How did they meet?

My current manuscript has the working title Pardon and Prosperity. It is nowhere near finished although I have written nearly 60,000 words of the first draft. The story is inspired by my 3x great grand parents. The blurb may well change but at the moment it reads something like this.

In 1840's England, Mary Ann navigates childhood amidst her family's struggle to survive. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Richard embarks on a path that will change his destiny forever, beginning with the theft of a loaf of bread. This act sets him on a tumultuous journey that leads to the penal colony of Van Diemen's Land.

Their lives collide through an arrangement neither sought but both are bound to honor. Together, they voyage to Australia, facing a land that offers as much adversity as it does hope.

Amid the ebb and flow of fortune and loss, Mary Ann and Richard's journey is a testament to the enduring power of love and resilience. From the depths of despair to moments of profound joy, their story encapsulates the essence of human spirit and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Pardon and Prosperity is a sweeping tale of hope, redemption, and the unyielding strength of the human heart, set against the backdrop of England's industrial revolution and the wild frontiers of Australia's gold rush era.

But how would this couple have met? Mary Ann was only 10 years of age when Richard was sent to Van Diemen’s Land. He returned very briefly to marry her 12 years later. Their families lived 50 miles apart. Richard’s family lived in Amersham and Mary Ann’s family lived in Bedford. They were married in Luton - half way between the two towns.

I would be really interested to hear your ideas. If you have one, please comment below.

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