#emily mackenzie
17 October, 1889
On the eve of her twenty-first birthday, Adaline Parlow struggled to make a decision she long thought would be simple: which marriage proposal should she accept?
The first belonged to Mr. Ernest Mackenzie, Henford’s sole pharmacist.
Although somewhat acquainted, the two did not become familiar with one another until Adaline began purchasing medicine for her father. Until his proposal, Adaline didn’t even realise he more than tolerated her: he had previously seemed uninterested in anyone else since the death of his wife three years prior.
But it was well-known his daughter was in urgent need of a mother figure, despite his seeming reservations. Adaline felt confident in her ability to be a nurturing, maternal support for the young girl, but could she break down the walls around her potential husband?
The second belonged, to, of all people, Lord Simon Longbourne, the newly inherited earl (and rumoured rake) of Henford.
Adaline never even expected that he knew her name, much less wished to marry her. Her family has worked for his since before either were born, granting her more knowledge of their dealings than most. She knew he thrived on scandal, taking joy in the anger and stress it caused his family.
It was almost a guarantee that this proposal was his newest ploy to shame his family. But it was a ploy Adaline could take advantage of. Should the proposal come to fruition, the earl’s resources would provide comfort and ease to her and her loved ones, but would she be able to win his heart as well?
The third proposal was one made in secret: that of Naveen Ghoshal.
For eleven years, Adaline has loved Naveen.
But Naveen’s financial woes made him an impossible match. Her family would never approve of a marriage between her and a street rat, which meant they would have to elope without the knowledge of her family. Adaline wasn’t sure if she could say goodbye to her ailing father and aging mother, but she wasn’t sure she was capable of saying goodbye to Naveen either. Would she have to sacrifice love for the sake of her family, or could she risk it all on the boy who’s loved her since they met?
This was not a decision to be made lightly, Adaline knew. But which man should she marry?
Whose proposal should Adaline accept? The quiet and stoic pharmacist Ernest Mackenzie? The clever and sardonic Lord Simon Longbourne? Or the loving and devoted Naveen Ghoshal? The choice is yours!
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