Prologue 1

September 1821

“Beth. Bethany, wake up. It’s morning.” Eric whispered in her ear, shaking her up. She stirred and turned, shoving him away as she did. “Wake up woman, it’s your birthday.” He whispered again, successfully capturing her attention. Beth sat up and glared at her brother who was sitting on the edge of her bed.

The heat from the fireplace had reduced with the dead fire, but Eric held up a candle to her face, smiling sheepishly at her. His face would make anyone think that the survival of the world rested singularly on her birthday. She blinked and started to lie back down.

Eric pulled her legs to rouse her even more. “Stop it!” She whined. “What is it about my birthday that's making you so joyful?”

He placed his finger on his lips, then walked to the table and sat candle down. Whispering, he said. “Quiet down, unless you intend to wake Mother and Father.”

Beth pulled her blanket to her neck and whispered back. “I'm glad you realized that it is too early to be rudely interrupting other people’s sleep.” Then, “What do you want?” He got off her bed and yanked the covers. “Hey!” She protested.

“Quiet down!” He was still whispering.

“Why would you do that?” At the brink of tears, she lamented, hugging herself in her cotton night garment. “Why are you doing this to me? It’s cold. And it’s my birthday!”

“I said to be quiet.” He threw her the cover, rolled up into a messy ball. “Get dressed.”

She angrily pulled the cover to herself, intending to return to sleep. “Why?”

He smiled and pirouetted in a parading manner. Beth noticed that he had shed his nightshirt for outdoor clothes. At the early hours of the day? She wondered. “You always wanted to see the sun rise from the hill at the east side of the manor. Come with me, I’ll take you there.” Then he smiled again.

Beth spared him a look, her eyes shining. “Do you mean your words?” She tested. He nodded the smile widening. “But Mother would never let us get that far out.” Although she said that, half her heart was already on the hill.

“All the more reason to be quiet.” He warned. “She can’t keep us sheltered forever. And you are eighteen now, soon you would have to leave home.” When she hesitated, he said. “I’ll take responsibility.” She squealed and jumped into his hands. He gave her a bear hug and ordered. “Get changed. Let’s escape before anyone wakes up.”

Without a second to lose, Beth shooed her brother out and hurriedly got dressed in an old thick dress. She gathered, secured and abandoned her hair on the top of her head and jumped into the nearest boots. Grabbing her jacket, she rushed out and nearly bumped into Eric. With a gasp, she stopped. “Sorry.”

“Shh.” He reminded, his finger again on his lips. “Let’s be as quiet as church mice.”

Beth gave him a scornful look of unbelief. “Church mice are not quiet, they are poor.” He was strong physically, but she feared for his intellect. How was he so good at saying the wrong proverbs? It always left her amazed.

“Stop being a bookworm and follow me now.” He compelled.

Being referred to as a bookworm always made Beth shy and caved in. She always felt at a loss in the presence of people, save for her family, and her books were how she let herself free. Not being pained as much, surprised her, but she chose not to confront it until after they watched the sunrise. Maybe she was no longer affected by it. Or was it the moment? She would never know. She doubted anything could take away the joy bubbling in her at the moment. They snuck out of the manor through the backdoor and walked briskly towards the hill.

The moment they reached the foot of the hill, Eric gave a loud victory cry and Beth followed suit. They shouted and soon burst into laughter. “I can’t believe we did that. Mother would be horrified if she ever finds out. And she would.”

“She would forgive you, you are eighteen now. A woman now.” Beth smile grew wider. “Happy birthday little sister.” He hugged her.

She returned the hug. “Thank you.” Then he ruffled her hair like he always did. She laughed and tried to slap his hand off.

Still smiling, he prompted. “Come on then, you jolly good fellow. The hill is not going to climb itself.” He looked her over. “Why didn’t you wear the clothes I gave you? It was for this moment.”

“Your old clothes? The ones you said I'm to wear on my birthday?” She inquired sagely, hand on her waist. “Only you would send old possessions as a gift.” And then realization struck her. “You wanted me to wear them for when we go hill climbing?” He mirrored her expression. “I had no knowing. I'm sorry.” He waved it away and motioned her forward. “Well considering I was in a hurry to get dressed, this is quite an outfit.” She posed for him.

He chuckled and shook his head. “Come on.” They started out on the hill. It was easier than Beth thought, even though it had rained the night before. Eric held her hand all the way to the top, never letting go, not even when she insisted. At a point, she grabbed unto her skirt and held it high to prevent from tripping. On and on they climbed until they got to the top.

