The Secret of the Stone

Chapter 1

Elsie

Morning walks between the rows of our family's orchard were the only time my mind felt at peace. My father was due back any day now from his trip to the Caribbean and I had made sure everything was in shape. I reach out, dragging my fingertips along the wet leaves of our precious trees. The flower blossoms were full and beautiful, bees buzzing by doing a demanding job. My dress trails in the mud and I pay it no mind tilting my head to the sun, basking in the late spring warmth. 

A pang of sadness hits me as a memory of my best friend flashes through my mind, even so many years later. We raced these rows and found trouble together at every turn. I was never what a proper lady should be and once my mother died along with my baby brother, I had nobody to keep me in check anymore. 

In the distance I hear Peggy calling for me. I step in a slow circle taking in my family's legacy, plucking two white flowers and wrapping them in my kerchief.

I take off to our modest home in the distance, it’s baby blue color picked by my mother and the large white wrap around porch was one of my favorite parts of our home. On rainy days I could cozy up on the swing with a book sipping tea. 

I hear Peggy again and I wave as she comes into view. She was standing on the steps, hand on her hips, shading her eyes. Her brown hair was piled into a messy bun, her wisps framing her face. 

“Took you long enough.” She snorts at me, clearly annoyed. I give her a bright smile before grabbing the basket at her feet. “Good morning to you too.” I cheerfully tell her. Peggy was a serious person and as my lady's maid and my elder by five years I tended to respect her. But she was also my best friend. “You know I like to do morning checks to make sure the orchard is clear of bugs and the presses are ready.” 

She rolls her eyes at me following me down the path towards the village. “You do too much. Your father doesn’t expect that from you.” She tells me quietly. It was a constant argument I had with her. Proving I was capable of taking care of everything in his absence was important to me. He would never tell me it was too much responsibility, but it stung everytime he left me at home.“He needs to see me capable.” I say, exasperated. She keeps walking thankfully not falling into the same argument again. 

She breaks the silence by asking me, “You're distracting yourself while you wait for his return aren't you?” Looking over at her sheepishly, I nod. I was incredibly impatient. A trait I must have gotten from my mother because my father was the most patient person I knew. “Of course I am. This will be his last voyage until after the apple harvest. You know it’s my favorite time. And next year he has promised he is going to take me overseas. I’m to see how he conducts his business and to meet his contacts.” I would finally get my chance to prove I was capable of taking over the business no matter what.

Our business was everything to us. It was all we had and my grandad had worked hard building this from nothing when they came over from Scotland. 

Peggy looks at me, her face full of excitement. “I hope you’ll still take me along. I have dreamed of seeing beyond this place.” Her eyes go distant and wistful. Reaching over I pat her arm reminding her, “Where I go you go.” We smile at each other as we walk down the worn road, dodging ruts made from wagons.

I was so relieved to get out again. After a lonely winter in the house, I took every opportunity to get out and socialize. We had more money than most folk but the village people never treated me like that. They were like family and our little community was very close. 

As we wander into town the little kids come running up. “Elise! Elise! What did you bring us this time?” An excited little girl asks me. Sibling in tow behind her.