one another, but she remembered the kiss he'd given her the day before, and everything he'd done for her, and she realized that perhaps he did love her.. And maybe she loved him. She definitely cared for him, and she probably could say that she loved him, but he was a prince, and she was no one, and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to get past that. She didn't feel good enough for him, and she wasn't sure she would ever, no matter how many dresses he bought her. "I... I can't give you anything though.. and you've been so kind, so you deserve to have your kindness returned.." she murmured, her hand finding his to lace their fingers together as she held onto his arm with her other hand, glancing around the crowd as she worried about those men coming back to harass her again. Before long she simply rested her head against his shoulder as they walked, too tired to keep looking around. "...I don't understand why you cherish me.. I haven't done anything to deserve it."

@ katahdin
Clara was a bit surprised as his arms wrapped around her. Placing her hands on his chest, she peered up at him. "Thank you, Thomas." She told him before looking back at their house. "I do believe we've got company." She told him, her eyes dragging across the windows of the manor. She could clearly make out his mother, her body angled in their direction. She knew she must be livid to have her child go against her. "Well I'm looking forward to having dinner just us." She told him not liking being able to just spend time by themselves.

---

William smiled at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head he beamed. "You give me plenty." He told her, "your time is enough." He knew he sounded cheesy but he liked her and couldn't explain the draw he felt towards her. "You don't have to understand, because I just do." He teased her, before slipping back into the castle gate. They'd not been gone for to long and he didn't want to part from her. But he could tell she was tired and wore out. So he figured it was best to let her go to her room and rest. "Did you want to eat dinner with me tonight?" He asked hopefully, they could eat in the dinning room as his parents were no longer around. So he was hopeful, just spending time together was what he was after.

@ BBBibles

Thomas let out a frustrated sigh when she mentioned them being watched, releasing her before taking her arm to lead her back toward the house. "They'll mind their own business now, I'm sure." He murmured, leading her into the house and up to her room, where a suitcase full of his clothes had been brought. With a sigh he released her arm to move it over to a corner that seemed like it was the most out of the way, turning back to her. "I'll sleep over here, in this corner, if that's agreeable to you? It seems the most out of the way of all your things."

---

(skipping)

Eleanor had been living in the castle with William for nearly four months at this point, and she'd never been happier. She'd grown closer to the prince during their weekly trips to the market and during her reading and etiquette lessons, and despite being unsure of him and his motives at first she'd come to realize he was kind and sweet, and that she was in love with him. He hadn't kissed her lips again since the first day she'd arrived, but occasionally he would kiss her cheek or forehead during their walks or lessons, and she'd started to wish that he would kiss her for real.

He'd been busy the past few days with work for his father, who she was still hiding from, but he'd agreed to meet her in the garden for lunch, and she planned on letting him know how she felt about him there. She was incredibly nervous about it, but she'd decided to wear the dress he'd bought for her that day in the market and had swallowed her pride and asked for one of the maids to help her with her hair, wanting to look nice and presentable for him. She hurried to through the halls to the garden now though, not wanting to be late meeting William, knowing he'd worry if she didn't show on time.

@ katahdin
Clara felt his rough hand take her arm before pulling her along. She felt a bit like a rag doll in comparison to him. But she didn't mind, he was just anxious to get out of his mothers prying eyes. When she entered the room she furrowed her brow, thinking for maid they weren't very good at their jobs. She knew there was plenty of room for his things in her wardrobe. But she didn't mention anything knowing he was planning on releasing them from his service. She looked at the floor then the couch in the room. He won't fit laying down on it, but she felt a lurch in her stomach. "Where ever you are comfortable." She told him, knowing that he didn't want to push her to allowing him to sleep in her bed. And she didn't have the courage to ask him to sleep with her.

---

William forced a smile on his face as he moved along to corridor. He nodded his head pretending he was listening. Though his mind was further from the woman next to him. Instead it was mulling over how to break free and sneak off to spend he's evening with Eleanor. He'd managed to convince his servant to prepare a lunch for him and her, with out allowing his parents to find out. "Prince William, you seemed focused on something." Her soft voice broke him out of his trance. "I'm so sorry I've made arrangement to spend time with my friends. And I've would feel awful to leave you out, but." He started to play it off that he didn't want to her hurt feelings. "Oh no, you go a head, enjoy your time with your friends while you can." She told him. "Thank you," he told her before rushing off, quickly darting out of the castle and making his way to the private garden. Stepping into the gate and closing it behind him. He quickly rushed off trying his best to locate Eleanor. A smile pulling at his lips when he noticed her. "Good afternoon." He told her softly as he approached. Knowing he'd more than likely made her worry he wasn't going to show. Placing his hand on her back he guided her through the garden to the table that had been set up for them. "I'm sorry I was late." He told her.

