A Pledge of Survival

I

London, 1808

Seven years later,

"For the love of God , Edith, cease thy vexing habit of tugging at your sister's tresses and get ready, we are due to depart in less than an hour." The room was in a state of uproar, Eleanor stood on the brink of losing the last shreds of her patience, almost reaching the point of yelling at the children.

"I refuse to leave ! What activities does the countryside provide? Abigail persisted, punctuating her objection with the stomp of her feet. "Eleanor, I harbor an aversion for bugs, and I implore you to acknowledge it" she beseeched.

"Tom, get your sisters ready. If I hear one more complaint, insects will join us at the dinner table tonight!" Eleanor's sense of urgency grew stronger, the modestly rented carriage was unlikely to tolerate any delay.

At nineteen, Thomas was the sibling closest in age to Eleanor. The marks on his face appeared as if carved too soon, carrying the burden of the challenges they had faced together. United through their hardships, Eleanor discovered comfort in her younger brother's company, even amidst the most challenging moments.

"Enough of this, Eleanor. You are merely twenty-three, yet your attitude resembles that of a weary lady weighed down by a miserable life," Thomas chuckled softly, narrowly dodging a shoe hurled by Eleanor which came close to touching his face.

Edith and Abigail couldn't contain their laughter as Thomas, while trying to dodge their shoes, tripped over a table and ended up sprawled on the floor. A satisfied grin adorned his face. "Seems I've become the target of amusement for my beloved young ladies. Please, enlighten me—whose plate shall I adorn with a portion of insects for tonight's dinner?" he declared.

Both young girls contorted their faces in mild disgust. "Thomas, you're dreadful! It's unimaginable that Ellie would permit you to have us dine on insects," their faces marked with worry, now focused on Eleanor.

"Grant me a brief moment of reflection," Eleanor quipped. "Thomas, how about we initiate a countdown? If the girls don't appear within ten minutes, I'll gladly take on the duty of being your personal cook," Eleanor suggested playfully, her voice carrying a joyful undertone

The girls hurried to the adjoining room, and as Eleanor settled down on the floor next to Thomas, her laughter became irrepressible. "This will be beneficial for us, Tom. A new start for everyone. This chance has exceeded my hopes. Finally leaving London!" Her smile shone with boundless excitement.

Thomas, while pleased about their prospects, balanced his sister's optimism. "I share your delight, Elle, but I implore you not to exhaust yourself. I'll seek employment once we're there. You won't have to be on your own anymore. And who knows, maybe we'll stumble upon a fitting husband who can match your spirit," he expressed, his laughter lacing his words.

"Ah, enough of these playful remarks, Tommy. I hold no desires for engagement. Abigail and Edith rely on me, and I know you will miss having me around too," Eleanor's voice quivered with sentiment. The preceding seven years had been challenging. Their mothers passed away when Abigail was a mere year old and Edith a tender three, placing Eleanor in a position of immense duty. At sixteen, it felt as though the weight of the world rested upon her shoulders, caring for her siblings' needs. Amidst her contemplation, a forgotten memory resurfaced.

"Noah," Eleanor whispered his name under her breath as she walked down the dim alleyway that led to their dismal lodging. The idea that he could perceive her as lacking morality due to her actions weighed heavily on her and she ignored why. Accepting the possibility of resorting to theft for survival was heart-wrenching, but when he beckoned for accountability, Eleanor almost felt relieved. While justice might have seemed foreign in their world, certain souls still clung to their moral compass.

Contemplating whether she should have explained herself to him, Eleanor wondered how he could have comprehended her despair. He seemed lost, completely adrift, , and this realization brought a quiet chuckle from her lips. As she entered the room, the radiant smiles of her siblings greeted her. Abigail had recently taken her first steps. Embracing her younger sister and witnessing the gazes of Thomas and Edith, the weight of her decision became palpable. "I won't seek your forgiveness, Noah," Eleanor reaffirmed silently. "Your integrity makes you honorable, while my transgressions provide for the survival of those I cherish."

"Goodness, Eleanor, where did your mind drift off to?" Thomas interrupted; his hand moved in front of her face, seeking any sign of a reaction. "I've been trying to express how lucky I am to have you as a sister, but it seemed you didn't grasp the depth of my sincere sentiment."

"Thomas, you are uttering no sense, have you perhaps experienced a head injury this morning?

Hurry, and prepare yourself, we will leave soon". Eleanor rose from her seat, tenderly resting her hand on her brother's head as she as she affectionately tousled his hair. " Truly, Thomas, I consider myself fortunate" she murmured softly.

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The trip to Hampshire County proved to be quite an ordeal for the young girls. Nine hours of travel hardly provided any moments of calm. While Eleanor was excited about starting a new chapter with her siblings, there were times when she couldn't help but consider the idea of throttling all of them, Thomas included.

Upon reaching their destination, a modest yet viable abode awaited them. Two rooms and a diminutive kitchen held promise. They would make it feel like home as long as they were together.

Eleanor's upcoming responsibilities as a maid in the Petersfield household occupied her thoughts. The role ensured an annual payment of twenty pounds. Nonetheless, a tinge of sadness enveloped her as she pondered the separation from Thomas and her younger sisters.

Efficiently unpacking her belongings, Eleanor set out on foot toward the splendor of the Hayward estate. As she neared the maids' entrance on the estate's left side, the housekeeper appeared, extending a warm greeting.

"Greetings, Miss Osborne. I hold the role of the housekeeper on this estate. It will be my delight to introduce you to the Hayward family and their domain," the housekeeper's smile radiated, providing Eleanor with a sense of comfort.

As Eleanor made her way through the lavish Hayward mansion, her focus was captivated by a portrait.

"Here stands our heir, Lord Noah Hayward. He has transformed into a true gentleman." Miss White proudly exclaimed "You'll encounter him only on rare occasions, and if you do, don't take offense at his straightforwardness; he might come across as rather intimidating."

Eleanor's heart sank as she absorbed the words. "Noah," she whispered under her breath, her thoughts oscillating between skepticism and dread. The Noah she recalled from seven years past was the son of a duke. The warning about his direct nature had proven to be true, a trait she had already witnessed. She wondered if this might be an elaborate joke, struggling to grasp the concept. There was no possible way for her to confront him once more.

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Ta dam, chapter I is on ! 

We dived a bit more into Eleanor's family and her special relationship with her siblings, and I love it ! 

Don't hesitate to comment, the next chapters will be even more intense ( °-°) !