Hello, everyone! For all that has read Sophia's Suitors, I thank you. But I have come back from several months without revising and started a brand new piece. I am doing a complete makeover for the other story and will have a whole new twist. I hope you do like. Tell me what you think. Enjoy, reading!  

This prologue is revised.  

Prologue  

The red and orange flames bounced back and forth as the they crackled in the heavy silence. The fire flashed an eerie glow as it seemed to crawl upon the floorboard, replacing all darkness with light. Time trickled by and a piece of wood crumbled down, ashen, in the fireplace.  

Recent photos of the family; one of the family as a whole and one of only the children, were displayed upon the mantle. In both pictures, the family wore their Sunday best and looked mostly contented with life, though a sadness clouded their expressions. It was as if someone had stolen vital parts from each of them.  

Around the sitting room laid the cream colored couches with different sorts of pillows of light colors. A small, brown table where they placed their tea and biscuits. The piano where a family member played a memorable piece for a dinner party. Also the several other furnishings and large, glass windows that outlooked the estate. And next to the fireplace was the broad and wide chair, that the master of the house would sit at.  

Except the master wasn't sitting there. Instead a younger girl around the age of sixteen sat with her knees up to her chin, staring intently at the changing colors of the flames.  

The young miss didn't hear the haunting whispers outside the walls of the room. They spoke of death as it came closer. Closer as it came, the servants and maids waited in silence. Waiting for the moment that it will soon pass over.  

As she waited in the dark, she thought about the dying man in his deathbed. I do wonder when I will be able to see him. Hopefully before the night is over.  

Outside the windows, the wind was howling for the bright, full moon. Branches of near by trees or bushes scratched the window, making the girl jump. It is only the branches. Nothing else.  

As the cold air sweep through the open cracks of the room, she pulled her tan shawl closer around her thin frame. It is so cold.  

Time seemed like it was going on forever, as the girl was slowly drifting of to sleep. I must keep awake. For him. She then, glanced up at the clock hanging over the mantel and watched the hands tick back and forth. One way they clicked and then the other way. The only, other source of sound was coming from the loud ticking of the clock.  

Minutes passed by and the creaking of the floorboard surprised her as she turned her head towards the door.  

A man appeared at the door frame as he checked his pocket watch. “It's time, Sarah.” His voice was mellow but showed a bit of tiredness within it.  

“Yes, brother.” Sarah lifted herself out of the chair and followed her elder brother out of the sitting room.  

They walked in silence as the servants and maids watched them make their way up the stairs. Sarah thought about the one man she called a father and how she would react to his condition.  

Her father was dying at the age of fifty-four and this night would be his last. He had been a great father and lived a life full of prosperity and was also a man of many possibilities and always watched as new inventions entered the world. Except he was never close to his daughter, Sarah. For business with his eldest son, kept him away from his family and wife.  

Her brother then stopped at the last door at the end of the hallway and looked at Sarah. I know what I must do. She nodded and he opened the door.  

Immediately Sarah saw her father and quickly ran to him. “Father!”  

“He is not doing so well, miss.” The doctor on the other side of the bed, said. “This will be his last.”  

With those empty words of comfort, tears were beginning to build up. Her father opened his tired eyes and slightly turned to face his youngest child, “Sarah.” His voice was ragged as it showed age had took over.  

Sarah looked at the end table and saw a glass of water. She picked it up and let her father have one last drink.  

Her elder brother came by and stood with the doctor. “You wish to see me, father?” She said.  

“Yes.” He glanced at his son and back at her, “Do something for me.” He then paused for breath, “And your mother.”  

Sarah didn't say anything and waited for him, “Promise me, you will marry one of them.” He closed his eyes.  

Her eyes widened at his statement, “Who, father?” Sarah took his sweaty hands and held it close to her.  

A moment passed and he didn't speak. Not now. Please, don't go. He then opened his eyes and spoke, “Your arranged suitors.” And at those given words, her father passed on from life.