H ello fellow readers…So while I am fighting through writers block to finish No More Suitors, Lady Holly is Engaged I came up with this idea. I realized that I just jumped right into the story and didn't really explain the story of how Greg and Holly really fell in love. So hopefully this story will fill in some gaps and help me finish the other story. Have fun reading this guys.
In the Hills house servants were bustling about moving quickly to help ready the house for the arrival of the Heffleys. It was time for the annual Garden Party. This was long before the troubles of changing times began to present it self. The Hills had two girls Heather and Holly. Holly was only 10 at the time and Heather was just 15. The house began to worry Mrs. Hills hasn't bared a son to continue the line yet, and as time continued to pass the likely hood seemed less and less. Out side of Mr. Hills there was no male to take over the lands and the title of Earl of Shrewsbury. The title would go back to the crown until they wanted to reward someone with the title. Mr. Hills was working constantly to prevent this, on idea hit him: marry Heather to a titled man and make the two titles transfer to the man. It would take work but it was a good plan B.
The Heffleys were the Devonshire family; Mr. Heffley was a duke and definitely didn't care for it. He didn't want his kids to grow up thinking that everything was about titles and power and money. He had three kids Roderick who just turned 16, Greg who was 11 and Manny who was 3. Manny spent most of his days with the nanny; Greg spent his days getting tutored and groomed to go to the academy; Roderick spent his days working on the estate learning how the estate functions, and other days were spent learning like every other kid.
As the Heffleys came up the drive way the maids were shooed down the stairs and the main staff came out the servants entrance to greet the Heffleys. Everyone was all lined up and ready to start the festivities. The Heffleys wouldn't be the only family in attendance, however they would be the first ones to arrive and would be staying the longest, and therefore got a special welcoming two days before the party started.
"Heffley, how are you old mate?" Mr. Hills remarked upon seeing his old club friend Frank Heffley.
"As well as time will allow me to be. And you Hills?"
"Oh come off it now, time has been kind to you. I, on the other hand am getting by day by day."
"Its good to see you and the family, friend."
"As its good to see you, my how all of your children have matured. Come lets go the library for tea and send you off before dinner, you must all be weary from your long journey."
"Let's."
They made there way into the library and Manny along with Greg ran off to the play room while Roderick was left with Heather and the other adults. Holly seemingly slipped away from the crowd.
"So how has everything been Frank?"
"Well we are awaiting news from new investments but other than that everything has been relatively calm regarding raising the kids and maintaining the estate. Greg is about to head off to school soon though."
"Ah well he has come to that age. Where have the young'uns gotten off to?"
"They left with Manny's nanny I presume to go play. Honestly let them, they will tire soon and be easier to deal with at dinner and bedtime. Greg hasn't stopped talking about the party and coming here since one month ago when we first started making preparations to come here."
"Oh and why is that?"
"I think he has to much fun when we are here. The kids in the village back home don't treat him the same, he just wants to be normal and have fun but I think they are all scared about being with the local lords son."
"I see, why was he with the locals anyway?"
"He insisted on going to the public school in the village two years ago. He knew that we would get him a private tutor and increase his workload, but he insisted on not being any better than those who he grows up with. We warned him and told him that even after school he would still have responsibilities here at the house, and he still pushed to go. We broke and finally let him. Its fine honestly we will be sending him the academy in a month's time anyway. "
"He is growing up well you should be proud he doesn't want the family title to earn him everything in life."
"I know it is fine. I am worried about Roderick."
"Why?"
"He just doesn't seem to be interested in anything."
"Well now he seems pretty interested in Heather." He said as he motioned towards Heather and Roderick giggling like crazy over on the side of the room.
AN: Mean while…
Greg's: P.O.V.:
I ran away as quickly as possible to get away from the adults. They only talk about boring stuff and never talk to us anyway. It will be my last few times away from the adults, before I am expected to start participating in the conversations. Yuck. I followed Manny to the playroom, on our way I saw one girl run in the opposite direction towards the bottom floors. I think she is Holly the Earls younger daughter.
As I finished climbing the stairs to the playroom I excused myself to go outside for a walk. I quickly ran towards the bordering trees. I began to climb them once I got a few feet in. It was thrilling and I loved being up high.
