Crossroads

This is certainly not the first time that I intend to write. It is one of the numerous occasions where I want to write. My writings never get completed; they are left in the lurch for want of words, for want of alphabets and for want of sensibility.

I with the name of Almighty commence it at once, without going into my fallacies. I write of the world which I have not seen, I write of the world where I can never reach, I write the world which is so alien to me, yet I write. I write to relieve my self. The situation of mine has reached at a dead end, where I cannot afford to not to tell you about some one who is so close yet so far. The distance in miles and centuries in time are far away from now but I begin…………….

Helena Kestrel was the youngest daughter of John & Margaret Kestrel of Shrewsbury. She had two elder sisters, Octavia and Madeline and an elder brother Edward. Octavia a sensible lady; she was married to David Norton of Broseley, Madeline was a typical and predictable girl, gossip and more gossip was her past time but Edward was far too much responsible and intelligent.

Helena being the youngest was the most pampered child but not a spoilt one. Her beauty was immaculate and angelical.
Her eyes spoke volumes about her sensitive nature yet she was young lady with different likings. She was girl with strong mind and was never confused with any thing until……. ……………………

Chapter 1

It was seven in the morning in the month of March and Helena was getting late. She gulped the breakfast down and was about to leave when Edward came and asked her to hurry up because they had to go at a long distance and were getting late. Helena hurriedly went over took her belongings and reached the porch.
“You are exceptionally late” remarked Madeline with a tone of impatience; Helena was in no mood to reply for she was very excited to meet her maternal uncle Mr. Dunmore and his family at London.

Edward and Madeline were going to meet Mr. Dunmore after a long time but Helena was in London last Michelamas. Mr. Dunmore was quiet accomplished man and was far rich than his sister Margaret, yet he never let money come between the relation. Madeline loved London and found it livelier than Shrewsbury; she liked her uncle but not her cousins. Helena was more attached to her uncle and aunt then her siblings. Madeline while looking outside casually said “Helena, I suspect that Miss Isabella Brookes has some interests in our Edward,” she paused and continued “the way she looks at him, makes me feel…” she was snubbed by Edward, but even Helena was in no mood to spare Edward of the embarrassment. She seconded her sister’s thought and said “even I feel the same, on the more I also feel that her feelings are equally reciprocated” Edward blushed with anger and said “Helena, how is that even you have found some interest in Madeline’s area of past time?” Both sisters split into laughter.

Isabella was the only daughter of Thomas Brookes of Ludlow; his wife was dead long ago. Thomas was a distant descendant of Lord Edmond Owen Brookes of Kingston; Thomas had inherited vast properties and sizeable amount of heirlooms from Lord Edmond. His only dream was to see his daughter married off to someone who could stay with him so that he does not suffer from loneliness at a ripe age. Isabella was Helena’s friend since they first met a few years ago at Octavia’s home in Brosely. Octavia’s father in law William Norton was the friend of Thomas Brookes. Isabella was quite different from Helena yet they were admirers of each other. They had spent many seasons with each other, at times in Shrewsbury and at times in small farm house at Hordley (It was inherited by Thomas Brookes from his rich relative).Isabella on one such occasion met Edward. The attraction was instant and mutual. Yet Edward was not able to declare his feelings, for he was sure of not fulfilling the expectations of Mr. Brookes.

The way to London became shorter due Madeline’s choice of subject. Sisters discussed greatly about Isabella and though Edward pretended to sleep yet his ears heard it all. It was late at night that they reached London. Tired and exhausted they ate a little and went to sleep.
Helena how ever was not able to sleep; she kept on thinking and was tirelessly brooding over something. At last how ever the day’s journey got over her and she slept.