Author's Note: I was writing this long before I started "The Course" and though it stalled for awhile, I suddenly found myself continuing it. I'm not a big fan of Modern Day versions myself, but the ideas kept coming in. As I post the prologue and first chapter, take note that I'm already writing chapter eight. I realize that this might be longer than I originally intended it to be.

PROLOGUE:

The cascade of black made it really difficult for me to spot my sisters. Everyone seemed to be wearing exactly the same thing, with hats covering their heads and talking the same hushed tone. I try to move as inconspicuous as possible, hoping not to draw attention. Alas, that was not to be. All of a sudden, I am cornered by a pair of ladies – women from Dad's Church group if I remember them correctly.

"Margaret, we're so sorry for your loss." Says the eldest one, the feather adorning her hat bouncing as she talks to me."

"Thank you, Mrs. Beecham." I say with a kind smile. What else is there to say on occasions such as this?

"Your father was such a good man." Adds the younger of the two, holding her cup of tea tightly.

"Thank you, Ms. Howell. I highly appreciate it." I reply.

The awkward silence that followed seemed insurmountable. Should I talk about the weather? Should I talk about the eulogy? What should I say?

"I would like…"

"There you are, Margaret!" exclaimed Marianne as she charged towards us.

"Marianne!" I replied, feeling relieved

"Excuse us, Mrs. Beecham and Ms. Howell. My mother has been looking for Margaret. She's badly needed." Apologizing to the group demurely and with a smile

"Oh, of course! You musn't keep your mother waiting, dear" said Ms. Howell, giving my shoulder a bit of a tap for good measure.

Gently, Marianne took my hand and led me away from everyone's prying eyes, their hushed whispers and solemn looks. We took the staircase and up to the play room where both my mother and my eldest sister, Elinor, were waiting for us.

"Finally! We thought of calling the search party already." Greeted Elinor as she made space between my mother and her for me to sit on the small wooden bench.

"Margaret here was cornered by Ms. Howell and Mrs. Beecham." Explained Marianne, sitting on the small wooden chair in front of our bench.

"I'm sure they all had some gracious things to say. After all, Papa did lobby for Mrs. Beecham to head their Church group." Elinor said while scratching her chin in thought.

"We have more important matters to discuss, my dears." Said Mama, grabbing our attention immediately.

"Should we really be discussing this now, Mama?" asked Elinor thoughtfully, draping her arm on my shoulders as if she wanted to protect me from something harmful.

"It's now or never, Elinor." Added Marianne, placing her hand on my knee as if to comfort me.

A part of me wanted to stay ignorant, continue as if I didn't know of the many things they thought I was blissfully unaware. However, there was this bigger and heavier part of me that wanted to make them realize that I know everything will change, that my father isn't the man we all thought he was, that my half-brother, John, would be taking over and that selling Norland Motors to him would be the only way to save face, pay creditors and hopefully, they'll have enough to pay for my schooling.

"I know." I said, voice strong and unfaltering.

The three of them looked at each other, eyes darting between them and my own. My mother was silent although, tears were streaming down her face. Marianne's hand on my knee grew heavier and her fair complexion immediate turned pale.

It was Elinor who found the courage to ask: "What do you know dearest?"

Oh, how I wanted to laugh! I realized then that the temptation of blissful ignorance can be overcome by the want to help lift the burden and be part of the team – our family.

"I know everything, Elinor. I know of Papa and the creditors. I know that he has been borrowing money just to keep Norland Motors afloat. Although, I don't understand how he could have lost so many clients in the past years unless someone from his own staff is rogue. I know that John will be buying us out of the company and he will be doing it by the next day if propriety allows it."

The silence that followed my voice weighed in on everyone. It seems that they tried their best to cling on what little innocence they felt they had which was wholly represented by me – the youngest in the family.

I'm not sure who started it first, but I was able to observe Marianne, the mix of emotions on her face – relief, anger and eventually, laughter. One by one, we all followed her lead and soon enough, even Mama was hysterical with happiness. If someone passed by, we would have been a sight. Four grown ladies, all in black, laughing in a playroom.

Once everyone calmed, Elinor leaned in and took control.

"You're absolutely correct, dearest. I've taken hold of the books and with everything, we are fortunate that we will have enough for you to continue your education. Boarding and all." Explained Elinor, smiling at the idea.

"I'll be finishing up my degree in Uni in a couple of months, Margaret. Then, I'll find a job so I can help Elinor pay for your tuition for whichever degree you would like." Added Marianne.

"Are you sure a degree in Music Composition will be enough, Mari?" I teased, giggling a little.

"Well, maybe I can start with giving you monies for your dormitory and possibly the occasional night out." She added, giving me a genuinely optimistic smile.

