A New Beginning
Chapter 1
"We have reached Trenwith Mam," the driver of the stage coach announced.
"Thank you," Annabelle Higgins said.
The coach had stopped so Annabelle carefully climbed out, the driver assisting her. He had placed her valise on the ground and she picked it up and headed towards the house. It was exactly as she remembered it from before she was married from when she visited Verity and Francis Poldark. From time to time she had seen their cousin Ross there as well and she had always thought him very attractive. Unfortunately he had only had eyes for Elizabeth Chynoweth and considered her a friend and nothing more. Then he had gone away to fight in the American War of Independence and nothing had been heard from him since. A servant was approaching so Annabelle asked him to let Verity and Francis know that she was there. He took her valise and told her he would do so.
"Thank you," Annabelle said.
A few minutes later Verity emerged and running over to Annabelle she flung her arms around her.
"How are you Annabelle? It is so good to see you," she asked.
"Oh Verity what am I to do? Rodger has died and I was left with nothing. Only… only our child," Annabelle said.
"You're with child?" Verity asked.
"Yes. Oh I'm not due to birth the child for many months yet. But I know the signs," Annabelle said.
"Tell me what happened to Rodger," Verity said.
Annabelle told Verity the sad story of Rodger's gambling and how he'd lost everything and then his life when he refused to pay what he owed. I had no choice but to return home and hope that you and Francis could help me. My parents are dead and I have no one now," Annabelle said.
Verity knew that Annabelle was an only child and that her plight was desperate indeed.
"Come inside. I will talk to Father and see if you can live here with us," Verity said.
"Thank you that is most kind," Annabelle said.
She followed Verity inside where a servant met them. Verity asked the servant to get them some refreshments then showed Annabelle to a seat.
"So how is Francis?" Annabelle asked.
"He is married," Verity said.
"That's wonderful news. Who did he marry?" Annabelle asked.
"Elizabeth. They formed an attachment after we didn't hear anything from Ross for two years. Everyone thought Ross had died," Verity said
"But he is still alive?" Annabelle asked.
"Yes but heartbroken about Elizabeth. He still loved her you know," Verity said.
"But they didn't have any formal arrangement," Annabelle said, understanding at once.
Verity nodded.
"Wait here I will go and speak to Father," Verity said.
Annabelle nodded and Verity stood and went upstairs. Annabelle's mind was on Ross. If he was single again as he undoubtedly would be she wondered if she stood any chance. Clearly he had no chance with Elizabeth now. Of course he would think she was still married and thus unavailable. She wondered when he would next be coming to Trenwith but didn't feel it appropriate to ask. When Verity returned she was smiling.
"Father has said you can have a room here for as long as you need," Verity said.
"That's wonderful," Annabelle said.
"And you'll be able to see Ross tonight. We are expecting him to join us for dinner," Verity said.
Annabelle's heart fluttered to hear that and she smiled at Verity.
"That sounds lovely. I hope he will remember me," Annabelle said.
Just then Francis and Elizabeth came downstairs They greeted Annabelle and expressed their sympathies about her predicament.
"Perhaps she and Ross can form an attachment," Francis whispered to Elizabeth.'
"What a good idea Francis, they would make an excellent match," Elizabeth whispered back. Annabelle visited with Francis and Elizabeth for a while before a servant showed her to her new room. There she freshened up and re did her hair. As she was completing her dinner preparations she heard hooves on the driveway as Ross had arrived.
Ross Poldark dismounted from Darkie and handed the reins to the servant that had come out to meet him.
"See to my horse. I will call for him when I am ready to return home," Ross said.
"Very good sir," the servant said, bowing then leading Darkie away.
Ross walked to the door of Trenwith where he was shown inside and through to the sitting room. As he entered he smiled to see Verity, Francis, his Uncle Charles, Great Aunt Agatha and Elizabeth. Then he noticed the woman sitting next to Verity and did a double take. It was Annabelle Higgins and he couldn't for the life of him imagine why she was there. And she was without her husband Rodger. He had learnt that she'd married Rodger after he'd gone away to war. He greeted his family then turned to Annabelle.
"Hello Annabelle," he said.
"Hello Ross," Annabelle said.
"I see you remember Annabelle," Francis said to Ross.
"Of course I do," Ross said.
He sat down next to Francis hoping someone would enlighten him as to why Annabelle was there and why Rodger wasn't with her.
Annabelle had felt flutters in her stomach when Ross had said hello to her. He looked handsome in breeches, a frock coat and waist coat, his long curly dark hair loose. He had gained some muscle during the war as well as a scar that ran down his cheek. It didn't detract from his good looks though.
"I guess you must be wondering why Annabelle is here," Francis finally spoke up.
"Yes I am. I hope nothing is wrong with Rodger," Ross said.
"Rodger is the reason Annabelle is here. He has died and Annabelle has been left with nothing," Francis said.
"What?" Ross asked, shocked and stunned.
"He fell into the wrong company and gambled everything away. When he wouldn't pay what he owed his so called friends killed him. I found out when they showed up at our estate and said they now owned it and produced papers to back their claims. I had to get out I had no choice," Annabelle said.
"The dirty scoundrels, all they wanted was Rodger's money. I am glad they let you leave," Ross said.
"There is more. I am with child. Rodger's child. I have no way to support the babe once it arrives," Annabelle said.
