**Authors Note: Thank you to Stephenie Meyer who created the wonderful world of Twilight. If it weren't for her, this story would not exist. I do not in any way, shape or form own anything created by Stephenie Meyer in any books from The Twilight Saga. Any new characters in this chapter were created by me, are completely fictional, and are owned my me.**
CHAPTER NINE
I stood quietly at the Victorian-style window eyeing the darkening street below. Letting the lace netted curtain fall back into place I began to close my large oak trunk that sat stuffed to the brim at the foot of the over-sized cherry wood bed. As the last latch clicked into place, I heard a quiet tap at the door.
"Come in." I sighed, turning to see my father entering the room.
"Catherine—"He started, looking down at the closed trunk at my feet.
"Father, please. No lectures alright?" I mused gently, clasping my hands together.
"I haven't come to lecture you darling." He scoffed, his eyes finding mine. "I brought you this."
"Oh—"I started, taking the hard letter-sized envelope into my shaking hands. I looked up but my father had already left the room, muttering to himself. Gently I opened the envelope, careful not to damage the contents. I breathed in quickly when I realized what it was; one ticket on the 10pm ferry to leave port for Southampton and then another boarding pass, first class for the RMS Olympic bound for America at 6am tomorrow morning. I could feel my heart beginning to race as I looked at the mantle clock.
One hour. I had one hour to say my goodbyes, get to the pier, and begin my journey, leaving England behind.
"Father." I called, running loudly into the hall almost knocking over a frightened chamber maid lighting the oil lamps. I could hear my fathers' muffled talking at the bottom of the staircase causing me to stop, listening.
"How could you let her go?" My mothers' shrill voice accused, drifting up the stairs. "She's a child, my child and I forbid it."
"Amelia." My father cooed. "Pardon my forthcoming but our dear little Catherine seems to be more of an adult than we could ever have hoped for. She's become quite a woman in these past few months and I cannot—will not keep her from her hearts' desire."
"Don't be a fool James." My mother shrieked. "No child of mine will be allowed to sail around the world by themselves."
"Then I shall escort her home." He sighed gently. "I should be back by mid-month."
"James, please." She cried, her voice shaking. I turned abruptly, trying to keep my footsteps light. Slipping back into my room, I sat gently on my chest debating on where to find someone to carry my heavy trunk. The sudden tap on my door caused me to jump.
"Miss is you ready?" a small girlish voice hissed through the door as I began to stand. I pulled the door open to reveal a short-slender woman with blonde curls and a flawlessly beautiful face that wasn't much older than myself.
"Yes. I just need my—"I started, looking back at my trunk.
"Oh it's fine. I'll make sure it gets loaded." She replied smiling as she smoothed out her white apron.
"Thank you. Um—" I stuttered trying to think of the pretty girls' name.
"Lucy." She replied still smiling.
"Thank you Lucy." I replied, still looking at my trunk.
"Come along then." She sighed, spinning on her heel causing her curls to bounce atop her head. "We mustn't keep the ferry waiting; otherwise you shan't make your boat in Southampton." Pulling the door shut behind me, I followed her down the hall. I could no longer hear my parents; I wondered where they had gone.
"Lucy." I whispered, stopping in the dimly lit hallway.
"Yes miss." She breathed spinning to face me, her hand placed gently around the banister rail.
"Where are my parents?" I asked. "I would like to say goodbye to them."
"Ah." She replied, her alarming black eyes not leaving my face. "I'm not usually one to pry but I believe it best to leave them be."
"Oh." I whispered, looking down at my feet that peeked out from beneath my ankle-length sapphire skirts.
"Don't you think?" She smiled, the light dancing off her piercing eyes.
"I suppose you're right." I answered. "Father already said his goodbyes and I don't want to rile mother up again." My grasp tightened around the envelope my father gave me containing my tickets as I followed her down the staircase and into the large glass foyer.
"Ready?" She asked, looking me up and down.
"Yes." I replied as she opened the glass door revealing a black horse drawn carriage waiting. I winced as I stepped out into the drizzle. I noticed a young burly man roping my trunk to the back of the carriage. He pulled hard on the ropes causing the horses to stamp their hooves in anticipation. As I was seated in the damp carriage, I looked back at the house. All I could make out was the silhouette of the young ringletted woman. As she stepped forward I breathed in sharply as the light caught her face. She was breathtaking. As the carriage began to move forward loudly, her rose colored lips turned up into a terrifying smile.
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