"Given that we are being bought out by John, I've decided to resign from the company, use my Masters in English Literature and teach in the University. Edward Ferras, Fanny's brother, has been teaching in the philosophy department and a colleague of his mentioned that there was an opening in the Literature department. If I get the job, you can avail of the tuition discount for family members. You may be free to choose whichever course you would like to pursue." Detailed Elinor, smiling and as genuinely optimistic as Marianne.

"I appreciate the plan and I'm sure you'll get the professorship, Elinor. However, I have some of my own." I said, my voice laced with conviction.

"What is that, dearest?" ask my mother, although I have a notion that she already knows what it is as all mothers ought to do.

"I'll be joining Sandhurst once I get my A-levels."

"Are you sure dearest? You can always go to Sandhurst after getting your degree." Questioned Marianne, hoping that I will change my mind on the last minute.

"You all know how much I've wanted to join the army since I was little. Plus, I'm utter crap at school to begin with!" I said, honestly.

"Language, Mags!" reprimanded Mama, surprised at my admission and choice of words.

Marianne and Elinor burst into laughter while I sheepishly smiled at my mother, mumbling an apology.

"Oh, Margaret!" exclaimed Elinor "If the army is something you would truly like to pursue, Marianne and I support you a hundred percent."

"But if you do decide to pursue something less 'adventurous', we'd do everything and anything we could to help you." Added Marianne, giving me a tight hug and a sweet kiss on the forehead.

"There are other things the three of you should be aware of." Said Mama, snapping us back to reality.

"What is it, Mama?" asked Elinor, worry masked on her face.

From where I was, I could see that Elinor and Marianne wasn't expecting her serious tone.

"Dearests, I'm sorry to tell you this but after a discussion with our lawyers and a short review of the books, we will have to sell the house as well." Explained Mama.

I quickly looked at Marianne and Elinor, hoping that they will contest this development. However, both of them looked as shocked as I was. We were expecting a buyout, but never a removal from our beloved home.

"You see, the sale of our shares in Norland Motors will cover most of your father's debt from the creditors." Continued Mama, "You are correct to say that there will be enough for Mags to continue her education until her A-Levels and get her to university. But, it won't cover all of the medical expenses we incurred from your father's heart attack."

"Why didn't you tell us earlier, Mama?" asked Marianne "Maybe there is still something we can do."

"I have decided what to do, Marianne." Declared Mama, conviction in her voice. "John and Fanny had decided to buy it also. In this way, it will remain in the family. They will be moving in next month with your nephew, Henry."

"But where will we live, Mama?" I asked, the thought of leaving the comfort of our home left a piercing pain in my chest.

I was prepared to lose the comfort of knowing we have money and the society that comes with it. I was even prepared to lose my father, his two months in the hospital making us realize that there was no possible way he would come out a hundred percent. However, I was not prepared to lose our home, the only fortress we have left.

"With the extra we have left, we will be staying in an apartment in the city."

"An apartment!? Will we even fit?" bellowed Marianne, dramatically putting her the back of her hand on her forehead

"Enough with the dramatics, Marianne." Chastised Elinor, rolling her eyes the same time

"Mama, where is this apartment?" I asked, noticing that she said it will be the three of us

"My cousin, Mrs. Jennings, is a widow for five years now and asked me if I would like to take residence in one of the units in her building. She owns Barton Park and has been living in the penthouse since her husband's passing. With the three of you going up and about, it would nice to have constant company. Plus, a smaller place means we won't need to employ staff."

"Is it safe, Mama?" inquired Elinor, surprised with all of the recent developments "How far is it from the University?"

"Her son-in-law, John Middleton, is the administrator of the building." Answered Mama, giving Elinor a reassuring tap on the shoulder "He has assured me that the complex is safe, very intimate and is roughly a 20-minute walk from the university. Since Margaret will continue in her boarding school, it will just be Elinor, Marianne and I in the two bedroom apartment most of the time."

"We can share rooms Elinor. It'll be like when we were small." Proposed Marianne, holding Eli's hands, staying optimistic.

"And you may share my room, Mags, when you visit for the weekends or holidays." Continued Mama

"Does this mean, we won't be keeping the cars?" asked Eli, a tinge of panic in her voice.

"We'll keep one of the smaller ones. After all, you or Mari will have to pick Margaret up from boarding school." Replied Mama, giving an optimistic smile to all of us "John Middleton has assured me that they will allot a parking space for the car and they will have a man who can drive for us upon request."

"For a fee and depending on the availability, of course." I quipped, knowing full well that living in the city with a minimal budget will not afford the luxuries that we are used to.

"Yes, of course." Agreed Marianne, trying to stay optimistic but, as I looked at her, I could see tears slowly forming "I think this is exactly what we need. After all, we rarely see each other here in the house. Staying in a smaller place will be a refreshing change."

"A refreshing change, indeed." Answered Mama, standing up and as such, calling an end to our discussion.