A New Beginning

Chapter 1

"We have reached Trenwith Mam," the driver of the stage coach announced.

"Thank you," Annabelle Higgins said.

The coach had stopped so Annabelle carefully climbed out, the driver assisting her. He had placed her valise on the ground and she picked it up and headed towards the house. It was exactly as she remembered it from before she was married from when she visited Verity and Francis Poldark. From time to time she had seen their cousin Ross there as well and she had always thought him very attractive. Unfortunately he had only had eyes for Elizabeth Chynoweth and considered her a friend and nothing more. Then he had gone away to fight in the American War of Independence and nothing had been heard from him since. A servant was approaching so Annabelle asked him to let Verity and Francis know that she was there. He took her valise and told her he would do so.

"Thank you," Annabelle said.

A few minutes later Verity emerged and running over to Annabelle she flung her arms around her.

"How are you Annabelle? It is so good to see you," she asked.

"Oh Verity what am I to do? Rodger has died and I was left with nothing. Only... only our child," Annabelle said.

"You're with child?" Verity asked.

"Yes. Oh I'm not due to birth the child for many months yet. But I know the signs," Annabelle said.

"Tell me what happened to Rodger," Verity said.

Annabelle told Verity the sad story of Rodger's gambling and how he'd lost everything and then his life when he refused to pay what he owed. I had no choice but to return home and hope that you and Francis could help me. My parents are dead and I have no one now," Annabelle said.

Verity knew that Annabelle was an only child and that her plight was desperate indeed.

"Come inside. I will talk to Father and see if you can live here with us," Verity said.

"Thank you that is most kind," Annabelle said.

She followed Verity inside where a servant met them. Verity asked the servant to get them some refreshments then showed Annabelle to a seat.

"So how is Francis?" Annabelle asked.

"He is married," Verity said.

"That's wonderful news. Who did he marry?" Annabelle asked.

"Elizabeth. They formed an attachment after we didn't hear anything from Ross for two years. Everyone thought Ross had died," Verity said

"But he is still alive?" Annabelle asked.

"Yes but heartbroken about Elizabeth.  He still loved her you know," Verity said.

"But they didn't have any formal arrangement," Annabelle said, understanding at once.

Verity nodded.

"Wait here I will go and speak to Father," Verity said.

Annabelle nodded and Verity stood and went upstairs. Annabelle's mind was on Ross. If he was single again as he undoubtedly would be she wondered if she stood any chance. Clearly he had no chance with Elizabeth now. Of course he would think she was still married and thus unavailable.  She wondered when he would next be coming to Trenwith but didn't feel it appropriate to ask. When Verity returned she was smiling.

"Father has said you can have a room here for as long as you need," Verity said.

"That's wonderful," Annabelle said.