Chapter 1

The Perfect day.

Some say "True love is like a rare gem, once it is found, it can never be truly lost". As I look back on my life and my years of living in England, with the one who has always held my heart. I feel the faint heartache and yearning. I remember that day well, the last day of my life.  I sat in my lounge chair, enjoying the cool air of a London morning, on my balcony, looking at my beautiful wife and with a warm feeling of contentment fill me.  I still remember our words that morning, it will forever be in my soul.

------

 Life seems to move slow today, I can see the next-door children playing on the lawn, as just like us their parents sip their tea. I have never cared for tea, I know odd being from England. My wife drinks her tea while finishing her needlepoint. With a smile, I turn towards her with love in my heart. "Eliza you are my rare gem of love, stay with me forever" She giggles and smiles "Hunter, you are my prince, that I wish to love forever". I reach out to her and pull her into my arms. She giggles in delight. I nuzzle her neck and whisper "Baby, I am never going to let you go" I tell her as we embrace. I am taken away every day at the sight of her. She's everything I could ever wish for. She's so beautiful, eyes as blue as the sea, long wavy black hair currently tied up in a respectable bun, pink full lips I could spend hours kissing. Eliza has luscious curves and a perfect bust. Her dress respectfully shows her curvy form. There are many days, I would love to stay home and explore those curves all day. 

"Sunday mornings are the best day of the week, do you not agree Eliza?" I commented to my wife while looking into her beautiful blue eyes I felt as if I could dive in, and never swim out, as blue as the sea. So perfect, so lovely. "Yes, dear Hunter, I dare say they are". She is my everything and I never want to let go.  We talk about how we would like to spend our day, we talk about church service, and what to do afterward. I am not a strong believer, my experience with war has left me to question God's purpose however, I go to make Eliza happy. 

"We could always go to the bakery store after-service? Perhaps that delicious bread you favor is ready for sale? Afterward, if you want, we can take a walk along the lake to watch the ships and tide roll in? I nod my head "That sounds like a very good idea, my lady". She giggles. "Then, this evening, since it is my birthday" I whisper sweetly in her ear "I will make you mine again, just as I did so many years ago". Eliza turns deep crimson as she blushes and hurries out of the room to get our coats to attend morning mass.

We arrive at St. Paul's holy Catholic church.

"Good day, Mr. Eldridge, Mrs. Eldridge, how lovely to see you both this morning," said the Deacon.

"Good morning Deacon Phillips, God has blessed this day indeed, the sunny weather is very pleasing"

I turn around to find Eliza no longer near me, I search for her and find her conversing with the other women, I love her smile as she chats excitedly, no doubt becoming filled in on the latest gossip. Her smile is like a beautiful beacon of light in a dark room. Her face glows with love, adoration, and happiness. I am truly blessed, God has given me the perfect woman as a wife. I walk over to her ladies group

"Darling, I believe the service is about to begin, if we may take our seats?"

"Oh, yes, of course, dear"

We sit in the cathedral for the next hour as we learn and listen on how to grow closer to God and accept his love wholeheartedly. Once service is concluded, we say our goodbyes to the other parishioners and proceed onward to the next place on our agenda. While we're walking to the market, I feel very off about something. I look around trying to find my uneasiness, deciding to ignore it. Eliza and I are walking when we look up to see that we are stopped in front of the Apothecary store.

Once service is concluded, we say our goodbyes to the other parishioners and proceed onward to the next place on our agenda. While we're walking to the market, I feel very off about something. I look around trying to find my uneasiness, deciding to ignore it. Eliza and I are walking when we look up to see that we are stopped in front of the Apothecary store. As we stare in the window, we see a commotion occurring across the street. “Hunter, what do you think is happening?” I look at her “I do not know”. Right at that moment, we hear the pop of gunshots, everyone screams as scatters as we witness the clerk in the jewelry store being shot and a masked man robbing the store.  Just as we are watching the incident, Eliza screams and is knocked down. "Ahhh! My purse! OH My! Hunter! That man stole my purse, and shoved me over, ow! I think I hurt my ankle!" I see red, How dare! He hurt my love! "Where did that piece of shit go!"

A bystander is assisting me to help her back onto her feet, I check her to ensure that she is indeed alright. "The man ran around the corner".

"Thank you, good sir, Eliza, I shall go and fetch your purse from that filth".

"Hunter! I am afraid" I hold her close to ease her worries.

"Fear, not my love, remember I am a military man, and a gentleman. I will attempt aggressive persuasion only if the situation warrants it". She nods her head, and I take off around the corner, running as fast as I can. Stopping abruptly, I come upon a curious situation. I find Eliza's purse sitting on some steps however, I do not find the man, he's simply vanished? Could he possibly have noticed me coming for him and abandoned it? Either way, I am happy to return her purse so we may continue our day. As we walk, we see the ocean. "Here sweetheart, let's sit down for a while, and rest your foot, we can watch the ocean, you love to watch the ships enter port".

 Every time we go to port she looks away to the horizon with wonder but sadness. I know what is in her heart, she longs to leave England, forever. She dreams of traveling abroad to America or France. She craves the ability to find new adventures, to see what lies beyond the horizon. I love my wife but she is so sheltered. She was born in the royal court, her father was a military man and faithfully served the crown. She was thrilled when she learned I was a quiet man, I prefer my private life. I am a store owner of "Eldridge Books and goods". I do fairly well. I know we are very happy together yet, I can see her sadness now as she gazes across the open sea, she tires of never leaving English shores.  "Hunter, I wish I could understand why we cannot travel as well"

"Sweetheart, I know you dream of traveling, I dream of seeing the world with you. Right now, as you know, I do not have the time".

"Very well" I stop her "Eliza, the business is booming very well, there have been talks that Ralph Ellison is going to do a book tour and signing in my shop!" Eliza had a beaming smile. "Oh, Hunter! That's fantastic" "Yes! it is! This is why no matter how much I would love to take you to see the world, I cannot" Eliza looked down at her feet "Hunter, perhaps I can arrange for myself and maybe Bathilda since you're so busy?"

I became enraged "No! Absolutely Not!" I couldn't understand what it was but, that woman made my skin crawl, something about her screamed trouble. "I Will not have you go anywhere alone with her! End of discussion!"

Eliza smiled shyly "Yes Hunter" I realize that I upset her. "I am sorry my dear however, I do not want you going on any trip by yourself, not without me, and not with her. I can't explain it but, something about her screams danger"

Eliza rolled her eyes "Oh Hunter! Seriously! You read too much Sherlock Holmes!" I see red "Eliza! Enough! Do NOT give me an attitude!" she looks down "Yes Dear".

We walk to my shop. I know I was harsh but, I am trying to protect her, I am blessed to return home from the king's army and have her by my side. I returned home from World War II and took over my father's business. I have a few friends who help me run the business. One of them is named Garrett Wilkins, he is an odd fellow, I dare say. He has been in service there since I was a boy and he looks the same as the day my father ran the store. He is pleasant but unnerves me to my core at times. If I am honest, sometimes I wonder, exactly what is he hiding? Sometimes I feel like he is looking at me with anticipation, who is he really? and why do I feel like he is waiting for something or someone? 'What are you hiding Garrett, and what do you want from me?' I ponder.