To everyone who read my bio from my profile they would know that this is or was (still in writing it) my Nano novel. I decided for awhile that I just didn't want to do NaNo this year.  

[b]Anyway, this novella, novel, story, or anyway you wanna put it is going to be under Romantic fiction. I couldn't decide on either that or Other. Oh, I know the prologue is historical-based but this novel has a bit of time travel within it.  

Just to let you guys know, I haven't posted anything in a month or two. So this is gonna be kinda new, all over again. Enough with my babbling, here's my long prologue...[/b]  

Revised  

December 19th, 1899  

Time. It comes in different forms, shapes and sizes. We can't see it or feel it. Instead, imagine it pass through our fingers as we grow up. It's with us through the past, present and future.  

Our lifetime can be filled with many things, no matter what the consequences are. Yet, can fate control our destiny? Or can we control it ourselves?  

White snow trickled down from the sky as they plunged down into odd shapes and sizes onto the cobblestone streets of London. Black carriages clattered by, as mysterious stranger waited in the dark.  

Lightly placing my fingers onto the dark colored seal I peered into the glass window. The glass wasn't fully covered with white frost as I saw no street lamp hanging over him.  

All I could see through the slits of my eyes, was something silver shining from his hands. It didn't matter what he was doing, because where I was, was at a safe and private party.  

I was upstairs in one of the ballrooms, as I glanced away from the window. Patting my pale pink and white gown with my satin white gloves, I lifted the side of my lip into a contented smile.  

The rush of bewilderment filled me, as I was at one of the most expensive estates in London. Instead of being thrilled of being here, I couldn't care one bit. I would choose the sea, the mountains and forest, or even travel to America, then be here.  

The grand estate of the Hampton's was holding one its lavish balls of the season. Everyone of high rank in society was invited. Invitations were sent out months ago for this very special day. A day that marked its coming out for two extraordinary young girls.  

The coming out of the Hampton twins was planned to be a spectacular and wonderful evening. Since the moment they both turned sixteen, their idea of a ball would be magnificent and glorious. Both Agatha and Adeline Hampton knew that this was their only chance of making it out into the high society of London. They both wished that handsome bachelors would ask them to dance all night long and ladies would gossip how brilliant they were at their arrangement of the elegant evening.  

This was an elegant evening, by any means, as the two girls would soon be out joining the rest of society.  

Hearing the same thing over and over again by Agatha and Adeline everyday for the past several months, I grew tired even before the ball started. I knew they wanted this so badly and their mother, Lady Lila would do anything to make them happy. I just didn't know how their older brother, Peter, handled this, because he lived in the same household.  

The night was still young and the twins wouldn't come out until their father, Lord Charles Hampton, would propose a toast to his very special daughters. The moment he would do it, Agatha and Adeline would appear, walking slowly down the golden staircase as everyone watched in awe.  

Except the time hadn't come, yet, and everyone was still dancing to the music of the orchestra, drinking red wine or brandy in the parlor, or gossiping about the latest rumor.  

Looking around the rooms of the large ballroom, I saw my younger sister, Nicole, dancing with Peter. Nicole is only fifteen and not old enough to attend balls. Except my father and mother kept her age a secret and the Hampton's who are very close to us, allows Nicole to attend, only at their balls and our family's. If society found out that Nicole was only fifteen and attended balls, without having her first coming out, everything would be ruined. Rumors would fly and gossip would be spread within the city in only minutes. So the Hampton's and my family kept Nicole at close eye, whenever she was with a gentlemen.  

Watching the clock tick back and forth, I noticed that my two close friends walking over to me. One of my friends was Cecelia Camden, who was dressed in a golden gown, had red trimmings and fancy bead work that made her look absolutely stunning. To make her even more beautiful, she was wearing her famous ruby necklace with a gold chain around her slender neck.  

The other of my friends was Andrew Lockharte. Tonight he was wearing his favorite dark brown attire. With his black trousers, white waist coat, darkish brown tail coat and white bow tie, he radiated an air of sophistication.  

They were both walking, with Cecelia's arm around Andrew's, talking about something that was too distant to hear. When they came closer I was able to make out what they were saying.  

“Yes, my dear Cecelia. I do believe you're correct on this one.” As I overheard what Andrew said.  

Cecelia's green eyes glistened in the light as she was shocked that Andrew believed her, “You believe me, Andrew? You barely take my opinion on such matters as this one.”  

“On what?” I spoke clearly as they came by.  

Andrew looked at me with his dazzling blue eyes and spoke, “On matters of the heart.” His voice was crisp and spoke of things that any lady would love. He usually had discussions with Cecelia on literature and poetry, and would talk for hours as the day went by.  

“The heart, Andrew? What do you mean?” I asked with a dark eyebrow raised in confusion.  

Without letting Andrew conclude what he was going to say, Cecelia spoke for him, “Kathy, he's talking about Peter Hampton and your sister, Nicole.”  

“What about Peter and Nicole?”  

“I agreed with Cecelia that Peter Hampton has a growing love for Nicole. Not just any love, my dear, Kathy, but an attraction towards your sister.” Andrew said with confidence.  

