Her Beau

Leaves of  red and brown swirled down from the trees  by the Orangerie. The sun was low on the horizon.

Lady Elena walked  purposefully  along the path. Beneath her calico bonnet tears flowed from her twenty- year- old eyes.

‘I must away tonight,’ Elena murmured. ‘ follow my heart. I love  Lord Ashley. Papa thinks he is not worthy of me because of his many lovers,’  

 Elena was surprised, not just at the sound of her own voice  but also her audacity declaring her love for her beau.

She turned around briskly, checking to see if anyone was near that may have heard her declaration. There was nobody within earshot.

She heard the clip-clop of horses’ hooves.

Looking through the iron gate, she saw Lord Ashley trotting towards her.

‘Lady Elena my love, I am your Romeo come to rescue you from heartache,’

Lady Elena smiled  and rushed to join her beau.

As the sound of horses’ hooves faded Elena’s father, Charles, appeared by the Orangerie, distraught by the events unfolding.

‘I have lost Elena forever,’ he sobbed ‘and to a selfish Lothario.’

‘Extraordinary,’ he murmured ‘what would Elena’s mamma think if she were here to see history repeat itself?’