Beginning excerpt from my fairytale about Alannah Barry

         Alannah Barry was the oldest daughter of the Earl of Wortshire, Lord Barry. She led a full and busy life. Her father was Irish, and her mother was English. Their marriage had been a bit of a scandal in the beginning, since people thought they were unsuited for each other, but things had smoothed over as time passed. They were now well-respected members of society.

     Her parents indulged her insatiable desire for education and learning. She was taught by many fine tutors over the years. In addition to her book lessons, she learned to ride horses, sew clothing, cook, and even grow plants in the garden. She often sought practical knowledge from the servants employed at her parents' estate. She tolerated her lessons on appropriate table manners, dancing skills, and other social etiquette required of those born into the gentry.

     Alannah vaguely remembered that she’d been told of her arranged marriage. It had not been important to her at the time and she’d let it slip from her mind until her mother brought it up a few days ago. She wandered down the hall to her mother’s sitting room, lost in thought.

     “Ah, there you are, Alannah, dear. We spoke of your arranged marriage a few days ago. However, I require that you participate in all the social events of the season. You must socialize with other young men so you can be absolutely sure about this decision. We will travel to our London home for the season, and while we are there you may entertain any young men who come to call. If for some reason and it must be a very good reason, you feel that you would be truly unhappy with Sir Jeremy, you may choose someone else.”

     Gratitude and relief flooded over her. She wouldn’t have to marry Jeremy Moore if he was despicable.

     “I have made arrangements for your tutor to review your etiquette, dancing, and table manners in preparation for your social debut. New dresses will be made for you with longer skirts and you will be required to wear your hair up.”

     "Yes, mother."

     “The real work begins next week."
     Several weeks went by with dress fittings, dance practice, and classes about dining etiquette. Alannah’s mind kept wandering to Jeremy while she endured the tedium of her new routine. He must have some kind of flaw and I am determined to find it.

    She stole out of the house one evening, when everyone else thought she was settled in her room for the night. Grabbing her horse’s reigns, she walked him out to the road behind the stables before mounting him. She rode away, quickly regretting the fact that she hadn’t changed into more comfortable clothing. The fine dress she’d worn to dinner was binding and made it hard to breathe. When she reached a secluded spot near Jeremy’s estate, she tied up her horse. Silently, she crept over to a ground floor window that was spilling warm yellow light onto the lawns outside. Jeremy was inside the room, pacing back and forth in an animated way. A frail, white-haired old man sat in the large bed sitting against the far wall.

     “Grandfather, I have no interest in marriage right now. I know my parents wanted me to marry this Alannah, and I have nothing against her; I hate the social events in London and the false impressions people create there. Can't I wait until a few more seasons have passed? I want the girl I marry to love me—not my lands and money. The social events of the season are not going to tell me that.”

     His grandfather's look of disapproval was obvious. Jeremy stopped pacing, his back to her. While he stood motionless, she had to stifle a giggle as she imagined the pitiful, pleading look on his face. His grandfather's stern expression remained firmly planted on his face. Finally, Jeremy sighed and his shoulders drooped.

     “Very well, Grandfather. I will attend the social events this season, and make sure to pay a visit to Alannah Barry. I can't promise anything more than that.”

     His grandfather smiled, and Jeremy walked over to grasp the old man's wrinkled right hand in both of his young strong ones. A mixture of surprise and hurt filled Alannah. I didn't expect Jeremy to be uninterested in marriage because he thinks all girls are gold diggers. I’m hurt that he doesn't want to court me, but I’m glad he’s looking for true love. Perhaps his cynical attitude is the flaw I've been looking for.

     She slipped away from the window. Her thoughts were on Jeremy as she moved toward her horse, and she forgot to hide in the shadows that crossed his lawn. Quickening footsteps from behind startled her. She broke into a run, desperate to leave his property undiscovered. Just when she approached her horse, strong arms wrapped themselves around her, stopping her forward motion. “Please let me go. I'm very sorry for trespassing here. I meant no harm.” Which servant has caught me?

     She was set upon her feet gently and released. She turned to face the person who had stopped her, and found herself looking into the dark eyes of none other than Sir Jeremy Moore. He did not look angry, but merely curious. “What were you doing here, m'lady?”

   Alannah was not a practiced liar. It disagreed with her as much as rotten food disagrees with most people. She chose to tell the truth. “I came to find out what kind of man you are when you don't think anyone is watching you.”

     “What?” His tone was incredulous.

     “I know it's not polite and I'm sorry, but I had a very good reason for wanting to know, sir.”

     “What would that reason be?”

     “Please don't make me explain that now.”

     “Will you tell me what your name is?”

    “I'd rather not tell you that right now.”

    “Why not?” A look of frustration crossed his face.

     “Because, if you know my name, it might change your feelings about me.”

     “To be honest, you're making a rather strange impression right now.” There was amusement in his voice.

     “That may be true, sir, but I'm enjoying talking to you without trying to make any first impressions because of who I am.”

     A look of surprise crossed his face, but he continued to converse with Alannah and ask her questions. She could tell he was hoping she’d reveal something that would identify her. The clouds that had been half-concealing the moon drifted away and a bright shaft of moonlight shown down on the spot where Alannah stood. Her blond hair shimmered brightly where it had tumbled down past her shoulders when she'd run to her horse earlier. His breath caught in his throat as her face was illuminated and he saw her blue-green eyes for the first time. She was a beautiful young woman and her fine dress fit her well.

     “I must know your name.”

     “You will find out—if you come to the social events in London. I am required to attend them this season.”

     “I shall attend the events of the season, though I detest them, so that you can keep your promise and tell me who you are. Perhaps you'll even explain why you were spying on me tonight.” A hint of a smile played around the corners of his mouth.

     Alannah’s face burned at his teasing words. She stared at him. He’s a fine-looking man. His deep brown eyes had black hair falling into them and she forced herself to resist an urge to brush the unruly locks away. She tried to discern the thoughts going on behind his eyes, but couldn’t figure out what was going on in his head as he returned her gaze. The silence between them grew intense.

     Alannah took a deep breath. “I must go now, but we will meet again.”