The Hockley's- Hearts Betrayed
By HL Griffiths
This story is a companion story to "Titanic-The Heart Never Lies" and "The Heart Goes on". It explains about Caledon Hockley's mother and father and also follows the Hockley families fate in the aftermath of Titanics sinking and beyond.
The Hockley's - Hearts Betrayed
Prologue ONE
Tremaine Manor, Boston
in the Year 1880
On a mild spring day two young girls were seen walking through the gardens of Tremaine Manor, Boston. The house large and elaborate. Owned by the powerful industrialist Charles Tremaine and his wife Martha-Anne.
Giggles could be heard as the eldest Tremaine girl taller than her sister unlatched the far garden gate and stepped into the buttercup meadow that rolled down to the river. The picturesque meadow, wild and natural a stark contrast to the neatness and order of the manors gardens manicured and groomed by a team of gardeners.
The older girl once out of sight of the big house squealed with delight and ripped the fussy hat from her head and tossed it high in the air.
"Oh how I hate wearing hats" she exclaimed, and pulled the pins out from her foil of dark blonde straight hair with natural highlights. It tumbled freely down her shoulders and back.
"To be free" The girl cried her large grey eyes happy. The sound of children's laughter floated in the air. The little girl copied her sister and unfurled her hair from its plaits, her hair some shades lighter but both shared the smoky innocent long lashed grey storm coloured eyes.
"Demelza wait for me" she called in her childish voice, her body skinny and gangly, a nearly thirteen year old child-woman...
The girl Demelza turned and looked back at her little sister, she was fifteen and longer legged, slim but curves already developed. A smile on her sweet heart shaped face, and rosy mouth. Demelza Martha Tremaine was already a beauty at fifteen and turning men's heads and was totally unaware of the power of her femininity.
In her hands she carried a sketch pad and her puffing sister carrying the crayons was little Hope Anne Tremaine. Her hair streaming behind her as they ran to the edge of the field.
The sisters settled down and were drawing in companiable silence.
Hope peered over Demelza shoulders. The images she had drawn of the daisies were stunning and lifelike. Her own weren't quite as detailed as Demelza's but were still good. Both girls sharing the same artistic traits!
"Demelza that is so good, I wish I could draw as well as you, you are so good at everything" A younger sister's envy in Hopes voice.
Demelza looked at Hope, eyes wide and suddenly sad
"Don't wish to be me my darling Hope" she said in her soft voice, she took Hopes small hand in hers. "Don't wish yourself in my place, ever"
Hope for a young girl was tuned into Demelza s psyche, she could sense worry and unhappiness in Demelzas tones and demeanour
"What is it Della?" Hope said using her childhood nickname for her sister.
"You will know soon enough Hope" Demelza said "I should tell you before Mamma and Pappa put their plans in place"
A darkness fell over Demelza's face, her smile faded.
"You know I want to the De-Villier's dinner the other night, well Pappa introduced me to a most influential man who is older, mature and is very serious and strict, Pappa revealed his plans over supper. This man Hope is to be my future husband! Pappa announced the enegaament"
"Demelza!" Hope exclaimed. "You cant be married yet you are not yet sixteen"
"Nearly sixteen, on my birthday we will have an Engagement Gala then a wedding soon after. Pappa tells me it is a great honour, that this man has a great name and fortune and is looking for a wife and to have sons and heirs" Demelza voice trailed off, tears fell from her eyes. "The match will be good for the house of Tremaine!"
Hope let her sister put her head on her shoulder.
"Hope, he's so dark faced and stern looking, he is only 25 but looks so much older. He seems a person to get his own way, but he found me pleasing enough on the eye...! And healthy looking enough to have fine sons ! He told Pappa"
Demelza burst into noisy sobs
"I don't wish to marry, I don't want children I want to stay with you Hope and draw and play with my dogs and help Mamma"
"What does a girl like me know of marriage to a man like that?" she whispered to herself not wishing to alarm Hope,
In Delmelza's heart she now knew what fate a high bred lady like her had. Pappa had spelt in out in the carriage on the way home. He had told her that it was her duty to marry well and carry the Tremaine name proudly and obey and be faithful and obedient to her husband.
Martha-Anne had been looking at the floor when Charles Tremaine was spouting forth on the list of attributes needed to be a successful society wife!
All her married life Martha-Anne had been exactly what Charles was instructing Demelza she had to be. And it hadn't made her happy; the only happiness she had was her two girls.
Sweet, gentle Demelza, always the first to find a wounded bird and want to nurture it back to health, she was not a worldly girl, her head in the clouds or bent over her sketch book drawing wonderful pictures of the wildlife of animals she loved. Her youngest. The more robust Hope, so much a copy of her sister to look at but with a stronger will.
Demelza wiped her tears and carried on drawing. But her mind not on the task. She was frightened for herself and she could not warn Hope that one day she would share the same fate.
These days of innocence and childhood soon to be ended. Much would be expected of the future Mrs Nathan Frederick Hockley. It would be a hard role to take on and it was one Demelza Tremaine was not relishing. She had no choice!.
