Chapter 1

 

'Papa, I don't understand. Where are you going with all your bags?' Juliet spoke with panic as she watched the servants load the carriage with boxes.

'Juliet, we warned you, but you did not listen to our words. Your mother and I are leaving today. We want to enjoy the rest of our lives before it is too late. We mean to travel abroad like we have always wanted to.'

'Papa, tell me you are joking with me and that you do not mean what you say. Mother, Papa is just jesting with me, isn't he?' Juliet appealed to her mother, who walked out of the house to stand next to Juliet's father, fidgeting with her hands and unable to look her daughter directly in the eyes.

'I'm afraid your father is speaking the truth. We board our ship in a couple of hours. As your father has explained, we want to travel-and the physician says that a warmer climate will be better for your father's health.'

'Father, Mother, have you both gone mad?! You cannot simply pack up and leave,' Juliet raised her voice in anger. 'Have you forgotten something? What about me? You cannot abandon your daughter.'

'You can come with us on our travels. We have always said you could join us when we leave,' her mother reasoned, trying to speak calmly.

'Why ever would I do that? My home is in England, and I would not be parted from London and all its attractions. My life is here, not in some foreign land,' Juliet almost screamed.