Elise had made up her mind, she would leave to France and join her fiance for the few weeks before their wedding. Vincent was the perfect gentleman and she knew that he would never try anything with her. She wanted to break free of her native home and live a little without the will of her mother always at the nape of her neck. “Sonia!” her mother chastised. “Mother, please call me Elise, I prefer that.” “You are will forever remain Sonia, I will not call you by any other name punto!” her mother exclaimed.
“There is no way we are going to let you just take a train and leave to stay with Vincent. There is no chaperon, I cannot possible leave with you now. Send word that you spoke in haste and that you will remain here until we can all travel to France.” Assuming the matter to be over, she turned to leave when Elise countered, “I will not be sending word to anyone. In fact, the train tickets have already been bought, they are waiting for me at the station and a coach has been arranged to see me there. Once I arrive, the house will be full of relatives and dignitaries. There will be many dinner parties and lots of planning that I can fully oversee now that I will be present. Do excuse me mother, I have to finish packing.” Elise said, sliding past her mother with a smug look on her face. She carried on with her arrangements, said her brief goodbyes when it was time. She was ready to step out into the world and be Mrs. D’Arroyo.
While on the train alone, she began to chew on her lip. “Was this the right thing to do?” she questioned herself. Lost in thought her mind began to blur and she heard a familiar voice. “Look” he whispered. In her mind’s eye, she saw a dark haired woman staring at her. Instantly she felt the pull of familiarity. “Remember her..” the voice whispered. Tears welled in her eyes at the confusion mixed with the feeling of loss. Who was she, why was she seeing her ? “Maeve…” she heard….