Ross looked shocked and stunned again. Annabelle was pregnant? That put a completely different spin on her plight.
"Did Rodger know of your child?" Ross asked.
"No I only just suspected it myself having started to have the signs," Annabelle said.
"What you need is a new man," Charles said.
"I am still grieving for Rodger. I need time to come to terms with what's happened and then move on," Annabelle said.
"She will be an excellent match for you boy," Charles said to Ross.
"Did you not hear what she just said Uncle? Annabelle won't even be thinking of forming any attachments just yet," Ross said.
"I meant when the time was right," Charles said.
"I am sorry Annabelle," Ross said.
"Don't be sorry. Your Uncle is right we probably would be an excellent match," Annabelle said.
Ross smiled at her. With Elizabeth no longer in the picture he had been viewing her in a different light. But knowing she was still grieving he knew he needed to wait till the time was right. He wasn't sure if he himself was ready to court again.
"Annabelle I too am with child. So we can share in this together," Elizabeth spoke up.
Annabelle nodded and just then a servant came in to say that dinner was served. So everyone moved to the dining room. Annabelle was seated next to Verity and Ross next to Francis. So they were opposite each other. Charles said grace and then the meal began. As she ate Annabelle noticed Ross sneaking a look at her every so often and it sent a flutter down her spine.
"So how are things out at Nampara? How is your father?" Annabelle asked Ross.
"Father died before I returned from the war. I am now Master of Nampara. I found the estate derelict as the servants had not kept it up. However things are improving. I have a new kitchen maid and she is doing an excellent job. Jud and Prudie are as lazy as ever," Ross said.
"Why do you keep them on?" Annabelle asked.
"I don't rightly know. I guess I was soft hearted," Ross said.
"Tell me about your kitchen maid," Annabelle said.
"Her name is Demelza Carne and I saved her from a fight at market day. She told me her father beat her and I've seen the scars so I made her my kitchen maid," Ross said.
"And how did her father take that?" Annabelle asked.
"He came to get her and we had a fight. He picked the wrong man to fight with though since I am a trained soldier after all. I beat him soundly and sent him packing. Demelza was scared and hid but Prudie found her after," Ross said.
Annabelle nodded and then Verity spoke.
"There is to be a charity ball next week and it's being held in the Assembly Hall. Do you think you might like to come to it Ross?" she said.
The idea didn't really appeal to Ross but then he looked over at Annabelle and suddenly the idea wasn't so unappealing.
"It sounds like a nice evening out. How about you Annabelle do you think you might go?" Ross said.
"I couldn't really dance. Not in my present condition. But I would like to go. I might see people I knew before I got married," Annabelle said.
She held her breath wondering if Ross might offer to escort her to the ball.
"Would you do me the honour of allowing me to escort you Mrs Higgins?" Ross asked.
"I'd be delighted to Mr Poldark," Annabelle said.
Ross smiled happily not noticing the look Elizabeth and Francis exchanged. Verity looked crushed as she'd been hoping Ross would escort her.
"What's wrong Verity?" Annabelle asked noticing Verity looked upset.
Verity took a deep breath.
"I had hoped Ross would escort me," Verity said.
Annabelle looked at Ross who smiled.
"You can come with us," Ross said.
Verity beamed and Annabelle nodded. She knew as well as Ross that balls were occasions for people to meet others and attachments were often formed at balls. The group continued to make small talk until dinner was over and then moved back into the sitting room and continued to talk there until Ross had to return to Nampara. During the conversation that followed dinner Annabelle kept catching Ross sneaking looks at her and after he had gone and she and Verity were alone upstairs she smiled at Verity.
"Did you notice the looks Ross kept giving me? I think he likes me," Annabelle said.
"Do you like him?" Verity asked.
"Was I that obvious?" Annabelle asked.
"It was all over your face," Verity said.
"He's so handsome with his brown eyes and long hair. I don't mind his scar it adds to his attractiveness," Annabelle said.
"I really hope it works out for you," Elizabeth said, coming into the room.
"We shall see," Annabelle said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I hurt him badly. I really should have called off the engagement - I still loved him – but it would have caused a scandal so I felt I had to go through with marrying Francis. To be honest I'm not happy in the marriage but what's done is done. Ross deserves to be happy and I hope you can be the one to make him happy. He will be a good father to your babe," Elizabeth said.
The next day Annabelle and Verity rode out to Nampara as Verity wanted to show Annabelle Ross' estate. When they got there Jud told them Ross had gone for a swim. So they made their way to the cliffs to try and spot him. When they got there they peered through the grass and spotted Ross. Annabelle's eyes widened when she realised he was completely naked.
"Does Ross do this often? Swim naked I mean?" Annabelle asked.
"Yes he does. There isn't anyone else around usually," Verity said.
Annabelle knew Ross would be embarrassed if he knew they were watching so she decided to return to Ross' home and wait for him there. The two did so and were provided refreshments by Demelza.
"Hello Miss Verity," Demelza said as she put the refreshments down.
"Hello Demelza. This is Mrs Annabelle Higgins," Verity said introducing Annabelle.
"Mam," Demelza said curtseying respectfully.
"That will be all," Verity said.
Demelza curtseyed and left. The two women partook of the refreshments and talked until Ross came through the door. He stopped noticing he had visitors then broke into a smile when he saw Annabelle.
"Hello Ross, Annabelle wanted to see your estate so we rode over here," Verity said.