Leticia was feeling really excited, but also a little nervous. She was standing at her bedroom window looking out over the park. The sun was shining and the autumn colours were appearing on the trees.
Could it really be happening? Was there a chance it could all come true?
Her thoughts went back to that day when she was thirteen. It had been autumn then, and the fair had come to the village. She had been given permission to join her brothers and go with her governess to mingle with the village folk. It was the first time she had ever been to the fair, although it came the same time every year.
She had been so excited as she travelled in the governess' cart , down to the village green. It all looked so different, such colours and noise all around. Banners and bunting of every shade around the green, hanging in the trees. Stallholders selling their produce, farmers showing off their prize animals, pedlars with their unusual and exotic wares, and side shows and entertainment everywhere. People were dressed in their Sunday best or colourful costumes.
Letitia's brothers soon left her to her governess' care, and they went off to enjoy the sporting events, eager to show off their abilities. Leticia didn't mind, she was happy to watch the dancing, and the plays being performed, and also to listen to the people singing. She had a little money to spend and was keen to look at what was for sale on the stalls or by the pedlars. She bought some ribbons and some trinkets, and was pleased with her purchases.
As she walked around, she noticed just on the edge of the village green, a small tent, highly coloured, where several of the village girls were standing nervously, talking and giggling to each other.
'LADY SYLVIA - FORTUNES TOLD' the board beside the tent stated.
Leticia joined the queue. Her governess was rather nervous about her going in, but relented when she saw how excited she was, but warned her not to take anything she was told too seriously.
'Just a bit of fun, Letitia, nothing more.' 'I know,' replied Letitia, 'but it is so exciting.'
Soon it was her turn to go in. It was quite dark inside the tent, but there was a red glow coming from a lamp on the table and Lady Sylvia was sitting behind it. She invited Leticia to sit down. Leticia passed over her silver coin and settled into the seat.
Lady Sylvia first read Letitia's hand, saying the usual things people expected to hear, about a long life, a journey, meeting a tall dark stranger. Leticia smiled as she heard all this, just what she expected from what she had read in books.
Then Lady Sylvia asked Leticia to cut a pack of cards and then lay out three cards face down. Leticia did so. Lady Sylvia turned the first card. 'Within the next five years you will have good times and then a sudden change in your life.'
As Lady Sylvia turned the second card she said, 'After the change a stranger will come into your life and help your family.'
After the third card was turned, 'This stranger will become important to your family and change it forever.'
Leticia smiled but was more thoughtful as she left the tent and rejoined her governess. She told her about what had been said, and they both smiled.
Soon they met up again with her brothers and returned home.
Leticia had not thought about that day for many years, but this morning as she looked out over the park it came back into her mind.
She was now seventeen and her life had changed. The sudden death of her father after his riding accident; her brother Kit becoming the Earl. Was that the first prediction from the cards?
Then Elizabeth coming and joining their family. She had been a stranger who had come and helped them. Was this the prediction from the second card?
Now her brothers had come back from London and were settling down at home. Elizabeth was now really important to them all, a companion to their Grandmother, always assisting their Mother, and a friend to her and Catherine. Her brothers had accepted Elizabeth as part of the family. Was this the prediction from the third card?
Just then Leticia noticed two people walking through the park. Elizabeth and Kit, they were talking and laughing. Leticia had noticed this happening before. She felt a bubble of happiness fill her.
Could that last prediction mean more? Was it possible that Elizabeth was really going to be part of their family and change the family forever?
Leticia hoped so; both Kit and Elizabeth deserved to be happy. They both needed someone special in their lives.
Leticia felt excited but still a little nervous. Could it be happening? Could it come true?