Chapter One

     Luke, waking early the following morning, arose before anyone

else- this being his usual practice. The mornings were his favorite

time of the day, the time when the sun was struggling to make it over the

horizon. This was his time; a time when everything seemed quiet, still,

and peaceful, without a rambunctious mother or sisters or such a melancholy

father to impute his unwelcome thoughts.

  Departing from the house, Luke strolled into the forest nearby,

still bright from summer, although autumn would be coming before long;

A bit of a chill and something in the wind could already be felt.

  He walked along the paths he usually chose, the ones not many other

people enjoyed as he did,  especially down the routes he particularly

liked. Really, they were nothing more than deer tracks and hardly paths

at all; still, this made them even better, letting him wander and

think, passing by streams and creeks where wildlife frequented.

Dear and rabbits were especially common, and they had gotten so

familiar to his presence that they scarcely even started at the sight

of him.

    After an hour or two, when the sun had risen high enough to see more

easily, he returned, assuming correctly that someone would

be up by now. Usually it would be his father, or sometimes Saffron who

was a rather light sleeper. He and whoever else would dawdle and talk until

breakfast; however, today he was surprised upon entering the

parlor by another person, finding Hazel sitting and reading a book.

He wondered whether or not to interrupt her, and decided it would be worth the risk, "Good

morning, Miss Chandler." She started at the sound of his voice.

"Oh! good morning, Master Williams."

"I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you."

"No," she laughed, "the fault is entirely mine. I fear I was so

engrossed that I didn't notice your entrance."

"Do you mind if I ask-? What are you reading?" Luke entered the room

and sat across from Hazel.

"It's a collection of short stories and tales. To be perfectly honest,

I can derive enjoyment from reading most anything, but I love fairy

tales out of them all.” She paused a moment before adding, “Probably

you think I'm silly- for liking nonsensical stories such as these."

"Ah, you would be mistaken, madam. This is Grimm’s Fairy Tales, is it

not? This particular book," Luke explained, "I bought myself a year ago

when it was first dispensed for the public. When I originally heard of

it, I was thrilled, determining to do what I must- to buy it."

"Truly? So this is a book which you added to the Library yourself."

He smiled, "Indeed, my family thought I was ridiculous to spend as I

did on books, especially fairy tales, but I think you will agree with

me that it was entirely worth bit of it."

Hazel laughed, about to reply, when her mother appeared in the doorway

and interrupted, “Hazel! My dear, the cook is just about to ring for

breakfast. Are you going to sit and chatter all day?”

    Hazel glanced at her mother when she said this, and there was

something in her eyes Luke couldn’t identify. Then it was gone, like it

was never there at all, and her crystal eyes returned to Luke. She smiled, "Well,

I suppose I ought to take this up to my room before breakfast. If you'll excuse me,

Master Williams."

"Of course."

   As Hazel left, her mother walked towards Luke, who stood, as was

proper, and offered her a seat and tea, if she would like him to get

some; although it would be an odd thing to have just before

breakfast. Still, Luke’s mother expected him to be beyond civil, and he

was fulfilling duties.

“No…, thank you my dear, but I would much prefer a bit of company, if

you wouldn’t mind offering it, before the cook rings the bell.”

“Oh!” Luke was surprised by this request, knowing she

hadn’t been particularly impressed by him the day before. “Of course,

Mrs. Chandler; it would be my pleasure.” She seated herself where Hazel

had been, and an awkward silence followed. After a moment more, he

couldn’t bare it further and tried small talk.

“The weather, I’m sure you will be pleased to hear, is beautiful today.

Perhaps you will like to make that visit to town this afternoon.”

Mrs. Chandlers nodded curtly and smiled such a fake smile. “Master

Williams, I do hope you understand that we’re here to get away from

city life.”

“Yes, I- of course… I wasn’t meaning to insinuate anything. I apologize

if it came across-“

“Master Williams, I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Luke, wondering what he could have possibly done in so

short a time to upset Mrs. Chandler, tried to explain that he didn’t

understand at all what she meant, but the bell rang in the next room

before he could say two words. Mrs. Chandler stood, “If we must, we will speak of it

another time. If you will pardon me, Master Williams.”

He stood for her departure, utterly confused. Outwardly, however, he

remained calm, “Of course, madam.”

