April 1912
Treegap, Ohio
It was a bright clear day in Treegap Ohio. The kind of day that makes one just want to go outside and become one with nature. And that's exactly what seventeen year old Rose Dewitt Bukater was trying to do as she laid on a blanket spread out on the grass on the lawn of her mansion, watching the clouds above. Her green eyes sparkled with delight as she daydreamed about a life full of love, freedom, and adventure. Things her life greatly lacked at the moment.
The Dewitt Bukater family were an extremely rich family. They owned most of town and the forest surrounding it. Their mansion was on the outskirts of town, right at the entrance to the woods. The woods that were forbidden to Rose…just like everything else that was fun and adventurous. Nonetheless, forbidden or not, they beckoned to the seventeen year old, just as the witch beckoned to Snow White to eat the apple, promising to make all her dreams come to life. To free her from the confines of her pampered and sheltered life that she was so tired of. But she didn't dare leave the confines of her yard. Her mother would kill her if she even tried.
"Rose! Rose! It's time for tea! Come in this instant!" Ruth Dewitt Bukater's voice interrupted the silence of the afternoon.
Rose sat up, her daydreams now over. Sitting in the parlor with her mother and her boring friend Rachel Rothes was the last thing she wanted to do, but she had no choice. It was her duty as a proper first class girl. Taking one last glance at the woods, she went inside, longing for the freedom the forest had to offer. A freedom that she was sure that she would never get to enjoy.
…..
Mae Dawson stood outside the train station, waiting for her two sons Miles and Jack to arrive from their trip to Paris. It's been ten long years since she saw them last and finally they were coming home.
"Ma!" A jubilant shout rang out through the station. Mae glanced up to see a blonde haired boy happily waving as an older man stepped up beside him
"Boys!" Mae ran to meet her sons Jack and Miles. Jack, the youngest and most cheerful threw his arms around her, happy to be home. Miles, who was two years older then Jack and a lot more subdued just stood a few inches away and watched the reunion. "Oh it's so good to have you home!"
"It's good to be home," Jack held up his portfolio, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I made you some sketches of Paris. Do you want to see them?"
"That can wait 'til we get home Jack. There's more important things that we have to discuss . More important then those cartoons of yours," Miles scalded, feeling annoyed by his brother's constant good mood, especially when they came home bearing serious news.
"They're not cartoons," Jack glared at his brother, hurt by Miles' harshness. "You're just being rude."
"Boys, stop. Let's not fight. This is your first night home. Let's make it a nice, quiet one. Jack, you can show me your drawings later. Miles, we'll discuss this business of yours when we get to the cabin," Mae interrupted before a fight could breakout between her sons.
"Yes ma," both boys said in unison, following their mother back to the cabin that the family had resided in for as long as any of them could remember.
…..
Rose sat in the parlor, listening to the boring gossip between her mother and Rachel Rothes. They weren't talking about much. Just about how vulgar that woman, Molly Brown was and how new money was the bane of the universe. Rose thought the women rude and jealous. Rose admired the Brown woman. She was interesting and daring, unlike her own mother and her lady friends. She stifled a yawn, thinking of how she would much rather be outside exploring the woods beyond the mansion and beyond the woods…the world. She wanted adventure in the great wide open. Not a day of listening to Rachel Rothes talk about the evils of new money.
"Rose!" Ruth's voice again cut into her thoughts.
Not for the first time, Rose wondered why her mother couldn't leave her alone to her daydreams? Didn't she know that they were the only freedom she had. Every other aspect of her life was strictly controlled by her parents. It wasn't fair!
"Are you listening?" Ruth stared at her daughter, wishing that she would try to pay attention. These were important matters in a troubled time for the family. "Caledon Hockley is in town looking for a suitable bride. I suggest you make yourself presentable."
"Mother, I'm too young to marry," Rose sighed and shook her head, not even wanting to consider the possibility.
