Prologue

A/N

  Hey, everybody!

Nope, this isn't a new FF..., I'm still working on that.. [or, that is, I really NEED to work on that ~cough cough~]
[First, lem'me say sorry that the story is kinda... all on one side? For some reason, my email makes it like that... You see, I've been saving it on my email as a draft since I lost my flashdrive. xD]

But anyway, this is a story I've been working for the last several days. Well, obviously, the prologue to a story. It's completely different than the style I usually write in, so prepare for some... well, unusual-ness.

I've just recently read Pride and Prejudice [twice, actually, once to myself, and once out loud to my mom, both reading, in which, about the space of two weeks xD], and I absolutely loved the strange style Jane Austen wrote it in. At first, I didn't; I thought it was weird because I was used to something entirely different. Once I got over that, however, I enjoyed it highly! And I got the urge to attempt something similar. Hence, this story.

It's different, like I said, than usually, but hopefully y'all'll like it anyway :3

Please tell me what you think, and don't at all be afraid to critique!

And that's that!

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Have fun! 8]

  Hazel Chandler and her family were to arrive within the course of

the morning, an impossibly trepidatious thought for Mrs. Williams.

"Luke! My dear, never leave your books lying about so! You're going to cause

the death of me, falling over and splitting my head open! Do you so desire my end?"

"No, mother, of course not." Luke replied warmly.

"Well, I certainly hope not! Get them up, my dear, and prepare

yourself! The Chandlers aren't to be taken so evidently lightly! You

know how important they are; don't dawdle so!" Mr. Williams remained

quiet, reading his newspaper, as the youngest two Williamses, Mia and

Saffron, just a year apart, and neither of which older than seventeen,

dashed past in a frenzy to make something special of their appearances,

this being one of the few occasions they might actually meet with new

acquaintances. "Saffron! Mia! Watch where you're going, children! My

word, what is to become of me!"

"Yes, mother!" Saffron called out, "I'm so terribly sorry, but you see

I'm trying to look pretty... And I'm doing just for you! I know how 

important this is for you. I thought it would help if the Chandlers liked me."

Mia could hardly contain her giggle at her sister’s sly reply and disappeared

into another room before her mother caught sight of her mischievous grin.

"Aww, alright then, sweeties, just make sure you're on your best

behavior when the Chandlers do so arrive!"  She called after them.

    Thus, in this manner, so spent the early morning- Mrs. Williams

fretting, Mr. Williams avoiding, and two Miss Williamses fixing their

hair. Luke Williams was quite used to it after nineteen years of

experience. Hence, he remained quiet and attended to what needed

attending to as he thought about nothing more interesting than the

arrival of the guests they were to be keeping for a fortnight. The

Chandlers had written Mr. Williams a month before, requesting the

trouble of keeping them for thus time, for the city house in which they

generally resided was being updated with the newest... well,

everything. The Chandlers, consisting of a man, wife, single daughter,

Hazel, and son, Collin, were decided upon experiencing the country life;

and they, being none other than the richest guests the Williamses had

hence encountered, were imposing themselves with the knowledge of the

deepest wishes of Mrs. Williams to have such a renowned title for her

humble bed and breakfast, they would be taken care of with the utmost

civility... At least as well can be managed from a country home.

Day One

    The Chandlers were late. Fortunately, this suited Mrs. Williams

perfectly well, for she was able to finish last minute tidying to near

satisfaction; and the breakfast they were to serve, having turned into

lunch, had the addition of a third course. “They’re coming!” Mia,

giddy and frolicking about the house, shouted from the front-facing

parlor. “Yes, my dear, of course they are, just inform me when you see

them.” Mr. Williams muttered from behind his newspaper.

“Mr. Williams! Stand up! Stand up!” Mrs. Williams fretted, “They’re

just coming ‘round the bend! I can see their chaise. I do declare, it’s

as elegant as I ever would have imagined!” Mr. Williams sighed, and

reluctantly stood, not quite as agitated with excitement as the women

rapturously were. Luke Williams was of a like mind, although he was

rather more curious than his father.

