1800 | Luke Hemmings

1

"Here ye, here ye." He shouted in the town square.
It was Luke. His blonde hair was quite shaggy and lightly curled. His blue eyes were glimmering in the sunlight. His knickers were a little tight on his bum. The deep burgundy color of his coat accentuated how blue his eyes were.
"My father the mayor of this town, is holding a dance and everyone is invited." He announced.
The crowd cheered. I wonder why his father sent him and not one of his people.
"Dress your best and arrive at 6 pm tomorrow." He finished and like that, he went to his carriage and was gone.
I was excited for the dance. It was my first dance. My sister Charlotte, had been to many. Boys were always taking her to them. My father is a senator. So, Charlotte is a very wanted lady. I have not had many boys wanting to court me at all. I hope by going to this dance I will find somebody.

We sat down to eat. It was Mother, Charlotte, and I.
"Mother Mayor Andrew's is hosting a dance tomorrow."
"Yes, Isabella and ?" Mother questioned
"Well, could Charlotte and I attend?" I ask. She's weary about this. I hope she says yes.
Mother had lost a child after my sister was born and after I was born she had lost 2. So I was the last child she was going to have. I was very protected.
"Well, I suppose you can go but, Charlotte you must watch her very well." She said,
"Yes Mother, of course." She replied.
I knew she would watch me but, she was going to let me do what I wanted. She would even encourage it.
"Isabella?" She asked.
"Yes, mother?"
"Dance with a nice boy, okay." She knew me too well.
"Of course mother."
We finished eating and then Father came home.
"Hello, my darlings."
We all ran to hug Father.
"Father, Charlotte, and I are going to a party," I told him.
"Ahh, wonderful." He said. "Maybe you will both get married and leave."
We all laughed.
"Oh, father. You and I both know that Charlotte will get married but me who knows."
I said it very jokingly but, I wasn't joking. I was worried I wouldn't get married. Everyone compares me to Charlotte. I also have been kept inside a lot. So sheltered. I want a boy who will love me and be a wonderful husband.

I sat at my boudoir and my mother was brushing my hair.
"Isabella, please be careful tomorrow." She said with a lot of concern in her voice.
"I will mother."
"I'm very serious." She said, "Remember your last name is a ticket to success, anyone would take advantage of that."
"I know mother."
She fixed my hair and put my nightcap on.
"Alright, good night." She says to me,
She walked out and in came Charlotte.
"She is scared you're gonna get a crazy man isn't she." She stated.
"Yeah," I replied.
I started to think about Luke. He probably wouldn't take advantage of my name. I mean his father is a mayor. I've met him a few times and he's very nice. He's also very handsome.
"Isabella." She said softly.
"Yeah."
"I don't want to get married."
"What," I said. I made sure I wasn't loud. "Why?"
"I want to change the world." She said, "I want to work and travel as well."
"I think you should listen to mother and father, they know what's best for us," I said. "Besides you and your husband could travel together."
I mean they are our parents. They have our best interest. She didn't look very pleased with my answer.
"Well, goodnight Izzy." She said a little irritated.
"Good night."
I changed into my nightgown. It was white and had a light pink ribbon throughout the top of it. I put out the candles and got into bed and fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning. It was a little chilly so, I fetched my dressing gown. I make my bed and make sure everything is tidy. I walk down to the kitchen to see Mother preparing fried potatoes and hash. I knew she was making hot bread as well. I could smell it. She turned around.
"Ahh. Isabella." She said, "Can you go get your sister up."
"Of course mother."
I went back upstairs to Charlotte's room. Went over to her bed.
"Charlotte it's time to get up," I said to her.
"Okay." She yawned.
I grabbed her dressing gown and handed it to her.
"Mother is almost done with breakfast."
I left Charlotte's room and returned to the kitchen. Mother was almost finished with the cooking. I set the table and got the milk. Charlotte came down and sat at the table. Mother put food on the plates. Mother and I sat down as well.
"Now let us say grace."
We reached for each other's hand.
"Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen." We all said.
We begin eating. The milk is passed around. I pour my milk into my glass and set the milk on the table. Father went to work early today. Which means he decided to walk today. He'll be late and left the horse for Charlotte and me.

Charlotte and I are preparing to help with housework. I put on my underdresses and my corset. I put my dress on and then my apron. We can afford to have a servant but, Father says he's teaching us important skills by not having one. I think he's just cheap. I grabbed a bucket and a scrubber. I started cleaning the stove. I moved onto the table and the counters. I grabbed a broom and swept the floors. I wash the dishes we use. Mother loves an immaculate house. I checked everything multiple times. I go to the parlor and sweep. Mother loves an immaculate house. I checked everything multiple times. Charlotte is cleaning upstairs. I finish and go upstairs to give Charlotte the broom. I go to my room, sit on my bed, and read.