Prologue

June 7th, 1827—London

"Y ou do not have to go."

Caroline Davies looked up from the soothing task of folding her meager clothing items into a trunk. "Effie, you know that I must. She is family."

"I am your family," Miss Euphemia Darrow retorted. "Mrs. Wheaton is your family. The other girls here are your family. Lady Stanhope is the sister of the man who fathered you, then abandoned both you and your mother. She is his family."

Caroline sighed. "I don't like it any better than you do. I am seventeen years old and have not been able to find a position. You send me for interviews, and I freeze like a startled fawn, unable to answer the simplest of questions. I fear I am your greatest failure."

"That's only nerves," Effie insisted. "It will get better over time!"

"How much time?" Caroline asked softly. "Because the school is overcrowded already. In some cases, the girls are sleeping three to a bed because you haven't the heart to turn away any child in need. I'm taking up space that could be better served in helping some poor girl who does not have a family member willing to take them on... or one who will be able to eventually move on and be employable. This is a good opportunity for me and for others."

"As a servant. She is your aunt by blood, but she is offering you a home as her servant! Companion to her daughter, indeed."

"Which is more than she is required to do," Caroline pointed out calmly. "But I might have a chance to finally know something of my father... to understand why he did not marry my mother before I was born."

Effie crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance. "Your home is here. No matter how far you may travel from it. If the situation becomes unbearable, you will return here, and I do not care what your aunt has to say about it." Effie then pulled a small box from the pocket of her skirt. "Happy birthday, Caroline."

Caroline looked down at the small proffered box and smiled. Effie always marked her birthday. Every girl's, in fact. And if their birthdate was not known, one was chosen for them. And always, the day brought some little gift or treat to make it special.

Opening the box carefully, she was stunned by what lay inside it. The simple gold locket was familiar to her. It had been her mother's and bore small portraits of both her parents inside it. But the chain on which it rested, of fine, delicate links, that was new. New and terribly dear. "Oh, Effie. You should not have gone to such expense, but it's so beautiful and so very treasured."

Effie lifted the necklace from the box and draped it about Caroline's throat. "This is a tangible reminder of where you came from, but also where you can return. You will always have a home here."