Devotion of Hearts
Chapter 1. 1801
***
The drawing room of Dalton Park was filled to the brim with children. They ranged in age from 8 to 12, a mixture of boys and girls dressed in their finest. The guest list was comprised of the 50 neighboring noble families that made up Grovenor Square.
Seated primly on a white lace draped chair, surrounded by a group of her dearest friends at one of the round tables, nine-year-old Jacqueline Dalton felt like a young lady. Before her was a steaming teacup and saucer, along with a plate of sweets. She was celebrating her birthday, and had asked for an afternoon tea party to be thrown in her honor. Her mother and father, Baron and Baroness Dalton, had been more than willing to comply with her wishes.
A soft kiss upon her cheek made Jacqueline giggle. Turning her head, she smiled as she saw her older brother standing behind her. "Hello Gregory."
Gregory returned her smile and gave her a tight hug. "Happy birthday my dear sister. I see that you are having a lovely time with your friends."
Jacqueline. "Thank you brother, and I certainly am. Shouldn't you be with your friends?"
Gregory. "I was, but I decided to come and check on you to see how you were doing."
Jacqueline. "That was very kind of you Gregory. As you can see, I am doing very well. "
A voice cut through the throng of laughing children. "There you are Dalton, I was wondering when you would return to our table."
Gregory turned, his caramel brown eyes sparkling. He chuckled. "My apologies Barrington, I was just coming to check on my sister to ensure she wasn't stuffing herself with cake."
Jacqueline rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out playfully at him. "You know I don't do that."
Gregory. "I am only teasing, I know you don't."
Jacqueline glanced at the boys standing next to Gregory. He was the same height as her brother, and possibly the same age. He possessed chestnut brown hair and bright green eyes. He seemed sweet.
Gregory turned his attention to the boy standing next to him. "Jacqueline, this is one of my closest friends, Lord Anthony Barrington, Viscount Finley and future Duke of Durham. Barrington, this is my younger sister, Jacqueline."
Anthony took her hand, giving it a soft kiss. "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Dalton, happy birthday."
Jacqueline gave him a sweet and shy smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well Lord Barrington."
Gregory. "Well, in a few minutes, Mrs. Baxter will be bringing out her famous strawberry and vanilla cake. "
Jacqueline squealed, her eyes bright. "She remembered! I had told her I had wanted that cake to be made a month ago!"
Gregory smiled, playfully pulling one of her blonde curls. "Your wish has been granted. Continue enjoying yourself, Lord Barrington and I are going to return to our table for now. We will see you when the cake is brought out."
Jacqueline. "All right."
Anthony smiled as he and Gregory stepped away from the giggling group of girls. "Your sister is quite charming."
Gregory chuckled. "She is a little firecracker, but has a very large and kind heart."
The rest of the celebration went off without a hitch. The cake was served, the birthday song was sung, and gifts were opened. Everything was perfect.
***
One week after the party, Jacqueline was standing before a large bookshelf, one of several that the London library possessed. Her eyes swept across the multitude of titles, searching for her favorite book. Bending down to the bottom shelf, she found the book she was looking for
Jacqueline smiled as she retrieved her favorite book, Royal Love. She knew the book by heart, having Reddit multiple times. The collection included Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty.
Stepping out from behind the shelf, Jacqueline was making her way to one of the round oak tables, when she noticed Anthony making his way toward her with his own book held against his chest. She smiled sweetly. "Good afternoon Lord Barrington."
Anthony smiled brightly. "Good afternoon to you Miss Dalton. What book do you have there?"
Jacqueline showed him her book. "It is my favorite, I have read it so many times."
Anthony looked at the title. "I have one similar to this at home. The only difference is that my book doesn't have princesses."
Jacqueline. "What is yours about?"
Anthony's eyes sparkled. "The collection I own is about swashbuckling pirates and brave heroes who sleigh dragons."
Jacqueline giggled. "That sounds like a very lovely book indeed. What book are you reading now?"
Anthony showed her his selection. "It is called Gulliver's travels. I decided to read it before I go to Eaton next year."
Jacqueline. "It sounds like a very thrilling adventure."
Anthony chuckled as they walked over to one of the tables and sat down. "It is."
Instead of reading the books in front of them, they began to have a lovely conversation. They spoke about their dreams and aspirations, shared their love of literature music and art, and discovered that they thoroughly enjoyed sweet treats of either chocolate or vanilla with fresh berries. They kept their voices low to not get into trouble. At one point, they attempted to pick up their books and read a few pages, but couldn't control their fits of giggles.
After that day, Anthony and Jacqueline became inseparable. They spent countless hours together, indulging in books or running around their neighboring gardens. They laughed and played together without having a care in the world. As the years came and went, their relationship only grew. Anthony attended Eaton and Jacqueline was tutored at home. The summer months were spent together, taking horseback rides during the day and stargazing at night. The autumn and winter months were spent apart, but they kept in touch through correspondence.
When both of their fathers died, Anthony and Jacqueline became one another's rock. They held each other through the tears and the sorrow, comforted one another as best they could. It would soon become clear that they weren't simply close friends, but so much more.
