Her brother had visited just three times since they’d moved to Colorado. Once at the end of that first year , when he’d turned 21, then again just before Eliza’s 15 birthday. But now it’d been over 3 years since her brother’s last visit and she missed him fiercely. So when her father told her Lucas was coming for a visit, Eliza couldn’t contain her excitement.

When Lucas got off the stage, Eliza was there and immediately wrapped her arms around him in pure joy. Laughing he lifted her off the ground and spun her round as if she was still only 6 years old. But as he sat her down he became very aware she was no longer a little girl. At 18 years old Eliza was now a woman and a very beautiful woman at that.

After a wonderful evening of visiting and hearing all about her brother’s new business ventures, with a regretful yawn, Eliza made her way to bed. Lucas invited his father to the parlor for a cigar.

“Father” Lucas began hesitantly “Eliza has grown much since my last visit”

Thomas smiled proudly “she’s become quite the lovely young woman hasn’t she”

“Are there suitable suitors here in Colorado? You know if she was in New York she would likely be courted by many men of the best families” Lucas replied.

“No” Thomas said with a hint of sadness. “I’ve been giving it some thought and I know a match should be arranged soon”

“Arranged?” Lucas asked with the raise of a brow.

“I’m not sending her off to New York without some plan in place and security for her” Thomas said with his tone that said his word was final.

Lucas however, was now 26 and had spent lots of time holding his own at board meetings and business negotiations. So he confidently replied back “ you could go with her.”

Thomas quickly snapped back “No, I can’t!” Then in a more subdued tone “I just can’t face that house without your mother in it.”

Feeling he’d voiced what he could on that front, Lucas tried a different tactic “it’s been a long time since you’ve been to the city, you don’t know the eligible men. When I go back to New York, I’ll make some inquiries, identify some potential candidates and send you some names”

The month of Lucas’ visit went by too fast and with her tear-filled goodbye she asked “when will I see you again?” A brief, knowing glance flashed between her father & brother, but Eliza was too focused on her goodbye to notice. Lucas kissed the top of her head and said “hopefully soon.”

Three months later a letter arrived from Lucas. This wasn’t odd, they typically received a letter from him each week. What was odd was, instead of having Eliza read the letter out loud at the dining table, as was their habit, after a brief cursory glance her father insisted the letter held only business and he would read it in his study later.

A few days later, Eliza sat on the front porch taking in the evening Colorado sky, when her father sat down next to her.

“Eliza” he said. Did his voice sound hesitant? “It’s time for you to be married” he continued in his more authoritative tone. Eliza’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t dare say anything yet. “You’re a woman now and it became clear to me some time ago that the potential matches here in Colorado are, well slim to say the least. Your brother and I spoke at his last visit and decided a match should be arranged for you in New York.”

Eliza’s thoughts were running wild, did he just say arranged?

Thomas went on. “Your brother’s letter the other day was to inform me a match has been arranged and get my blessing. I have already written to tell him I approve his choice and detailing the travel arrangements.” Her father continued to talk for a while about her betrothed’s family, their business interests, family connections, and more that Eliza couldn’t possibly take in during her current state of mind. When it seemed her father’s words had come to an end, she dared to ask “his name?”

“Oh oh of course” her father sputtered. “John Beaufort. Your brother included a note for you. I’ll leave you to read it and we can discuss travel plans tomorrow.”

Eliza sat for a moment alone with her brother’s letter in her lap trying to soak in all she had heard that evening. Finally she opened the letter and read:

My dearest sister Eliza,

I’m confident father has shared with you the situation and plans. Knowing father, he probably regaled you with information on business holdings, but I didn’t expect him to share any personal information about John with you, so let me do that now. John is a good friend of mine. He’s a kind hearted man who enjoys horseback riding and music. He is a year younger than I, 25, stands a few inches shorter than I (but at her brother’s 6’ 2” most men did) , has ash blonde hair, and light blue eyes. I may have suggested John just to get him out of the way, as he always draws more attention from the ladies than I when we are together. Maybe now I’ll have a chance to attract a wife myself! I tease sister, but you must know I would only suggest someone who I trusted would love and care for you the way I do. Knowing you both as I do, I feel quite confident love will bloom between you quickly. I know this all might feel a bit overwhelming, but trust we have your best interest at heart.

Your loving brother, LM

Eliza took a deep breath, then another. Her thoughts and emotions were everywhere, but her brother’s letter had brought her some comfort. She was excited to be going back to New York and to be near her brother again. But would father come to stay as well? She had begun to think about mariage and it was true, potential suitors were slim in the west. She had thought her father might take her back to New York to be reintroduced to society there and find someone of her own choosing. An arranged marriage , it was just so rare now and it had never occurred to her. What if she didn’t fall in love with this man as her brother predicted, could she dare oppose her father on something so important? She had never opposed him before.

The next morning, over breakfast, her father began to detail their plans for travel. He would travel with her on the first leg of the journey, but he couldn’t be away from his interests here for too long and would send her on without him. Was he really not coming she thought? Would she even be safe traveling alone? Oh, he was explaining that. He had arranged for a travel companion to meet them at the first stop and travel on with Eliza when he went back home. Eliza felt like crying, but didn’t dare show her father her tears, so she simply nodded. They were leaving in two days, she needed to prepare.