reluctanthuntress:
âNow, Mari,â she says dotingly, âI think youâre looking rather lovelier than usual today.â
And that was bold, outright disagreeing with him. Especially in his own house. But soon, sheâd be the lording lady here. Marion would be treated better, then. Phoebe lets go of her hand only to reach for the hairbrush on her vanity. âSit, my dove,â she murmurs, urging Marion down onto the plush stool. Looking back up at John, she gives him a forced smile. âThank you, Mr. Stearne, for throwing us this lovely engagement celebration.â
Phoebe undoes Marionâs braid, and begins to brush her beautiful dark hair. She was envious of it, but Bram had taught her to love her blonde mane. Like his lioness. âIt is most gracious of you, my lord.â Her own home was only as big as the dining room in this sprawling mansion. Being a sub-family of the Hopkins didnât provide her much wealth.Â
John wanted to turn her around and snap her neck night there, he wanted to grab the brush handle and shove it down her throat. Maybe gut her just to see how she looked bleeding all of the floor, would she be beautiful to him then? No, but it wasnât because of how she looked. Phoebe was, he considered, very beautiful. Ethereal even, but her ticks and attitude needed to be adjusted. Before he makes a swift exit, he smiles through the mirror at her with his mask all the way on, âThink nothing of it, Iâll see you two at the party.â
âThank you...â Marion is finally able to breathe when he leaves the room and she canât help but tear up. She didnât like showing her tears in front of her father though in case of repercussions. Phoebe was so brave to stand up to him, one day Marion wants to be like that too. âHe frightens me... sometimes I freeze when heâs talking to me and he gets really mad. I donât know why I do it. I wish I could be brave.â










