Lady Elizabeth: Prologue

     I sat, perched on a branch of the old oak tree that overlooked the village. The sun was setting with a brilliant hue of pink, orange, and red. I come up here often. I hated sewing, cooking, and other lady-like things and the old oak was my escape from the world.
     "Elizabeth Jane Howard! Come in for dinner!" My mother's booming voice rung out from behind me.
     Jumping from branch to branch as I normally do, I landed lightly on the cool ground. The green grass tickled the bottom of my feet as I ran towards my family's cottage.
     I slowed to a walk as I came onto the dirt pathway. Running my fingers through my hair roughly, I reached the the oak-wood door and walked into the small cottage.
     "Elizabeth Jane Howard! Where is your dress?! You are 16. You are too old to be wearing britches and a tunic. You should be wearing a dress and apron and you should be cooking and sewing. You need to learn to be a lady instead of running around with boys causing mischief!" My mother yelled at me.
     I rolled my eyes, barely paying attention. I've heard this speech so many times I could recite it down to the very last word. "Yes mother... I know," I said with a sigh.
     My mother glared at me. "You may know, but you never change. What couldn't you be more like your little sister?"
     Frustrated, I glared at my little sister, Rebecca. "Because... Unlike Rebecca, I prefer running around and using up energy. I find sewing, cooking, and looking pretty absolutely pointless."
     My mother looked at me. "You will have to shape p or you will never marry. Now go wash up for dinner."
     I hurriedly rushed from the room and out to the barrel of rainwater. I cupped my hands and dipped them into the water. Splashing the water onto my face, I thought about all that had happened that day.  1