Prologue

“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:12-13

Prologue

June 15^th, 1880

“I promise you Mr. Winthorpe, little Willy is the best stable boy you’ll ever have.” Mr. John said to Papa, patting a boy about my age on the back.

“If he is half as good as you, I know I’m not making a mistake.” Papa replied, shaking Mr. John’s hand. “Now if you’ll come this way I’ll show ya your new quarters. You’ll be sharing it with your boy Willy here.” Papa said looking at the boy.

“Now Willy you stay here I’ll be right back.” Mr. John said to the boy.

“Yes sir.” The boy replied. Mr. John and Papa left the stables heading towards Mr. John’s new quarters. I figured this was a good time as any to meet the new boy. I came from my hiding place on the loft. Climbing down, I see the boy has sandy blonde hair that curls at the ends. I thump down, making the boy turn around and notice me. I notice he has the same green eyes as me. “You must be the new stable boy Papa was talking about.”

“Yes, ma’am”

“I’m not ma’am I’m Elisabeth Mary Winthorpe.” I say with a little giggle, why would he call me ma’am.

“Yes, Miss ‘Lisabeth.”

“You can call me Lizzy if you want my friends call me Lizzy.” I say bobbing my head up and down making my black braids bobble. “What’s your name?”

“William Duncan, but my father calls me Willy.”

“Good ‘cause William sounds old. Willy sounds better.” I give him my best smile showing my dimples on each cheek. “How old are ya Willy?”

“I’m eight ‘nd a half.”

“I’m seven.”

“Where are ya from Willy?”

“’Irginia Lizzy.”

“Irginia? You mean Virginia?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve always been here in Whispering Hills, Tennessee. You’re gonna love it here Willy.” I say doing a twirl. “It’s always beautiful here, and the people are nice too.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“Willy is Mr. John your Pa?”

“Yes”

“Where’s your Ma?”

“She’s not here Lizzy.”

“Where is she silly Willy?”

“She’s in Heaven.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry Willy.”

“It’s okay; she died when I was really little so I don’t remember her much.”

“Oh, well Mama’s always there for me. Come and meet her Willy she’ll love you I know she will.”

“My Pa told me to stay here.”

“Oh, fiddlesticks, you’re with me it ain’t gonna matter.” I reach for his hand to lead him to Mama.

“Okay.” He takes my hand and I swing it with mine. We race down the hill leading toward our house when I see Josephine my older sister. “Jose! Come meet the new stable boy Papa hired.”

“I don’t have time Lizzy, Mama told me I can go to town to play with Charity Cook today.”

“You can at least to say hello to him. This is Willy, he’s Mr. John’s son.”

“Hello, I’m Josephine Winthorpe.”

“Hi”

“Now I need to go, Mama told George to hitch up the buggy to take me.” With that Jose ran off.

“Don’t mind her she thinks she’s so much better than anybody. Let’s go.” I took his hand again and ran to the front of the house. “This is my house. I live here with Papa and Mama and my two sisters Josephine, you met her, and Anna she’s younger than me. I also live with my Gampa and Gamma. We also have servants who live in the attic room.” I led Willy to the sitting room where Mama spent most of her days. “Mama, Mama, I have someone I want you to meet.” Instead of Mama it was Gamma. “Gamma!” I let go of his hand and ran to Gamma. “Oh. Gamma, meet Willy he’s our new stable boy.” I ran to him and pulled him to Gamma.

“Well, look at you. You must be Mr. John’s son William. He’s told me a lot about you.”

“Yes, Ma’am”

“Willy, she’s not ma’am she’s Gamma. You can call her that too. She’s likes it.”

“Yes, I do, you can call me Gamma, and I’ll be your Gamma. Don’t worry little Willy, everything’s gonna be fine.” Gamma said smiling.

This will get you acquainted with the people in the story. God bless!