Finding Love at Biltmore Estate: Finding Through Time (Book One)

"Hi Mom, I made it to Biltmore safe and sound!" Lauryn exclaimed excitedly on the phone to her mother. "I'm so glad to hear that, sweetheart! How's the estate? Have you seen anything that takes your breath away yet?" "Yes, absolutely! The gardens are stunning, and the architecture is even more magnificent up close. I can’t wait to explore more and also learn the history of the estate at my new job." "Her mom then says, 'I'm so excited for you, honey! You are going to do exceptionally well at your new job." Lauryn smiled, feeling her mother's support wrap around her like a warm hug. She knew this experience would be unforgettable. "Thank you, Mom! That means a lot coming from you," Lauryn replied with a grateful smile on her end of the phone. Her mom then says, "I and your dad are going to miss you." Lauryn felt a pang of sadness but also excitement for her new journey. "I’m going to miss you too, but I’ll stay in touch," she assured her mother. "Just remember to call and share all the history about the estate from your new job!" Her mom replied enthusiastically. Lauryn chuckled at her mom's request, knowing how much her mother loved the history from the past. "You bet! I'll make sure to keep you updated on everything," she promised, her heart swelling with anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. Just then, she spotted a man approaching her and felt a jolt of recognition; it was her new boss. "Mom, I have to go; my boss is coming," Lauryn said quickly. "Okay, I love you, sweetie, and good luck!" her mom replied before hanging up. The fifty-year-old Caucasian male stands tall with a sturdy build. His hair, once a vibrant brown, is now streaked with gray, framing a weathered face marked by laughter lines and a few deep-set wrinkles. He wears a well-fitted navy blazer over a crisp white shirt, complemented by khaki trousers. His keen blue eyes reflect a wealth of experience, and a slight smile reveals a warmth that invites conversation. A pair of round glasses rests on his nose, adding an intellectual charm to his appearance. He carries himself with confidence, exuding both authority and approachability as he walks towards Lauryn. The man then asks Lauryn, "Are you, by chance, Lauryn Asher?" Her heart raced slightly at the mention of her name, and she nodded, curious as always. "Yes, that's me," she replied, a little nervous meeting her boss for the first time. The man shakes Lauryn's hand and says, "My name is Alexander Vanderbilt. I'm your new boss here on the estate." His firm grip and warm smile put her at ease, and she felt a spark of excitement about the opportunities that lay ahead. "I've heard great things about you, Lauryn," he continued, "and I’m excited to see how we can work together to make this estate even more remarkable." Lauryn smiled back, feeling a rush of confidence at his words. "Thank you, Mr. Vanderbilt," she replied, "I’m eager to contribute and bring my ideas to the table." After a moment, Alexander added, "Shall I show you around Biltmore Estate?" Lauryn's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nodded enthusiastically. The Biltmore Estate, nestled in Asheville, North Carolina, is a breathtaking example of Gilded Age architecture. The Biltmore Estate welcomes visitors with stunning gardens and a grand mansion that showcases exquisite craftsmanship and rich history. As Lauryn and Alexander toured the estate, they marveled at the intricate woodwork and ornate furnishings throughout the rooms. The expansive library, with its impressive collection of books, left Lauryn in awe of the Vanderbilt family's legacy. The estate's lush grounds offer picturesque views, perfect for leisurely strolls, while the winery provides a delightful tasting experience. Each corner of Biltmore tells a story, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. That's when Alexander's phone began to ring. "Hello Angela. Is everything alright down at the catacombs?" Angela then says on her end of the phone call, "We found a secret chamber down in the catacombs. You need to get down here and see it right now!" Alexander then says, "We'll be down there in about fifteen minutes." As he hung up, a surge of excitement coursed through him. The prospect of uncovering a hidden part of Biltmore’s history was too intriguing to pass up. He turned to Lauryn and asked, "Do you want to come with me to the catacombs?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she considered the invitation. "Absolutely! I've always wanted to explore those mysterious tunnels," she replied eagerly. They quickly make their way there, anticipation building as they envision the secrets that await them beneath the grand estate. Once they made it to the catacombs, Alexander calls out to Angela and says, "Angela, where are you?" A moment later, a faint echo of footsteps resonated in the dimly lit corridor, and Angela emerged from the shadows, her expression a mix of excitement and caution. "I was hoping you two would show up! I found something incredible over here," she said, gesturing for them to follow her deeper into the labyrinth of stone. As they ventured further, the air grew colder, and the scent of damp earth filled their lungs. Angela led them to a small chamber adorned with ancient artifacts and manuscripts of secrets long forgotten. The flickering light from their torches illuminated the intricate carvings on the walls, revealing stories of a civilization lost to time. "What do you think this place was used for?" one of them whispered, captivated by the mystery surrounding them. As they examined the artifacts, Angela remarked, "I think this stuff belonged to George Vanderbilt." The group exchanged curious glances, intrigued by her insight. The air grew thicker with anticipation as they contemplated the significance of the items surrounding them. "Could he have used this chamber for his purposes?" Alexander pondered aloud about his ancestor. "Perhaps it was a secret meeting place or a refuge from the outside world," Angela suggested, her eyes glinting with excitement. Each theory seemed to deepen their connection to the past, urging them to uncover more about the enigmatic life of George Vanderbilt and the stories hidden within these walls. Alexander then realizes he hasn't introduced Lauryn to Angela. He then says, "Angela, may I introduce to you your new coworker and new member of our team? This is Lauryn Asher. Lauryn, may I introduce to