Chapter 1
February 15th, Elaine Price and her family received a letter from a tall, scruffy man. Excitement filled the family as they opened it, but dread filled them with the grave look of the man.
“Missus Price,” his accent thick. However, she begins to read it.
“Dear Mrs. Robert Price,
I am afraid I have to inform you that your husband has passed away. He fought valiantly and he was a brave soul. We will deliver his-”
“Mama, what does it say.” Little Robert said. He was an innocent boy who miraculously survived several illnesses. His brown eyes shone curiously.
Elaine knelt to his level due to her mother being in shock. “Go outside.”
He tugged on Elizabeth’s blouse, “Mama? Are you sick?”
Elaine picked him up and whispered in his ear. “Go, alright. Go play. I’ll make dinner and then I’ll read you your favorite story.”
He nodded enthusiastically and ran towards the back door. Elaine looked at her mother. “Ma, I’ll have the maids draw you a bath.”
She weakly nodded and Elaine called for the maids. They bustled down the stairs then took Elizabeth to the bathroom.
~ ~ ~
Months passed since Robert had died. Elaine heard her mother summoning her. She walked down the stairs and saw her mother with a man with peach fuzz on his face. He smiled warmly. “Miss Price, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Who are you?” Elaine temporarily forgot the manners that have been instilled in her. Her palms began to sweat as she looked at her mother. “Mama, what’s going on?”
“He’s your suitor. This is Mr. Alexander Hershey.”
Her eyes widened as she stared at the man. Alexander started to console her. All she could do was nod. “Mrs. Price has arranged for the wedding. It will be in a fortnight. I have a carriage waiting for us outside. I will, of course, wait for you to pack up for this.”
She looked at him numbly. “Thank you.”
Elaine did what she was supposed to do, pack up. In less than an hour, she dragged her suitcase down the stairs and forcibly smiled. “I am ready.”
After saying goodbye to her mother and Little Robert, she was in the carriage. The ride was silent, even though he tried to converse
Soon, they arrived and she looked at the house. There were two other people standing outside. A tall woman who seemed to be perpetually angry. Her hair was graying and her hands interlaced. The other was an elegant woman who stood with pride. Nervous to meet the two, she greets them. However, their looks didn’t mean that they were cruel, in fact, they seemed to be kind.
The older woman’s name was Katherine. She seemed kind and understanding. However, the lady that interested her was Lydia. A fair-skinned woman with beautiful blue eyes. When she talked, it seemed intelligent.
Alexander smiled seeing the three getting along. “Lydia, take Miss Price to her room. You will be showing her around the house when you guys are ready.”
She was shown her room and Lydia looked at her sadly. “I know this is going to be hard. Mom and I will make this as comfortable as possible.” Elaine doesn’t answer and starts to unpack. “After this, I will show around. I also want to show you something.”
Elaine nodded and kept unpacking. Lydia sighed and left. After she finished, Elaine takes a moment to breathe. A knock was heard and she went to open it. It was Katherine. “May I come in?”
Elaine nodded and let her in. Katherine sighed. “Being arranged to marry a stranger is scary, I know.” A pause. “It’s possible to fall for them once you get to know them though.” A small smile could be seen. “That’s how I fell in love with their father, Christopher.”
“I know he’s your son, but I don’t want to marry him.”
“I understand. Just all I have to say is to make the most of it.” With that, she leaves Elaine alone with just her thoughts.
