Chapter 1
Changing
Times
Gone – Missing –Vanished – Lost
Newspaper
headliners screamed out words of warning. Little did they realize their announcement
meant nothing, because the person in question had disappeared of her own accord?
The fast world as Treasure knew it was now becoming
the past; because from now on, life for her would be very different. It needed
to be for she was tired. Tired of being paraded on show to people who only
cared about themselves and how they looked. Tired of keeping up — false
appearance. She felt like a wilting
flower, drooping from the constant glare of being stared at in the spotlight.
Many
would wonder where the beautiful model known only by her first name,
disappeared. Society gossips would be
busy making up assumptions and spreading rumors. Someone as well known and
almost idolized as Treasure was could not drop out of circulation without a
word, as it was incomprehensible. Had she left because of her aunt’s sudden illness? Or run off with some handsome lothario. The
media had a field day, conjuring up front page headlines that pillaged in the
money from the sticky beaks.
Treasure’s
name was linked with many available wealthy and not so wealthy playboys who
delighted in escorting her to famous events, hoping she may fall under their
seduction. None could understand how she kept herself free of commitment. Treasure truly was a rarity in the fast
society! She was a rare gem, and
uniquely unique as Aunt Primrose always said. Owing to this, her aunt would state, there was no reason for anyone, to know Treasure’s surname.
“My
niece doesn’t need another name, for she is a pearl darling; she is a special
jewel of her kind and no one need know any more than that. Mystery and intrigue
is our delightful Treasure.”
Lady
Kingsley had a way of speaking in a soft belligerent tone while raising an eyebrow,
which signaled the end of conversation.
Should anyone dare to question further they suffered her long cold stare!
And this meant, they would never get a second chance at any resemblance of
future acknowledgement from her. A disastrous fate, that none desired!
As
fast as Treasure appeared on the front cover of The Ladies World fashion magazine in 1915 stunning every man and
woman who looked upon her face, she now vanished from Paris in September of
1925. This happened without a word or
seemingly a trace. Subsequently, she returned
to Australia.
No
sooner was her aunt laid to rest in the peaceful serenity of Waverley Cemetery
looking over the cliffs of Bronte and out to the sea, than her niece drove out
of sight from public life forever.
*****
Treasure
looked over and smiled at her closest friend, Ella, seated beside her in her uncle’s
Buick. His lordship, or otherwise known as Uncle Marcus the pompous oaf, would
ride home leisurely in a chauffeured car like the royalty he was not! However,
like his wife, he too liked to keep up a distinguished appearance. Because of
that, Aunt Primrose insisted with her dying breath, that she must be laid to
rest among the glorious poets and other distinguished notaries. Flamboyant in
life and the same in death, nothing less would suit her style.
“Well
what now?” Ella yelled above the engine roar. “Do we go to the after funeral
ta-do at the palace like good little girls or don’t we?” They both roared with
laughter knowing the pomp and paraphernalia that neither wished to participate
in. There was even to be – a string quartet.
“I
see no reason why,” Treasure answered. “My devotion for Aunt Primrose never
extended to Uncle Marcus, and I have no idea why they remained married. His
first love was always the bank and his money; he showed no amorous love at all
for my aunt while she lived, so I am not going to be caught up in his pretense
now that she is gone. Aunty would never have expected it!” Treasure’s beautiful
green eyes shone with the reminder of the love lavished on her by her aunt. With
no children of her own, Primrose took her beloved sister’s child in without a
word. She was more of a mother than Treasure’s own had ever been. With eyes now
looking straight ahead at the road, with careful attention to maintain the 25 M.P.H.
speed limits, so not to get stopped and booked. Treasure reminisced aloud.
“You
know Ella; I always wondered what became of my parents when they left me with
my aunt the very last time I saw them. I was told they were going to America,
until aunt finally broke her silence one day and informed me, very seriously,
that my father and mother both enlisted to help in the war efforts. Yet what
was so mysterious about that? ” She glanced sideways at Ella for some sort of assurance
and got it, yet from a different angle than expected.