@ BBBibles

"Don't you worry, I'll be perfectly comfortable here on the floor. And it's only for a night or two, so I'll survive." Thomas smiled over at her reassuringly, not wanting her to worry too much when it was his fault that they were in this mess. He felt awful for letting his parents push him around like this, but it was impossible to get anywhere with them, and he was just thankful that they were cutting their visit short. Although it wasn't short enough. He excused himself briefly before heading out into the hall, sneaking back into his room to grab a blanket and a pillow before returning, folding up the blanket to act as a little cot before spreading it on the floor, setting the pillow there too. "There. Out of sight, out of mind, right?" He teased a bit, hoping to lighten the mood, knowing that this must be terribly awkward for her.

---

Eleanor had started to grow worried when William didn't immediately show, pacing quietly through the garden while she wondered what might have happened to cause him to show up late, especially when he was usually on time. Hopefully he's just got caught up talking to someone, and not something worse, like his father finding out about her. She was a bit startled by his sudden appearance though, although her concern melted away from her face as she smiled at him, nodding a little as he guided her to the table, taking her seat. "It's alright.. You've a busy prince, after all." She teased softly, although when she remembered what it was that she was going to tell him here her worry returned, growing nervous again about how he'd react when she told him how she felt about him. "What have you been doing today? I didn't see you this morning before breakfast, so you must have actually been quite busy today."

@ katahdin
Clara felt her nerves peak when he spoke so causally about them sharing a room. Talking about it and doing it was vastly different. She smiled when he left the room, feeling like could calm herself down a bit. "You're not a bother." She told him, knowing that it wasn't ideal for either of them. But she knew eventually they'd end up sharing a bed. So taking small step into sharing a room shouldn't bother her to much. Though she'd never had a man in her room before. It was unsettling. But she pushed it aside as this was her husband. A man she should be used to sharing thing with by now. He'd made things easier on her, instead of leaving her to fend for herself.

---

William paused when she asked him what he'd been doing today. He'd not wanted to speak about the Princess during their time together. As he didn't want her to think he was fancying her. But he knew that if she didn't find out from him then she could take it as he was hiding her. "Well this morning my father came to my chambers early. Apparently he's been speaking to the with the king from the North. And they've got it in their heads there children should meet." He tried to make her see that he didn't wan anything to do with his father's wishes. "So that what I've been doing all day, entertaining the princess." He told her, he watched her carefully for a reaction. "I'm sure my father wishes for us to get along, but I find her rather dull." He told her, though he wanted to let her know why. Because every woman paled in comparison to her, and he wanted her. But after she'd adamantly rejected him and made it perfectly clear that she didn't want to be with him because he was a prince. He'd decided to give her space, in hopes that she might change her mind. Or at the very least fall in love with him.

@ BBBibles

Thomas could tell that she was nervous about having him in here, and he hated that his parents were trying to force them together when their system had been working just fine for the both of them. He offered her a kind smile when she said that he wasn't a bother, rubbing the back of his head. "You might not think that if I keep you up all night snoring.." He teased lightly, clearing his throat as he smoothed out his shirt. "I'm going to head to my office for a bit.. Give you some space. I'll be down the hall if you need anything." He offered with a smile, pausing a bit awkwardly at the door as if he might say something else before changing his mind and leaving, shutting the door quietly behind him.

---

Despite her best efforts to hide her emotions, Eleanor's face fell at the mention of the princess, the young woman quickly turning her attention to her plate as she pushed a bit of her meal around with her fork, attempting to force a pleasant smile after a moment or two. "Oh.. Who knows, perhaps you two will end up getting along after all.. I mean, we didn't get along very well when we first met, and now I.." She trailed off before she could say anything she might regret, taking a sip of her lemonade quietly. She'd been nervous about telling him how she felt, but she'd also been excited to do so, especially since she knew how he used to feel about her, and she'd been hoping that perhaps they could find a way to be together, despite his awful father.

@ katahdin
Clara smiled at him, as he spoke about giving her space. She knew they were trying their best. "Alright." She told him. Knowing that they'd been back in here for dinner, thankfully. She didn't want to have to face his dreadful parent. But she knew he'd done his best to put them in their place. Sighing she moved to her desk, before pulling out paper and a quill. She started to write her mother. It was a very lengthily letter as she had so much she wanted to tell her. And she also requested they visit. And that she looked forward to seeing them. The she grabbed another piece of paper, and started yet another letter. This time to her father.

---

William furrowed his brow at her reaction, catching the look she tried to hide. But what really made him feel uncertain about her feelings for him was her encouraging his connection with the princess. Frowning he place his fork down before looking up at her. "And now what?" He demanded from her, his tone a bit harsh. "You think this is what I want?" He asked, "there's a big differences between you and her." He said, his voice coming out softer, but it was laced with hurt. He'd believed that they were getting along so much better, and he'd let himself hope that she was coming around to him. But he knew he was foolish, of course she'd never want him.

@ BBBibles

Thomas spent the time before dinner in his office making the preparations to fire the current servants and go about hiring new ones that would be able to work with them rather than fighting against them. This didn't take very long, however, and he spent the remaining time either pacing around the room or drawing out plans for the garden, needing to fill his time with something. Once he heard the servants pass by his door with dinner he waited until he heard them leave before returning to Clara's room, knocking lightly on the door before entering. "Hello, Clara.. Dinner smells nice, what is it?" He asked, moving to take a seat opposite her at the small table by the window.