you Angela Veer? She has been working for me for about four years now." Angela smiled warmly and extended her hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lauryn! I can't wait to hear your ideas about the project; I think you'll bring a fresh perspective to the team." Lauryn returned the smile, feeling a wave of excitement and relief. "Thank you, Angela! I'm really looking forward to collaborating and sharing my thoughts on how we can take the project to the next level." Alexander then says, "Now that everyone has been introduced to each other. Let's start cataloging everything that's in here." Everyone began to look at the different artifacts and books that are throughout the chamber. As Lauryn examined the shelves, a particular document caught her eye. It was an old, worn manuscript with intricate designs, unlike anything she had seen before. Curious about the book, she carefully pulled it from the stack, feeling a strange energy emanate from its pages. At that moment, she discovered George Vanderbilt's biggest secret. Lauryn's excitement grew as she traced her fingers over the manuscript's cover. "Alexander, come over here!" she called out, her voice filled with urgency. Alexander approached, intrigued by her enthusiasm. "What did you find?" he asked, peering over her shoulder at the ancient document. As Lauryn opened the manuscript, the pages revealed stunning illustrations and cryptic notes. "This could be George Vanderbilt's biggest secret," she whispered, her heart racing with anticipation. The air felt thick with mystery as they both leaned in closer, eager to uncover the truth hidden within the fragile pages. Lauryn then asks Alexander, "Alexander. Am I reading this correctly?" Alexander looks at the manuscript and realizes what Lauryn is talking about. Angela then says, "What did you find, Lauryn?" Alexander then says, "I remember hearing rumors about it in the family. But I didn't think it was actually true." Angela then says, "Would someone please tell me what they found? What rumor are you talking about?" Alexander says, "There was a rumor in the family that my ancestor George Vanderbilt founded Biltmore Estate sooner than what history says he did. Lauryn then says, "It's more than just that, Alexander. If I'm reading this manuscript correctly. It sounds like George Vanderbilt was married more than once." "Wait, what? Are you saying George Vanderbilt was married more than once?" Alexander exclaims in shock. "That's not what history tells us!" he adds, trying to process the revelation. "This changes everything that I thought I knew about my family," he continues, his eyes wide with disbelief. "We need to dig deeper into this manuscript!" Lauryn then notices in the manuscript that George Vanderbilt had four other children besides Cornelia Vanderbilt. "It says here that George Vanderbilt had four other children besides his daughter Cornelia Vanderbilt." Alexander then asks, "Wait, did my ancestor George Vanderbilt really have four other children in addition to his daughter Cornelia?" Lauryn says, "According to this manuscript, yes. It looks like George married twice before he married Edith Vanderbilt, Cornelia Vanderbilt's mother." Alexander’s eyes widened with surprise. "I had no idea there were other branches to the Vanderbilt family tree," he replied, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity about what else they might uncover. As they continued to browse the manuscript, Lauryn pointed out intriguing details about each of George's other children and their unique contributions to the family legacy. "It seems like there's a whole world of history waiting to be explored," she added, her enthusiasm infectious. Alexander's eyes widened with surprise. "What were the names of the other four children?" he asked, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. Lauryn smiled and began to recount their names: "There was William, Valentina, Alice, and Lila." She paused for a moment, gauging his reaction to the new information. "Do we know the names of the two other wives and which child belongs to whom?" he asked, eager to connect the dots. Lauryn nodded, contemplating the relationships. "It looks like William and Valentina belong to Natalia," she replied, noting the significance of the names. Alexander leaned in, intrigued by the family dynamics unfolding before him. "What about Alice and Lila?" he inquired, wanting to learn more. Lauryn then said, "Looks like Alice and Lila belong to Melissa." Alexander then asks Lauryn, "When did George marry Natalia?" "Looks like George married Natalia on April 10, 1870," and it looks like William and Valentina are twins, Lauryn replied, providing the information. Angela then asks Lauryn with an intrigued coworker voice, "When were the twins born?" "The twins were born on March 15, 1873," Lauryn answered, glancing at the manuscript. Angela leaned in closer, her mind racing as she wondered what other secrets the manuscript might reveal. Alexander then asks Lauryn, "When did Natalia die?" Lauryn pauses for a moment before responding, "Natalia passed away on June 5, 1873." Her voice carries a mix of sadness and reverence as she shares the date. Angela's curiosity deepened, and she couldn't help but ask, "What happened in such a short time after their birth?" Lauryn inhaled deeply, prepared to reveal the heart-wrenching tale tucked away for so long in the pages. "It was a tragic turn of events," Lauryn began, her eyes reflecting the weight of the memories. "Natalia was born into a world filled with promise, but a severe illness swept through the village, claiming many lives, including hers." Alexander and Angela exchanged shocked glances, both whispering a stunned "Wow." The gravity of Lauryn's story hung in the air, amplifying their shared disbelief. "Lauryn, when did George marry his second wife, Mellisa?" Alexander inquired, shifting the conversation. Lauryn paused, the memories swirling in her mind, before responding, "It was a few years after Natalia's passing on November 18, 1875." "George was seeking comfort and companionship," she added, her voice softening. "They tied the knot in a small ceremony, surrounded by close friends." Alexander nodded, absorbing the information, while Lauryn remained quiet, lost in thought after reading what she found in the manuscript. Lauryn then says, "I wonder what William was like?" Imagining the kind of man he was and having a strange feeling that she knows him before she found his name in the manuscript.