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CHAPTER ONE

“Dear Lord, please let her be all right.”

Anna drew her cloak closer around her as she spotted her friend’s house, continuing her walk towards it.

Although they lived within walking distance of each other, Anna felt as though it had taken her far too long to arrive at her destination and all the while, her heart and mind raced.

It had been a strenuous feat to remain composed, even though she was practically brimming with worry and concern. She had received a letter about an hour ago, in a handwriting she could recognize even in her sleep, and assumed its contents were an invitation for luncheon or some other activity.

It was not strange for them to exchange multiple letters weekly, and usually, they contained bits of gossip or invitations for tea.

Alas, it had been much more worrisome.

Dear Anna,

I am sorry, my dear friend, if this letter interrupts what I hope is a peaceful and pleasant afternoon you are having. There is something important I must discuss with you as soon as possible, if you would be so kind as to lend me your ear. Please, come to my estate and I will explain all.

Your adoring friend,

Edith.

Anna had quickly put on her shoes and slipped on her cloak, only stopping for a moment to tell her brother of her whereabouts before she left her house. On the way to Edith’s house, she silently prayed and prayed that nothing dire had happened to her friend.

At last, she had arrived at her destination, and now that she was standing at the door behind which lay the answers she sought, her fear of the worst kept her from knocking. But eventually she did, and had scarcely lowered her hand before the door swung open.

“Good evening —” Anna began, the words barely leaving her mouth before she was pulled into the house.

“This way, hurry,” Edith Gale said in a hushed manner, leading Anna up the stairs rather than in the direction of the drawing room they usually spent time together.

“Are you all right —”

“Shh!” Edith hissed, opening the second door on the right of the first floor, ushering Anna inside quickly.

Anna watched, dumbfounded, as Edith glanced down both sides of the hallway, pausing for a moment before she closed the door.

“Edith, I am growing more and more frightened for you as the moments pass,” Anna said as Edith walked away from the door to the center of the room, beckoning Anna to join her there. “What is wrong? You told me you needed an ear, and I have been worried that perhaps you are in some sort of trouble. Tell me what ails you.”

Edith looked hesitant for a moment, as though she had been quite prepared to speak seconds earlier but suddenly lost her nerve. She began to pace about, mumbling under her breath.

This was quite odd for Anna, who had easily bonded with Edith due to their similar, cheerful personalities. They had met at a ball as debutantes and had become fast friends. Aside from her siblings, Anna had no one else whose company she cherished like Edith’s.

So, it filled her with unease and distress to see Edith so distraught. She wondered, not for the first time that evening, what could have caused Edith to appear so frazzled.

Finally, Edith stopped, facing Anna as she took a deep breath, steeled her resolve, and stated.

“I plan to run away with my beloved.”

Anna blinked at her, trying to toss and turn the words she had heard in her mind in hopes of making sense of it. There was something concerning within her statement, but Anna had expected — as much as she had hoped not — to hear that there was some dire situation afoot.

What she had heard certainly did sound like such, so she did her best to quickly comprehend what Edith had said, without the terror that had filled her nerves beforehand.

“You — I beg your pardon?”

Edith raised her chin and squared her shoulders as though she needed the defiant posture in order to do the needful.

“I have decided to leave this place with the man I love, Cornelius.”

The initial confusion finally gave way as Anna gained an understanding of the implications of Edith’s plan.