     Mr. Williams considered the whole charade completely unnecessary,

as he personally saw the arrivals simply what they were- people, who

happened to have a lot of money. Mia and Saffron, on the other hand,

had similar expectations, both of which delighting in new company, and

therefore, new gossip. However, Mia was more interested in this than

her sister, for Saffron, unbeknownst to her relations, had other

schemes that were developing steadily. Mrs. Williams had the sole

thought of glory, praise, and lots and lots of money if the Chandlers

were good enough to talk to others of their society about her humble

bed and breakfast. Luke looked forward to new company and hoped to find

among them a similar mind, spirit, and, of course, one who must admire

books.

  "Here they are!" Mrs. Williams rushed to the front door and nodded to

Harris, the butler whom they had kept on for as long as she could

remember. He was an old fellow, but did his job well enough, and Mrs.

Williams rather enjoyed talking to him, for he was a good listener,

even if he was deaf.  Harris opened the door, admitting the Chandlers.

   “Oh! How quaint this is!” Mrs. Chandler, the leader and entrepreneur

of this vacation, strode into the room.  She was adorned in pearls from

bracelets to buttons to necklaces, and as elegant as she was, her

clothes were tight-fitting on her large form. Collin Chandler followed

behind her,  enormously physically different, considering his vergiform

appearance and modest vest. He seemed resigned to be there. Behind him

came Mr. Chandler, tall and broad, followed just a moment later by

Hazel Chandler in a simple gown and single loop of pearls around her

slender neck.

   “Welcome! Welcome, to my humble home, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, Miss

Chandler, Master Chandler!” Mrs. Williams trilled and curtsied much

lower than entirely necessary. “This is my husband, Mr. Williams,” Mr.

Williams bowed his head, “And my daughters, Mia and Saffron.”  Mia

immediately curtsied and greeted them, but Saffron stared at Collin

Chandler until he happened to glance her way; She bowed her head and

curtsied, “Charmed… I’m sure.” She murmured quietly.

“And this is my son, Luke Williams.”

 “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“My,  my!” Mrs. Chandler babbled, looking about the room without the

least bit of forbearance. “Small, to be sure, but such a darling

atmosphere!”

“Of course it’s going to be small, Mother; it’s the country after all.”

Collin mumbled.

    Luke tried not to cringe at the incivility, and ceased

listening to the exchange between the Chandlers and his mother. His eyes

fell, staring into the distance and nothing at all. For a moment, he

stared at the quilt hung on the wall; and then his eyes roamed to

Collin’s face. His eyes were brown, a determined brown, like they

weren’t going to change color for anybody. His personality appeared not

to be as Luke had hoped for, but it was too soon to judge with any

accuracy. He would give him another few days before he really accepted

the dismal character.  Luke diverted his eyes, and, momentarily, 

they fell on Hazel Chandler. He started, realizing she was staring 

back at him. Her eyes were crystal blue, and intense. They 

widened at his look and moved hurriedly to another part of the room.

***

     Lunch was, without doubt, the most unusual Luke had ever had in

his nineteen years. Mostly he remained quiet, and watched, listened to

the visitors. One minute would invite Mrs. Chandler’s remarks on one

thing or another, with the next, his mother’s mutterings of humbleness,

and hoping for the most amiable experience for her guests. Soon after,
Mia would be asking anything and everything of city life, to Luke’s dismay

of such poor civility in new company. Collin mostly grunted, remarked

with displeasure on one topic or another, and obviously couldn’t wait to
 be rid of his current companions. Mr.Williams and Mr. Chandler got
on tolerably well; at least they talked to each other a bit, which was an
improvement, at least, for Luke’s father. The strangest part of it all was,
however, Hazel Chandler’s attitude and behavior.

   Luke, sparing a glance for her once in a while, curiously wondering

what she was thinking, noticed she hardly talked either, choosing,

instead, to focus on the two courses and rather observing the faces

around her. She didn’t appear shy, only interested, quiet, getting ideas of the

individuals just through their faces. He caught her, once or twice, looking

at him, yet again, with those severely intense crystal orbs.

