Tempted

Chapter 1

It was as though the sun's rays had Midas' touch, for everything in its path turned to gold. The leaves, already alive with warm hues in preparation for their fall, blew precariously in the cool breeze of autumn.

It was during this time of day that the sun was retreating behind the cover of the horizon, turning day to night. The bravest of stars would shine early in anticipation of night, though the sun had not completely submerged behind the rolling green hills that lined our lone estate.

There wasn't another house for miles; only a vast expanse of trees, and the creatures in its midst. A long winded road connected us to civilization, but a thin connection it was. It was a rare occasion, to go into town; such were the bustling roads and crowded stores, that it were often a chore to leave our home.

I could hear Wesley coming up behind me, though I did not turn to face him. Instead, I continued to admire the way the sun poured its pastel colors over the clouds in pinks and purples. At this point, however, I was scarcely focussed on the scenery. I strained my ears as I listened for Wesley to draw nearer.

At last, he came up beside me, looking in the same direction as I.

"And to what do I owe this unexpected visit, Mr. Kent?"

He broke off from his gaze and turned towards me.

"I came to say goodbye, Eleanora. I am to go to a boarding school in London in two weeks. I will try to visit, and when I do, I hope you'll receive me."

This news was unexpected. I could think of many reasons as to why he would visit at such an hour, but this I did not foresee. I'm not particularly sure on how I felt about it; we had been the best of friends in our childhood, and that friendship still stands. And yet, it sometimes felt like he meant to court me. I suppose I'll never really know, now that he is off to a boarding school.

"Wesley, for what reason would I not receive you?"

He looked to the ground with a perplexed look on his face. After a few moments of turning thoughts over and over in his mind, he spoke.

"I worry that I will not be missed. Your father tells me he plans for you to attend a boarding school for young ladies, so that you might be fit for marriage."

He says this last bit bitterly. I cannot understand Wesley at times, or perhaps I'm reading him wrong.

Wesley aside, I recall that Father never told me of such. I thought I was not intended for high society. Why would Father keep this from me?

"I will not forget you, Wesley."

There was a very large quantity of things I wanted to say to him before he left, and yet, these were the only words that I could form.

I examine the hard lines in his face; part of it is hidden from my view, but I can still see the same hardness in his eyes. They seemed such a cold shade of blue, much like winter's frost. His aristocratic nose was all too familiar to me, and that is when I realized just how much I would miss him.

He ran his fingers through his light blonde hair, which was turning a darker shade of blonde with every day, I thought. He seemed awfully uncomfortable in his tailored suit, and I knew better than anyone that this new lifestyle would only mortify him. I recalled our many happy days as children, running through the gardens, pretending that they were an imposing maze with dragons afoot. It seemed that the days had passed all too quickly.

Our silence stretched on. I couldn't help but glance at how Wesley would fumble with the brim of his hat, tightly gripped in his hands. He seemed restless, as though he had something to say but couldn't find the right words. I, too, felt this way. For, how could you put emotions you cannot understand into words?