Prologue

"She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes."

Lord Byron, 1815

20th March 1816

The young woman pulled her cloak around her, trying to find strength and comfort in its warm woolen folds. Where was her cousin? He'd promised to be here, by the oak tree at midnight.

The sky was dark, with wisps of mist rising from the river. She looked back and could barely see the outline of Rowton Castle, the ancestral home of the Earls of Cheshire, rising up against the skyline.

She jumped as an owl screeched and flew overhead, its white feathers magnificent in the dark sky.

I wish I could fly away like that,she thought. If only it was that easy to escape from home. Where is the carriage Rupert promised? It must be past midnight now.

She let out an audible cry as a creature ran over her foot. Deep breaths, it was probably more scared of her than she was of it.

You know this place, it's home, you walk here every day. It's just because it's midnight, and you're escaping to a new life.

A gap in the clouds illuminated the battlements and high ramparts of the ancient castle. Would she ever see Rowton Castle again? It would do no good to think that way, she had made her choice, and there could be no regrets.

There it was, the sound of a carriage coming toward her. As the door opened, she stepped forward, recognizing her cousin's voice as he called into the darkness, "Are you there, fair Audrey, damsel in distress? Cousin Rupert at your service, ready to rescue you from your betrothal and impending marriage to the Duke of Batton."

As the coachman helped her into the carriage, she could still hear her cousin's voice drawling on, "Sorry Audrey, I got caught up in a game and couldn't leave till I'd recovered my losses."

"Oh, Rupert, did you have to get involved in a card game tonight? You knew you were due here at midnight. I've been standing here for ages, waiting for you."

"You know me, cousin, what do you expect of a dandy, first tier of the ton. You know you're lucky to have me. Who else would save you from marriage to a duke?"

"I know. It's the dream of so many to be married to a duke. I, however, intend to marry for love or not at all."

"Crazy girl, you could be married to a man who has ten thousand pounds a year, carriages, pin money, and a life of luxury."

"But I would not have love! I need to have my own life and it starts tomorrow. It may only be as a governess in Harrogate, but it will be mine. I really am immensely grateful to you for arranging my travel, and a room for tonight."

She continued, "I am going to miss Rowton Castle. I'm leaving a little of my heart there, with so many memories of Mama and Papa, but I refuse to be forced into marriage by Ethan. He may be my guardian, but I'll make my own way in the world, and hope I may find love one day."

"You be careful, Audrey. You've always been a romantic. All joking aside now, Ethan has changed in recent months. He always had a cruel streak but he's much worse now, and he's going to be in a hell of a rage when he discovers you've gone. You know he needs your marriage to the distinguished Duke of Batton to take place, to secure funds for his lifestyle."

Audrey looked out of the window, thinking of the people she was leaving behind. Only Rupert knew where she was going. She would miss him, and her best friend, Francine Weston—Franny. She hoped that it would not be long before she could see them again, and the separation would not be permanent. She could not bear that.

She thought again of the barn owl with its white feathers, swooping effortlessly into the dark, spring night, wishing she had wings to fly away. Never mind, she had an independent spirit and the skills to be a governess, albeit in disguise.