Lady of Greystoke (Sequel to "At all costs")

The day we met

'Alice! Alice!' Anthony yelled as her ran into Alice's bedroom.

Alice looked up from the book she was reading. 'What's the matter, Anthony?'

'Visitors have arrived for tea. They are a new family which moved here from the North. Apparently the man is a Lord as well, though not as rich and powerful as father. We should go down to meet them.' Anthony smiled, always excited about everything.

'I do not think they would wish to see me, Anthony. Most people only wish for me to leave as soon as I have stepped into the room.'

'Nonsense!' Anthony stated as he walked towards his sister. 'Father specifically asked for you to come down as well. And you would not wish to disobey Father, right.' He smiled, jokingly.

Alice sighed and closed her book. 'Very well.' She put her boo aside and prepared herself for the ridicule which was undoubtedly coming.

Together they walked down the large stairs in the main hallway of the mansion, and towards the room which was usually used for tea, right on the left from the front door. Just a few steps before they could walk into the room, Alice stopped.

'What's the matter?' Anthony asked, genuinely concerned about his sister.

Alice took a deep breath. 'It's fine, just preparing myself for the worst.'

Anthony sighed in understanding and squeezed her hand. 'I'll be there the entire time.'

The two of them took a few more steps, and walked into the room where they found their parents and older sister sitting opposite a couple and a man around their own age.

'There you are!' John exclaimed happily. Alice looked at her father, gently smiling at him. He seemed genuinely happy to see her, but from the corner of her eye she could see the horrified looks on the faces of their visitors. 'Lord and Lady Delaney, I would like for you to meet my son Anthony, and our second daughter, Alice.'

'She is black!' The woman said, not even trying to hide the surprise and disgust in her voice.

The boy sitting beside her, however, seemed appalled by the woman's expression.

'Mother!' He protested.

Jane smiled slightly. 'We adopted her when she was only a baby. She was born in the village where I grew up, because my father was a missionary. Her mother asked us to take care of her because she could not do so herself.' She smiled at Alice. 'And she has been a wonderful addition to our family.'

'Your family?! A black girl part of your family?! Lady Greystoke, you must be joking.'

John looked the woman straight in the eye. 'We are most certainly not.'

The woman's husband moved towards her and whispered into her ear. Likely whispering something about her father's "savage" history, and that he cannot help himself but be intrigued by more savage races. It disgusted Anthony to know people thought that way about his father, about his sister. His father was a good man, and his sister more a lady than many white noble women he has met. They deserved better than the judgement they were exposed to every day. His thoughts were interrupted by the strange man's voice.

'Anthony, right, I would like to introduce you to my son; William.'

Alice looked up and met the young men's eyes. She could see no hate or judgement in them, just kindness.

'Anthony.' He spoke with a warm voice as he shook her brother's hand. He then turned towards her and bowed slightly. 'Lady Alice.' As she heard William's parents gasp, even she could not keep herself from dropping her jaw slightly.

Throughout the rest of the visit, Alice did her best not to obviously stare at William, but it was rather difficult for her. The young man had dark blonde hair and piercing green eyes which could make her swoon. His voice was worm as velvet and she couldn't help but smile as he spoke. After he had left Alice was relieved to be away from his parents, but hoped she would get to see William soon.

Thatwas 4 years ago. 4 years since I met William Delaney and fell hopelessly inlove with him. 4 years before this nightmare started and my world fell apart.