Saving Scarlet

PROLOGUE

Hampshire, England 1828

PROLOGUE:

Scarlet:

I lifted the bow up, pulling the string back and squinting through one eye as I peered at the target.

"Scarlet, my eldest daughter, is about your age." I was broken from my concentration at the sound of my name and the arrow sailed over the top of the circular target. I spun around glaring at the intruder who had interrupted my practice. The figure of my father appeared, approaching from the back of house with a small boy beside him, Mr James the stable manager following just behind.

My eyes moved from papa down to the boy. He was skinny and his hair was longer than most boys. I watched as the small curls bounced around his face as he nodded his head fiercely, his eyes focussed intently on papa, small grooves already etched into his young forehead. He looked to be no older than ten years, maybe papa had asked him to play with me, after all, I was seven last April and Jonathan wasn't yet old enough to play with me.

I lifted my lips into a smile, it would be nice to have someone to shoot my bow and arrow with rather than just nanny Gardiner watching me over my shoulder. Ignoring my arrow sticking out of the ground a few metres beyond the target, I lifted my dirt-hemmed skirt and began to run towards papa and the boy.

"Ah, here she is the little menace." Papa stroked my hair affectionately, "Archie I would like to introduce you to Lady Scarlet." My face twisted into an unladylike frown at papa's use of my formal title.

The boy turned around to face Mr James behind him as if he were seeking advice from him. Mr James gave him an encouraging nod and motioned him forwards with his hands. The boy, Archie, turned back around and took a step forward holding his hand out formally. I laughed as he stood stock still his hand outstretched rigidly.

"It's a pleasure ta meet ya m'lady," he said in a thick accent similar to Mr James'. His eyes looked worried and his brow furrowed as he watched me, waiting for my response. It seemed silly for him to be calling me 'm'lady' when I was only seven years of age, I was just a little girl, mama was a lady not me.

Papa then turned to me and bent down so his eyes were looking straight into mine, "Archie will be helping Mr James in the stables from now on." I offered the boy another smile and reached my arms out to give him a hug, ignoring his stiff hand.

"You speak funny," I said grinning as the boys face tinged red. "May I play with him papa?" I asked turning to my father and giving him my best pleading look. It was not often that there were other children my age at Clampton. My father smiled down at me before drawing his fingers across his chin and appearing to think very hard.

"I suppose you may, although you'll have to check with Mr James, he may need Archie's extra hands in the stables. After all,' He laughed, "That is what I hired him for." He gestured a hand towards Mr James who was still stood behind him. I nodded my head seriously and stepped around papa so I was face to face with Mr James.

"Please Mr James, might I play with Archie, I promise that I will help with all his chores in the stables later to make up for it. Oh please say I may, it's really no fun by myself, and," I reached up on my tiptoes and cupped my hands around my mouth as I whispered the last part. "Nanny Gardiner is awful dull and she shouts at me every time my dresses get dirty." I pushed my bottom lip out and shook my head solemnly.

"Well, maybe ya shouldn' get ya dress dir'y then Lady Scarlet." Mr James chuckled as I frowned.

"Maybe it will be less dirty if I have a friend to play with?" I suggested, smiling slyly up at the middle aged man turning briefly to see Archie was grinning as eagerly as me.