Chapter One

These chapters are going to be very small until I edit this when I'm finished.

The day had but only begun. The sun was floating higher into the deep blue of the summer sky, it's rays burning hot onto the streets of the small village of Trabethal. This painfully hot day made work hard and the villagers found the constant heat more of an annoyance than a blessing. One such villager was Julie Mallory, a middle aged work torn woman. She was not fond of housekeeping at the best of times, but must the sun shine so brightly and make it even worse? She so loathed the inside of the smith household on a day so beautiful as this one. Whilst cleaning the windows, she caught a glimpse of the children, playing happily in the sun, and found herself envying their youth and freedom, something which she had lost many years ago now. She could almost remember a time, as a child when she had no responsibilities and had ran about the fields of Trabethal with her friends, carefree and playful. Those times where far past now, and she emptied her mop bucket outside the door, sighing deeply to herself. She noticed a young girl walking along the road, smiling happily at the passing villagers. On approaching Julie, she slowed down, stopping at the end of the garden. 

"Good Afternoon Julie!" She beamed, her deep brown eyes twinkling kindly

"Hello Cecilia dear, how are you today?" She set down her bucket, moving to the end of the garden

"Very well, thank you. Lovely day, isn't it?" Her gaze shifted the the deep blue of the sky.

"Beautiful. Shame I can't enjoy it" She grimaced 

"Yes it must be awful being inside, I imagine" She gave Julie a consoling look

"It is I-" 

"CECILIA?" Julie was quite taken aback by this loud interruption, and looking down at the road, saw a stern looking man, standing at the door of his car, looking upon Cecilia dangerously

"Yes Father, just coming" Her reply, though simple, evoked the panic she felt not to keep him waiting.

"Well I best be off, nice speaking to you" She turned and began to walk, fast paced towards her father

"You too dear" Julie shouted after her. She kept her gaze on The car until it was safely out of sight.

"Poor girl" she muttered under her breath. She felt some amount of pity for Cecilia, with all his money, Richard had never given her the love she so deserved. It was a miracle she had turned out such a wonderful young woman. 

As the car moved away from Trabethal and towards Bisley Estate, Richard continued to look utterly displeased.

"How many times must I tell you about civilising with the lower classes?" She did not answer, only looked ahead, feeling a great pang of disgust.

"It does no good for our name" He continued, simply, looking away from her 

"Yes Father" She did not bother arguing, it was easier agreeing with him to buy his silence.

"We have Charles and Anna coming for dinner tonight, you shall be ready by 6pm sharp, no later" He told her

"Yes Father" She repeated, as if this was the only response she knew.

"They are bringing their son, William" She looked up now, knowing what was coming next

"A fine match for you, I'm sure you'll agree" This was not a question and she need not reply to it.

"I do feel awfully sorry for Julie, being stuck inside on such a-"

"Cecilia do you never listen girl?" He said in annoyance

"There will be no more talk of such people, do you understand me?" His anger resonated in his words. He need not even raise his voice slightly.

"Yes Father, sorry" She put her head down, avoiding his scalding gaze. 

This was, as unfortunate as it were, the life in which Cecilia Hayward had lived. Her father was a man of power and pride, and with this, someone who she resented in many ways.

"So William" Began Richard, as they sat around the large dining table "What are your plans for the future?

The young man, who was seated next to Cecilia, piped up

"Oh, of course I want to follow in my fathers footsteps, after I finish at Oxford Law, I intend to become a barrister" Richard observed him, a pleased smile spreading across his face

"Excellent. A fine career path for a young man" He nodded "A brilliant son you have there Charles 

"And a fine daughter you have, Richard" He beamed proudly

"Indeed, and soon the task of finding a suitable husband must begin" Cecilia looked up, taken aback by the idea that she wouldn't be aloud to choose her own husband. In her mind, the kind of man she would like to marry was undoubtedly a far stretch from the kind her father would deem "Suitable". Her father exchanged significant looks with Charles, as though some genius plan was forming between these two alike minds. She knew only too well what they were contemplating and her stomach shifted uncomfortably as she caught a glimpse of William again. 

As the night drew to a close, Richard and Charles retired to the study for the ususal "Whiskey and cigars". Left at the table with William and his mother Anna, Cecilia began to feel increasingly uncomfortable. With the conversation fading fast, she needed an excuse to leave, beginning to tire of the constant glances from William, who had seemingly tagged on to the idea of some kind of relationship between them. 

Excusing herself from the table, she left the room, heaving a breath of relief. On passing the study, she noticed the door was ajar slightly. Edging closer, her curiosity got the better of her. She could just hear some quiet words being exchanged.

"Of course they would make a strapping couple" Charles was saying. She knew it. Of course they would be discussing this, how could they not?
"Yes, yes, of course" Her father agreed. Her anger was rising thick and fast now. How could her father even think of pushing her into a relationship with some stranger?

"It shouldn't be a long engagement I think" She lost her breath then. No, they couldn't. 

