Something interesting to share… In a current trial run for a story about bringing Austenian times to the present… “The Expectations of a Gentleman’s Daughter” is just the start or something interesting… Here’s a sneak peak!!
Having been raised with three older brothers and a younger sister, Elizabeth Axelsson was quite neglected by her parents due to the excellence of pedigree reflected by her siblings but not herself. More wild and rambunctious than the others of her class, Eliza often spent time in the stables, grooming and riding the horses.
When Devon, her eldest brother, and Colin, her second eldest entered society, their lives changed as the three younger siblings were kept a closer watch on. Also, as their wealth grew, business captivated the attentions of her elder brothers more and more. Despite it being the 21st century, the upper regime of the classes still maintained the society of the olden days, but kept to their own rules instead of others.
James, the brother closest to her in age and personality, often encouraged Eliza to be more coy and instructed her so, but gave in much too easily to her suggestions of entertainment otherwise. More eager to race horses or daring feats on their beautiful properties, it was easy to understand why Mrs. Axelsson never allowed Jane, the youngest, and her only chance of raising a lady, join her siblings.
Kept away from them as much as possible, Jane was quiet and forced into isolation. But, what no one knew, Eliza often visited Jane through the vents and snuck her candies. And so, Eliza maintained, for the most part, the glue between the five siblings despite their very different public and private preferences.
Which is why, when James and Eliza were allowed into society, the Axelsson family changed gears in shielding Jane and chose to push Eliza into exile, hoping she would not sully the family name and reputation within their closed society. Against the wishes of their children, who vouched to protect Eliza regardless of what mishap occurred, Mrs. Axelsson pushed for Mr. Axelsson to send Eliza away for boarding school.
So, when the family had gathered without Eliza during those years she had not been allowed to return, though Mrs. Axelsson was pleased with the attention on Jane as the jewel of the family, any inquiries of Eliza were brushed aside. But, Eliza had made her own way in the world she had been cast out from. Without informing her family of her success as the post sought after horse trainer and rider in civil societies, it happened that when a competition happened on Axelsson grounds, Eliza, then only, returned to her family’s home.
And now… the beginning of Chapter 1… as I have written it…
As people gathered on the green, there came a remarkable sound of an unforgettable sight. In a group of three riders, the first being the head of the Equestial Academy and next to him, a woman that the Axelsson family all gasped seeing the sight of. It was none other than Eliza Axelsson who rode his flank. With her dark piercing eyes and no facial expression, she nodded at the introduction to the introduction of herself to her parents, though no one knew this was the circumstance.
After all, when the Axelssons sent her abroad, they stripped her of her surname and changed it to Hawkins, the surname of a distant relation’s. So, it was quite natural for her to ask them, though as abrupt as it seemed, “I had read you have five children. Where is your other?”
To a bystander, it was a question often asked but no answers were made except, which Mrs. Axelsson strained to make at that moment, “She is out of the country.”
At this, Eliza only answered, “Is she?” She then, nodded to Mr. Axelsson who lowered his eyes in shame, as she rode past them on the most beautiful horse anyone had ever seen, a black and healthy Akhal-Teke.
Devon and Colin followed the horses, wondering if their sister would keep away from them, as well. James stayed with Jane, both watching their estranged sister with open admiration.
Stopping at the gate, she reached down to pull a helmet over her head. Her beautiful steed beneath her waited, looking over the jumps that had been set up for him. He knew them well and waited for his rider to announce that she was ready. As the crowds looked upon them, she entered the arena and released the reins. So surprised were the many onlookers, Devon and Colin only barely managed to hear another trainer sigh with open admiration, “Axel is so majestic when she rides him.”
At this signal, Axel walked around the arena as Eliza waited for him to warm up. He did so by moving from a walk to a trot, and then, into an easy cant. After a few rotations, he felt his reins tighten as Eliza regained control. Her legs squeezed and pushed him into a trot.
No one watching could miss the set determination in her as she pointed him towards the first jump and then the second. Each done, consecutively, rendered busts of applause from the audience. They watched as, rider and steed, each obstacle were conquered and braved with ease. So, when they had finished the course, Eliza patted Axel’s neck and he slowed before walking around and then, he reared up in an excellent pose, his rider clinging to him, before he stood back on all four.
This display was to satisfy questions as to her abilities. Indeed, Eliza Hawkins was the best horse trainer and rider many knew of. Few knew others who could rival her seat. Which was why the open admiration from the Axelsson siblings was dismissed without questioning.
