~Drygonrose Always and Forever Drygonrose Drygonrose@hotmail.com Here’s the first chapter. It should be understandable. Someterminology: carriage= (for all you really dumb people out there) is like a car,except it was pulled by horses. People used to use them to travel. dowager= is what they called the women who had titles after theirhusband died because back then the title could only be passed down through themale. (Silly, I know) So there would be a new ‘earl’ and then he might havea wife who would be a countess so the dowager in front of the title is sothey won’t be confused. Lady and or Lord = this wasn’t really used in this chapter but forfuture reference, you can be a lord or lady by two ways at least there are for females, you have to marry into a title to be called lady, but theother way is that your father and mother are already titled so you areautomatically called Lady or Lord from when you’re born. Dowry = A dowry is something the female’s family gives the males familyon marriage, it can be land, jewels money, whatever. I think itsupposidly for the fact that the male’s family is taking the female off their (thefemale’s family’s) hands. Disclaimers: These character’s don’t belong to me, blah, blah blah. I know I’ve noticed that in the olden days, life was really sexist. Anyway I love info on my story so e-mail me and tell me what you think. Especially if you think that the language is too hard. Enjoy! ~Always and Forever~ Chapter 1 A carriage pulled up to the Berkliy House. A young lady about 18years old stepped down and walked to the front of the house. A butler opened thedoor and Serena Blackthorne walked into the sitting room of one off the mostrich women in London, maybe even England. The Dowager Duchess of Berkliystood and greeted the young lady, “So you’ve finally come to visit, Mirandaalways promised that she would bring you for a visit, though over the years I thought that she had forgotten.” “Grandmother didn’t forget, I was busy at home,” Serena said shyly. “Oh, I see your Papa was in dept again, eh?” The dowager laughed. “That doesn’t seem to be an appropriate subject to talk about Lady Berkliy,” Serena said a bit surprised because it didn’t seem to begood manners for anyone to speak so upfront, and as always, Serena was upset about the fact that her father spent most of his time in Londongambling and drinking. “Come know my dear, I’ve spent too many of my years being meek and submissive. I’m not going throught that again at my age. I’m old andrich to boot so I’ll be as essentric as I please.” Lady Berkliy announced. “Yes, your grace.” “Don’t start that, call me Aunt Mariluna, wait even better Aunt Luna,that is my name. I simply detest simpering. Your grandmother and I werelike sisters before she married, even then we corrasponded.” Just thensomeone yelled, “grandmother, I’m finally home, Grandmother?” A tall young man burst into the room to stare at Serena. He was openmouthed. He saw ayoung lady with blond hair the colour of spun gold. It was in a strange hairstyle. It was arranged into two buns at the sides of her head andthen two ribbons of hair flowed down from them trailing lower than the waistof her simple pink afternoon gown which in reality was worn and a bittattered. It was obviously the best gown that Serena had. Her eyes when helooked were a royal blue which shone innocence and beauty. Interrupting histrail of thought, Lady Berkliy announced, “Andrew, so your finally back. You shouldn’t just barge in here, after all I have guests at times youknow. This my dear is Serena Blackthorne and Serena, this is my grandson,Viscount Andrew Matthew Fairgrove of Maryle, heir to the Duchy, his father is my Jonathan.” Serena got up and curtsyed to the viscount murmering softly, “My Lord.” Andrew bowed in turn gallantly saying with a roguish grin, “My Lady.” Serena blushed and then said not sadly, but with a sense of mischief,“I’m not a Lady, I’m just a miss. You see my father was the youngest son ofthe late Earl of Gamwood.” Andrew grinned again and then remembering why he rushed in, frowned, “Grandmother, may I please speak to you in private?” Andrew pleaded. “Of course you may not! Can’t you see I’m entertaining?”“Grandmother! PLEASE!!!” “Oh alright then, Serena dear please wait a bit for me.” “Of course Aunt Luna,” Serena replied dutifully even thought she wasa bit curious about what the viscount wanted to talk to the dowager duchessabout that was so important. ******************************************************** “Grandmother, I need your help. I placed a wager………….” Andrew began,but Lady Berklit cut him off. “Another wager? Andrew I’m not bailing youout again” “This time it’s different. I don’t need money, just help, doyou remember the Marquess of Manmour?” “Of course, do you take me for an invalid? Isn’t he your best friend, Darien right?” “Yes Grandmother, well I wagered Lord Chad and Lord Ken that Darien was capable of falling in love with a lady. I got angry because Lord Chadsaid that darien was a cold arrogant man and he could never care for anyone. I wanted to probe them wrong, afger all Darien does have a heart, it’sjust that he hasn’t found anyone yet. I’ve already tried lots of placesabroad, we’ve seen lots of ladies, but not one of them has ever capturedDariens attention for very long. Please Grandmother, you know all of the tonyou have to know some ladies we can introduce Darien to.” Andrew pleaded leaving out the fact that he had wagered 10 000 pounds. Lady Berkliy pretended to think it over, but already she had decided to help. In reality she loved to play matchmaker. Finally deciding that Andrew had been kept haning long enough said, “Alright then Andrew,this is the last time though.” Andrew was gave a shout and hugged hisgrandmother, then remembering the young lady asked, “Who was that girl youintroduced me to, I mean who really is she, she’s quite pretty.” Lady Berkliy frowned, “Don’t go near her Andrew, I promised Milly thatshe wouldn’t be hurt and you’re a rogue and a rake.” “Isn’t her father the infamous Heartbreaker William Blackthorne?” “Yes, he’s a gamster and a drunken fool, Milly’s daughter Sarah was too good for him, but shethought that she was in love with him and eloped. He only wanted Sarah for her dowry which was quite rich, but then she found that out too late. Serena is descended from Quality, she deserves better than her wastrel father cangive her, for all I know he could try to sell her one day. I’m going tosponsor her, introduce her to society.” Andrew grinned, this was hisgrandmother that he knew, she was over 70 but she was still totally active. “I suppose that she has a dowry from her mother still doesn’t she?” “Yes she does it’s not much, but sarah managed to save it by putting it in Milly’s hands, William can’t touch it or else he would have spent themoney long ago. It’s still a respectable one so that should do. I want youto help get her aquainted with society, she is still quite innocent youknow. Sarah died early, I think that Serena was only 5. Milly does try tohelp but any money or help she sends William squanders away.” Andrewscowled as he thought of the poor girl. Lady Berkliy continued, “ I know he’s horrible, had many affairs and such, the whole country knows of his notorious behavior. Oh, I left Serena in the sitting room……. ~End of Chapter 1~ Make sure you tell me what you think. I love feedback, please e-mail me!!!!!!! I hope you liked the story. ~Drygonrose