In the Beginning...
Good Afternoon, let me introduce myself, I am Everett Sherwood. I would like to tell you my story of my life. I will begin by saying that I am the second born son to Lord and Lady Sherwood of Simcounty. I have an older brother, Horatio who is recently married to Charlotte, and a lovely younger sister, Evangeline. Up to this time in our lives, we were a happy aristocratic family with all the titles and social position bestowed upon us by our ancestors. My father sat in the House of Lords and was a member of White's Gentleman's Club and owned a large country estate in Simcounty and a townhouse in the Simstown. My brother and I were educated by the finest tutors and sent off to Eaton College, and my sister attended the Pileforth Academe for Young Ladies.
I am a little upset and bereaved right now, please let me explain. I had just graduated from Eaton College and was planning my Grand Tour before I entered University in the next term, when tragedy struck our family. My married older brother Horatio became Lord of the manor, the executor of the the family trust, and guardian of my only sister Evangeline. You see, my parents were recently involved in a horrific coach accident when they were returning from their holiday in Bath.
Just as we were attending my parents funeral, my brother and sister-in-law Charlotte approached us with devastating news. All the social engagements were cancelled and we shall not be accepting any engagements this season.
Just as we were attending my parents funeral, my brother and sister-in-law Charlotte approached us with devastating news. All the social engagements were cancelled and we shall not be accepting any engagements this season.
The aftermath of a tragedy
This next part I am embarrassed to tell, but I must for you to understand what happens next. With my brother cancelling all our plans for the season, including my sister's all important Debutante Ball and my Grand Tour, I was a trifle angry at his high handedness in the way he gave us his decision. My parents had already planned both events with the required expenses set aside for both events. Therefore, I stormed out of the family home and headed straight for the seedier side of Simtown with the intention of drowning my anger and sorrows in, shall we say, with a more unacceptable kind of drink? I started to spend more time away from my family and friends. I didn't come home for days at a time, smelling of rum, and sporting a black eye or two. My brother started to worry about how my carousing in the unacceptable establishments in Simtown would look to his political associates. You see, One rare evening that I was home, Horatio had found out from a maid that I was upstairs in bed with a splitting headache, when a summons me to the study for a serious discussion by Horatio.
Early the next morning while having breaking my fast, my sister came in. Evangeline wished to have a private word with me. She told me that Horatio and Charlotte were going out most evenings to supper with close friends and political associates and leaving her home alone to deal with her grief, while they were out quietly establishing their positions. She also told me that she missed me terribly, how that not having me around was just unbearable these past weeks.
Going to the Simcountry Estate Manor
After a couple of months into our mourning period, I was summoned to join the family in the parlor by my sister Evangeline. I was feeling a bit under the weather and sporting a major headache from another bender, but down I went. It seems that a social invitation had arrived in the afternoon post addressed to Evangeline. She was invited to a Debutante Ball. The hosts were Lord and Lady Jones. Their niece, Adamina went to The Pileforth Academe for Young Ladies with my sister. Evangeline explains that Adamina's father resides abroad in the Simcolonies and shares a shipping business with Lord Aiden Jones. He would not be able to attend due to the strife breaking out in the colonies. "Might I remind you that we are in mourning still", Horatio remarked, "How will it look if we were seen at a social event before a respectable period has passed? The scandal would ruin our chances of any social invitations later in the season." Charlotte remarked. Evangeline looked up at me with her sad but beautiful eyes and implored me to help her convince Horatio to accept the invitation. Evangeline explained to the family that Adamina's Aunt and Uncle Lord and Lady Jones were holding the Ball at their country estate outside of Simtown. I watched Charlotte's eyes narrow into slits at the mere mention of their name and contemplate this piece of information. Since this was so important to my sister, I decided to pull myself up by the bootstraps and suggested a way to attend without being disrespectful to our parents memory. I told Horatio that I thought it would look less scandalous if the entire family went to our Simcountry estate and stop at the Jones estate on the way. That way we could look like we were just stopping on our way home and still attend the Ball without scandal. So a month later, we packed our bags and headed for our Simcountry estate by way of the Jones Debutante Ball.
The Debutante Ball
Our family arrived safely to the Jones country estate a few hours ride from our own. We exchange formal introductions and pleasantries in the front entrance. A beautiful young woman gracefully glides over to Evangeline and greets her like a best friend. Then Evangeline introduces this lovely lady to me. We are taken into the manor house and shown to our rooms to freshen up and change for the ball.
