Chapter One: Beginnings

Helena Somerset, young and beautiful, was born in a changing world. Educated well in the manners of English society, she was raised with fluency in Shakespeare's plays. Since her baptism, her parents always viewed her as heaven's last golden sun. Mr. and Mrs. Sommerset valued the angelic presence of their daughter, who was a testimony that even amid life and death, joy and sorrow, innocence is not only possible but essential to joy and happiness. 

When Helena was an infant, her father, Matthew Somerset, had visited the Near East. He was known to have a fondness for the Greek Church unequaled by those in Yorkshire and would sometimes holiday in the East with his wife, Agnes. During his time in the Ottoman Empire, he would acquire gifts for his children—especially icons said to be windows to heaven, which, though unknown in many Anglican parishes, was satisfactory for his own spirituality. 

Helena was raised with a love for ancient Christian artwork, which, in time, inspired her to draw and paint her own works. She learned from the best. Her father had always been talented at sketching icons of Christ and the saints. 

The Somersets had long resided in the county of Yorkshire, England. Mathew was an established English gentleman who spent his days sharing his love of the humanities with his children.  Agnes, who was equally high born, was content listening to others speak while being her husband's closest confident. Having raised their children with a love of English language and literature, they were also pious in their Anglicanism. Every Sunday, Charles Williams, the rector of the local parish, was pleased by their reverence toward Christian worship. 

The family lived in the small town of Shrewsbury. Though small, the town had a respected market. Here, many salesmen would often visit from other parts of the country. Frequently, Matthew would visit the market and bring back new notebooks for his daughter to draw upon, knowing that she loved to paint. 

Matthew and Elizabeth were blessed with three children: George, Helena, and Beatrice. Tragically, Beatrice died young, and her grave, at Saint George Parish, was frequently visited. Ever since living in Chesterfield, a small town in Yorkshire, the Sommersets were known for their closeness and love of one another. 

On an early Spring day, the family gathered in the sitting room of Chamberlain Estates, their home, as they sang hymns together. Helena, specifically, recalled her Anglo-Saxon heritage, thinking of the great Christians who had preached the gospel in the British Isles. Ever joyful, her Christianity was not just practiced on Sunday mornings but at the core of who she was. 

When their last song was sung, Mr. Sommerset gathered the hymnal books and returned them to the nearby shelf. He then paused his speech, summoning his children for an unknown reason. 

''My beloved family,'' Matthew began. ''I am pleased to announce several guests who are coming to visit us. I care for my family very much, and while the past is possible to understand, the future remains unknown. I want security, however, for my children. It is always important to have friends in our lives for as long as possible. Thankfully, the Lee family will be visiting us soon. I expect it to be a delightful experience. I have been told they have children of similar ages to mine. This greatly pleases me as I long for my descendants to someday have families of their own. It is never too early for a father to begin consideration of marriageable prospects for his children.''

Agnes, sitting on a chair by the piano, smiled proudly concerning her husband's words. As she sowed, her children, who were around her person, looked at him as he continued. 

Matthew approached a bookshelf on the wall behind him. ''We have long enjoyed our plays here at Chamberlain Estates,'' he added. ''I have especially enjoyed our presentation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Like all of you, I enjoy a dose of English drama. If the choice was left to me, I would be content for only our family to enjoy this earth forever. I think that we generally enjoy one another's company. Still, I will not be here forever, nor will your mother.'' 

Implicitly referring to Agnes's eventual passing made the children sad. They were also unable to comprehend their parent's eventual departure.

''Even so,'' he added, ''I want my children to have worthy acquaintances for the future. I knew Henry Lee well when I was young. He was a fine friend. Though his wife is deceased, he has several children. I expect great relations to come from their arrival.'' 

The children knew what he implied. He intended for George and Helena to gain a wife and husband in time. 

''Someday, yes, long, far from now, my blessed children will not be as young as they are now,'' Matthew spoke, with slight tears in his eyes. ''Every era with our family has its good and bad, its healings and hurts, but none of it is worth forgetting.''

Helena could not understand why her father seemed emotional. Someday, she would. Though a British gentleman, his heart was with his family. Having resided for many years in Chamberlain Estates, her father never cared for the politics of pleasing lords and ladies but enjoyed his days with his wife and children. 

The young girl, though, considered the forthcoming visit. It was on her mind even through the late evening. 

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That night, only the wind sounded. The house was graced by the moonlight. The stars, in turn, beautified all beneath their watchful eyes. 

''Here, may you sleep well, miss.''

One of the maids comforted Helena while covering the young girl under the bed's white covers. 

Sighing, the child thought of her day. Reaching for her doll, who resembled her, on the nearby sofa, she thought of the home she loved; her family, especially her father. There was a picture of him behind her person; seeing it, she thought of how much she admired him. 

''Helena,'' her father spoke while the maid left the bedroom. 

Delighted, the girl lifted in bed as her father embraced her, kissing her forehead. 

''It is late now,'' Matthew said. ''I don't want my little girl to be awake all night. Soon enough, we will have important visitors coming to see us. My dear child needs rest, rest to preserve her sunny face, and a comforting sleep to protect her innocent heart.'' 

''But father, I can't sleep,'' she returned. ''All day, I have been thinking of the Lee family coming to visit us. My thoughts may be vain, but I hope our visit is worthwhile. It has been a long time since guests have come to see us. I feel that there is much to be hoped for, dreamed of, and awaited.''

Smiling, Mr. Sommerset was satisfied by the desires of his little girl. ''I could spoil you forever, Helena, my dear, don't be anxious for the coming visit; enjoy your rest while you are able.'' 

