Legacy of Resilience

Chapter 1

TELL ME A STORY.

Not tonight. Sarah replied calmly.

I want a story! Nicolas cried as he stamped his foot.

Story or not, if you don’t get into bed the fairy creatures will steal you, because they like little boy’s flesh.

There are no fairy creatures. Nicolas said a little uncertainly, his temper fading slightly.

Oh yes there are, said Sarah ominously, and they will catch you and eat you and you shall never have another story again.

Ahhhhh, Nicolas screamed as he raced to his bed, jumped in and yanked the covers over his head.

Really Sarah, I wish you would be nicer to your little brother, he adores you so, reproached Nanny.

Sarah new that Nanny was not really upset with her. Nanny understood the trials of a twelve year old.

Oh Nanny, will I be eaten like Sarah said?

Nanny gave Nicolas a stern look. The wee folk, she said, Only eat little boys who have been very naughty. Have you been a naughty boy, my wee lordling?

Oh no Nanny, I’m always as sweet as cream, just like you say. Nicolas said innocence personified.

That is just as I thought. Now into bed my young charges.

They climbed into bed and Nicolas pouted up at Nanny, I still want a story.

Very well young man, I shall tell you a story of the fey folk and their fairy princess.

I don’t want a scary story Nanny. I do not like the fairy folk. They eat little boys. I know they do. Nicolas cried.

Oh but these are good fairy folk that would never eat a little boy. They are sweet and kind fairy folk with hidden treasure that even the leprechauns cannot find. Nanny said secretively.

Really? Treasure? Nicolas perked up. What kind of treasure?

Sit back and listen, my young man, and I will tell you of the treasure in good time. As nanny told the story, Nicolas and Sarah relaxed and listened and after a little while Nicolas drifted off to sleep. Nanny tucked the covers around him and turned to leave.

Nanny, Sarah whispered.

Yes my dear?

Why do you let him be like that?

Nanny came back over and sat on Sarah’s bed. He’s just a wee bairn yet. Soon he will have to grow up, but not yet. And you must remember that he is half your age and he looks up to you.

I will try, Nanny, even when he does push my temper. Sarah said.

There’s a lass. Nanny said as she patted the bed. She got up and turned the lamp down low. Sleep well, Sarah dear. She said as she closed the door.

Sarah lay in the bed after Nanny left the room and resolved to be a better sister to her younger brother. Even if he was a little troll, she thought. Sometimes Nicolas could be a little devil. Sometimes he was fun to be around, but the little devil won out most of the time. He was spoiled and he knew it and all because he was to inherit the title when he was older. But that was a long time from now. For now, she was stuck with a troll for a brother. Sarah looked over at him and wrinkled her nose. She would just have to make the best of it. Sarah rolled over onto her side. She looked out into the dark. She really could not wait until she was out of the nursery and into her own room. Then she would have her own privacy and if her brother was being a menace, then she could find peace in there. She closed her eyes and decided tomorrow was going to be better no matter what.

The next day dawned bright for the Wilder children. It was summertime in Brighton and Nanny was taking them to the beach. Sarah sometimes wished that it was her parents coming to the beach with them, but even on summer holiday her father had business and her mother said the heat of the sun and the sea air weren’t good for her delicate constitution. Her mother did remember her daughter on these trips to the sea and always told her to wear a bonnet and keep covered. Sarah never understood that. Why would she cover up at the beach? It was too hot and besides it was summer! Boys did not have to cover up, so she should not have to either.

They went to Brighton every year but mother preferred the Lake District. She was forever trying to get father to buy or let a house in Windermere, but he just smiled at her and went on his way. It was beautiful in a country setting type of way and was named aptly because of all the lakes congregated in the one area of England. Father preferred Brighton. He felt that the children should see the ocean once when they were growing up and so here they were in Brighton with so many other fashionable families and he was still able to pursue his work. Sarah never bothered to ask what he did. She just left it at, he worked.

Sarah was dressed in record time. She wanted to hurry so they could get to the beach before her mother changed her mind and said Sarah had to stay home too so she would not ruin her complexion. She was getting her hair braided by one of the maids when her brother traipsed in. I can’t wait! he cried. I’m going to hunt for treasure!

What kind of treasure will you find Nicky? Sarah asked.

A treasure chest full of gold and jewels, just like in the story Nanny told me. Nicolas said holding out his arms pretending he was holding a treasure chest.