“You
have the same kindness in you as your aunt you know; behind her strict
frivolous façade was a warm heart that loved you above and beyond. I wonder why she never had a child of her own.”
Ella looked out the open window watching the countryside pass on by as they travelled
back to Uncle’s home. “So tell me the
plan again,” she continued. “We get back to your uncles, leave his car there,
pick up your new car packed with all our belongings, and depart from city life
forever. It does sound exciting, and you were so clever to purchase a vehicle
that has never been associated with you. Although the
color and design, does still stand out some –, she tittered.
Ella
glanced over at Treasure. She never failed to be impressed by her friend’s
beauty and serenity. To Ella, Treasure was her liberator, the sweet girl who
had come to her rescue in London so long ago. She’d been taken off the streets and given a
home and a future.
Treasure
was smiling to herself, no doubt remembering something about her aunt that
tickled her fancy. Without taking her eyes off the road she began to seriously
tell Ella things she only ever discussed casually before this. Now she opened up, and spoke of the close
relationship with the woman who had been her surrogate mother, protector, and
manager.
“Fifteen
years old, Ella.” She spoke as if to herself, screwing up her eyes in thought.
“I was at such a young and impressionable age.
I remember both parent’s hugging me and telling me, I would be left safe
with my Aunty.” Her face took on a distant look. “Mother wore a lovely crimson frock and father
looked handsome in his grey pinstriped suit. They didn’t look like a couple
fearful of travelling with a war raging.” Treasure adjusted her driving
glasses. “They were setting off on another adventure as they saw it. It was an upsetting time for many, not just
for me but for all who had their families abruptly cut up out of necessity. Men
became soldiers and wives usually became the strength left behind on the home
front.” Her hand’s tightened on the stirring wheel.
“My aunt was a positive person and
never liked to acknowledge any kind of suffering. She tried to maintain a
normal and interesting life for the both of us. My uncle was kindly yet always,
as Aunty said, had mathematics in his head instead of a human brain.”
With this she
laughed out-loud.
“They were probably in love once, I suppose,
yet I never witnessed an ounce of affection pass between them. They had what
looked like a business relationship, he earned the money, and Aunt Primrose
kept the house running like a well-oiled machine. Nothing was ever out of
place, dinner materialized on the table promptly at six every night, and when
guest appeared, as they occasionally did with Uncle’s work, there was
conversation and merriment.” With a deep sigh Treasure, shook her head in
wonderment. “I don’t know how a couple can live together like that without love,
Ella, I really don’t! There is no way I
would want to.” She glanced sideways at
Ella and then quickly back to the road again.
“Well
my dear, goodness knows what is in front of us, but I feel confident that good
things are going to happen. I have only a vague recollection of my
grandmother’s home, but a country town sounds appealing after the rush of city
lights, and decadent selfish people.”
Ella
nodded in agreement, and the two were quiet for a time. Treasure concentrated
on her driving, and Ella basked in the knowledge she was still with her friend.
There would thankfully be no surprising changes with Aunt Primrose’s sudden
death. The two would remain together. It was hard to imagine the passing of the
years until now, and the days, of London, and Paris, with Milan, and New York,
as well for Treasure. It had been a busy time of planning and work for all three.
Ella settled back for the ride and let memories wash over her.
1. Do you believe in De`ja`Vu ?
2. Do angels watch over us ?
3. Do you believe that everything Treasure did, was according to God's plan for her?
4. Why? or Why not.
5. Do you like to read, unusual romances?
YOU WERE CHOSEN - BEFORE YOU WERE BORN
Romance dances in all of our hearts. Find out what Treasure DISCOVERED!!
THIS STORY IS: An Enlightening Romance, with Spirit, Suspense, Escape, Discovery, Desire, Fun,
Questions, Change, Loyalty, and Temptation.
