2
Rose sat in the parlor, listening to the women’s boring gossip. She stiffled a yawn, thinking of how she would much rather be outside exploring the woods beyond the mansion and beyond the woods…the world. She wanted adventure in the great wide open. Not a day of listening to Rachel Rothes talk about the evils of new money.
"Rose!" Ruth’s voice again cuts into her thoughts. Why couldn’t Ruth leave Rose alone to her daydreams? Didn’t she know that they were the only freedom she had. Every other aspect of her life was strictly controlled by her parents. "Are you listening? Caledon Hockley is in town looking for a suitable bride. I suggest you make yourself presentable."
"Mother, I’m too young to marry," Rose sighed and shook her head.
"Too young! Why Rose, I was your age when I met Harold!" Rachel laughed. "You better start now. You’re not getting any younger."
"Indeed," Ruth nodded in agreement. "And with the lack of suitable young men here in Treegap, Mr. Hockley’s arrival is right on time."
Rose rolled her eyes. Her mother would never understand that marriage was at the bottom of her list of priorities.
"Don’t roll your eyes at me Rose Elizabeth Dewitt Bukater. I know what I’m talking about," Ruth sipped her tea, glaring sternly at her daughter. "You’re at that age now when young ladies in your position recieves suitors and their parents pick out the rich husband."
"Ruth, I have Mr. Hockley’s office number right here. Call and make an appointment for Rose."
"Mother, what does daddy say about all of this?" Rose crossed her arms. She knew that he wouldn’t approve. Rose was her father’s little girl. He would never allow Rose to marry at the young age of seventeen.
"I haven’t talked to your father yet. But I’m sure he’ll agree once I tell him about Mr. Hockley," Ruth turned to Rachel. "Above all, my husband is a business man and he well knows that a union with the Hockley name is good for business."
"May I please be excused," Rose forced a smile, tired of the subject of marriage and Caledon Hockley.
Ruth stared at her suspiciously. "You’re not going back outside are you? Honestly Rose, I wish you’d stay out of the sun. It’s making your skin freckle."
"I was going to my room mother. I want to practice my french."
"Very well then. We can’t have you neglecting your lessons."
"Thank you," Rose stood and as slow as she could, walked up to her room. Once she was in the safety of her room, she fell back onto the bed and continued her daydreams of adventure and fun that she was in middle of before Ruth had interrupted.
~*~
The Dawson cabin sat deep in the woods, away from the town of Treegap. Away from the rush of everyday life. It was a home frozen in time, yet full of love and warmth. Inside most of the Dawson’s were full of good cheer. Mae and Angus sat back and clapped as Jack showed them a funny picture in the portfolio Mae had given him as a birthday present. Everyone was happy to be together again…everyone except Miles, who sat away from his parents and brother frowning darkly.
His brother was behaving as if nothing happened, as if they hadn’t seen the tall mysterious man following them. But Miles wasn’t foolish enough to forget. He had agreed to return to Treegap for one reason only…to warn Mae and Angus of impending danger.
"Some one knows," he interrupted his mother’s laughter. "Someone’s found out about us."
All laughter stopped. A heavy silence descended on the tiny cabin, giving it an oppressive air.
"What did you say?" Mae grabbed hold of Jack as they got to their feet.
"Shut up Miles. You’re ruining everything," Jack glared at his brother. He hadn’t wanted to add to his parents burden. He wanted to make this a normal visit.
"No, you shut up Jack. They need to know this," Miles look back at his father, who now wore a worried frown. "Someone was following us in Paris."
"Oh God Angus," Mae held tight to her husband. Her greatest fear had just been realized. "Who can it be?"
"We don’t know. Jack and I saw his silhouette as we hoped the train back here. He’s tall. That’s all I can tell you."
"Angus, what are we going to do?" Mae gasped.
"Batten down the hatches.
That’s what. No one goes back into town until further
notice. Any strangers we come across in the woods…you know
what to do with them," Angus’s voice was dark with
foreboding. "No exceptions."
"Angus!"
"We have no choice Mae. It’s either that, or be discovered."
"This is crazy," Jack set back in the chair, glaring at his brother unhappily.
"Shut up Jack," Miles disappeared up to his room.
"The remaining three Dawson’s looked at each other, their previous good mood gone as they wondered who the stranger was and what they wanted.