The admiral James Hawke is retiring after more than thirty years serving the Crown. He and his wife Anne decide to purchase the Charlton estate in Somerset, near where they grow up as children.
The Altons at the Highbury estate, a neighbor to the Charlton estate, made up of Edward, Baronet, the lady Victoria, wife, and Sofia, nine years of age, daughter, have their opinions when finding out an admiral will purchase the Charlton estate.
"Do we know who the new proprietors of the Charlton estate are, Edward?" asked Victoria.
"I believe they are the Hawkes of Portsmouth. That is Admiral James Hawke, retired, Anne the wife, and Son Richard, 8 or 9 years of age," mentioned Edward, with Sofia listening carefully.
"I wish wealthy Navy folk would not try to buy their way into the aristocracy by purchasing a grand estate! Next thing you know, they will hold a ball and expect us to come!" said Victoria to silence.
"Let us see how this plays out. In the meantime, when they are settled, we will have to announce ourselves as customary and proper," mentioned Edward, annoyed.
Little do the Altons know it is not the Admiral James Hawke but rather the Admiral Sir James, and Anne is the lady Anne, frequently mentioned in the society papers. Sir James is a knight of the Realm, and Anne is titled the lady Anne. They are known to the King and Queen, are always invited to the royal court, and are known at the highest levels of society and government.
Sofia Alton and Richard Hawke, the children of both families, meet through their love of horses one day.
"You must be Richard Hawke then, our new neighbor's boy. I am Sofia Alton, daughter to the Alton's, your neighbor," said Sofia. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Alton.", replied Richard.
"I would ask you, are you one with manners or a savage sir?" asked Sofia, grinning. "I hope one with manners but not so society that I am a stiff board and cannot break a rule or two for the sake of fun," smiled Richard.
T. F. Fig is the Author of the Lady Anne Elliot, a sequel to the Jane Austinnovel 'Persuasion.'
