Prologue
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And now we begin....
Prologue – A Birthday Present
January 2nd 1820
It was a cold winter’s day in London, capital of the British Empire.
A lavish house stood on the main road leading from the centre of London to the palaces and halls of the royalty at Westgate. The three story building was made of solid brick and had little thought given to ornamentation. Instead, the austere façade had a single decoration; a brass plate by the door reading:
Sir Benjamin Adams M.P. and Family
Inside, in the top floor bedroom, a young man was asleep. The sun had risen over the chilly streets for an hour, but he was still burrowed under the quilt.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. It opened slightly and a young woman looked in. She wore a cheap, though very clean, maid’s outfit.
“Master John,” she said, a touch timidly.
John stirred in the bed and looked out of his nest blearily. “What is it?”
“The Master sent me to wake you, sir. He said breakfast would be in fifteen minutes.”
He stared at her for a moment, still confused and half asleep. Finally he nodded. “Very well, Anne. Tell father I will be downstairs in fifteen minutes.”
“Should I prepare your clothes, sir?” she asked politely.
John pushed the covers back and stood up. “No thank you, though some hot water would be nice.”
Anne opened the door further to reveal a covered bowl. “I thought you would ask, sir,” she said with a smile. She placed it on a table by the mirror. “Oh, and happy birthday, sir.”
John smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
Fifteen minutes later John headed downstairs and into the long dining room of the house. He’d managed to comb his brown hair into some sort of order, and his blue eyes looked a little more wakeful then before.
Seated at the table already was John’s father Benjamin. Also present was his younger sister Alexandra and his older brother George. A place at the table had been set opposite Benjamin, but was also empty. It was a seat that was never occupied, yet was laid every meal.
“Ah, happy birthday, my boy!” Benjamin said, rising. He put down his copy of the
London Era newspaper and embraced his son.
“Thank you, father. I didn’t hear you get back last night.”
“That does not surprise me; you can sleep through anything. I had to send Anne to wake you when you did not emerge.” He patted his son on the back and sat down. “Your academic reputation has proceeded you, son. Lord Westland offered you a place at King Edward College in Charleston.”
John smiled. “A generous offer, though I am not sure what my next move shall be.”
Benjamin looked at his son, trying to be stern, but it was clear that in the matter of his children he was too kind hearted to push the matter. “Do try to consider it closely, son. This is a great opportunity for you. With your degree it would be easy for you to find a career in the law. It is the path to greater things.”
“I will consider it, father,” John replied.
“Well, whatever your choice, I know your mother would be very proud of you. It’s at times like this that I wish she was here.”
John bowed his head. “As do I.”
The somewhat gloomy atmosphere was broken by George, ever irrepressible. “Happy birthday, Johnny!” he said.
“Thank you,” John replied, a little stiffly.
“Yes, happy birthday,” Alexandra said, smiling. She handed over a package.
John smiled a lot more warmly at his sister and opened the present. Inside was a new fob watch, the gold sparkling in the light.
“A present from us all, son,” Benjamin said. “I also remember that you wished to go to Paris later this year. I will provide for that. I have to go to a sitting of parliament there in may regardless.”
“Thank you, father, than you all.”
Suddenly George sprung up. “Oh, I almost forgot! There was something delivered for you this morning.” He went to the entrance hall and begun rooting around in his coat. Anne came to try and help, but George eventually liberated a wrapped package on his own from the coat and strode back to the table.
“What were you doing outside?” John asked.
“Taking the air,” George replied innocently. He handed over the package and the letter attached.
John hesitated for a second about which to open, but then pulled open the brown paper wrapping to unearth a book. It was titled;
Britannia Triumphant: The Transformation of England into Great Britain 1399-1815
By Lady Clarice Mendenhall
He stared at the book. It was quite thick, and several colour plates and drawings filled the centre pages.
“Oh, that’s nice! You like history and such things,” George pointed out with utter sincerity.
“So I’ve been told,” John replied dryly. After all, John had gotten full marks in his final exam; the first person in that course ever to do so.
The letter was even more puzzling. The back of the envelope had an ornate wax seal. He broke it and removed the letter.
“It seems that others have taken notice of you,” Benjamin said. “If I am not mistaken then this is the seal of Lady Mendenhall as well. A letter from a Duchess on your birthday, I got nothing so grand on my twenty first!”
John laughed and opened the letter. The handwriting was neat and correct, and was addressed to him.
Mister John Adams, 1st January 1820.
Dear John,
I hope this letter finds you in good health, and that you do not take ill to my contacting you. I would first like to wish you a happy birthday, and hope that you find the enclosed present both interesting and helpful. I had the good fortune to hear of your academic ventures at a soirée last night, which I believe your father also attended.
As a fellow historian, and someone who values such distinction I would like to invite you to meet me on the fourth of January at my London residence. This will be only an informal meeting, and you should not feel compelled to attend.
Please send a return message to me indicating whether you will attend or not. If so, I will send a carriage to your house at five pm Tuesday.
Yours sincerely,
Lady Mendenhall
John read the letter again, and wordlessly passed it to his father. Benjamin’s eyebrows raised.
“Extraordinary, John. Do you wish to attend?”
Before he could reply, Alexandra took the letter and read it. “That sounds fantastic! John, you must go! I’ve read all about her.”
“Yes, I hear she is a fine looking lady. Perhaps her appreciation will give great rewards!” George said suggestively, earning a stern look from their father.
“I cannot see the harm,” John replied slowly. He opened Britannia Triumphant at random and read a section, then closed it. “Yes, I shall go. I shall write her a reply and send it on the midday post. Do you know her address?”
Benjamin chuckled slightly. “You know that extremely large mansion opposite the palace at Westgate? That is it, Grey House.”
“But…that is massive,” John said, surprised.
“She’s one of the richest women in England.”
John finished his breakfast and left with the book and letter in hand. It had been a most interesting morning.