She quickly embraced him, as she always did. In turn, he held her in his arms, regretting that her angelic heart would someday be confronted by a darker world than the joys of childhood. 

Matthew lifted from the bed. ''Goodnight, my dear. I hope you dream of Saint George, the brave knight, Princess Sabra, the fair maiden, and that terrible dragon.'' 

Beholding her, he treasured her heart, wanting it protected forever. She was more golden to him than any mineral under the earth's surface and more precious than any ruby beneath. Knowing she would not always be so young, he wondered what it would be like to see her older someday. He was grateful for her innocence, wishing it to remain with her. 

He winked at his daughter. She watched him as he blew out the last candle. 

Hearing the door closed, she observed the moonlight from the window before her bed. Slowly, she recited a simple poem that her nurse had taught her: 

Sun by day,

moon by night, 

much love to say,

as all is made right. 

Her hands clasped. Bowing her head with closed eyes, she prayed, ''Oh, Father, may we sleep well. Bless us, Somersets, especially Father. Let us never forget your joy and protect us all from evil. Amen.'' 

She lay under her blankets, her golden hair shining in the moonlight. She dreamed of a beautiful Spring day, much like the one she had experienced. 

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It was a new morning. For years to come, it would also be one of great remembrance. 

One of the maids rubbed Helena, waking the girl. ''Miss,'' she began, ''they are here. The Lees. Your father wants you downstairs.''

The girl noticed the sunlight arriving in her room. Scratching her eyes, she replied, ''But it's so early.'' 

Minutes later, Helena was dressed in formal attire. She wore a green gown that reflected the outward season. A brown ribbon was tied in her hair, giving her the appearance of a young muse from Olympus. Her boots, meanwhile, were cleaned for a later stroll. There was no time for her to play with her brother today. 

Everyone was gathering downstairs. Helena joined the company of her parents and brother as they all witnessed the unloading of an outside wagon. 

''You look lovely, Helena,'' her father praised, as she smiled in response. 

Smiling, Matthew was satisfied by her presence. ''The Lee family is here, at last,'' he added. ''Henry, my long acquaintance, is here.'' 

The butler opened the door. Mr. Somerset greeted Mr. Lee. 

Helena remained quiet. She observed all those before her while remaining thoughtful to avoid intruding on others' conversations. 

''So glad to be here,'' Henry Lee said to Mr. Somerset. ''I have long desired to see you again, and it is delightful to be in your home, to see your wife and children.'' 

As the fathers spoke, Helena only smiled with admiration toward her own father. She remained unaware of another visitor, who arrived last, a boy only slightly older than herself. He looked her way, and she thought far less of his dumb stare than he did. 

''And your name?'' Matthew asked the last child. 

''Basil, I am Basil Lee,'' the boy answered. ''It is nice to meet you, sir.''

''He is my youngest,'' Henry explained. ''He---''

Helena missed the last words. Standing by the window, she felt the sunshine again. Seeing her, Basil felt immediately attracted to her presence. His admiration went beyond his awareness; he gazed upon her as if she were the only girl in creation. Smiling his way, she, too, felt gratified by his interest. Their persons wondered if they would ever become one in matrimony. Helena thought of a wedding, which pleased her soul. The young girl imagined the possibility of the boy someday courting her. 

Seeing his sister, George, meanwhile, felt sure that Helena was, indeed, heavenly. Those in Chamberlain Estates who beheld her sight could only wonder what woman she would someday grow into. 

Basil stepped toward Helena. Their two persons remained by the yellow window, whose sunlight never faded from their persons. As peaceful as their admiring eyes, the world around them remained. Yorkshire was, indeed, the peaceful English countryside. There were many glades and greenwood, a world to adore, as the medievals had admired from long ago. 

''Chamberlian Estates,'' Basil reflected. ''I never knew that any home could be sunnier.''

Helena nodded. ''It is always sunny here,'' she said. 

He chuckled while finding words to speak. She gradually avoided eye contact with him. 

''My name is Basil.''

''I know.''

''And yours?''

''Helena.''

''Helena, what a beautiful name. Do you sing?''

''Sing?''

''Yes, you remind me of a muse that Homer could only have dreamed of. Your radiance is breathtaking. You are heaven's last golden sun.''

She smiled. ''Heaven's last golden sun?'' she questioned, as the words flattered her mind. ''I have never heard that.''

Basil smiled her way. Facing the window, he looked to the earth far off. ''I do,'' he returned. ''I think that you are beautiful.''

The words were followed by silence. Seeing his sister converse with the boy, George made expressions to tease his sister about the potential relationship. 

She avoided her brother's reactions. Facing Basil, she hoped her new friend would not be influenced by the mockery. 

''I'm twelve, and you?'' he asked. 

''Ten,'' she replied. ''I am hardly short of adulthood.'' 

The conversation bothered George. His sister acted so differently in front of the new boy than she had ever done before. She was not considering running in the fields, as her boots and dress became dirty. In fact, she was not considering their routines of theatre at all. She was experiencing love's first blossoms when youth awakened to the beauty of the Spring greenwood. Only it was a greenwood that his sister experienced now more than the trees that he could observe; he remained ignorant of her mental capacity, that her mind was shifting to new joys than those known to adolescence. 

For half an hour, George seemed to become more weary while watching his sister converse with Basil. Soon, she forgot about all else. 

The visit of the Lees had gone as Mr. Sommerset had hoped. Seeing his children converse with those of his long friend, he hoped that great fruits would come of the beginning friendships.