The Warrior and The Duke: A Historical Romance

Prologue

Hong Kong Island

May 1842

A scream roared across the port dock, shifting everyone's attention.

Nolan groaned, "Annalee, can you please be careful?" Shifting his attention to his younger sister, "I don't need you busting your brains before we can even get to the villa." The child nearly tripped jumping on the dock.

"But, look, brother, that man is climbing a strange tower," the five-year-old yelled excitedly.

The Earl and Countess Montague face the direction their daughter was pointing to. It was the time of the season in Hong Kong when the citizens were celebrating the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. A strange celebration it was to these native Londoners. Near the harbor, the Hong Kong citizens were preparing to gather for the Bun Scrambling Competition.

"Yes, darling but don't stare too long it's rude," said the Countess, Isabelle Montague.

Turning to the rest of her children, Nolan(15), Theodore(13), Josephine(11), Eleanor(8), and Eugene(6). "All right children, why don't you head into town and enjoy the festival while your father and I head to the villa to set up our belongings."

"Mr. Ming will be going with you so you don't get lost," The Earl, Victor Montague, turned to their newly hired Chinese footman, and whispered, "Make sure they return to the villa before sunset."

"Yes, my lord," Mr. Ming leads the children out of the docking area towards town. "C'mon, children this is a very exciting day to enjoy the festival."

The streets were booming with music and laughter as children were bumping into each other. Annalee found the whole celebration intriguing, astounded by the lights and music despite not seeing that many bright colors in the streets of London. She excitedly ran over to a vendor selling big buns and asked Mr. Ming to buy her one. As Mr. Ming paid for the bun, the child turned her attention to her older sisters Josephine and Eleanor. They were trying on hair clippers at another stand on the other side of the street.

Dashing across the street, Annalee yelled, "I want one!" Josephine and Eleanor with an annoyed expression looked down at their sister saying, "No."

Josephine was the eldest daughter of the Montagues and more responsible than her two younger sisters. As for Nolan, who was the eldest child of the Montague, made sure to watch out for his younger siblings, especially making sure to keep a keen eye on the youngest, Annalee.

"Ms. Annalee, your bun," said Mr. Ming, handing the giant bun to her.

"What is that writing in the middle?" replied the child, referring to the red writing on the bun.

"It's a Chinese character that means peace. The festival is to commemorate traditional Chinese culture, and it's also to drive away evil spirits."

"Well, it sure is driving away something, 'cause this is delicious," she muffled, stuffing her face into the bun.

Looking up from the child, Mr. Ming inspects where the other children might have gone. Theodore and Eugene both were at the town center watching the lion dance performance. As the others joined them, they noticed that at the very center stood one of the giant towers that Annalee mentioned near the harbor. The tower stood at least 60 feet off the ground, made of bamboo and covered with fake buns.

While her siblings and Mr. Ming were engrossed in watching the men climb the bun tower, Annalee turned her attention to the small parade of people who were roaring. Moving towards the sound, and through the enormous crowd, Annalee pushes her way to the center to see children her age standing at the top of large sticks wearing traditional Chinese attire. As more children approached the corner, the audience roared even louder. After finishing her bun, Annalee joins the audience in cheering.