***

    Breakfast seemed to ebb along in the slowest possible fashion, and

Luke had to strain to appear patient. He really just wanted to be out

of the house and away from everybody. They were all acting strangely

for one reason or another, especially the Williamses who were either

doing everything to appear hospitable, friendly, and the perfect place for

lots of rich guests; or trying to impress one another. Luke, personally, didn’t

entirely understand the latter example, especially when it came from Saffron,

who was generally a companion with whom he could enjoy a reasonable conversation.

Today, however, she was focused on other things and seemed to be acting out of

character. Mrs. Chandler was probably the worst of the Chandlers, as

she kept looking at him oddly, somewhat snarky, and interrupting him

uncivilly. Even Hazel sat at the other end of the table and avoided his eye.

   It did end, however, and that was a good moment. Luke immediately

made his apologies and left, escaping, and walking the two miles to

town. The walk was exceptionally relaxing, and he went slowly to draw

it out, letting his mind wander.

   It was only the second day since the Chandlers had come, and yet,

things were already becoming awkward. Luke couldn’t explain either his

conversation with Mrs. Chandler that morning, or the way Hazel had

acted afterwards. Perhaps they thought he was too beneath them and

didn’t want to bother talking with him more than absolutely necessary.

Only- they- especially his and Hazel’s mother- seemed to get on

relatively well and each had much to talk about. Just that morning

Luke’s mother had expressed her joy at Mrs. Chandler’s recovered

health, and the conversation from yesterday went on practically

unceasingly. Also, from what he had seen of Hazel Chandler, she didn’t

seem the kind to be so petty or aloof. It was all completely baffling

and governed his mind until arriving in Hemmingsworth.

    Luke’s excuse, when leaving home, had been that he had promised to

Go to town to see a friend of his that day. Well, he might not have

actually promised it, but it had been more than a fortnight since he

had seen Jack Cartright and assumed his presence would not be dismayed.

However, upon arriving, he found Jack had already left for the day to

visit his brother and sister-in-law in the next county over. They had

been married just over a year, but Jack still missed his brother and

visited often.

Disheartened, Luke determined to browse the town until nightfall; a

ploy, as it was, to avoid as much communication with the Chandlers as possible

that day.

***

    Browsing Hemmingsworth, in usual terms, would not have taken all

day; however, Luke stretched it out, and triumphed in delaying his return.

Part of which, must be attributed to having been invited to an

acquaintance’s for lunch, where he remained afterward for tea and

conversation. It was the house of the Adams who were particularly

fond of gossip.

“My, my, Master Williams! It seems so long since we last had the

pleasure of your company!” Mrs. Adams proclaimed. To which, Luke

replied that he would certainly visit more often.

“Yes, yes, you really must!” She paused only a minute before adding,

“And by the by, a little bird told me that an exceptionally elegant

chaise was seen arriving at your quaint little bed and breakfast! Dare

I ask- are we to have new acquaintances for the ball?”

Luke, smiling, explained that he was uncertain whether or not his

guests would be their guests at the ball when the time came, but would

be sure to inform them of its existence, in case they did, indeed, wish

to join. This reply, of course, hardly satisfied Mrs. Adams’ hunger for

gossip, and the afternoon passed in her attempt to casually gain more

information. Miss Adams, but fifteen, seemed particularly distracted in

trying to gain his attention until he left, exclaiming how excited she

was for the ball, especially, and wondering if he would be there.

   All in all, the time slipped by sufficiently well, and when he did

get back, was addressed with exclamations of surprise at his being away

for so terribly long. However, dinner passed fairly the same as breakfast had;

only, Hazel didn’t entirely ignore him. Almost, to be certain, but not

completely, for she did ask him how his trip to town was. The

conversation between them ceased after this.

   That night, he took to the library where he was least likely to be

interrupted. He thought Hazel might venture in, but contrariwise, it

remained quiet. Luke assumed this was because she still had books to read in her own

room and remembered her reading Grimm’s Fairy Tales that morning. These

thoughts, however, were trying to take his mind again, and he refused

to think on them further, delving, instead, into his books until late at

night when all the house was silent and serene. He slipped past the

doors , noticing a small light coming from Miss Chandler’s room, and

strove to be especially quiet until he found sanctuary in his own

room, where he swiftly drifted off after a long day of too much thinking

.