Chapter 1

Chapter One

" A bsolutely not, Richard! I won't allow you to exile my granddaughter like some unwanted parcel!"

Adeline Follett froze outside the parlor door, her hand hovering over the doorknob. Her grandmother's voice, usually so composed, rang out with uncharacteristic fury. She hesitated, her heart pounding against her ribs, desperate to escape the impending confrontation.

"Lady Gillingham, be reasonable," her father replied, a hint of exasperation coloring his tone. "With Isabella's debut approaching, we must think of the family's reputation."

"And Adeline is not family?" The Dowager Countess's words dripped with icy disdain.

Adeline's fingers trembled as she lowered her hand from the doorknob. She closed her eyes, holding back tears. Of course, it always came back to this—her scars, her ruined prospects, the shame she brought upon her family.

"Of course she is," Lord Brenton sighed. "But you must see reason. Adeline is… well, her presence will only hinder Isabella's chances. The ton can be cruel, and I won't have both my daughters cast aside because of… unfortunate circumstances."

"Unfortunate circumstances?" The Dowager Countess's voice rose an octave. "Is that what we're calling your negligence now, Richard?"

Adeline flinched at the barb, memories of that fateful day flooding her mind. The excited chatter at the garden party, the gleaming coat of the spirited horse, her father's insistent voice urging her to mount despite her protests…

She shook her head, banishing the thoughts. It wouldn't do to dwell on the past now.

Taking a deep breath, Adeline squared her shoulders and pushed open the door. "Father, Grandmama, please. There's no need to quarrel on my account."

Both heads turned sharply at her entrance. Lord Brenton's face was flushed with anger, while the Dowager Countess's eyes softened at the sight of her.

"Adeline, my dear," her grandmother said, extending a hand. "Come, sit with me. Your father and I were just discussing?—"

"I heard," Adeline interrupted gently, moving to stand between them instead of taking a seat. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her to hide the tremors. "Father, if you believe my absence would benefit Isabella's debut, then I shall go."

Lord Brenton's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You… you would?"

"Adeline, no!" The Dowager Countess stood up, her skirts rustling with the sudden movement. "You needn't exile yourself. You can stay with me. I won't have you sent away like some?—"

"It's all right, Grandmama," Adeline reassured her, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Father is right. Isabella deserves every chance at happiness. I won't stand in her way."

Lord Brenton cleared his throat, looking both relieved and uncomfortable. "Well, I… I'm glad you see reason, Adeline. I've arranged for you to stay with your great-aunt in Scotland. She's expecting you in a month."

"A month?" the Dowager Countess exclaimed. "Surely, you can give her more time, Richard. To send her away so soon is?—"

"One month," Lord Brenton said firmly, his gaze fixed on Adeline. "That's all I can allow. For Isabella's sake, you understand."

Adeline nodded, her spine stiff as a board. "Of course, Father. One month is… more than generous."

The Dowager Countess opened her mouth to protest further, but Adeline laid a gentle hand on her arm. "It's decided, Grandmama. Please, don't trouble yourself any further on my account."

With a final nod to her father and a quick kiss on her grandmother's cheek, Adeline turned and left the parlor. She held her head high, her steps measured and dignified until she was out of sight.

As she passed the grand hallway mirror, she averted her gaze. She couldn't confront the reflection of the face that had sealed her fate.

The scar running down her cheek—once the mark of an accident—had become a permanent reminder of her ruined prospects, of the whispers she would never escape.

No one will ever look beyond it—beyond her .

Only when she reached the privacy of the staircase did she allow her shoulders to slump, her carefully constructed facade crumbling as she made her way to her bedchamber.

Once inside, she leaned against the closed door, finally allowing the tears to fall. One month. One month until she would be spirited away, hidden from Society's cruel gaze. One month until she would bid farewell to everything and everyone she held dear.

A soft knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. Hastily wiping away her tears, Adeline called out, "Who is it?"

"It's me," came the cheerful reply of her younger sister. "May I come in?"

Adeline took a deep breath, composing herself before opening the door. "Isabella! There you are. I thought you were out with Lady Seline Whitmore this afternoon."

Isabella bounced into the room, her golden curls bouncing with each step. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement but dimmed as she noticed Adeline's somber expression.

"Adeline? What's wrong?"

Adeline took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "Isabella, I need to tell you something. Father has decided… I'm to go live with our great-aunt Agatha in Scotland."

Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "Scotland? But why? For how long?"

"Indefinitely," Adeline replied softly. "Father believes it's best for the family, especially with your debut approaching."

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes. "But that's not fair! How can he send you away like this? We must do something—talk to Grandmama, or?—"

Adeline shook her head, reaching out to take her sister's hands. "It's already decided, Bella. And truly, it's for the best. This way, you'll have every chance at a successful Season without my… presence complicating matters."

"I don't care about my Season!" Isabella protested. "I care about you, about us being together. How can you be so calm about this?"

Adeline managed a small smile. "Because I have to be. And because I know you'll be fine without me. You're strong, Bella—stronger than you know."

Isabella dabbed at her eyes with a delicate handkerchief, her head bowed for a moment.

When she looked up again, her lips still trembled, but there was a faint shift in her expression, a glimmer that hinted at something more beneath her sorrow.

Adeline's gaze softened, though she remained cautious. "Bella?" she asked gently, her tone probing.

Isabella gave a slight shake of her head, composing herself. "I cannot fathom how Father could be so… resolute," she said, her voice measured. "It feels… unjust, does it not?"

Adeline sighed, taking her sister's hand. "It is his way. We mustn't dwell on what cannot be undone."

Isabella's eyes flickered briefly, though her smile remained demure. "Of course," she murmured. "I only wish things were different, that you didn't have to leave."

Adeline watched her sister closely, noticing the slight curve of her lips, the way her gaze grew thoughtful. Almost… distracted. She knew that look meant her little sister was up to no good.

"Isabella," she said quietly, "promise me you won't do anything rash."

Isabella's smile was fleeting but there, hidden behind a composed expression.

"Rash? Me?" she asked, her voice soft with a touch of amusement. "No, Adeline, I shan't do anything… rash."

Adeline frowned, not entirely convinced, but before she could press further, Isabella turned, her expression calm once more.

"You needn't worry about me," she said lightly, though something unreadable flashed in her eyes. "We shall see what the coming days bring." With that, she gave a small nod and moved gracefully towards the door, pausing only for a moment before adding, "I think I shall go for a walk in the garden. Some fresh air always clears the head."

Adeline watched her go, her unease deepening as the door closed behind her.

A few days later, Adeline sat with Isabella in the carriage as it rattled through the darkened streets. The soft glow of lanterns outside barely illuminated the interior, casting flickering shadows over their faces.

Adeline glanced out the window, expecting the familiar sight of their grandmother's townhouse, but as the carriage slowed to a halt, she gasped.

"This isn't Grandmother's," she noted, her voice sharp with confusion. "Where are we?"

Isabella bit her lip, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I thought we could have one last adventure together before you leave."

Adeline's eyes widened. "What?" She shook her head, instantly on edge. "No, Isabella. Absolutely not. It's far too risky. We can't go running about unchaperoned—it will ruin us both!"

Isabella's smile faltered, but she quickly straightened her shoulders. "Adeline, you're leaving in a matter of weeks. Do you really want to go without one last night of excitement? One last chance to live a little before you're shipped off to Scotland?"

Adeline crossed her arms, her heart pounding. "No. This is reckless and dangerous. We cannot just?—"

"It's a masquerade!" Isabella cut in, her voice pleading. "No one will know who we are. We'll be in disguise, just for a few hours. I promise you, no harm will come of it."

Adeline shook her head firmly, her resolve hardening. "You don't know that, Isabella. Anything could happen. We could be discovered, our reputations ruined beyond repair." She reached for the carriage door handle. "I won't allow it. Turn this carriage around at once."

Isabella's face darkened with disappointment, but a stubborn glint sparked in her eyes.

"Fine," she said, her voice suddenly cold. "Then I shall go alone."

Before Adeline could process her words, Isabella reached beneath the carriage bench and pulled out a neatly folded costume, perfectly hidden away.

Adeline's breath caught in her throat. "Isabella, no!" she gasped, but her sister was already slipping into the cloak, tying the mask around her face with trembling fingers.

Without another word, Isabella threw open the carriage door and hopped down onto the street.

Adeline's heart lurched. "Isabella!"

Ignoring her, Isabella marched towards the towering entrance of a grand building up ahead, where music and laughter spilled out into the night.

Adeline froze, her mind racing.

This was madness. Utter madness. She had to stop her sister before something terrible happened.

Clenching her fists, Adeline quickly followed, her heart thundering in her ears.