Authors note:
The people in this story are completely fictional, I have tried to keep it historically acurate for the time the 18th century pre-revolutionary war America, England, and Canada but I am not a historian so errors will occur. The Duke of Warwick is not real but there is a Warwick England. Warwick is a name I have used in stories since I found the name on a gravestone of a young man who died when he was fifteen the same age I was when I found his grave from the 1880s something about that made me realize I was not immortal as many teens feel they were. I loved the name so I used it. Now on with the story.
James Warwick was the oldest son of Duke Cedrick Warwick, he had a brother ten months younger then himself Albert. Jamie was a quiet boy who prefered reading and day dreaming to the sports and rough and tumble things his brother Albert enjoyed. Everyone called James Jamie. Many forgot that he was the older boy because Albert was so outgoing and strong.
Jamie however didn't mind the slight at all.
That Spring a new family the St. Laurents moved into the estate next to the Warwick estate. The father was French and Italian noble blood, the mother was the sister of an important Earl. They had two daughters Gabrielle and Octavia. At once Albert was attracted to both girls. Even though Octavia's wild black hair was still worn much as a childs.
Albert of course was taken with Gabrielle, but she is more interested in men then fourteen year old boys. Jamie barely says a word to them being somewhat shy, but he notices Octavia.
Jamie was quiet and spent a great deal of time with his nose in a novel prefering books to most people.
One day Jamie was out for one of his walks and he meets a dog, he always liked dogs but his father a pious man who believed animals should live out of doors never allowed his son a pet of his own.
Jamie sees Octavia and the dog goes to her, and they start to talk. He is at once in love with her, she is different then the giggling girls he has known, she is intelligent and interested in more then parties and dances.
They start meeting every day. Jamie is having a lot of trouble with his math. His tutor Mr. Duncan says Jamies head is full of nonsense. So Octavia helps him with his studies she is a good teacher and breaks down things so Jamie can understand them.
But his brother Albert who has struck out with Gabrielle so far, is a bit jealous of Jamie and the raven haired beauty Octavia. Who won't give him the time of day. She has heard tales of Alberts lust on the farm girls and maids about the village.
Albert overhears his parents talking about how in a year it will be time to send Albert off to be trained for an officer, how it is tradition in the Warwick family, that the oldest son becomes duke, the second son becomes an officer in his majesties army, and the third son becomes a holy man. Cedrick was supposed to become a holy man, that is why he is so pious and religious. But his older brother the duke had died and his officer brother had died so he had to quit the church and become the Duke of Warwick.
Albert wants to be Duke, he does not want to go away to school and become an officer for the King and country. He decides he must do something, then he hatches a plan, it will get rid of Jamie and get him Octavia. The new maid barely seventeen and nice to look at would serve him well.
Meanwhile, for the first time in their lives Jamie and Octavia know they are in love, and Jamie's father is proud. He never thought his slightly awkward shy son would ever be able to find a wife without paying a high dowery. The St.Laurents were also pleased with their daughters choice. Meanwhile Gabrielle and Albert have became friends at least.
The maid often wondered how Jamie could come to her bed and be so romanic and tender of a lover to her then totaly ignore her when she was around him. But it was not her place to ask.
Perhaps she would be better off if she left to go to her sisters in the village but she needed the money, and she was treated well.
WCRNewMaid.jpg">
Octavia's dog had puppies and Jamie had become fond of one and named it Piper, she wanted to give the puppy to him but how could he explain his fathers reasoning about God and animals. It made no sense to him. He only wanted one thing more then Piper, that was Octavia as his wife and out of this house.
It seemed to Octavia and Jamie that it was impossible a year had passed, they were promised in marriage, for which they would have to wait yet another year, for the banns to be read.
But then tragedy struck
When the maid who had carefully concealed her condition, gave birth the Duke demanded her to name the father.
She names Jamie, not realizing in the dark of her small room it was Albert whispering "Mary, it is I Jamie," before coming to her bed. The child definanately looked like a Warwick.
The maid is sent away with a stipend and to swear never to reveal the fathers name. The shame of it all if it were to get out that a son of Cedrick Warwick had sired a child with a maid.
Being a pious man Cedrick is outraged.His son could be involved with a maid in such a common way. Albert is trying not to laugh at his brother as he is being threatened by his father.
"Son you have disgraced me and your family with this woman Mary," Cedrick boomed.
"What are you speaking of father?" Jamie asked looking confused.
"Your trysts with the maid, and your child with said woman, you are supposed to be better then that!" Cedrick said and cuffed his son.
"But father!" Jamie cried his father had never struck him so.
"I am sending you away, I know not where, but I am sure that Sir St. Laurent will not wish you as a son in law now, this is disgraceful," Cedrick shouted.
"But I did nothing! You must believe me." Jamie pleaded.
"A liar and a fornicater Jamie I must send you somewhere you will learn not to sin," Cedrick cried for it broke his heart that his son would lie, almost as much as as the fornication.
Jamie hears Albert laugh, but there is no time for that now. He goes straight away to tell Octavia what has happened.
"Octavia you must believe me I barely knew Mary, I don't pay attention to others, my father is sending me away, I love you, I do not wish to leave you behind," Jamie cried.
"I belive you and I will take Piper and run away with you," Octavia said.
"Where would we go, England is a big country but my father or yours may find us," Jamie reasoned.
"There must be someone who can help us," Octavia said.
"George, we have been friends a long time, since we were children," Jamie said.
George now works as a blacksmith apprentice, but he had talked for some time to Jamie about going to the new world. He agreed to meet Jamie and Octavia near the house of his master.
"Jamie I am willing to take you to the new world but I don't know about taking a woman with us, we have to work on the ship," George explained.
"I can work as good as any man," Octavia said thinking no one could help them.
"Please George, you must take her with us, she is not like other women, she is smart and strong." Jamie pleaded.
Octavia had never heard Jamie plead like that, he was very proud and usually bore anything without complaint.
"Alright, I will think of something, my cousin is only expecting two men, Thomas was going with me but he got married last week, now he is stuck here," George sighed, he would rather have Jamie then Thomas, but he was unsure of Octavia. Women were trouble.
Jamie went home to get his money and some things to wear, and ran into Albert who was smirking and then he knew, his brother had been with the maid and this was all his fault.
"You did this I am going away and you better not say anything to our father or I will tell him about the maid. That child will probably have hazel eyes not blue. Proof that your the father." Jamie threatened.
Suddenly they were fighting!
"Just go Jamie I won't say anything," Albert said thinking it would look even better with more guilt if he ran away.
Will they reach the new world?
To be continued . . . .
Chapter Two