After only a short time in their life together, God blessed them with a son, whom they named Spencer. When Spencer was only a year of age, Winifred became with child again and gave birth to another son, who they named Raymond. As the years passed, Carlton and Winifred were content watching their sons grow within their unconditional love. Neither could imagine their life could be any happier until the day Winifred gave birth to a girl, whom they named Raleigh, and following close behind was another little girl, who was named Payton. The family was complete and flourished in the fertile lands and absolute love and happiness until fate stepped in and invaded their paradise.
The turmoil war struck the lands and inched its way closer to the hidden valley, which the Prescott family called home. Spencer, having his father’s determination, was not willing to allow evil to infest the lands, so he left and joined the forces to fight away the invaders. Within only a few weeks after Spencer left, word reached the manor of his death. Raleigh was crushed by the loss, for Spencer had always been her protector and her best friend. Although he was seven years her senior, she was comfortable talking to him about anything and knew he would patiently listen without placing judgment or making fun of her thoughts and feelings.
On the day of his funeral, Raleigh stood at his graveside completely at a lost of how to deal with such a large piece of her life being gone, and she heard a soft yet strong voice from behind her. She turned around to see the son of the Count of Brecon, Lord Hayden Brigham, who had come to pay his respects to her family. Raleigh politely thanked him and shyly turned back to the grave. Through conversation, he told her of his father’s death at the very battle Spencer had met his fate. Oddly she felt connected to him, as if they both knew how it was to lose one dear to them, but as quickly as he had appeared he left—leaving her alone with her grief once again.
The war continued to inch closer to their home, and in only a few months after Spencer’s death, Raymond announced he was joining the forces. Raleigh could not believe her ears. She wanted to scream and demand that he stay at home far away from the death and destruction, but her shy nature would not allow her to even speak. Since Raleigh’s father had been working at the Count’s keep, he had gotten to know the Brigham family well, so he went to the Countess and begged that she put his son, Raymond, out of the front lines. She agreed and placed him as a guard of the keep. Raleigh’s father could not stand the thought of allowing another son to be away and in the middle of danger, so he went with Raymond in hopes of helping to protect him, leaving only Raleigh, her mother, and sister at the manor.
Raleigh’s mother took a job within the keep as the Countess’ personal seamstress. This allowed her to see Raleigh’s father and brother often, yet be at home in the evenings with Raleigh and her sister. After a few months one evening, Raleigh’s mother came home later than usual. It was obvious that something bad had happened by the look in her face, and in a soft almost unheard whisper, she told Raleigh of the attack on the keep and the death of her father and brother. Devastation took over her mother—leaving only a shell of whom she once was.
On the day of her father and brother’s funeral, Raleigh saw Hayden again. He was now the Count of Brecon but still came to pay his respects. In the weeks following, Hayden began riding out to the manor more often. He was a strong man, whom seemed to be kind, but there was something about him that made Raleigh uneasy. He was several years her senior, but that did not stop his continual interest in her. Raleigh’s mother continued to work for the Countess, so she had become close to the family. She, too, began pushing Raleigh closer to Hayden. She knew that Raleigh would be well provided for within the Brigham Keep. So, for her mother, Raleigh began courting Hayden. She was attracted to his strength. Since the death of her father and brothers, she did not wish to even think much less make decisions, and Hayden was more than happy to take control of her life, so she let him. She was not happy but not unhappy either. She was just there—alive but not living. She just did not care anymore about much of anything. Hayden constantly spoke of her beauty and how it would be an asset for him. He only wished a trophy, but she did not care. It would mean her mother would not need to worry for her, and she could live as easily within the Keep as she did at home—for she felt happiness was no longer possible. Depression had taken her over, so when Hayden asked for her hand in marriage she agreed and allowed him to quickly set the date.
The wedding was one of the largest in the history of Brecon, but Raleigh did not even smile. She was attracted to Hayden’s strength-his ability to just take control of her life so she did not have to care-but she felt cheapened by the fact that she married a man she did not love.
Life within the Keep quickly turned to be worse than she could have ever imagined. Once Hayden’s mother died, she rarely saw him. Even on their wedding night, he was not at her side, but instead, he spent it with another lady of the court. Raleigh knew she was only to help Hayden’s image, not to be his love. Rumors of his “activities” swirled about the keep, and the looks from the members of the court haunted Raleigh’s days until she chose to stay most of her time hidden within her own chambers. Her only peace was locked away within her room alone. Many days passed where she only saw her handmaiden to bring her meals.
Then, war hit the lands once again, and this time it took Hayden’s life, suddenly leaving Raleigh leader of Brecon. Raleigh knew nothing of how to rule, but she did her best until word hit her of the city of Cardiff’s overthrow by a neighboring Duchy. She quickly traveled to the Duchy of Pembrokeshire, knowing Brecon could not stand for another battle. She could not stand to know she was responsible for the deaths of someone’s father, brother, or husband, so she went in hopes of making a peaceful arrangement.
The Duke of Pembrokeshire was kind and welcoming. She knew the Brigham family had been in power of the lands for many generations, so she did not wish to the commoners, who loyally followed the Brigham family, down by loosing the land’s control completely. She reached an agreement with the Duke to retain control, but as a Duchy of what would be the new kingdom of Pembrokeshire. Raleigh happily agreed.
While within the Pheyland Keep, Raleigh felt at peace—a feeling she had not felt since before Spencer’s death. Still shy of crowds, she stayed hidden within the guest suite until late one night when she thought all would be sleeping. She snuck into the hall in hopes of finding something to eat but instead she met a man, whom would change her life. While looking out of a window into the peaceful night, she heard his voice—the voice of Alexander Neave. She was taken by his soft, gentle ways and lost her heart that very night. She opened up to him and told him of Hayden, her family, and even her loneliness in the keep of Brecon. He swore to her that night that she would not be lonely again, and that he would always take care of her. She had not ever been so happy as she fell to sleep on the couch within the security of his arms.
However, the next morning brought an end to her happiness. She received a letter from Hayden’s cousin, Alfred. He demanded her return to Brecon immediately. He even claimed to have her sister and said he would kill Payton if Raleigh did not return and marry him. Raleigh could not allow another member of her family to die, so she left Alexander a letter saying goodbye forever and disappeared into the dawn. Upon arriving in Brecon, she learned it was all a lie. Alfred did not have her sister, but he still was to force her to marry him. She was dead inside once again without Alexander, knowing she had broken his heart, so she did not care what was to happen to her. Then, after only a few days, she received word of a man who was captured and held in the dungeons. Through the conversation with her handmaiden, she discovered it to be Alexander. Her handmaiden helped her sneak into the dungeons to see him. He was hurt—not only physically but emotionally, but after only a short conversation, he told her he still loved her. She was alive once again by his love and knew she could not be without him again. He was the hero of her heart, but became her hero in many ways for that night he helped her escape from Brecon and back to Pembrokeshire.
Once reaching Pheyland Keep, the now King and Queen of Pembrokeshire gave her a home. She did not wish any part of Brecon and gave them complete control. She lost the title of Countess and the control of Brecon, both of which she never wanted. But, she gained the love and the promise of a happy life with Alexander. Now, she lives within the peaceful keep happy in her love for her hero--Alexander.