Holly's P.O.V.:
I left the room as quickly as possible. Boring grownup talk puts me to sleep I rather spend my time reading and writing. I loved getting away to my small place in the woods. I read for hours at a time only poking my head back into the house in time for meals. I took my newest book and my diary and ran as quickly as I could towards the woods. There was this little clearing just a few yards into the woods. I would sit against the tree on the small blanket and read.
I started reading, I got slowly lost in my reading enjoying every word and every second away from the crazy world that is my house and my life. I don't really like my world there is too much politics involved in everything. Why can't I me just a girl and live my life like a regular girl? Suddenly a large thud in front of me occurred. I looked up from my book and there was boy, I think it was Greg Lord Devonshire's son.
Greg's P.O.V.:
I was hopping from tree to tree and moving up the branches. Then I slowly began my decent on one of the trees. I was being extremely careful and then my foot slipped. I was extremely scarred and closed my eyes saying my prayers. Then I felt the ground. I was in a daze and was trying think. I slowly felt my eyes open and my senses come to me.
I looked to me right and left and then I realized I was not alone. Holly Lord Shrewsbury's daughter was there. Why?
"Who are you?"
"I'm Greg and who are you?"
"Holly. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I think so." Holly started coming towards me and she put her hands on my shoulders. I looked up at her and she helped me sit up right. I felt this stirring within me. She was very attractive and I thought about how soft her hands felt on my back.
"Can you stand up?"
"Let me see." I pushed off the ground and as I stood up her hands were on my back. We were extremely close I could smell the soft mixture of vanilla and strawberries. It seemed like an eternity but was only a small moment. Then she started erupting in laughter. I started laughing in response. We were laughing so hard.
"Why were you there, up in the trees, shouldn't you be with your brother upstairs, I saw you head up there earlier."
"I left to go out and explore, its been a while since I have been here, and I can't stand being still and having nothing to do."
"Ah I see and you thought climbing up trees was the best course of action?"
"Yeah, but lets not change the real topic here."
"Which is?"
"Why were you out here? A real Earl's daughter is to remain inside and be all proper and stuck up?"
"So you barely know me and you think I am stuck up?"
"I am just stating what the expectation is."
"Well I will have you know that I could care less about being an Earl's daughter. I wont be anything anyway. I am just trying to educate myself and entertain myself until my time is over and I move on to the next stage of my life."
"And what stage is that?"
"That is marriage."
"Your only 10 what are you talking about?"
"Well in 13 years I will be presented in court and eligible for marriage. I have to spend my time until then becoming the perfect wife for some man somewhere. I may never meet him until my marriage but I still have to be that perfect women."
"You have time, until then let me escort you back into the house or read with you here until dinner time."
"I would greatly appreciate your help with something, if you are still offering."
"What could I do to help you my fair lady?" She started laughing again. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing I am no lady and please just call me Holly."
"Well Just Holly, what is it I can help you with?"
"I am reading this political book and my parents would flip out so I need you to keep this place a secret and then help me understand some terms."
"Sure you secret is safe with my, I just started my formal education so maybe I could help you out."
"What do you mean by formal education?"
"Well two years ago I started getting educated by the local public school."
"With all the common kids?"
"Yes and there is nothing wrong with that, I want to be normal I hate all the title nonsense, but this fall I will be heading to the academy."
"The academy?"
"It's a formal boarding school and military training camp."
"Why are you going there?"
"Well to continue my education and train."
"Why are you training?"
"As the son of a duke, even if I am the second son I am supposed to have military training should I ever be called for service for my country."
"Are you happy about that?"
"I am delighted, everyone should serve their country, a country that has done so much everyone one of us, we should be accepting of that call to arms, we should be honored."
"That is an admirable quality to possess at only 11 years old."
"Thank you so let me see what you need help with."
We settled back down on the blanket and began to read, I explained to her what I could and we continued to read together. We learned about political parties and how our government works, and the legal system. It was truly fascinating. We sat extremely close together and I continued to feel those tingling feelings stir within me. They were strange, I had never felt them before, and they felt good and calming. As time passed I looked at my watch and then interrupted her in the middle of reading.
"Holly its nearly 5:30 the sun will be going down soon and the dinner dressing gong will ring, we should head back to the house. Let me escort you there."
"I would very much like that."