Beth plopped herself on the cold grass the moment they reached the peak. Eric ruffled her hair and set himself down beside her. Breathlessly, she asked. “Don’t you think it is high time you stopped that? I'm eighteen now.

He laughed softly and made a facial expression, indicating that her words were absurd. “I would still run my hand through your hair even after they turn grey. You will always be my little sisters. You and Gwen. You can never outgrow me.”

She laughed. She never said she didn’t enjoy it. Then, “Isn’t it ironic how the hill sits at the east side, but the manor is called ‘Westside Manor’?”

“The Manor sits at the west side of the hill. “He replied matter-of-factly.

That made complete sense. Then she remembered. “Yesterday, Mother said Father spoke to you on the issue of your marriage. Are you ready to marry?” At twenty-one, he was old enough to be a husband and she knew he would make a fine one, but Beth didn’t want him pressured into the institution yet. It would feel like sharing him with another and she wasn’t sure she was prepared to lose the little moments they shared, selfish as it sounded.

Eric breathed down heavily. “I told him in a year or two. Gwen must still be hurting from what that bastard Cossington said to Father about her. I don’t want to remind her about it so soon. She is finally opening up.”

She nodded. “It came as a surprise to the entire family. And I’m sorry she had to hear that. She shouldn’t have to go through such pain.” Her younger sister was only thirteen. Why was the world unfair? “And how did she come to such conclusion?”

“Do you have to look that far?” He asked. His finger waved over her face in accusation. “You and your books are to blame.” He pulled her leg.

Beth crossed her arms defensively and pulled her legs to herself. “I had no knowledge she was interested in my books. She loves sitting at the piano with Mother. Naturally, I thought she preferred piano to books.” He ignored her excuse. After a while, she said. “For what it would matter, I am grateful for my birthday gift, for this.” She opened her arms wide and gestured at the sky above, which was starting to turn blue, and the hill on which they sat. “It is beautiful.”

He laughed. “You are very much welcome.” When her eyes narrowed, he asked carefully. “What is with that look of mischief?”

“What look of mischief? It is a look of curiosity.” She adjusted herself when she felt the wet grass through her skirt. “What do you intend to give to Gwen on her eighteenth birthday? You gave me mine, what’s her wish?”

He inhaled and exhaled deeply. As he shook his head, Beth waited for him to reject her. She began to think of words to say to him to make him tell her, but he surprised her. “She wants to learn how to defend herself. I’ll teach her to fight.”

She was taken aback, equally by the fact that her brother had told her about Gwen’s wish and about how odd the wish was. “And I am called the preposterous one because I insist that one can travel through books.” She deadpanned. “Mother would … she would never allow it.”

“Father would. I would make certain of it.” He stood up and stretched out a hand to her. Taking it, she rose and began to brush off her behind. He did the same. “It is beyond absurd, I realize that, but I suppose learning how to defend herself would put her mind at peace.” He paused. “She came to me the night Cossington insulted our family.”

Beth’s heart broke. Was her younger sister still troubled by the words of that vile man? At that moment, it struck her. “Marriage is overrated, Eric.” He stopped. She did too. “I would never wed.”

He spared her a look which soon turned into a full-on stare. “You are uttering nonsense. Marriage is not overrated.” He waved a finger at her. “And you will wed.”

Beth scoffed. “We would see about that.” She murmured, crossing her arms. She had made up her mind and she would make certain of it. If marriage was formed on alliances and what to gain without a care for the parties involved, or how hurt they would be, then it was best not to be involved in it altogether. If a contract had not been drawn, Gwen wouldn’t be hurting.

“Yes, we would.” He pulled her along as he walked closer to the other side of the hill which was said to be steeper and more dangerous. “Enough of your nonsense, it is your birthday and you will enjoy it.” She smiled. “We would watch the sunrise, climb back down, get scolded by Mother,” Beth couldn’t help but to laugh, “And you would make us a sumptuous breakfast.” He turned her to himself, placed his hands on her shoulders and continued. “Then when the day is done, we would all sit at the table – a fine dinner set before us with a nice conversation going. What do you think?”

She smiled again and coyly said. “I love it.”

They stood side-by-side and watched, waiting for the sun to rise. Its glow began to fill the faraway sky and Beth’s face brightened too.

And then it happened.