Chapter 3
June 1808 – Chelsea
Chelsea sat down to dinner that evening, after Ferand bought her the necklace. She was still wearing it.
Her father, Leo, a broad, handsome man, sat at the head of the table. He then set down his drink and cleared his throat. Chelsea looked into his blue eyes which were very similar to her own. His black mustache started moving as he started to speak.
"My children, how were your days today?" His voice boomed all over the room.
Her eldest brother, Marco, who was two years older than she told of his wonderful day with the woman of his dreams. Both mother and father approved his choice for a wife.
Chelsea spoke next. "Very good Father, I went down to the market this afternoon in Volterra and met up with Ferand. We strolled through the market and he ended up being so kind and buying me this necklace." Her fingers automatically went up and clasped the beautiful pearls.
Elizabeth Moretti was a very proper and well known lady in the town of Volterra by her beautiful blonde hair, in which Chelsea had taken the gene, and her stunningly tall figure. Elizabeth clasped her hand and smiled. "Oh that's beautiful, my dear Chelsea."
Chelsea nodded. "He was also kind enough to invite me personally to his ball which will be held, pray, two Saturdays from this one."
Her mother then gasped and put her hand on her chest. "How grand! Such a gentleman that boy."
"Indeed." Stated her father. Chelsea turned and looked at him. Her father had a twinkle in his eye as he winked at her.
The third eldest, Henry who was one year younger than herself told of his day next and then Marie who was three years younger told of hers.
Supper was then concluded in silence and the maid's came and cleared their fine china. Chelsea excused herself and walked out into the garden. She brushed her hands along her mother's blooming flowers. She then went and sat down on the bench that was set in the middle of the garden. She clasped her hands in her lap and closed her eyes. She felt the last rays of sun on her face as the sun was starting to set. She breathed in all the mixed scents of the flowers and the green grass. She was content. She could stay this way forever.
Of course all happy moments must come to an end. She opened her eyes and saw her sister walking towards her. "Chelsea! Might I have a word with you?"
Relationship troubles most likely, Chelsea thought. Chelsea seemed to be always the person her sister, brothers and Heidi came to when they were have problems with their newest loves.
Chelsea scooted over on the bench and allowed Marie to sit beside her. "What do you need Maire?"
At only 15, Marie hadn't had many gentlemen ask her out. "It is that Rico Barbardes. He's been bothering me again and today he even kissed my hand. I am so confused what should I do?"
Chelsea suddenly was angry. "No," she stated, "no you shall not see Rico. He is the most disgusting boy in the whole of Volterra. Father and Mother would not approve either." Chelsea left out the one part that Rico had tried to kiss her once but she slapped his cheek. His family was a disgrace to all of Volterra. It was even more disgusting because he was a year older than Chelsea, 19 years.
Marie was startled by her outburst. "I...Okay Chelsea are you sure?"
"Yes. There are better gentlemen in Volterra rather than the Rico Barbardes." Chelsea held back a smile as she thought of Ferand. Now he was the definition of a gentleman.
Marie bowed her head. "Very well. I will avoid him at all costs."
"Thank you Marie. I'm just telling you what I know best." Chelsea squeezed her sister's hand.
"I know Chels. Thank you. You are a wise eighteen year old." Marie grinned as Chelsea opened her mouth in mock surprise.
"Oh pray you little scandal!" Chelsea reached over and tickled her sister who laughed and stood up so fast, she almost fell over.
Chelsea stood and they started laughing as nighttime fell upon Italy.
Chelsea went back indoors and walked up to her room. She stopped at her full length mirror and looked at herself. She was a tall girl, inherited from her mother and father, and had bright blue eyes which were wide and long, blonde wavy hair. She indeed had a slim figure and looked even smaller in the tight corset she wore under her rose pink dress. Of course, her friend Heidi was just as stunning if not more. Heidi and her were usually the talk of the town as the people wondered how they could stay close friends for so long. There was always some sort of scandalous rumour going around about one or the other. Most of the times it had to do with Heidi's relationships. That girl could never decide on a suitable gentlemen for her to date. Heidi almost always came to Chelsea to talk about her troubles with the next boy who showed up on her doorstep.
After examining herself and snapping out of her thoughts, Chelsea decided to go write on her parchment papers that she had bound and made into her own diary. After writing, she drew but she didn't draw any fancy drawing of the sunset or of people. No, her hand began to draw hearts in which bore two names. Chelsea Moretti and Ferand Bouchard. She sat up straight and gasped. Could she really be in love with Ferand? Pray no, it was impossible, they were only close friends. Weren't they?
