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By Sir Walter Raleigh - From: R. S.’s Phoenix Nest, 1593

Now what is love? I pray thee, tell.
It is that fountain and that well
Where pleasure and repentance dwell.
It is perhaps the sauncing bell
That tolls all into heaven or hell:
And this is love, as I hear tell.

Yet what is love? I pray thee say.
It is a work on holy-day;
It is December matched with May;
When lusty bloods, in fresh array,
Hear ten months after of the play:
And this is love, as I hear say.
(Read on …)

It was in the solitude of her bedchamber that she had hatched a plan of escape, at least as far away as her sister’s in London. She thought how easy it was when her brother thought she felt better about the marriage and wanted to go shopping in London. He was so happy to see her mood change that he hadn’t seen through her plan and sent her off with enough coins to bring back outfits to clothe an army. Instead of buying gowns though, she had purchased very little other than some books, drawing pads, charcoals, ink, and writing booklets.

Anna did enjoy seeing her sister, nieces and nephews, but she never explained why she was sent to London. The subject was too painful for her to talk about and she was afraid her sister would agree with her brother, since she had married at sixteen.

Anna felt like her prayers had been answered, when while she was walking through the main street of London window-shopping, she saw the advertisement posted on the window of the Virginia Company of London. It read:

“Sir, can you please take my trunk and bags to the dock, so they can be carried to the ship?” Lady Anna Beauregard asked the older gentleman who drove the carriage that brought her to the port. She had met him the day before and arranged to be picked up before daylight at her sister and brother-in-law’s house in London, where she had been staying.

Anna’s mind drifted while she waited, thinking of how she had stayed in her bedchamber the week following her brother’s announcement of her forthcoming marriage. She found refuge there, in her self-inflicted prison, taking even her meals there, not wanting to see or speak with anyone. The only human contact she had was with her lady-in-waiting who tried unsuccessfully to coach her from her chamber.

While in her room, she had gone over every reasonable and even unreasonable idea she could manufacture in her mind that might get her out of her impeding doom. It seemed no plot she contemplated gave her the end she was looking for.

The Duke of Nottaway had even called on her twice during the week she was told, but both times she refused to leave the safety of her room. What use would it be for her to meet the Duke, since she had no plans of being forced into a pre-arranged marriage with him or anyone else? This was just another way of her protesting the event.

(Check back tomorrow for part 2 of Chapter2…)

The Duke felt like his heart was breaking but he couldn’t let Anna see his weakness. He had to be firm in this matter, because he wanted to assure a good future for his sister. “Anna, it has been decided and I will not change my mind on this matter. You may not see that I am acting in your best interest at this time, but I hope one day you will understand my concern for you.” He replied as he let out a deep breath.

“No, William you are wrong. I will never understand your decision. It is not right! I have always thought you to be fair and good in all things, but today I see I was wrong. This ugly thing that you propose of me, is wrong and I don’t plan on being any part of it!” She said as her emerald green eyes boiled over with tears.

Anna, it has already been decided, but you have sometime to get used to the idea, as the marriage will not take place until next year at this time. The Duke of Nottaway was not anxious to rush into the marriage this year, since he thought you might need some time to adjust to the idea.” William hoped the extra time would help Anna except the idea of marriage.

A year or a week will not make any difference to me, as I do not plan on marrying the Duke!” Anna exclaimed loudly as she ran out of the room crying.

(This ends Chapter 1… Check tomorrow for the beginning of Chapter 2)

She had hoped to see a spark of acknowledgement from her brother, but saw none. “If that is what I have to look forward to, I would rather stay unmarried and alone. I have my writing and painting which fill my day. I can’t imagine having to give either up for a man and why should I? How can you expect me to give up everything that father has allowed me to be over the years? I refuse to be forced into a marriage with this Duke or anyone else!” Anna shouted in a tone that matched her beautiful fiery red hair.

It was beyond her understanding how her brother could expect her to change the way she was and believed, after all these years of living such an independent life. Marriage should be her choice and she wasn’t about to allow anyone to marry her off.

“This is not under discussion Anna. Father gave you ever opportunity to pick your own husband and you have refused every proposal put before you, so I’ve chosen for you! You are already twenty-one years old and well beyond marrying age. I don’t plan on having an old maid sister under my roof. You will marry the Duke and that’s that!” Lord William Beauregard said with a force Anna had never heard him use on her before.

I can’t believe you would do this to me. Please don’t put me in this position, I beg of you.” Anna cried as tears stung her cheeks.

(Check back tomorrow for the last part of Chapter 1…)