The Travellers Chronicles Book Five: To Build A Country

Chapter Eight

August 1867

As they had completed their mission, the girls boarded a ship to Britain where they would be with Victoria until her death. They were to be close friends of hers, daughters of an aristocrat. Miss Sybil Wells (Sybil), Miss Lydia Wells (Lisette), and Miss Abigail Wells (Tess) daughters of the late Hugh Wells, an ammunitions manufacturer in the north.

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The ladies arrived at Southampton where they were greeted by the newest Duke of Northumberland, a leading member of the Queen's council. They were to keep their aliases they had used in Canada. He led them to Buckingham Palace where they were greeted only by Victoria and Albert.

After leading them to the drawing room, Victoria hugged each with Sybille being last. "Aunt Anne, Aunt Theresa, and Aunt Mary. It is wonderful to have you back with us." She retreated to stand by Albert.

"It is." Sybille said.

"Aunt Anne, you have my condolences on the loss of your fiancé."

Lisette cleared her throat, it seemed that she was always on the verge of tears. "Thank you."

"Please sit." Victoria motioned to the couches and the ladies took their seats. "We have tea here."

After Sybille had poured everyone a cup, she turned to Albert. "How have you been?"

"Well, thank you." He took a sip of his tea. "I have been following your instructions, I eat healthy, and I exercise. It has done me a world of good."

"That is wonderful to hear." Tess said as she finished dressing her tea.

Victoria was not listening to the conversation. She was looking at Lisette who only stared out the window, never touching her tea.

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October 1867

One morning at breakfast, after Lisette had not gotten out of bed for a week, Victoria voiced her concerns. "I am worried about her. Even in mourning one must go on and face the day."

Sybille sighed. "I know."

"Perhaps you have something to help her?"

They did not have a laboratory in the palace, but Sybille realized she wouldn't need one. She went up to her room where she found an empty bottle amongst her possessions. Sybille spelled it to refill its contents after placing one of her depression meds in it. She took it back out and it instantly filled.

Rushing from her room, Sybille made her way to see Lisette. Opening the door quietly, she found the room to be dark as the curtains were closed. Sybille crossed the room to open them slightly.

"No!" Lisette cried. "Leave it closed; leave me to my despair."

"I will do no such thing when I have something that may help you."

Lisette sat up. "A potion?"

"No, medicine. A pill from my own stock." Sybille sat on her daughter's bed and placed the bottle in her hand. "It is a depression medication; one of two that keeps me from falling into deep despair."

"Hmm." Lisette thought it over before opening the bottle and taking one out. There was a glass of water on the side table. Lisette took the pill and took a drink of water. "Will it help soon?"

"It will take effect in about an hour, but the long-term results will take about a month."

"Will I stop grieving him?" Lisette wondered.

Sybille sighed. "Unfortunately, no. However, you will not feel as bad while you grieve. I believe you have what is called depression. I have two forms of it, general depression and bipolar depression. I gave you the medication for general depression. It should help."