Holly's P.O.V.:
As we headed towards the house his hand was intertwined with mine. Having his arm there and knowing he was there was a calming sensation. I felt nice and I felt this warming aura from my core. He led me to the front door and opened it while letting go of me. We snuck in and walked up the stairs, he looked at me gave me a nod and went in the opposite direction as me towards his chambers. I quickly made it to me room, as I entered my lady's maid Martha was there.
"Lady Holly there you are I was looking for you, where were you?"
"I was reading Martha."
"Alright now go clean off and lets get you dressed for dinner, you have to be extremely presentable tonight with his lordship's friends over."
"Yes Martha."
Greg's P.O.V.:
I quickly sped up as I made my way to where we were staying. As I entered I exhaled a breath that I didn't even know I was holding. Holly was a true treasure and one of kind. I really do like her, she has spirit and doesn't care for titles and what not. Tom came over and began to shoo me towards the bathroom to wash up.
"Master Greg why is your jacket torn and all dirty? Have you been climbing again?"
"Yes sorry Tom, I was just having so much fun and couldn't hold back. The trees are amazing here."
"Did you fall Master Greg?"
"Yes but I am all fine see." I said twirling around.
"Yes but next time you may not be so lucky. This time I will let it go, I will take your jacket down and have it mended before your parents find out, just promise me no more."
"Yes Tom."
"Not lets get you all dressed up, your dad gave this to me. This is your first set of dress tails. You should me proud this means your dad thinks you are ready to grow and be a man."
"I hate this Tom, I want to still be a kid and have fun."
"Oh trust me there is fun when you are more grown up too." We settled into a small comfortable silence as he finished fixing my jacket and tails.
"Tom can I ask you a question?"
"What is master Greg?"
"Holly, the earl's younger daughter, do you think she is pretty?"
"She is very pretty Greg."
"I think she is the best person on the planet, she is amazing and polite and gentle and…"
"What is going on Greg?"
"I met her today when I fell and she was so kind and helpful and amazing?"
"Well looks like you made a great friend Master Greg."
"What if I don't want her to be only a friend Tom?"
"That's a conversation for you to have with your parents and should only be worrying about in a few years time."
"Okay Tom, thank you for your help."
"Anytime Master Greg."
I made my way down stairs and as I got down the stairs I heard footsteps coming from the staircase. I turned to see Holly begin to descend the stairs. Her gown slightly behind her and she confidently walked down the stairs with pose. I felt that tingling sensation again. I was almost in a daze until she was a few mere feet away from me.
"Holly."
"Greg, you clean up nice."
"Why thank you, and you…well you look absolutely stunning."
Holly's P.O.V.:
We spent most of the night together talking about politics and that book that she was reading. We did a little bit of dancing as we moved into the drawing room after dinner. It was a little weird because he was about the same height as me, normally from what I have seen the boy is usually significantly taller. The night passed quickly because Martha rushed me up the stairs shortly afterwards. I bid Greg a good night and curtsied.
AN: TIME BREAK
The weekend and following days passed by quickly, because before I knew it, I was standing outside watching Greg and his family getting ready to head to the station to leave for Devonshire again. I was sadden by this but I knew that I would see him again at some other event and at next years party and I also knew we could keep correspondences through letters. I waved good-bye as he pulled out of the driveway. I ran to the library and began to write my first letter.
AN: TIME BREAK AND 3RD PERSON P.O.V.
As timed passed the letters became less frequent and by the end of the year he had become so busy with academy work that he stopped replying all together. She sent one last letter in the hopes that he would respond and explain why he hadn't been writing back lately. No response ever came. Greg was working night and day to preform well and become the best he could be. Beyond basic studies and training, he signed up to be taken into the special law program. He would gain a deep understanding of the law and be groomed to go to university for law should he choose to. He didn't have time to respond to Holly's letters. But outside of the letters he didn't keep in contact because in part the academy limited the letters he received and so he thought that she moved on to in some regards.
As the year rounded out and the academy was finishing up he was offered the chance to remain on campus for the summer to continue his military and law training. The special program would allow him to streamline his training and become more advanced than his fellow class mates, it would also help free up parts of his fall schedule so he could take more electives. He accepted without hesitation and informed his parents through a short phone call. He was permitted to leave for one week to go home and relax before jumping into the program. Greg took advantage of the week and went straight home. As he got off the train he felt stronger and weird. He hadn't been home in 9 months, with the exception of a 5day break for Christmas 6 months ago. Devonshire seemed different and distant.
