Kingdom of New Edinburgh – Chapter Three

December 14, 2006 at 5:52 am (Cassadine family, Clayton family, Emmet family, Jamieson family, Kingdom of New Edinburgh, Quartermaine family, Tyler family)

Babies were being born all over New Edinburgh, as the families were eager to start filling up this new land.

The first noble daughter to be born was Viola Quartermaine.

Her parents were Mauricio and Isabella. Their marriage had been arranged. Before the wedding, Mauricio had confessed to Isabella that he intended to pursue Romance ouside of their marriage, as that was the kind of man he was. He did this as a courtesy, to allow Isabella the opportunity to cancel their nuptials if she could not accept this.

“I know that men like you can not be tied down”, Isabella said. “I will look the other way – but I have two requests. One, you must never bring shame onto our house. Two, you must not flaunt any children you conceive outside of our marriage. I was brought up with my father’s bastard children, and I won’t subject my children to that”.

“Very well”, Mauricio consented. And so they were wed. They were well-matched to each other – very sociable, and gracious hosts. Mauricio discovered that Isabella meant what she had said about ignoring his affairs. She was a very nice wife indeed, and he felt lucky to have her. As long as he fulfilled her two requests, she was very sweet and accomodating.

Isabella loved being a mother. Like most new mothers, she couldn’t help celebrating the beauty and wonder of her firstborn. She invited the other noble ladies, Elizabeth Spencer and Melisande Cassadine, over to meet her new babe.

Isabella had heard that Melisande went a little crazy after the birth of her son – her heart had been set on having a daughter. It was said that she stayed in her bed for days. In the thrill of new motherhood, Isabella carelessly could not help showing off little Viola to Melisande.

“Isn’t she just the prettiest thing?” Isabella crowed.”I’m so happy that she got my eyes – that’ s why we named her Viola”.

“She – does have beautiful eyes”, Melisande said carefully. “But whatever is that dreadful mark on her thigh?”

“Oh, that’s the Quartermaine birthmark”, Isabella explained. “See how it’s shaped like a star? Every Quartermaine has one”.

Years later, Isabella would have cause to regret showing off her daughter to Melisande. But in this moment, she was simply insulted that Melisande perceived a flaw in her utterly perfect baby.

And such a perfect baby she was! Isabella was very proud of her pretty little girl.

Knowing that a male heir was needed, Isabella easily and happily became pregnant again. It did not escape her attention that their maid, Ailbe Emmet, was pregnant. Ailbe gave birth to a son that she named Ronald.

Noticing Mauricio’s intense interest in the child, Isabella knew that she had to examine the baby. And there it was. The Quartermaine birthmark.

She sought a private moment with her husband.

“Mauricio, you must send Ailbe and her child away.”

“Why, darling wife? Is she too distracted by Ronald to do her duties?”

“We struck a deal when we were married, husband. I’ve seen that the baby bears your birthmark and I cannot shelter him in my house.”

Mauricio sighed. He would have liked to keep his firstborn son under his roof. But Isabella had been true to her word that she would not stop him from being with other women, and he would not dishonour his family name.

Ailbe was not so understanding. She was furious that Mauricio chose his wife over her. She declared that she hated him, and he would never see her or his son again. She packed her bags and fled to her brother’s house – the house of the local witch. There, her kin gladly gave them shelter.