Prologue
“Poverty. . . poverty father is a thing that seems to bring us all down.” A feint voice called out in a bare church cathedral. The walls of the Cathedral were large and stood taller than any other building throughout the sprawling country of Great Britain. At the very end of the cathedral was a large window of glass. It was painted and beautiful. It was as if God had come down and painted the glass himself. An old voice called back to him “Poverty is the thing that drives us to succeed young man.” A old gray haired man stepped down from the stage and approached the man. He walked with a small limp in his step, and breathed heavily. The old man had sagged eyes and had a beard that reach down to his chest. His eyes were blue, but over the years they had aged to a light gray as well. The priest made his way next to the young man and sat down beside him. The old man’s hip made an odd popping sound as he sat down next to the Man. “We can talk of why poverty will hold us down, or we can speak of the means that God has provided us with to rise up.” The old man spoke. “What brings you in today Leo?” Asked the old man to the much younger. The young man grimaced as he heard the question. “My family has arranged plans to wed me to a woman father.” The priest grinned under his thick beard. “Why that is great news is it not?”
“It is not Father.” Leo said back. “They care not of my opinion in this matter Father. They only wish to see me wed to this woman for our family to retain wealth once again.” The priest shook his head. “Nonsense! Leo I know your father and mother. You may think it untrue but they love you whole heartedly.” Leo looked the old priest in the eyes. “Then why must they do this against my wishes? If they truly cared then they would allow me to find a wife myself.” The priest quickly cut in “Do not speak as if you are doing this over your wishes to find your own wife boy. Leo. . .” The old priest paused and began to violently cough. Leo reached over and patted the old man on the back. “Are you okay Father Thomas?” After a few more violent coughs he nodded. “Yes Yes. I am sorry. My health has began to fail me in my elder years Leo. What was I speaking of?” Leo answered “Of me not wishing to be married off Father.”
“Ah yes. . . Do not pretend that you wish not to be married off of your own wishes to find your own wife. I have known you since you were but a boy Leo. I watched you grow and mature over the years, and do not believe me as some old fool you can pull the wool over his eyes. Truthfully you wish to remain a bachelor so you may continue to have intercourse with any woman you come across.” Leo looked shocked “That is not very fatherly, Father.” The priest looked at Leo with a sneer. “Blast the Fatherly talk. This I am speaking to you as a man to another.” ’Father.” Leo wanted to continue but was interrupted y the priest. “Your family was once the most wealthy in the land, but due to unfortunate circumstance they no longer are now.”
“By unfortunate circumstance you mean my brother passing away.” Leo said with a scowl.
“Yes. . . and other reasons as well. Though now you have been presented with an opportunity to bring back that wealth once again.”
“They sell me away like a merchant does a pig Father!” Leo shouted in anger. “They give you a chance to not have to suffer from poverty!” Father Thomas shouted back “You do not understand Father. . . ” Leo said somberly. “True, I do not understand what you are going through.” They both took a moment of silence to contemplate. “Perhaps you can convince your family to wed you younger brother instead?” The priest suggested. “No, even though William is of age, and would gladly marry to save the family the Margaret family insisted it be me.” Father Thomas looked down at the stone floor that was gray and cold. “It seems that you have no choice but to go through with it.” Leo frowned. “It seems so Father Thomas.”
“Have you seen her yet?” The priest asked. “No, but it will mean a lot if you pray that she does not have the likeness of a cow.”
“I will pray for God to forgive you for that insult.” Leo smiled as he stood up. “Do relax Father, I am only jesting.” Father Thomas shook his head as he stood up alongside Leo. Once again the hip made that hideous popping sound. “Your folly is not unnoticed.” The Father took a moment to observe Leo. He is a tall dark raven haired man, and has crimson brown eyes. He is clean shaved with a smile that could cause women to fall to their knees. He is skinny and wearing a Black waist coat, and a white long sleeve shirt underneath. The shirt and coat were tailored to fit his slim, and tall appearance. His trousers were neatly tailored as well, he wore a black boot that came up to his ankle and had a splat covering.
His hair was shaggy and fell down to the nape of his neck, as his bangs came down to his eyes. He was a glowing man and any woman would feel blessed to marry him. Yet far away lay a girl that was loathing the marriage. Mary Margaret lay in her bed as her big sister brushed her hair with a brush that had a crimson handle. The house was nearly as large as the Cathedral, and ever since the fall of the Martel family; the Margaret family was now one of the wealthiest. “What if he is cruel?” Asked a sweet voice. It was high pitched, and yet filled wit sorrow. “I am sure he is not mean. You should feel blessed, I have heard rumor that he is one of the most shining men in all of Great Britain.” Mary Margaret sat up on her large bed and looked to her sister. “I do not care for his looks, why must I marry a man whom I have never even met?” Her big sister pressed the palm of her hand on Mary’s ample rosy cheek. “Oh poor girl. Do not worry for I am sure that in time you will learn to at least tolerate him.”
“What if I never learn to tolerate him Alice? What if I hate him.” The big sister Alice looked at her with saddened eyes. “I know that it pains you, but you must realize that we are doing this for the good of the family.”
“How is marrying into a poor family going to help our family?” Mary asked.
“Believe it or not Mary, the Martel’s are one of the wisest and most respected families in Great Britain. To have one in our family would help us in unimaginable ways.” Alice answered. Mary wanted to ask another question but was hushed by her sister. “Stop focusing on the worst possibilities little sister. Come let me look at you.” Alice said as she looked at her sister. A beautiful girl that was shirt, and her face was more than fair. She had a small button nose, and brown eyes. Her hair was brown and fell down to her bosom. Her lips were small and they made for a very nice smile. She was through and through very beautiful. A well developed eighteen year old girl. “Do you think he will like me?” Mary finally asked.
“Of course little sister.” She said as she kissed her cheek