"Definitely, and a summer wedding I should think would be appropriate" Her emotions overtook her then and she couldn't control herself any longer. She pushed the door open, charging through it in a burst of anger and frustration

"How can you do this?!" You yelled, face red and hair falling everywhere

"Cecilia" Her father looked positively horrified "Don't be so rude girl! Apologise right now!" She widened her eyes, shocked at how oblivious he was to the level of her anger

"No! I will not! and I certainly will not marry just anyone you ask me to!"

"You will do as you're told, and that is the end of it" His face was also getting redder, his anger quietly rising. 

"You cannot control me! I'm not a child!" Though she felt like one, standing, tears of frustration falling from her usually bright eyes. 

"As long as you live under my roof, you will abide my my rules!" Though he looked calm compared with Cecilia, in his eyes, was a mist of anger, overrunning him with a frightening look.

"You will not control my life anymore" She took one last look at her father and ran from the room. She moved fast, her heart pumping at the thought of her fathers reaction. He followed her, his stride exuding purpose and fear. She didn't stop now, running out of the front door and down the steps.

"Cecilia! Where are you going?" The anger was rising once more in his already fearfully powerful voice but she didn't stop. She didn't even answer him.

"Cecilia! Get back here right this instant!" His face was turning a dark shade of crimson now, his utter horror undulating through him.

"RIGHT NOW!" He screamed, but still she continued, not turning back. He gave in, slamming the door, beginning to compose himself once more for his guests, who had viewed this whole scene with matching looks of shock. The air was tense to say the least and no one said anything, fearing they might say something that could anger Richard.

Cecilia had made it to the bottom of Trabethal before she broke down in tears of frustration and undeniable upset at the actions of her father. How could he treat her so? Did he really believe he had any right to speak on matters such as these? She was so confused it was an impossible task just to think straight, never mind figure out what she might do to help herself.

"Cecilia?" A voice came from behind, causing her to jump. Turning around she saw the person who had spoke was Julie Malory's son, Jonathan. 

"Are you alright?" He spoke softly, and his voice was soothing to her after all the insincerity and yelling of the night. She wiped the tears from her eyes, as though it would even help. 

"I'm fine" She smiled through her pain, trying to seem convincing. He obviously saw through her lies, noticing her groggy voice and shaking body.

"I'm not sure that's true" He moved forward and sat next to her

"You can tell me" He smiled, calmly, and for reasons she did not really know, she trusted him.

"It's my father" She confessed "I need to get away from him. He's taking over me, like I have no power or right to have a say in my own decisions" She looked down, feeling pathetic and childish

"Sounds difficult" He gave her a consoling look "Maybe you would like to come a walk with me, to talk about it all?" His smile was comforting and she agreed, reciprocating his smile truly this time. 

These two young people walked through the fields near Trabethal together on this calm summer evening as darkness fell over England. They talked through everything possible, and eventually, as they came to a small hut at the edge of the Gracie's farm, they stopped walking and sat down once more.

"I imagine it's hard work here on the farm" She said, remembering Jonathan worked there

"It can be, but it's not the worst job possible. These hot days are the worst for working though. Ploughing, weeding and carrying in such conditions can be unbearable."

"Well it must be, I wouldn't like to be doing any sort of labour on days like today" There was a short silence as they listened to the crickets sing, coolly, the evening breeze pulling the trees gently. 

"You shouldn't be with him" Cecilia turned to Jonathan, slightly confused.

"That boy your father wants for you, you deserve better than that. He's not right for you"

She looked at him, expectantly.

"And who is?" he seemed coy suddenly, but finding his courage spoke once more

"Someone...Kind, considerate. Someone who will care for you and laugh with you, make you smile every single day. Someone who will make sure you're happy, no matter what"

Then the silence fell, none of them knowing what to say. Cecilia felt she should reply to this, but she could barely find any breath, never mind words. 

"I'm sorry" Jonathan looked to his feet, shifting awkwardly "I shouldn't have said that"

"No" She cut him off "No, I'm glad you did, and you're right, I do need someone like that." She said this more to herself, realising then that he was right. 

"Or maybe the case is that I've already found him, and I was just so blind that I didn't see that he is everything I need, and more." She tried to catch his gaze again

"What are you saying?" he treaded carefully, trying not to assume. She looked at him, almost assessing him, trying to decide her next move as carefully as possible. She leaned forward then, placing one hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling glad of her touch. Smiling, she moved forward, pulling herself to his height, kissing him softly. He savoured every second of her, breathing in her sweet smell, entwining his hand gently in her hair. If ever there was going to be a perfect moment, this was it.

Author's Note

Please ignore the spelling and grammar and focus on the writing, thanks.

Reviews

[quixotic_rose]

I like this, the setting reminds me of olden days and I love the olden days :). I've gots a question though! how old would you place Cecelia? I feel like shes in the 15 age range, but that's probably because I'm thinking people married off their kids around that age, but the curiosity is eating at me. Awesome job :) and yes, I want more!

[BillyGirl]

Great first chapter :D Looking forward to seeing more of this.