Greg's P.O.V.:
"Tom, it is so great to see you."
"Likewise Master Greg."
"How is everyone at home?"
"Well, and you look amazing might I add Master Greg."
"I did grow 2 inches according to my medical records and I put on a little muscle."
"Splendid sire, shall we head home now?"
"Yes please."
I spent the next few days at home and was content with how my life was shaping out. I enjoyed every experience at the academy; I was ecstatic that I was accepted into the law program. I have Holly to thank for that. She really turned me to the law and politics when we started hanging out and reading that book together at the garden party last year. I won't be able to attend this year unfortunately. I started thinking about Holly. What ever happened to her, I stopped getting her letters. I remember her like a vision, a goddess from somewhere faraway. My thought drifted to her and what started to develop that trip. She said she was going to become that perfect wife for someone some man out there. Well I will become a man worthy of such a wife, a worthy husband that can love someone and be loved back. That is a big motivation for staying at the academy. As the second son I will never inherit anything and training will give me purpose, a skill set that can't be taken away, something I can put to use later on in life.
"Father."
"Gregory. How are you my son?"
"Well father, thank you for asking, and yourself?"
"Getting through it. Look at the young man you have become. Your mother and I are extremely proud of how you are doing and how grown up are becoming."
"Thank you father, your approval means so much to me."
"How has the academy been?"
"Fine, I am learning so much I love it. The only down side is the lack of time off and being able to be home with you guys."
"If you love it that much you will be able to move past it."
"I know it was definitely an adjustment."
I talked to my father for a while longer, and then went to meet my mom and brothers. I went through the library and went down to meet the staff again. I missed my home, but not as much as I missed Holly. I asked my dad if I could call the Shrewsbury house and he set me up on the phone. I went through the operator and finally Herald picked up.
"Hello, Herald the butler of Shrewsbury, speaking how may I help you?"
"Hello may I please speak to Lady Holly?"
"May I know who is calling?"
"Its just a friend."
"Very well sir, just a moment."
"Hello who's there?" I finally heard her voice. I missed the sound of it and I was tongue-tied, I couldn't speak I couldn't respond.
"Hello is anyone there?"
"H.."
"Herald no one is there, who did you say called?"
"A man identified himself as your friend and said it was urgent that he spoke with you."
The line went dead, as she hung up. I wanted to call back, I wanted to say 'Hi Holly its me Greg, I wanted to say that I miss you and I miss your letters, that I am sorry I have been so busy and unreachable lately, I wanted to say so much and couldn't say anything.
The rest of my break passed quickly, as I got ready to leave for the academy my family readied to leave for the garden party. Part of me wanted to go with them, but I knew where my duties lied and I couldn't forsake them for a whimsical feeling or urge.
3RD PERSON VIEW:
As the Heffleys made there way to the annual garden party the same cycle of busy activity flourished within the Hills house. Greg headed back to the academy. When the Heffley car appeared in front of the Hills house no one was more excited and subsequently let down than Holly. When Greg didn't step out of the car she walked over and saw no one else there. She steeled herself, closed off emotion and smiled as the Heffleys made there way into the house. When given the chance she politely asked where Greg was.
"Oh Holly dear he is still at the academy doing a special summer course in law, to help him advance quicker within the system. Didn't he tell you sweetie?"
"No he didn't, he hasn't spoken to me in a few months actually, since before Christmas."
"Oh dear, its nothing personal he has just been so busy, I am sure that if he could have been here he would be, and I know that if he had any time he would write you or call you immediately."
"Okay thank you for that clarification Mrs. Heffley."
Holly retreated from the formal room to her room to grab her blanket and book. She had finished the History of Politics in England with Greg last year at the party, but wanted to read it. Somehow it made her feel closer to Greg. She retreated into herself for the rest of the party. She wasn't as lively as she normally was. Mr. Hills and others realized how crushed she was by Greg's absence. She didn't exactly resent Greg, because she understood that he was busy, but she did resent him for not writing for not telling her himself, for not being here. She pushed any feelings she had aside and tried to forget about him and everything he made her feel.
It would be a long time until she was going to open herself up to anyone else, a long time until she was willing to let anyone else in. It would a long long time until she forgave Greg and ever crossed paths with him again.
Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I had fun writing this I may do more future installments that will continue to act as prequels to No More Suitors, Lady Holly is Engaged. Let me know what you think.