Longstride

Chapter 1: Ruby Jane

  "William, Beau!" I shrieked. "Give me my book back!", "Oooohh what's this?" William teased. "Roooomaaannce, bleh" Beau continued. "It is not 'Romance' it is poetry. Now, give it back!". "Fine Rubes, why should we care". Beau then threw my book at my face and I dodged it by a centimeter. "Gee, thanks", I murmured. I hated it when my brothers would tease me when I read. Can't a woman read! Besides, they were my younger brothers, they were 12 and I was 18. I couldn't let them bully me around! I picked up my book and put it in my library. After that, I grabbed my journal and ran outside. I started to write, that's what I usually did when I was upset. Read or write, that's it, especially about romances. I have always longed to marry the love of my life but all the boys I knew were either annoying or vain. While I was writting, my lady's maid, Ginny, came up to me and told me that I had a letter from a Mrs. Katherine Smith. Who in the world was Mrs. Smith? "Thank you Ginny, you may go". Ginny gave a small curtsy and hurried to the house. I turned my attention back to the letter. It was an invite, which was very uncommon for me to receive, but I opened it out of curiosity.

  Dear Ms. Ruby Jane,
                              I know this is sudden but I would like to invite you to come to my family land, Longstride, it is a  beautiful place and I assure you that you'll enjoy it. I am also accquainted with your Grandmother so you shall not be alarmed, for I am not a stranger.
                                            Sincerely,
                                                   Mrs. Smith

I wondered why she would think I'd be alarmed? Well I did not need to worry, this sounded like an adventure! The invite said I had three days to prepare to go, which I guess was somewhat reasonable. I rushed inside to find my parents and I bumped into them and when I did mother said, "Ruby Elizabeth Jane! You musn't run like that in a dress, especially in the house!", "Sorry, I was just excited" I whispered, "It's all right, everyone gets a little excited now and then", father piped in, "Tell us all about it during dinner".

   
  Later, during dinner, the family sat down and I was so eager to talk about the invitation, I couldn't wait. "Mama, Papa", "Yes darling" Mother said. "I have been waiting all evening to tell you that I have been invited to Longstride". "Longstride?!" they said in unison, "That's where your Grandmother met your Grandfather you know" Father said. "Yuck" William said, then Beau added, "Rooommaanncee". I shrugged it off this time and listened to Mother and Father intently. "So am I allowed to attend?". My parents exchanged worried looks, then nodded and said, "Yes", "but you need to be aware that Mrs. Smith can be a bit boastful without intention". I thought for a moment, then said, "Okay, thank you very much, may I be excused to go start packing?". My parents nodded and I ran upstairs and started to write in my journal. After that, I started to pack my best dresses, shoes, jewlery, and my journal of course (and a couple books that I assure no one will find on my trip). When I was done with that I wrote back to Mrs. Smith saying that she would be expecting my arrival the day after tomorrow.