A-Z of Regency Romance Short Stories: The MayStan Four

The MayStan Four

The imagination of a child should be protected at all costs. There should be no limit to how many times they can ask "why" or pose questions to better understand something. A child is shaped by their senses, and the people and places they connect with play a crucial role in defining who they are.

Young Lady Beatrice Stanhope was, and always would be, a dedicated bookworm. She could easily spend both day and night curled up in the Basildon Park library, engrossed in her reading. The sheer volume of books was a challenge she gladly embraced, aiming to read them all.

Regrettably, at that very moment, three pirates brazenly entered the room, clearly with the intent of kidnapping her. Though she initially attempted to ignore their antics, they persisted in their ridiculous behavior. Eventually, one pirate, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her, became the target of her amusement. With a burst of laughter, she couldn't resist throwing a pillow in her direction.

The pirate easily caught the flying object, burst into laughter, and tumbled onto the daybed where Beatrice had been so blissfully content. The other two pirates landed on the nearby settee, and the sound of children's laughter echoed throughout the ancient room.

"Sister, you must join us! Bryce has decided that instead of capturing pirates like we usually do, we will be the pirates!" Her identical twin, Prudence, swung an imaginary sword and used the pillow she still held as a shield.

"You can't say no, Bea. Pru has arranged everything, and the servants are already setting up a picnic at the swimming hole. Miss Ball has agreed to supervise the activity," the female pirate, Juliet, chimed in from the settee.

The aforementioned Bryce stood up and stretched out a hand to her. "Will you be my co-captain of the MayStan pirates, Bea? Will you never leave my side as we protect our crew and search for treasure? Do you accept your place alongside me?"

A strange flutter coursed through her, which the pre-teen did not recognize. She couldn't resist his puppy-dog eyes and placed her hand in his. "I accept." Once again, she didn't recognize the electricity that surged through her as she touched the teenager's smooth hand. His expression remained unchanged, so she ignored it as she followed the singing pirate crew onto the driveway and the trail that would lead them to their destination.

As the makeshift pirate crew, led by Bryce and his co-captain Beatrice, embarked on their adventure towards the swimming hole, the sun beamed down on Basildon Park's sprawling grounds, casting a warm glow over the landscape. It was a perfect day for a youthful escapade.

Miss Ball, their ever-vigilant nursery governess, had joined the festivities, her role temporarily shifted from educator to protector of the pirate realm. She walked alongside the exuberant group, her gentle guidance ensuring that their play remained safe and within the boundaries of propriety.

As they reached the swimming hole, a picturesque oasis nestled within the estate's woods near the Thames, the children's laughter filled the air. Bryce, Juliet, Prudence, and Beatrice quickly shed their pirate personas, trading them for swimsuits. They raced towards the crystal-clear water, their youthful exuberance on full display as they splashed and played.

The twins, Prudence and Beatrice, shared a special bond, both in appearance and affection. While Beatrice was the bookworm, Prudence was the lively one, bringing Bryce's creative games and stories to life to entertain their small circle. Miss Ball often marveled at the way their differences complemented each other, and today was no exception.

As the sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows over the swimming hole, Beatrice found herself drawn to Bryce's side. His laughter was infectious, and his eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as he regaled them with tales of daring adventures on the high seas. Unbeknownst to her, with every shared moment and stolen glance, Beatrice's heart began to beat a little faster, and her feelings for Bryce began to evolve in ways she couldn't yet comprehend. But one thing was for certain, she would follow him to the ends of the earth.