Betrayed

Chapter 1

A Time of Happiness

            Robins chirped and flew around the trees on the outskirts of London. The rabbits hopped along in the grass basking in the late August sun. The trees shake in sync with the wind. A grand white mansion sits on top of a hill on the Huxley estate. It’s quiet here, whereas in London the city is bustling to life. Carriages riding down the streets full of people going to their jobs, looking for a job, going for a nice walk, or begging.

            At the Huxley estate sunlight streams through the curtains in my bedroom waking me up from my slumber. The scent of tea is carried into my bedroom as my butler, Sebastian, knocks on my wooden bedroom door.

            “Come in,” I say sitting up and stretching out my limbs from sleeping. Sebastian opened the door and pushed in a cart with tea and a cup and saucer on it with some biscuits. He set the tea cup right side up and poured some earl grey tea in, letting it sit for a moment before he gave it to me. “Thank you Sebastian,” I said politely sipping on the tea.

            “Anything for you, Allie, and happy birthday” he said standing patiently waiting for me to finish the tea and biscuits.

            I smiled widely thankful he remembered. “Thank you Sebastian. I’m happy you remembered it!” I say excitedly. Today is August 29 in the year of 1888. I, Almira Elizabeth Huxley, am turning 27 years old today.

            “How could I forget? I’ve raised you most of your life and I’ve to say that your birthday is the day you are always the happiest and most excited about,” said Sebastian chuckling. My mom had died giving birth to me. When I was five my dad took his own life because living without the love of his life was too much. He had always blamed me for everything that happened. So had everyone I had been around, except Sebastian and my great man Earl Lucius Silas Chetwynd. I was appointed the title of “countess” when Father died. Sebastian takes me to all the Queen’s events now.

Last year at the annual ball I met Lucius, the love of my life. I had been offered a dance by a man and accepted. As we danced to the waltz, swirling about like lilies in the pond in spring, I locked eyes with a handsome man with dark brunette hair tied in a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. He had deep, dark, mesmerizing brown eyes, almost black. When he saw her she smiled. He always told me that I was a beauty myself with my golden blonde curly hair down to my waist that flowed with my every step. I have mystical turquoise eyes, about the color of the ocean. That day I had been wearing a beautiful blue and black dress with a big black bow on the chest. Its sleeves were cut off not covering my shoulders, but covering right below them. It was laced in the back with a blue string, and drew up the first two layers showing off all the layers and how gorgeous they were. Lucius was in a black tuxedo looking at me with lust-filled eyes. 

I look back on that day as the best in my whole life. I’m hoping tonight will be just as great, maybe even better. I’m  having a party to celebrate my 27 years of living. I’ve invited only a select few people, whom I trust and love. It’s being held in the  mansion that I inherited when my father died. I have been the head of the Huxley’s since. I am also the only one still alive.

When I finished with the tea I hand the cup back to Sebastian. “Thanks again Sebastian, for everything.” I say smiling. I’m so thankful for everything he does. I don’t know what I would do if he wouldn’t have been around all these wonderful and painful years.

“No problem Allie,” Sebastian said smiling. He then left to go downstairs to get ready for the party.

I hop out of bed and go over to my wardrobe. Getting dressed for the tailor who is coming to fit the dress I have picked out. I hear Sebastian greet the tailor at the door and I head downstairs.