What about all the pirates? Won’t they try to take your treasure?

I shall fight them to the death! Nicolas said with bravado. He leaped forward slashing the air with a make believe sword.

Alright, it’s time to go, but if we do not settle down we cannot go anywhere. Nanny said with a pointed look at Nicolas. Are we ready?

Oh yes Nanny! They both said.

Then let’s be off. Nanny said as she herded them out the door.

They walked down the stairs to the foyer. Their mother was waiting for them. Sarah held her breath waiting to see if their mother was going to tell her she could not go after all, but she did not. Their mother looked at them and said; Now make sure that you two are good for Nanny. She kissed them both and then looked at Sarah. Sarah dear, try not to get too much sun on your face, I do not want you to ruin your complexion. Keep that bonnet on your head. She straightened Sarah’s bonnet and Sarah said, Yes mama, dutifully.

The children filed out the front doors and onto the front steps. When they were settled they noticed the pails on the ground. What are those for? Nicolas asked.

Those, Nanny said, are for making castles in the sand.

Oh Nanny, you think of everything! Sarah exclaimed smiling.

They picked up the buckets and headed towards the beach. Nicolas raced ahead and Sarah lifted her face to feel the sunshine and salty breeze blow against her face. It really was a beautiful day. The sun shown bright and puffy clouds dotted the sky. It really was too bad she had to wear a bonnet. Sarah was still a little disgruntled over that. The hat still made her feel hot and uncomfortable. Boys are allowed to run around free in their trousers and shirts, but girls had to wear dresses and bonnets

Sarah took her buckets down towards the edge of the water and started filling them with sand. As she worked on her turrets, she could see her brother diligently digging holes in the sand looking for his treasure. Sarah next worked on the walls of the castle, then the moat. Once she was finished, she took up her pail and started looking for seashells to decorate the castle with.

Sarah wandered down the beach picking up shells when she found them. There were other people on the beach, mostly fishermen, but she didn’t pay attention to them. Nanny took them here to this beach because there were not very many aristocrats about, not like at the pier, and the people were more down to earth. As long as the children stayed out of the way of the fishermen, they didn’t say anything to any of them. Of course nanny kept them well away from the unsavory types. Way off to the very end of the beach area. But if mother found out, that would be the last time they came here. She would probably give nanny the boot too. Sarah did not know what she would do without nanny there. She knew just what to do about everything. As she walked back, she looked towards her castle and noticed her brother running head long towards her castle. She knew she wasn’t going to make it back to prevent him from crushing it. Her brother was just too close. Sarah ran faster. She knew that ladies did not run. Her mother would have a fit if she saw her, but Sarah was desperate to save her castle from the destruction of her little brother.

She was not quick enough. She got there just as Nicolas was stomping the turrets down. Nicolas, nooooo! Sarah cried. You’ve ruined my castle!

I have stormed the fortress in search of treasure, Sarah. And Look! he said pointing at her pail, There it is in your hand! He said excitedly.

You are not getting any of my seashells, Nicolas. They were for my castle that you just ruined. Sarah said mulishly. Forget it!

Oh fine. I’ll find another better treasure. Nicolas ran off and Sarah kneeled down to fix what was left of her castle. Wretched boy. She said under her breath as she emptied the seashells into a pile out of the way. She was filling her pail with sand to fix the turrets on the castle, when a shadow fell across her. She looked up and saw a boy a older than her by probably four or five years with dark brown hair and skin that had been darkened by the sun.

Hello there. The boy said.

Hello. Sarah replied squinting up to look at him. It was difficult to see him with the sun behind him.

Can I help you with that? He asked.

It was a castle and you can if you want. Sarah said shrugging her shoulders.

My name is Peter, by the way. He said after he knelt down and started helping her fill the bucket with sand.

I’m Sarah. It’s nice to meet you. She said. She looked down at the wrecked Castle. How about you work on the walls, I have to rebuild the whole thing again. My brother smashed it.

I saw. He looked like he was having fun. Peter said with a chuckle.

Sarah looked up sharply, and then smiled. I was upset about it.

I didn’t notice.

That’s very nice of you to say. I think I would have noticed. In fact I think I yelled loud enough for the whole beach to hear me. If my mother was here I would have been in trouble for that. I was not acting like a lady. Sarah said with a grimace. She overturned the pail of sand making one of the turrets.

Who did you come with if not your mother? Peter asked as he worked on the castle walls.

