Chapter One
June 1808 - Chelsea
Chelsea Moretti strolled out into the garden of her Italian home. Her mother was talking to her father in hushed voices. Chelsea was puzzled but knew better than to interrupt them. So she turned and walked back towards their medium sized house. It was a beautiful thing in Chelsea's eyes. She loved the red brick walls that were chipped which gave it more of an antique look. A chimney shot out on the east side and didn't appear to have smoke coming out now since it was June and was a hot day already. This house was Chelsea's haven. She loved sitting in the large sitting room and having tea with her mother and younger sister or having some of her friends over for gatherings. Her very own room was spacious. She could lounge on her comfy bed and read a good book. She loved sitting in the dinning room with her family while they were having their evening dinner and they would make quiet talk and her father would ask each of his three children how their days were.
Also at breakfast when her father read the daily paper sometimes he would announce horrific tales about herself and her dearest friend, Heidi de Luna. She was often confused at some of the most scandalous rumors that spoke of herself and Heidi. She then would have to go over and see if her friend had heard of them.
She strolled inside and almost crashed into her younger brother, Henry, whom she quickly told she was going down to the market. She maybe could meet up with Heidi and they could go look at all the handsome men. Of course Heidi would have no trouble attracting any man's attention with her beauty. It was said that Heidi was the most gorgeous girl in all of Italy with Chelsea following closely behind with her long legs and tall stature.
Chelsea's blue eyes focused on her family's carriage and their driver waiting for them. Her blonde hair was done very simple which consisted of curls that reached her shoulders and framed her oval face.
She wandered to their carriage and commanded the driver to take her to the market.
She climbed in, watching her long dress before sitting down. The carriage started down the long road and Chelsea felt the bumps in the road as she looked out the window and observed the country side.
Chelsea and her family lived just out of Volterra on top of a little hill. It was springtime and the countryside was beautiful. Today, the sun was shining and Chelsea was careless to forget her headpiece to cover her golden hair.
The cart soon came to a stop and Chelsea opened the door and lifted herself gracefully down the two steps. She straightened out her rose pink dress and then started walking towards the little market in the heart of Volterra.
She was in love with the big city, with it's tall buildings and beautiful flowers. She brushed past the stand where a man was selling grapes and homemade wine. She nodded and smiled at another young man who tried to sell her some freshly picked berries.
"Ah who is this? My dear Chelsea!" A deep voice came from behind her and she spun to see Ferand come up beside her. Ferand was her friend and they had been close like brother and sister since they were little. He was only a year older than her and was her close friend, next to Heidi. He stood tall and proud with pitch black hair and deep brown eyes. She could see stubble present along his strong jawline and chin.
"Ferand! So nice of you to join me! Isn't is wonderful day?" Chelsea took his arm that he held out and she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow before they made their way through the crowd of people.
He patted her hand. "My dear, it sure is. What are you doing all alone without a friend or two? I'm surprised you are out alone."
Chelsea smiled up at him. "Perhaps I was just waiting for you to come along and surprise me. Plus I needed to just go out by myself for a while."
Ferand nodded. A pause followed before, "Well my dear now I would like to invite you to my very own ball two Saturdays from this one."
Chelsea was surprised. "Oh Ferand, that's wonderful! Absolutely grand! I cannot wait! Thank you ever so much."
He laughed. "Of course, it shall be the most wonderous ball of the year! You must come, I have already invited the rest of your friends by invitation I just thought I should invite you in person."
"I'm honoured." Chelsea said, and she truly was. She dipped her head to Ferand who grinned down at her.
They stopped at a little booth where a woman was showing beaded necklaces which were mostly pearl.
Chelsea saw a beautiful white pearled necklace and touched it ever so gently.
"Would you care to try it on miss?" The woman asked as she eyed Chelsea's bare neck.
"Oh it's beautiful but I didn't think to bring anything with me." Chelsea declined but soon the necklace was gone and in Ferand hand's. He was behind her and swung the necklace in front of her and onto her open neck.
She was speechless as she lifted her hair for him and he did up the clasp. The woman held up a mirror for her and Chelsea was stunned. The necklace looked gorgeous against her sun-kissed skin and it went with her dress so well, and by darn, it would go with any dress in her closet.
"It's beautiful." She whispered.
"That it is. We'll take it." Ferand announced and before Chelsea could protest, he handed the woman coins and was whisking her away from the stand.
"Ferand, no! You didn't." Chelsea said horrified.
"Yes I did. It suits you all too well. You must wear it to the ball, please." He held out his arm for her once again and she took it.
Chelsea sighed. "Of course, but you shouldn't spoil me so." Ferand only laughed his loud, booming laugh.
They walked on in silence and listened to the hustle and loud voices of the citizens around them.
Suddenly a flash of red caught her eye. She turned and saw three red cloaked figures walking towards them. Their hoods were up, shading their face.
Ferand moved her out of the way and whispered to her to avert her eyes. Just then the one in the middle snapped his head in their direction, almost as if he heard Ferand whisper to her, and Chelsea thought she caught his hard stare.
She almost stumbled to the ground if it wasn't for Ferand holding her.
His eyes looked red from underneath the hood but it must be her mind playing tricks on her, or perhaps the heat was getting to her head.
She really should have remembered her headpiece.
