-Abigail-

I waited in the parlour for the arrival of my guest. Now that I was well enough, I had invited Mr Fraser and Mr Smith to join to us at Nampara. They had made their way up and rented a couple of rooms in Truro before coming here. There was a knock, Demelza walked past the open parlour door to open the front door. She came back in.

"Mr Fraser and Mr Smith for you." I nodded to her and she stepped aside. I rose to my feet. Mr Fraser was a tall man with bright copper hair and pale skin, all together you could tell the years had been rough for him. Mr Smith or rather my Uncle was even taker with darker skin obviously dark eyes. The air about him was full of tension and anticipation. I curtsied to their bow.

"Mistress Poldark, James Fraser." he held out his hand and I shook it "This is John Paul Smith." I shook his hand

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Demelza would you bring the tray in. Please." she left and I gestured to the table, the three of us sat down.

"I for one can't believe I'm here, my eyes finally on you, it's a dream." Mr Smith beamed "And to see how far you've come your mother would have been so proud."

"Thank you, sir."

"Please call me John or Uncle whiter your more comfortable with." he insisted. Demelza brought the tea in and I served it.

"How did the two of you meet?" I ask curious. The two looked at each other wth a chuckle.

"John saved my life. I fought in the revolutionary war and was pinned down by enemy guns, when this man saved me." Mr Fraser retold.

"I was trying to escape and saw the opportunity, but my conscience could not let me leave him. Despite being dragged back to the plantation. I was eventually granted my freedom by the son who took over from his father. Mr Fraser had told me of his ridge and with no where else to go. I made my way there." John continued As I served them tea .

"And you Mistress. Our research into finding you is scarce to be had. We know your mother was received  her freedom by your father."

"Was it?" I question "I never knew that. All my father told me is that she was freed and during his time over there he feel in love with her that much he brought her back despite he was already married."

"Yes. It was quite a sum and on top of that to bring her back to England and provide for her as well as his own family... the death record your father filled out, it said a fever took her?" John continued

"I was 3 years I think. I barely remember anything. What I do remember is my father picking me up very sad and told me I was to live him with my sister. The rest is history." I answered, then took a sip on my tea.

"So how did you end up here? Mistress of Nampara and one of the most talked about women in Cornwall?" Mr Fraser chuckled. I set my cup down.

"my father raised me with little help from my step mother and sister. When he passed I was in her care. That's when I met my husband...."

"Childhood sweethearts?" John inquired

"No." I laughed  "He as a few years oder than I. His attention was captivated by my sister. They were young hood sweethearts but the war came and he... went. I in my innocence took a liken to him. It wasn't till about three years later after he was presumed dead that he returned home. Not everything was as he left it." I explained

"How so?" the two were hanging on to every word of what happened

"I had left home, found a job as a barmaid, My sister was engaged to his cousin, his father had died, the house in disrepair and him not a penny to his name. For reasons beyond my knowledge he never fought for my sister and she became a cousin Poldark instead." I carried on

"So how did the two of you end up married?" John inquired enthralled

"I had made a friend. Demelza, the one who let you in. The two of us were kindred spirits. Together we have a dog, Garrick" i chuckled and called him in. He barked and came trotting in, I petted him. "Some evil men wanted to use him in a dog fight. I caught to stop that and got a cut lip for my trouble. A returned Ross helped me back into the tavern, bothered me to come back with him and I agreed on the account I bring Demelza and Garrick too. Two year later we ended up married." I summarised

"Now we've have several beautiful children together. The end."

"All I can keep on thinking is how proud your mother would be. I know i've said it before but it's worthing saying again." during this time we had finished our tea and I was comfortable enough to call for the children. They came filing in one my one and Demelza carried in Eve handing her to me.

"Children this is Mr Fraser and Mr Smith. Mr Smith is Grandmama's brother. John, Mr Fraser. This is Henry, Rebekah Grace, Isaac, Emily and little Eve." The children gave their respective greeting.

"Hello." the men chuckled and gave their greeting back to the children