Evangeline Sherwood placed quill point to parchment and began to write: Where does one's story start? At birth? At one's debutante's ball? Or at that singular moment in time when one's normal path goes astray? Mine started the second day of March, 1775, when a mysterious coach forced my parent's carriage from the road and over a cliff.
My eldest brother, Horatio, and his wife, Charlotte, privately grieved for a week, and then simply pretended to grieve when in public. In actuality they pursued all opportunities to elevate their social status, preying on the sympathies of others.
My second brother, Everett, fell into his cups for months. His misery may have been greater than my own, I'll grant him that. Indeed, my Everett was kind, generous, and ever so clever. He should have inherited the Barony, the title, the mansion and all the holdings--except for one little thing, Horatio was older by eleven months. Everett and I had lost our parents and soon we would lose our home.
(Click on each picture to enlarge -- and read the captions for the full story!)
My eldest brother, Horatio, and his wife, Charlotte, privately grieved for a week, and then simply pretended to grieve when in public. In actuality they pursued all opportunities to elevate their social status, preying on the sympathies of others.
My second brother, Everett, fell into his cups for months. His misery may have been greater than my own, I'll grant him that. Indeed, my Everett was kind, generous, and ever so clever. He should have inherited the Barony, the title, the mansion and all the holdings--except for one little thing, Horatio was older by eleven months. Everett and I had lost our parents and soon we would lose our home.
(Click on each picture to enlarge -- and read the captions for the full story!)
If not for Adamina Jones (my dear school friend, a colonist from Ameri-sim) I would have been completely bereft. She lent me copious handkerchiefs and stood by my side during the terrible rumors of my reduced dowry. When the invitation came for Addy's debutante ball, hosted by her Aunt and Uncle, I begged Horatio permission to attend, and threatened Everett with bodily harm if he embarrassed our good family name. Decent brother that he was, he rose to the occasion, put the bottle aside and began looking at the future with clear eyes.
(Pictures of the debutante ball courtesy of Debs)
(Pictures of the debutante ball courtesy of Debs)
As luck would have it, Everett and Addy hit it off better than I could have wished and after a whirlwind courtship and six long months of waiting for permission to wed from Adamina's father (who lived in the barbaric colonies), permission finally arrived with the stipulation they accept the ship awaiting them at the docks and sail back to Admina's home. The rush was due in most part to her mother's ailing health and her father's fears that Addy and Everett may not get through the various blockades, privateers, and other inherent dangers of a budding war. Except for a raise in taxes, higher prices for furs, and stories of somebody's son missing, this was the first time I felt this war's shadow. I did not want my brother and Addy to sail off into such a frightening scenario. But first, shopping for Adamina's trousseau and the wedding.
Tension in the house grew as Everett and Adamina packed and readied themselves for their trip. Each day I became more and more despondent, fearful that I would never again see either of them again. Everett often ruffled my hair, telling me that when the war was over, they would come and visit. I was becoming desperate.
Living aboard a ship was not what I had expected. In fact, adventures were alternately hot, cold, hungry, queasy, dirty, itchy, scary, quiet, noisy, boring, frightening and seemingly in large part -- quite messy.
From the log of Captain Adam Ryker, Privateer. September 5, 1775. Had a report of a Simland ship (The Adamina Fair) hightailing it upriver, taking supplies to French settlers. The Eclipse is giving chase. I expect to come within sight of the ship any day now. They will have to carefully navigate the river, whereas, we know it well.
For more of Everett and Adamina Sherwoods' story click here
Evangeline spread out a sheet of parchment. Her hand shook as she dipped quill to ink. She had always found respite in placing her thoughts on paper. She prayed she would once again:
How could I go on without knowing what has become of Everett and Adamina? The thought of taking a life was abhorrent. And why? For less taxation, more power, more representation? Women have little of these so-called freedoms. And yet -- I did run away from my family obligations in Simland, refusing to marry Lord Crotchety. What next? Would I toss aside more trappings of society and cut my hair or don trousers? Perhaps, in my heart, I knew I had already become a female rebel. And so I wrote out my own declaration of independence -- against men.
How could I go on without knowing what has become of Everett and Adamina? The thought of taking a life was abhorrent. And why? For less taxation, more power, more representation? Women have little of these so-called freedoms. And yet -- I did run away from my family obligations in Simland, refusing to marry Lord Crotchety. What next? Would I toss aside more trappings of society and cut my hair or don trousers? Perhaps, in my heart, I knew I had already become a female rebel. And so I wrote out my own declaration of independence -- against men.