|
|
|
It is winter in the late 1800s in Central Otago, New Zealand. There is a gold rush on and thousands of people have gathered in the harsh environment in search of gold, either from the land or from those that work it.
At seventeen, pretty but naive Elsie Hayes, the daughter of a prosperous merchant, is on a mission: she wishes to marry a young man of a lower station, and she knows her father will disapprove. She makes a strong case and asks her father's permission, but is ultimately unhappy with his answer.
Courting disaster, both social and literal, she risks her reputation to meet her beau at the edge of the skating pond determined to get what she wants. Little does she know her father's instincts about the young man are only the tip of the iceberg.
What unfolds will teach Elsie a harsh lesson and her fate will change forever.
At seventeen, pretty but naive Elsie Hayes, the daughter of a prosperous merchant, is on a mission: she wishes to marry a young man of a lower station, and she knows her father will disapprove. She makes a strong case and asks her father's permission, but is ultimately unhappy with his answer.
Courting disaster, both social and literal, she risks her reputation to meet her beau at the edge of the skating pond determined to get what she wants. Little does she know her father's instincts about the young man are only the tip of the iceberg.
What unfolds will teach Elsie a harsh lesson and her fate will change forever.
© 2023 Emily Larkins All Rights Reserved