She knew she loved him when home went from being a place to a person.
-Unknown

'You do realize I'm coming back right?' I arched a brow. My mother nodded.

'Sweetheart this is your season. I wish you weren't so calm about it. This is your chance....'  She gripped my arms.

'To find true love. I know.' I nodded.

'I was going to say experience a different lifestyle.' She frowned.

'And then fall in love.' I said sassily.

'Fine. I just want what's best for you. And I know that love is the best thing that can happen to a person. It's a magical feeling.' She sighed breathlessly. The small movement racking her fragile figure.

'I know mother. I know.' I let my eyes momentarily flicker to where Edward stood behind us. I squeezed her hand affectionately then cupped her face. Her mahogany curls fell back as she lifted her deep brown eyes to my molten gray ones.

My mother was a dainty short brunette whereas I had my father's height and God knows whose white hair.

'It's going to be fine.' I said earnestly. 'I don't even know why you insist on my going when it clearly bothers you so much.' I shrugged.

My mother is insistent that I go to England, a country I have never been to in order to take part in my debutante season. She always speaks fondly of hers and according to her, she doesn't want me to miss out on that experience.

I've heard the story of her debutante season a million times. She made good and very close friends during her season. She and Aunt Elizabeth became soul sisters. Whatever that means. They both fell in love and married at the end of their debutante season. She married my father and Aunt Elizabeth married King Andrew. Happily ever after basically.

Honestly I'm not interested in taking part in my debutante season or any other season for that matter.

The season is an English custom and heaven knows I am more American than English even though both my parents are English.

I have never even been to England before. Not once in all my seventeen years.

They had initially come here on research but then my father got a job at the university. One that both catered to his hobby: researching, and provided for the family. My mother had been more than content to stay with him. She'd already fallen in love with the country as at the time and hence I was birthed here.

Whenever they went to visit England something always kept me. Whether it was studies or ill health, there was always something preventing me from going.

After a while, I just stopped wanting to visit but mother is not budging this time. She wouldn't let me off the hook this time. She was being as stubborn as a mule. Something I've been told she passed on to me.

'I'll keep an open mind.' I assured her.

'Fine.' Her shoulders sagged. 'I just wish I could be there with you. Even if just for a while.'

'I'll write a journal if it makes you feel any better.' I offered.

She wanted to go along with me but father wasn't able to get a leave from work and she refuses to leave him behind, alone so I am going alone.

'Not the same as being there but it'd still make me feel better.' She smiled.

She muttered something along the lines of stupid board of directors.

Father who'd been standing silently at her side the whole time slid an arm around her waist and drew her close.

'Enjoy England.' He squeezed my shoulder and steered her away.

'Come Katherine, let's leave her to say goodbye to her friends.' He muttered.

I smiled unconsciously at the image.

'If any English chap does anything funny, send him to him.' Laurel threatened.

Laurel is my closest friend. We had matching bassinets as babies.

'Of course.' I giggled.

'Save me a Prince.' She pouted.

'Why yes your highness.' I curtsied.

Laurel pulled me in for a lungs crushing hug.

'Be back soon.' She whispered, her voice came out choked with emotion. Tears sprung in my eyes.

'I will.' I said fiercely.

Too soon, I was left to say goodbye to the person I least wanted to leave.

'Hey.' I smiled. I drank in his features. His cropped chestnut hair, caramel coloured eyes and a face so beautiful it would befit a Prince.

I'd known Edward for as long as I can remember. I barely used to notice him before. He just used to be the boy next door until he wasn't. The summer I turned fourteen, he went to France to visit some of his relatives and when he returned, he was no longer that scruffy kid I usually saw in my backyard. He'd grown tall and lanky. His previously lean gawky face had some how turned handsome and regal. And his eyes...

Those eyes.

A soft sigh escaped my lips. He never noticed me. Even if he did, he never looked at me the way I did him. He considered me a friend. Over the years, we've grown very close but it was never anything more than platonic. I cried the first time he asked me for advice on how to court Margaret Merton. I hate Margaret and not just because of Edward, she is nasty. It broke my heart. A million times over I kept telling myself to get over it. Over him but I just couldn't.  Instead I fell deeper and deeper in love.

Maybe this season thing would be good for me. I can work on getting over him somewhere where almost everything doesn't remind me of him.

'I'll miss you.' I smiled fondly.

'See you soon.' He nodded. He enveloped me in a hug. A polite loose one but a hug nonetheless.

I tried not to enjoy it too much. As we pulled apart, I let my lips brush his in a feather light gesture. He stiffened abruptly.

I waved my family goodbye and hopped into the awaiting coach, not for one second glancing at Edward.

If he had an expression of disgust on his face, I didn't think I could take it.

I leaned back in the coach and expelled a breath.

'I'll miss you Charles.' I whispered to our footman. He gave me a small smile.

He's been with our family since forever. He came from London with mother and father. He is like a second father. He's the one who taught me how to hunt and fish.

I stared out the window at the large building that was our house.

The white washed walls and long spotless windows.

Father had his arm around mother while she clutched delicately at her handkerchief. She raised a hand. I nodded and smiled. Laurel stood off to the side with Arturo circling her feet. The rocking chair on the porch rocked in time to the wind. I refused to let my eyes wander to Edward. Especially not after my stunt.

The docks was crowded and rowdy when we arrived. Charles took my little luggage which consisted mainly of books, unto the ship.

Crazy right? I'm supposedly going for the Season and all I packed were books.

Mother said she'd have the clothes I needed shipped over.

The season.

I let the idea stew in my head. It suddenly was not so scary anymore.

It was still unbelievable that I was going even as I boarded the ship. I looked down at the docks. Men and women bustling up and down. I spotted the baker yelling at an errand boy. It brought a smile to my face. Mark was always particularly nasty in the mornings.

    I have lived on this shores my entire life. Leaving it sounded preposterous and unreal but it was past time I had an adventure. Something to tell my grandchildren. If I ever get married and have them.

In England, I can be whoever I want to be. I'll have a clean slate.

I can be bold and daring Veronica instead of my usual shy wallflower Veronica. I have nothing to be afraid of. Besides if anything goes wrong I can just leave and never return. It's not like I have any ties to England.

My thoughts flitted momentarily to Aunt Vanessa but I quickly banished that thought. I already declined her offer. There's nothing more to it.

Taking a deep breath, I released it along with all the insecurities and flaws that crippled me into being a wallflower.

As the ship pushed of from shore, the roaring sound of the wind in the sails and the crew hands running around to carry out orders all faded to the background. I spun around to face the sea that would bring me to England.

I let go of my crippling shyness that always prevented me from doing things I've always wanted to do.

England, here I come.

Thanks for reading. I've read a lot of historical romance, mostly by Judith mcnaught and I loved them so I decided to try my hand at writing one. I'm not the type to do research or any of that stuff so if I make any mistakes please feel free to correct me. I would really appreciate your votes and comments on how to improve the story. I didn't want to post it before until I was done because every now and then I tend to get bored and leave a story uncompleted but hey, that's what this book is all about.

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