Looking back, we write the year 1796 as the year when Napoleon Bonaparte arrived in Nice to take command of the French Army of Italy.
1796 is also the first time American voters had to choose between candidates from competing political parties, where John Adams defeats Thomas Jefferson in the U.S. presidential election.
1796 is also the year in which Antonia Grandel arrived on the shores of South Carolina in a town now named Charleston since 1783.
She arrived in late September on a ship from London after her father's untimely demise. As the only daughter of her wealthy family, the responsibility of handling their inheritance and finances fell upon her delicate shoulders. The journey across the vast Atlantic Ocean was arduous, with turbulent seas and stormy nights, mirroring the turmoil that Antonia felt within her grieving heart.
Dressed in mourning attire, Antonia disembarked from the ship in the bustling port of Charleston, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.
The humid air clung to her like a second skin, a stark contrast to the cool English climate she had grown accustomed to. She had heard tales of the vibrant and lively town, but her somber mood dampened her enthusiasm for exploration.
Often, as Antonia made her way through the narrow streets, her mind was occupied by the weight of her responsibilities. Her father's passing had left her with not only quite a little fortune but also the daunting task of managing the family's business ventures.
After spending almost three months in Charleston, Antonia had become quite familiar with its quaint streets and charming citizens. She knew where all of the shops selling the most fashionable fabrics and accessories were situated, where the local taverns offered the freshest seafood. She could recognize every shopowner or vendor selling produce, vegetables or livestock.
Despite living her entire life in London, it still amazed her how different life in Charleston was than what she was used to.
One day, she sat in her study with Timothy Jackson, her personal secretary and assistant, sipping the finest wine in Charleston and admiring the beautiful artwork on the wall. She could see the same scene from her own room, a window overlooking the garden.
In her peripheral vision, Tim noticed her staring out the window with a faraway look on her face. "What are you thinking about?"
Antonia took a deep breath before replying "Life."
Tim nodded slowly. "How do you feel about your new home?"
For a few seconds, she remained silent, contemplating Tim's question, then spoke once again.
"Surprisingly good. Charleston is beautiful. Though I prefer the town's appearance over its people."
"Not a fan of the aristocracy?" asked Tim with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Antonia sighed and shook her head slightly. "You're right, my relationship with my family's friends was always complicated, so I'm surprised how well I've adjusted."
"Well, there are worse things than having some arrogant business partners", Timothy said as he gave Antonia his most sincere smile.
Her face softened at the sight of Timothy, a genuine look of concern etched into his features. Timothy Jackson, as she had discovered during the last few months, was someone she truly liked and trusted. He was a good companion, a loyal friend, and a very intelligent and handsome man.
Antonia smiled at him and replied in turn, "Thank you, Tim. You have been an excellent addition to our staff."
She rose from her chair and approached Timothy. Taking both of his hands in hers, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Timothy blushed furiously. After pulling away from Tim, she returned her attention to her desk and resumed perusing her documents.
YOU ARE READING
The Immortals
VampireIn a small town in northern England, Tom encounters a strange pathologist. Out of curiosity, he and his friends follow the doctor to see what kind of strange things she does. Along the way, they stumble upon deadly machinations and an even deadlier...