---

Eleanor looked up at him as he spoke, brows furrowing in concern at his harsh tone. She hadn't meant to upset him, although when his voice softened and he said that there was a big difference between her and the princess she felt like her heart was breaking, tears welling up in her eyes despite her best efforts to hide her emotions. "I don't want this either, William.. I don't want to have to pretend that I don't care for you. I don't want to have to hide from your father for fear that he'll kill me if he finds out that I'm here. I don't want you to love some princess that your father wants you too. I.. I want you to love me.." She admitted softly, voice braking as she began to weep softly as she buries her face in her hands.

@ katahdin
Clara finished her letters and tucked them away for mailing. She'd give them to one of the maids to send. But right now she was more concerned with dinner that was being place on the table in her room. Her eyes moving to the woman that would no longer work for them the following day. She felt a bit bad, but it was what needed to happen as they weren't concerned with their master's wants and well being, but instead his parents. She moved over to the table taking a seat, just waiting for Thomas to join her. Not waiting long before he entered the room, "it appears to be lamb." She told him, not sure if that's what it was. But he was right it did smell good. "Feeling better?" She questioned him, knowing he'd left to give them both some space.

---

William felt a flood of emotions in him, as he watched the woman before him break. Quickly standing he move to her, grabbing one of her hands and pulling it to his lips, placing a kiss to her knuckles. "And I do love you." He told her firmly, smiling as he wiped away her tears. "I will fix this, you're the only woman I want." He told her, knowing that he couldn't promise her anything. He would find a way to marry her. But right now he's father being a bit unreasonable. And if he had to spend some time with a princess he would. But that wouldn't change his feeling about Eleanor. Holding both her hands in his he leaned forward pressing his lips to hers. He couldn't wait anymore to show her how he felt.

@ BBBibles

Thomas smiled a bit when she said it looked like lamb, lamb stew having always been one of his favorite meals. "I hope so. Although I'm hungry enough to eat whatever it is, no matter what it is." He joked, trying to make light of the fact that he'd skipped lunch because of his awful parents. His smile faltered a bit as she asked if he was feeling better, giving her a little smile. "I'm not sure that I'll feel like normal until after my parents leave, I'm afraid." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair before gesturing for her to serve herself first. "Ladies first."

---

Eleanor looked at him as he moved to her side and took her hands, sobbing softly as he said that he loved her and that he'd find a way for them to be together, shaking her head a little even as he kissed her knuckles. "B-But your father.. He'll never allow it, and you'll have to marry some princess and then I'll have to leave, a-and I don't even know where I would go." She wept softly, sliding out of her chair to fall into his arms, her own wrapping around him tightly as she tucked her face into his chest while she cried. She looked up at him though when he lifted her chin, gladly returning his kiss despite how scared she was about everything else.

@ katahdin
Clara smiled at him as he suggested ladies first, in her house hold the man of the house ate first. But she would have to remember that Thomas was a bit different than most men. "Well I'm glad you have an appetite." She told him as she dished herself out some soup. Before helping him with his, making sure she gave him a bit extra so she knew he was well feed. "Will you be staying after dinner, or heading back to your study?" She questioned him.

---

William sighed out of her lips, smiling as he pulled back. His fingers gently brushing her tears away. "You let me worry about my father, I'll never marry anyone else." He told her, knowing that even if his father tried to force him he'd never follow through with it. He couldn't betray his heart. And he'd never ask Eleanor to be his mistress, he couldn't ever let her lower herself to that level. "You will be my wife, one way or another." He told her, "even if we have to run away together." He kissed her again.

@ BBBibles

Thomas thanked her for her help with the stew, grabbing a roll for himself before offering her one as well, wanting to make sure she was comfortable enough to eat. Once they had both filled their plates with what they wanted he dug in, forcing himself to not eat too quickly and savor the meal. He looked up from his dish when Clara asked about what his plans were, thinking for a moment while he finished chewing before responding. "I'm not quite sure. I don't know what your usual nighttime routines are, and I'd hate to disrupt them, so I can stay if you'd like, or leave so that you can bathe or change or have time alone or whatever it is you want to do. I know it's my fault we're in this mess, and I don't want to impose on you when you're the one suffering for my not being able to stand up to my parents." He explained quietly. They'd been getting along so well before lunch, and now it seemed like all the progress they'd made was gone, which only made his heart ache a bit. She'd never care for him after the disaster with his parents, and they'd both be miserable in their marriage, although likely for different reasons.

---

Eleanor leaned her head into his hand as he brushed her tears away, her delicate fingers gripping his jacket tightly, as if afraid he'd disappear if she didn't. She blushed brightly as he declared that she'd be his wife one day, even if it meant running away together, and happily returned his kiss as she laughed a little against his lips, curling further into his arms. "What an awful proposal... I would have expected something much grander from a prince. Although I wouldn't know, since I'm just a lowly commoner." She teased, reaching up to brush her fingers over his cheek and through his hair. "I love you, William."