A duel of hearts

Arrival and Acquaintance

A month. He had just spent a month on board that nightmare of a ship. Nathaniel Sinclair spent his journey mostly puking or writing. He had imagined a pirate-like adventure but was sorely mistaken. The only adventure he had was almost puking on a woman's dress, prompting her to chase him with her walking stick as if he had done it on purpose.

Now, standing on the deck, his eyes fixed on the land before him, Nathaniel contemplated the country that many in his homeland despised. His father, Aaron Sinclair, viewed England as a model of excellent judiciary and finance, an opinion not widely shared in America. Although Nathaniel was the youngest and could have chosen another occupation, he felt a deep calling towards the legal profession. It was by his father's will, and with the encouragement of his mother and Aunt Angelica, that he found himself in this foreign land. His aunt had arranged for him to stay with her friend's family, a prospect Nathaniel disliked. He craved independence and hated the idea of being a burden, especially in a country where people like him, lacking titles and wealth, were often looked down upon.

As his feet touched the ground, he felt a wave of relief, despite the stark differences between this place and his beloved New York. The city before him was foreign and daunting, yet the familiar smell of fish filled his nostrils, reminding him of home. With a heavy heart and a pounding headache, Nathaniel clutched the address of his new residence. Reluctantly, he boarded a carriage and set off towards his new home, unsure of what awaited him but determined to make his mark in this new world.

Hearing that someone would be staying with her and her family, Jasmine wasn't sure how she felt about it. She didn't even know the boy who would be staying, which made her a little curious. All she knew was his name and that he wanted to be a lawyer. He would be arriving soon, so Jasmine had gotten ready for the day and was now prepared to greet their guest. To pass the time, Jasmine sat at the piano, softly playing a melody. The music soothed her nerves, and she had become quite good at it over the years. Glancing over at her little sister, who was playing quietly nearby, she smiled before turning her attention back to the keys.

As she played, she couldn't help but wonder what Nathaniel Sinclair would be like. Would he be nice? Was he anything like the friends her father kept? Her father and Nathaniel's father, Aaron Sinclair, were old friends, which meant this boy would be staying for quite some time. However, Jasmine had no idea how long that would be. Her thoughts were interrupted by the reality of the new social season. There were balls, gatherings, and countless other events to worry about, adding to her uncertainty about Nathaniel's arrival. With a sigh, she continued playing, letting the music drown out her concerns as she awaited the arrival of their enigmatic guest.

The streets of London seemed lively, with people chatting amongst themselves while children jumped in puddles left by the recent rain. It was a scene almost similar to New York, though the sun here was odd—a pale, almost white sun, shy and hesitant to touch his face with any warmth. All Nathaniel wanted now was a bed and something that wasn't moving. Pinching the top of his nose, he noticed the houses beginning to change. They grew larger and grander, signaling his entry into the upper-class area of the city. Ladies dressed in the finest colors and silks paraded with their matching hats, while some of the lords wore hats and suits, a stark contrast to the rougher portside crowd.

One house in particular caught Nathaniel's attention, its garden bursting with roses and flowers of every color. Mesmerized, he almost didn't realize the carriage had stopped. He paid the driver and, with a heavy heart, approached the door. *What if they hate me? What if they're just jerks?* he wondered, clutching his bag tightly. *If only Father were here, he would know what to do.* The redheaded boy sighed and, with determination, knocked on the door. A maid opened it, leading him into an enormous parlor, almost the size of his entire house back home. He thanked the maid but was still too stunned by the grandeur to notice the man approaching him. "Nathaniel," the man greeted him with a peculiar British accent.

"Yes, Sir, it's me. I hope I have arrived at a suitable hour for you, Sir," Nathaniel replied. Lord Teaton smiled and nodded. "Absolutely, Nathaniel. Your aunt Angelica told me so much about you and your father. Please, let me introduce you to my family."

*I want to go to bed,* Nathaniel thought, forcing a smile. *I need sleep.* He followed Lord Teaton, trying to maintain a polite demeanor despite his exhaustion. As they walked, the sound of a piano reached his ears.

"A delightful player. Who is it?" Nathaniel asked. Lord Teaton smiled and pointed towards the source of the music. "My daughter, Jasmine."

Nathaniel approached her, too tired to fully appreciate her playing. Nevertheless, he kissed her hand and said, "My lady, I truly enjoy your musical skills. Please, you must play for me once, if you wish so." He smiled again, hoping he didn't look as exhausted as he felt.

Jasmine smiled a little as she played. She had always enjoyed playing, and it was a pleasant day with not much else to do, allowing her to immerse herself in the music. Hearing voices and footsteps approaching, she stopped and turned slightly to see her father and another boy, whom she assumed to be the guest staying with them. She gave a small, friendly smile as Nathaniel kissed her hand. "Thank you," she said in response to his compliment about her musical skills. She nodded. "I will be looking forward to that."

Jasmine always enjoyed playing for others, and her curiosity about the new arrival grew. She glanced over at her father before looking back at Nathaniel. "You must be Nathaniel?" she asked. Jasmine rarely used formal names, much to her mother's chagrin, and addressed him by his first name, knowing it might not sit well with her mother. "We should let him get settled, Father. He looks exhausted," she suggested, looking up at Nathaniel again. "Was it a long trip?" she asked, her curiosity piqued since she had never traveled much herself.

Nathaniel managed a tired smile. "Yes, it was quite long. The journey by sea can be quite rough."

Jasmine nodded sympathetically. "Well, I hope you find some comfort here. We'll make sure you have everything you need."

Lord Teaton smiled at his daughter's kindness. "Yes, let's get you settled, Nathaniel. I'll have the maid show you to your room so you can rest."

Nathaniel nodded appreciatively, following the maid to his room. As he walked away, Jasmine watched him with a mix of curiosity and empathy, wondering what it would be like to travel so far from home and find oneself in a strange new place.