The Year Of The Tiger

Chapter 1

March 17, 1805 - Warwick Home, South Western Asia

     Yin sat on the floor pillow, reading a book.  She was now one and twenty, soon to be two and twenty, and a true beauty.  Her legs were tucked neatly underneath her and she wore a silk kimono which was black with a pink trim and decorated with pink roses.  Her hair, as usual, was pulled up in a fishtail braid, running along her back.  And, even though it was braided, it reached her hips with ease and the dark color was gorgeous.  Her eyes, as wide and beautiful as ever, were filled with emotion as she stared at the book in her hand, reading it with a very serious expression.  Mei-Yin was so engrossed in her book that she barely heard the door knock, 

     "Yin, sweetie could you please get that?" She heard her mother, Susan Warwick, call from the kitchen.

     "Yes Mama!" Yin called back before reluctantly putting down her book and heading for the door.  When she stood, her kimono fell just above her knees and she was extremely short, standing only five feet tall.  Answering he door, Mei-Yin gave a traditional bow to the man before her, though it was obvious by his appearance that he was not Asian.  He looked a lot like, her parents.  

     "Forgive me for intruding, but I am looking for Lord James Warwick." The man outside her door informed her as he removed his hat, revealing light brown hair which was neatly combed back, and his light green eyes betrayed his nervousness.  Yin was about to respond when she spotted the animal behind him.  She looked much like the donkeys which scattered the lands, but she was much bigger and more magnificent.  Her eyes widened in awe at the animal before looking back to the gentleman, 

     "Please forgive my manners, I am Mei-Yin, daughter of James and Susan." She informed cautiously, "Will you not come in?" She asked as she opened the door wider and stepped back, doing her best to remember the English terms her parents had taught her.  

     "Thank you Lady Warwick." The guest replied as he stepped in.  He was much taller than Mei-Yin, though most people were.  Hearing the door close, Susan comes out of the kitchen, her hair in a sloppy bun and her apron filthy,

     "Well, who was it . . . Oh!  My, what have we done to deserve such a visit? Come come, Yin take his coat.  Here you are sir, have a seat, I'll fetch some tea." Susan said all in a rush as she hurried back to the kitchen to get tea.  Yin took the guest's coat and hung it on the rack before going out to get her father.   Coming back to the house, James and Mei-Yin found Susan sitting with the guest, having tea and gingerly chatting away about Britain. 

     "Oh there you are James!  This is general Stockworth.  He has come, all the way from Britain! Is that not wonderful!" Susan exclaimed happily as her husband took a seat, and Yin as well.  

     "Lord Warwick, I have come with a message, bad news I am afraid, Sir.  The Earl of Berkshire, Lord Levi, has passed in the past few months.  I have come to retrieve you as you are to inherit the Earldom, sir." General Stockworth informed with a solem expression on his face.  Susan gasped at the news and covered her hand with her mouth as James remained silent and thought over the matter.

     "And what of the Countess?" 

     "I am afraid she passed last fall, Sir." General Stockworth responded.  Mei-Yin looked between the three, taking into account their worried expressions.  Though she did not recognize the names that were mentioned, she did get the impression that these people were of some relation to James or Susan. 

     The joyful expression was now gone from Susan's face as she stroked her husbands back gently.  Though James appeared tense, he did not however seem to be that upset.