After a refreshing short nap and bath, we change into our formal attire and headed to the ballroom. I asked Miss Jones for a dance. We glided across the floor like there wasn't anyone else in the room. Shortly afterwards, I heard a loud painful ouch coming from Evangeline's direction. It seems she had stepped on an elderly gentleman's foot while dancing. Horatio immediately went over to them and proceeded to pull her out of the room toward the stairs. I followed them to discover what was going on. " I don't like how you are treating Lord Crotchety, Evangeline. You should show him respect and consideration. He is a powerful Lord that might show us some favor. I wondered why Horatio should chastise Eva in that manor. It was a harmless slip on her part. I didn't think you meant to step on his foot. She has been out of practice since we have not been to very many social occasions this past season. I noticed Lord and Lady Jones watching us as we danced the night away. Later in the evening, Horatio and I went out to the veranda and chatted a while. He cautioned me about drinking too much campaign and monopolizing all of Miss Jones dance card. We had a wonderful time at the end of the evening.
After a refreshing short nap and bath, we change into our formal attire and headed to the ballroom. I asked Miss Jones for a dance. We glided across the floor like there wasn't anyone else in the room. Shortly afterwards, I heard a loud painful ouch coming from Evangeline's direction. It seems she had stepped on an elderly gentleman's foot while dancing. Horatio immediately went over to them and proceeded to pull her out of the room toward the stairs. I followed them to discover what was going on. " I don't like how you are treating Lord Crotchety, Evangeline. You should show him respect and consideration. He is a powerful Lord that might show us some favor. I wondered why Horatio should chastise Eva in that manor. It was a harmless slip on her part. I didn't think you meant to step on his foot. She has been out of practice since we have not been to very many social occasions this past season. I noticed Lord and Lady Jones watching us as we danced the night away. Later in the evening, Horatio and I went out to the veranda and chatted a while. He cautioned me about drinking too much campaign and monopolizing all of Miss Jones dance card. We had a wonderful time at the end of the evening.
The Courtship and Wedding
A few days had passed since the ball, I move into our Simcountry estate near the Jones. I decide to ride over to ask Lord Jones for permission to court Adamina formally. I explained that we wouldn't be attending any formal social gatherings since I was still observing my parents passing. I escorted Adamina and her family to several places in the area while I continue to live at our Simcountry estate. She was happy to just spend time with me. A couple of weeks pass by when I decided that she was the perfect match for me. I promptly ask her Uncle permission for her hand in matrimony. He tells her to write a letter to her father to seek permission before we can post the bans. I then took Adamina to the seashore for a picnic and moonlight stroll. She was thrilled and assured me that she wants this match also. In the mean time, I refrain from my evening activities and frequenting the local public houses and other dubious pursuits in the area. Lord Jones has offered a position in a shipping company so I might learn the shipping trade. I am given a ship and learn how to captain her on short jaunts around the rivers and ports in the ares. A couple of months later, Adamina receives a reply from her father with the much waited permission and the terms of her dowry. It seems that he has sent a ship to be given as a dower gift; The Adamina Fair. As the wedding day approaches. Adamina's father is unable to set sail to attend the wedding. He is stuck in the colonies with tensions rising higher due to the taxes and levies being weighed on the Simcolonies. A beautiful wedding in the country abbey near their estate in Simcountry. The ceremony was a small affair with just family and a few close friends in attendance.
After the ceremony, the family move back to our townhouse in Simtown to await the departure date for our honeymoon to meet my brides father. The ladies spend their time shopping for Adamina's honeymoon trousseau.
Adamina overhears Charlotte telling Evangeline that she will be fitted for some new gowns for her upcoming nuptials. Eva looks confused and surprised by this comment. I was promptly told about this occurrence the minute I arrived home from a short sailing lesson.
Adamina overhears Charlotte telling Evangeline that she will be fitted for some new gowns for her upcoming nuptials. Eva looks confused and surprised by this comment. I was promptly told about this occurrence the minute I arrived home from a short sailing lesson.
*These Snapshots were created by my BFF Starsaphire and given to me.
Evangeline's Arranged Bethrothal
We move into the Simtown house after a short stay with Lord and Lady Jones. One afternoon, Adamina was passing by the study when she overheard Horatio discussing something with a familiar voice. She peeks inside to see who it was.
See Starsaphires story for the exciting details of Evangeline's adventure. Click here for Starsaphire webpage.
*These Snapshots were created by my BFF Starsaphire and given to me.
The Adamina Fair sets Sail
A couple of days later, The Adamina Fair sets sail for the colonies with I as her captain, Adamina my bride, and a runaway passenger, the desperate Evangeline on board. Many weeks pass with Adamina trying to gain her sea legs and enjoying the company of her new husband and sister in law, Evangeline. Upon entering the great lakes near Deadman's Bay, the Adamina Fair is perused by another ship flying the flag of the colonies. The other ship fires a cannon ball across her bow and then several grappling hooks bite into her side rail. Several scallywags swing across onto the deck and approaches Everett and Adamina The ruthless Captain privateer is hoping to seize her for his own as a war prize. A fierce battle ensues, pitting Captain against Captain. The crew of the Adamina Fair are held at saber point while the two men fight for control.