Prologue

Kansas – Cherry Creek – 1858.

Spring -Renaissance Manor.

"So many are flocking to town for the gold."

Lizzy paused in reading the newspaper. The family's butler closed the door before he turned and approached her. She could tell easily he wasn't pleased with the word of men traveling across to their town. She wasn't surprised when she looked at him and raising a brow answered.

"Jack? Is this the latest piece of news you can complain about?"

The butler, who was well known for her family, sighed when he made his way over and placed her stationary to her. He looked at her as he replied.

"Yes, Miss Bennet. This is bothering me because the town is increasing with all those wagons and carriages. Not to mention also we're receiving some high class folk from New York."

"One of those?"

"Yes."

Lizzy kept her brow raised when Jack held his hands behind his back. If she were correct he looked more as if he yearned to be excused. She knew he wasn't pleased with news that their local town, Cherry Creek, was be flocked with men and few women who were coming to seek the gold which was supposed rumored to be hidden in the caves a ways from where she lived. She shook her head when Jack noticed the fire needed some logs. Lizzy resumed her reading yet she couldn't help but notice how Jack was placing the logs into the hearth. She turned his way when he smashed a few of the logs down before he continued with putting new ones on. Lizzy knew this wasn't the best to inquire about how many of the men were arriving and the afternoon was continuing on. The news was indeed confirming Jack's complaining.

"Well amount is strong. It writes here that there were fifty last night and now there's two-hundred." Lizzy read as she scanned the enthralling part of the paper.

Jack scoffed as he placed the last of the logs in the hearth. When Lizzy heard this she didn't bother to look at him as he leaned forward and blowing, ignited the flames so the hearth was pleasantly warm. Lizzy was thankful for Jack's willingness to help. When he rose, he brushed his hands as he answered.

"Indeed. Fifty last night and now two-hundred?"

"Yes." Lizzy replied.

She looked at her family's butler and all he did was shake his head. When he looked at her his face was emotionless as he added. "Believe me, Miss Bennet, when they find there's barely anything in those caves they're all going to be leaving to their homes. A waste of travel if you ask me."

"You're sure about that, Jack?"

"I'm completely certain. If those rumors weren't making such havoc they all would have remained in their homes! Or at least never bothered to pack their bags and then find it to be a wild goose chase."

Here he glanced out of the windows to the side of the hearth. Lizzy knew he was listening to some sounds outside and she shuddered when she remembered the bears. When he looked back at her he softly finished. "And if you ask me those bears aren't pleased with all those men bothering their wild life. Just last night we were informed there was another attack."

Lizzy sighed when Jack bowed before he left. She was as bothered by their town informing the residents of the multitudes of "gold seekers" who were arriving at the hotels. For a small town it was rare people traveled long distances for the gold. Lizzy knew the caves in the Western part but she never made her appearance. She shook her head when she pushed the newspaper aside before she retrieved her stationary. She offered a prayer of guidance before she began writing. This was to go to a relative of hers and she was out of the state. Lizzy knew she wouldn't like her company but if she wanted to continue with helping those at the boarding house – she would need a relative of hers to arrive to help.

She started to compose the letter and with some tension wrote.

"To Miss Vivian Queen."