Secrets Burn The Brightest
Chapter One: Gone Now Are Simpler Days
"Ouch," Alice cried out. "Mother it truly isn't a big deal, I've been offered jobs before. You musn't make such a fuss over it, and will you please
loosen my corset? It certainly does not need to be this tight. It isn't like I am going on a date. I'm just a nanny, mother."
"You mean to tell me that this hasn't fased you. Ned I spell it out? General is a very wealthy man, and he intends to pay you to come live with him!"
Said mother.
"Mother he isn't in the least bit interested in me, he has a dark-haired beauty who also came from a wealthy family. They have a child together, and
I certainly wouldn't dare to even dream of such a thing."
"If Mary Katherine was still present why would he need you? Hasn't anyone informed you of what has come about?"
"What ever do you mean mother?"
"Mary Katherine was having an affair while General was out fighting the war. He found out when he returned. He was just crushed. Alhough, he
still begged her to stay, but she and Sir Thomas had made plans otherwise. She took off without so much as a goodbye to her own daughter."
"That's just horrible, he is such a fine gentlmen. For her to do that to him she must be as mad as the hatter."
"Well, I'm finished. You look marvelous!"
She looked in the mirror and was left speechless. From her head casscaded a waterfall of chocolate. She had been blessed with long, gorgeous,
brown hair. Her hair was straight, and it went clear down to her knees. Eyes deep ponds of light blue on a cool summer eve. Her skin was the fairest of all.
Pale and pure, such as a white rose. Her nose was but a dainty button. Lips a lush pink. Alice never wore make-up, only colored her lips. Her dress was a
nice, modest ble. White trimmed the edges. Her dress started at her collar bone, and it went down to her ankles. It was long sleeved and hugged her
bodice, but from the waist down flowed outward. Her mother had sown it days before.
"Alright now, Herald is waiting with your luggage on the horse. You had better hurry, you don't want to be late now do you?" Mother said holding
back tears.
"Mother please don't cry. I am twenty-three years of age. I am not a baby anymore. I am gonna miss you, but you'll see me somtimes. Besides,
you have father to keep you company." Alice sighed while trying to console her mother.
"I know, but I am just so used to you being here. We lost your brother, and I simply wouldn't be able to go on if I wasn't completely sure that you
were okay." Mother reasoned.
"Helen you will be fine," father shouted from his chair in the front parlor. "Alice you go on now."
Father is right mother. I must go."
"I love you, and don't you dare go and forget about me." Mother whined.