As Eliza dismounted, she kissed Axel’s soft nose and he waited for her to lead him from the arena. Together, they walked to the awaiting stables as others regained their conversations. This competition was in honor of the plentiful fouling season the country had. Everyone awaited for Eliza to step from the stables, but she did not.
James smiled and nodded Jane towards the direction of the back room, where Eliza had often hidden from their parents in the past. Jane nodded and allowed her brother to lead her that way. They were joined by Devon and Colin, who were as speechless as they were.
There, they saw that the room was empty. Jane frowned and, leaving the side of her brother, she moved towards the stables, where she found Eliza brushing Axel with ease and endearment. She’d often seen this in the past, when waiting to play with Eliza as children. As much as she loved playing with her sister in secret, she adored watching Eliza brush horses because of the gentleness and care she took with them.
As James joined her at her side, Devon and Colin rounded the corner to see that they had all gathered. Devon sighed and stated, “Odd, how siblings think alike.”
Each stepped closer to where Eliza stood, checking the horse shoes of Axel. Warily eyeing those just joining them, Axel gave an abrupt snort of his nostrils, as if to warn Eliza of the company.
From the other end of docking station, a young gentleman had stood without their notice. He looked around them and smirked, “See, Eliza? Even your great talent has attracted all of the Axelsson siblings.”
Devon, Colin, James, and Jane stood very still, each wanting to point out the mention of the mistake, but none knowing who ought to. Indeed, it was Eliza who corrected, “Apparently, one of the five is still abroad, Khlas.”
Devon narrowed his eyes and realized that it was Robert Khlas who stood in the shadows, nearest to Eliza. He frowned and demanded, “Why do you hide in such a way, sir?”
Robert pushed from the wall and stood upright, a good inch taller than Devon, before he replied, “I was chatting with my friend. Have I no right to?” he added, throwing an accusing gaze upon Devon that shamed him. Had the world known that Eliza was an Axelsson, Devon would have had the firmer ground on which he spoke. Since the her identity and surname had been stripped from Eliza, there was no connections except blood and memories that tied her to the Axelssons.
Colin tried to defend his brother by suggesting, “Why not wait outside, where the air is more pleasant.”
His entreaty fell to deaf ears. For, Robert returned his attention to Eliza and inquired, “Must we stay longer, my dear?”
At this endearment, James frowned and asked, “What is your relation?”
Robert almost laughed at the gall the young man presumed, asking such a direct question to strangers. He walked forward and bowed slightly, before he replied, “I am Robert Khlas and, this is my intended, Eliza Hawkins.”
Devon, Colin, James, and Jane looked aghast at that proclamation. But, Eliza, having finished checking, cleaning, brushing, and settling Axel, she smiled at Robert with dancing eyes that none of the siblings could forget, and replied, “I will let Axel rest before we leave to take our rest in your family’s home.”
At this, Jane stepped forward and sputtered, “It is improper for the engaged to live under the same roof!”
At this outburst, her brothers all paled, realizing the implications their sister had made unwittingly. The great Klas family would not be so imprudent as to expose themselves to such ridicule and judgment. Robert appeared, downright, insulted at the suggestion.
But it was Eliza who clarified, “Robert must stay with his family, but I will keep to a room close to the stables.” As he walked Axel to an awaiting stable, she led him inside and walked him around. Removing his halter, she placed it aside, and shut the door.
Jane swallowed and then, boldly, she stated, “Ms. Eliza, won’t you stay at our home as my guest?”
This time, it was Robert’s turn to look aghast. “Ms. Jane, surely you don’t suggest my intended stay in the home where there are three unwed men also living?”
Jane blushed, not having thought of that indeed. But, she stood her ground and so, Devon stated, “Ms. Jane’s quarters are on the other end of the house. She would be a guest that stayed closer to our sister than any of us,” he added solemnly.
Eliza looked from Devon to Jane, and then, she chuckled, breaking the tension, “As kind as you have been to offer this, your parents have not granted me this permission. Thank you, though,” she added, and extended a hand.
Jane wanted to leap forward and grab it, but Robert took it and led her from the stables. The four siblings watched as she left and felt their insides burn with questions, anger, resentment, and shame. No one knew what to say.
Would you want to read more or do you think you know how it will end?
Timeless Qaptions 