“An attraction?” My pink lips curved up in a sly smile.  

“Kathy,” Cecelia leaned in closer while she whispered, “I believe. No, I have a feeling that Peter is courting your sister.” She leaned back, while I stared at them, but not in disbelief.  

“Have no worries, my friend. I knew along ago, that Peter found Nicole attractive. It's only a matter of time before we hear wedding bells.”  

“Wedding bells?” Andrew asked.  

“You knew all along?” Cecelia said in disbelief, “Why didn't you tell us.”  

“He-” Except I wasn't able to finish because we heard the sound of clinking glass. Slightly turning my head to my side, I saw everyone gather up in the next room, which was where the largest ballroom was. Turning my head back to face my friends, I spoke, “Andrew, Cecelia. I do believe it is time.”  

“That is right, Kathy. Come, take my arm.” Andrew insisted. I took his offer and wrapped my right arm around his, while Cecelia was on the other side.  

“Time for them.” I overheard Cecelia mutter to herself. Knowing Cecelia for quite some time, I knew she rolled her green eyes in annoyance.  

Cecelia wasn't very fond of Agatha and Adeline, she felt they got their way all the time. The twins, of course, were spoiled from their mother. Whenever they wanted dresses, jewelery, chocolates, or even men, Lady Lila would always provide.  

For Lord Charles, he always wanted the best for them. A healthy life, enough schooling, a right place in society, an appropriate marriage, a family of their own and so on and so forth.  

For Andrew and me, we worried about Peter. He deals with being the male sibling and having a conscious of marriage on his head. Everyone knew, he should of married already, but he hadn't. Peter was a grown man of nineteen and had many skills and abilities that could soon take over the family business.  

The Hampton's were famous for their large and expensive grand hotels. With a distant male relative winning a very lucky hand at poker, Lord Charles's social status beamed even higher. He became the new Duke of Westley, and was now part of the Ton of London's most elite families.  

Walking into the next room, I saw my older brother with his wife, drinking and talking secretly with her blushing at his very words. My brother, Jacob Hadley who is the new third Duke of Ashford, married Melissa a couple of years ago when I was only fifteen and Nicole was just a child.  

My father, Lord Richard works in the financial world with the firm under our same last name, The Hadley's. His firm is one of the largest ones out there in London, so far. When Jacob became of age, he started working in the family business.  

My mother, Lady Elizabeth, didn't marry my father for his title or money, but for the love they shared. They are different from the outside world, who only cares for titles and wealth. When they met, they fell in love and had a family.  

Lord Charles Hampton was a plump sort of man but wasn't short. He and his wife dressed in the latest fashions and were always friends with the most popular, upper class families in London.  

For this evening he was wearing a dark, not too bright orange attire. By his side was his wife, Lila wearing a crimson colored gown.  

As everyone gathered around the orchestra, Lord Charles placed the glass on the stool where the conductor was sitting at, “Ladies and gentlemen this is a fine evening for a very special announcement. I first like to thank you all for coming on this crisp night. We all know it's cold out there on the streets of London.”  

He paused while some of the men said, “Here. Here.” As they raised their glasses in agreement.  

“Now for the event of the night. I like to welcome my two daughters, Agatha and Adeline Hampton into the world of society!”  

As everyone clapped, the twins came down in their formal gowns, taking in all the wonder and glamour of high society.  

Agatha was wearing an emerald gown with black trimmings and black bows all along the dress; wearing along her neck was an emerald necklace. Her twin sister, Adeline was wearing a dark purple gown with black lace all along the edges, wearing a diamond drop necklace. The moment they came out with their dark hair flowing in curls, everyone was in awe.  

“No sir, you can't come in! This is a private party.” The loud, alarming voice of the doorman had an affect on some of the guests. Everyone who was in the ballroom, turned around.  

“What is it?” I asked with a questionable stare.  

“I don't know, Kathy.” Andrew responded.  

“Move!” The powerful voice coming from the front door was coming closer to the ballroom. I slightly turned to my side as I saw that same man who was by the street lamp.  

Strangely he pulled out something silver out of his coat pocket as some of the men tried to get to him. It was no use. The hooded man, pointed the revolver to Lord Charles and pulled the trigger.  

Yet, I would never have guessed the next events. It was the sound of gun shots that vibrated it's sound off the walls, the screams coming from the twins, and the blood that poured from Lord Charles's body.  

“No!!” The cries coming from Lady Lila echoed off the cream colored walls. The moment I saw the blood everything started to become hazy.  

I tried to pull myself together, but it was like another force of nature was pulling me away. What could it have been?  

“Kathy? Kathy! Are you all right?” The sound of Cecelia's voice was becoming distant as the walls began to spin. My knees gave way as I felt Andrew hold me up.  

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Everything felt like it was going in slow motion. The voices were becoming distant to hear and then something happened.  

That man who had just shot Lord Charles, glanced at me and raised his revolver to the height of my forehead. I couldn't make out the alarming voice of Andrew as I saw men pull the masked man away. Then suddenly I felt something hit me. Pain immediately shot through my body and the next thing that happened was that everything became black.