Nanny brought us. She replied. She’s over there with my little brother. Sarah nodded to the shade umbrella a little ways away.

I see. He replied. And he did see. It would seem that her parents were the same as his father and were just too busy to bother with a child. Peter often slipped out of the house to come to the beach during the day. No one ever noticed. He liked to watch the fishermen. They were interesting sorts of people. Peter had never seen anyone else out here but him, so it was a little shock to see this girl and her brother playing in the sand here. Most people when to the chain pier. He was not going to take it for granted that there was someone to keep company with now though. He looked over at Sarah. He liked her. She was different to be around even though she was much younger than his sixteen years. She had to be about twelve or so. She did not really talk too much and they worked well together on the castle. He wanted to spend more time with her. They worked companionably for a while building a better castle than she had before when he asked, Will you be coming to the beach tomorrow?

They started attaching the shells she gathered to the castle walls. I don’t know. If nanny brings us again. Sarah replied not really thinking much about it. She wanted to get the castle done before they had to leave for the day.

Peter thought she was one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen, even if she was younger that he was. She had golden hair that was braided on each side of her head, and a sunny yellow bathing dress. Her eyes were a melty chocolate brown color, and he liked them best of all. When she looked at him, he felt his stomach flutter. He knew she was younger than he was. She was still a little girl, but there was something about her that made him want to stay with her and not leave.

Sarah put the last shell on. There, done. She said. She looked up and smiled at Peter. Then looked over her shoulder and noticed Nanny waving her back. Oh. I have to go. Thank you for helping with my sand castle. It looks so much better now.

You’re welcome. I hope I can see you again. Peter said as Sarah got to her feet.

Me too. She said as she ran to where her brother and Nanny were packing to leave. Sarah waved to the boy and helped finish with packing up their things.

Peter picked up a glossy pink shell and rolled it between his finger and thumb. He looked at it thoughtfully then put it in his pocket. There was something about the girl Sarah that was special. He knew it even at his young age of sixteen. He wanted to spend more time with her to see if he could figure out what it was. He watched as they gathered the rest of their belongings and walked away out of site. He stood there a moment more then walked away. Tomorrow he would come back to see her. He had to.

The rest of the day went smoothly for Sarah and Nicolas. She could not stay mad at him. When they got home they ran to their room and put their things away, and then changed for dinner. Father always wanted them to eat together in the formal dining room and they had to dress up. He was different from other aristocrats. Most of the aristocracy relegated their offspring to the nursery and kept them there except for the occasional showing. They even ate their dinners there. But not father. He insisted the family dine together unless there was a formal dinner party, and then the children dined with their nanny in the nursery.

When the children were presented in the blue room before supper dressed in their fine clothes, Sarah was beckoned over to where her mother was. Sarah crossed the room to her mother and stood before her. Her mother looked her over with a keen eye, trying to see if her daughter had listened to her and left her hat on. She sighed over Sarah’s appearance. Her face had tanned in the sun slightly, giving it a golden glow. Sarah, you have not had your sun bonnet on at the beach. I will have to talk to Nanny about that. You, of course know how the sun can ruin a complexion dear.

The rest of the night passed in relative peace after that. Dinner was eaten, children went back to the nursery, and their parents went out to spend time with friends. It was the typical night at the Wilder house.

Up in the nursery the children were getting ready for bed. Once everyone was settled and Nicolas had fallen asleep after his story, Nanny asked Sarah how she liked the day at the beach. Sarah replied, It was ok, except when Nicolas trampled my castle, but I had help rebuilding it. There was a boy at the beach. Did you see him, Nanny?

Yes, I did notice the young man. He seemed to be polite. Do you know who he is Sarah?

No. No, only that his name is Peter. I have never seen him before today, but I liked him. I hope he’s there tomorrow.

I’m sure he will be. Now lets get off to bed. We have to get rest to greet tomorrow my dear. Nanny said tucking Sarah in then checking that Nicolas was tucked in also. She was not sure of this Peter. He looked to almost be a man grown. She would watch what went on there. It would not do for something to happen to her charges. There could be all kinds of repercussions, not the least of which would be her losing her position here.

Nanny? Sarah called out.

Nanny paused at the door. I’m glad we have you Nanny. Sarah said. Nanny nodded as turned the lamp down low and closed the door.

Over the next few weeks Sarah and Peter spent more and more time together. They often met up when Nanny took the children to the beach. Most times they would collect shells