"Too young?! Why Rose, I was your age when I met your Harold!" Rachel laughed. "You better start now. You're not getting any younger."
"Indeed," Ruth nodded in agreement. "And with the lack of suitable young men here in Treegap, Mr. Hockley's arrival is right on time."
Rose rolled her eyes. Her mother would never understand that marriage was at the bottom of her list of priorities. Ruth would die to know that her daughter wanted to be like the infamous Molly Brown. She wanted to learn and travel and see the world! Experience new things! Marriage was not on her list of things to do with her life.
"Don't roll your eyes at me Rose Elizabeth Dewitt Bukater. I know what I'm talking about," Ruth sipped her tea as she glared sternly at her daughter. "You are at the age now when young ladies in your position receive suitors and their parents pick out a rich husband."
"Ruth, I have Mr. Hockley's office number right here. Call and make an appointment for Rose," Rachel picked up her purse and pulled out what seemed to be a business card.
"Mother, what does daddy say about all of this?" Rose crossed her arms. She knew that he wouldn't approve. Rose was her father's little girl. He would never allow Rose to marry at the young age of seventeen.
"I haven't talked to your father yet. But I am sure that he would agree once I tell him about Mr. Hockley," Ruth turned to Rachel. "Above all, my husband is a business man and he well knows that a union with the Hockley name is good for business."
"May I please be excused," Rose forced a smile, tired of the subject of marriage and Caledon Hockley. She could think of a much better way to spend the rest of the day.
Ruth stared at her suspiciously. "You're not going back outside are you? Honestly Rose, I wish you'd stay out of the sun. It's making your skin freckle."
"I was going to my room mother. I want to practice my french."
"Very well then. We can't have you neglecting your lessons."
"Thank you," Rose stood and as slow as she could, walked up to her room. Once she was in the safety of her room, she fell back onto the bed and continued her daydreams of adventure and fun that she was in middle of before Ruth had interrupted with her talk of marriage and business.
…..
The Dawson cabin sat deep in the woods, away from the town of Treegap. Away from the rush of everyday life. It was a home frozen in time, yet full of love and warmth. Inside most of the Dawson's were full of good cheer. Mae and Angus sat back and clapped as Jack showed them a funny picture in the portfolio Mae had given him as a birthday present. Everyone was happy to be together again…everyone except Miles, who sat away from his parents and brother with a dark frown.
His brother was behaving as if nothing happened, as if they hadn't seen the tall mysterious man following them. But Miles wasn't foolish enough to forget. He had agreed to return to Treegap for one reason only…to warn Mae and Angus of impending danger.
"Some one knows," he interrupted his mother's laughter. "Someone's found out about us."
All laughter stopped. A heavy silence descended on the tiny cabin, giving it an oppressive air.
"What did you say?" Mae grabbed hold of Jack as they got to their feet.
"Shut up Miles. You're ruining everything," Jack glared at his brother. He hadn't wanted to add to his parents burden. He wanted to make this a normal visit.
"No, you shut up Jack. They need to know this," Miles looked back at his father, who now wore a worried frown. "Someone was following us in Paris."
"Oh God Angus," Mae held tight to her husband. Her greatest fear had just been realized. "Who can it be?"
"We don't know. Jack and I saw his silhouette as we hoped the train back here. He's tall. That's all I can tell you."
"Angus, what are we going to do?" Mae gasped, her blue eyes worried.
"Batten down the hatches. That's what. No one goes back into town until further notice. Any strangers we come across in the woods…you know what to do with them," Angus's voice was dark with foreboding. "No exceptions."
"Angus!"
"We have no choice Mae. It's either that, or be discovered."
"This is crazy," Jack set back in the chair, glaring at his brother unhappily. He hated when things got like this. Everything just felt...wrong.
"Shut up Jack," Miles disappeared up to his room, not in the least bit guilty.
The remaining three Dawson's looked at each other, their previous good mood gone as they wondered who the stranger was and what they wanted. Hopefully that was something that they would never find out.