   Trying to identify with her, Luke determined to attempt

light conversation, as she was sitting just across from him, and

whenever there was a lull, “I hope your journey to our town was an

agreeable one, Miss Chandler.” Hazel glanced up, a bit surprised at

being spoken to, and replied casually that it was perfectly adequate.

The silence lasted only a moment before Hazel’s mother gladly took upon

herself the burden of making conversation, “By the by, I’m sure your

town of Hemmingsworth must be absolutely quaint! I can only possibly wonder how

it will compare to our, dear city! Indeed, I shall enjoy a drive through it.”

With this, Luke went back to his lunch and remained silently with his

own thoughts.

***

   The day passed more quickly than even Mr. Williams would have hoped.

While they were lunching, Harris, the butler, took the Chandler’s

luggage up to their rooms; and after a bit more of the dreaded polite

conversation in the parlor, Mrs. Chandler proclaimed herself weary with

the traveling and all this meeting of new people. “Oh, my dear Mr.

Chandler, I’m suffering from the most dreadful headache! It must be

 from that trundling drive here. And such strange surroundings I’m not

at all used to! ” Luke’s mother immediately expressed concern, offering

to send for the doctor, but Mrs. Chandler wouldn’t have it, exclaiming

she only needed to rest.  She and her husband went upstairs, leaving

Hazel and Collin with the company of the Williamses.

   Silence ensued. “Master Chandler,” Saffron interrupting it, spoke,

“Perhaps you would like to see the grounds? We have a most lovely

forest nearby, and the pathways are overshadowed from the heat of the

day. I find it quite nice to walk along the paths and get away for a

while.” Collin blinked, but agreed, almost happily, that he would very

much like to be out in the open air. Luke wondered when it was that

Saffron had started liking the outdoors so much, but remained quiet.

Collin bowed and exited with Saffron beside him.

   Mr. Williams soon gave up, retiring to his room, never one for idle

chatter, and Mrs. Williams did her best to make conversation between

Mia and Hazel. The attempt didn’t last long, however, as neither seemed

at all interested in the other. After a bit, Mrs. Williams, sipping her

tea, seemed to stop altogether making any useful conversation.

Realizing the burden had fallen on himself, Luke tried to think of

something to talk about, but Hazle took the trouble herself, “To be

honest, I’ve been longing to ask, do you have a library I might use?”

Luke glanced up, a half-smile on his face.

“Oh!” Mrs. Williams, surprised by this question from the young lady,

“absolutely, Miss Chandler! Would you like me to take you, or…”

“I can show her, Mother, if you would like me too- Miss Chandler?”

She smiled, graciously, “I would very much appreciate it. Mrs.

Williams, I hope you don’t mind my slipping away?”

“No, no! You go right ahead and do what you like, my dear.” Hazel

curtsied, following Luke out of the room.

   Opening the door their small library, Luke and Hazel entered

silently. “Are you fond of books, Master Williams?”

He smiled, “Exceptionally. No one but my father and myself really enjoy

reading, and when it comes to Father, mostly he reads only the

newspaper. Our library was essentially gathered by the past generation

and myself.”

“A kindred spirit.” Hazel smiled at him, and turned, browsing the

shelves.

Luke, clearing his throat, “Well, I’ll let you read in peace, Miss

Chandler,” and exited the room.

***

   The remainder of the day passed in near silence. Mrs. Chandler

remained in her room all that day, with her husband taking her food

when the time came, having informed them that she was abed, still, with

her headache. Collin and Saffron stayed gone until dinner, only coming

back when entirely necessary, both in better spirits than the morning

had afforded. And when Hazel returned from the library, she requested

to take a few books to her own room, and was answered with a most

welcome yes, Mrs. Williams already hoping for a most excellent review

from the youngest Chandler.

   Retiring to bed, Luke pondered his guests, letting all his amiable,

civil, and gallant faces fall way to what he really thought of them. He

wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the lot of them, their family

being drastically different from his own. Except, that is, for Miss

Hazel, who seemed rather more interesting.

   It was a long while before he could let go of his thoughts, and drift off at last.