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.
"Thank you, General, for traveling here to tell us." James replied after taking several moments to process the information. The General simply nodded before continuing,
"Your father and mine were very close. In honor of him, I have promised to accompany you and your family on your journey back to Britain. All due respects sir, but we will need to leave soon."
Susan took this as her signal to join the conversation, "Thank you General. We will be ready to leave by daylight tomorrow. In the mean time, please do stay with us. We have an extra cot, if you wish to stay in the house. There is also a room in the barn, if you prefer privacy." The flow of words seemed to come easily to Susan as she prepared to make the guest welcome.
"I appreciate your generosity ma'am, the room in the barn will be just fine."
"Alright then, Yin, please get some blankets and take them to the barn. And, care for General Stockworth's horse." Susan instructed. Yin immediately complied to her mother's commands, grabbing some blankets and making her way to the barn while James continued to thank the General for traveling so far to see them. This was all so strange to her.
Having prepared the guest room, she began to groom the horse. The large chestnut mare stood perfectly still while Yin worked away, brushing the caked sweat from her coat and placing away the saddle. She could not help but admire the magnificent animal before her. It's coat was slick and shined beautifully. It was hardly like any of the horses around here, that were short and shaggy. If animals like this came from Britain, then what could possible be wrong with moving there!
March 25, 1805 - Princeton Home, London, England
"Sir Oliver, there is someone here to see you." The words quickly tore Oliver's attention from his book to his butler who stood in the doorway,
"Who is it Francis?" He asked, a bit of aggitaion in his voice as he looked back down at his book and continued reading.
"Well, that really is no way to treat your favorite guest, now is it Oli?" The voice was immediately recognized and Oliver leapt from his seat and charged forward, enveloping his guest in a hug.
"My my, if it isn't Nathaniel Clarke! Arrived early for the season!" Oliver exclaimed as he stepped back to look at his friend. Nathaniel could hardly contain the smile that spread across his face. He and Oliver had been friends forever, and now he came to stay with him every year for the London season.
"Now, that's more of the greeting I was expecting." Nathaniel teased as he pulled back and straightened his coat jacket. He had been sent to London every summer since his 18th birthday by his parents who so desperately wanted him to marry. And here he was, eight and twenty and still unwed. The mischevious glint in Oliver's eyes puzzled him and he raised a questioning eyebrow. "What ever is that look all about?" He asked, though afraid of what answer may follow.
"Nathaniel, my dear friend, I have decided it is high time you settle down. And so I, as the closest and most trustworthy person in your life, have taken it apon myself to find you a wife." The words caused Nathaniel to break out into fits of hysterical laughter. Since when had Oliver been the match maker? The man was six and twenty himself, and unwed!
"I hardly see you as the one to judge me."
"Ah, but I am determined to find myself a wife as well! We are in this together. Now, as for the balls. I have arranged for us to first attend the one at Markstead Hall. I hear it will be a grand event! And Lady Brighton will be there!" Oliver said excitedly, boosted by the amused look on his friends face.
