Prologue
Winter 1731
Annalise sat on the sill of a lone garret window, looking at the bright, full moon.
This spacious, albeit poorly illuminated, room was her former nursery. A year ago, when she turned nine, her parents had given her a big chamber downstairs and locked this one away with all her childhood memories. She was now preparing for court and learning to act like a proper lady.
Annalise was not ready to lock her childhood away. Yes, she wanted to go to balls. She wanted to find a perfect gentleman who would sweep her off her feet and make her head spin. But she also wanted to read her fables and have pretend tea parties. She still had years until her come-out ball. Surely, she’d be able to learn everything faster than that?
So, she sneaked into a housekeeper’s chambers and stole the key to her “magical kingdom.”
It had always been dark and dank there. Now all the furniture was covered with white sheets. Annalise had quite a few pleasant memories of the place, however. It still held all of Annalise’s old toys, her favorite Italian fables, and her journal, where she wrote down her daily experiences. It was a place where no one disturbed her—not that anyone paid any particular attention to her anyhow. But this was a magical place, full of promises and possibilities. This was a place to dream.
The door screeched open and Lavinia, Annalise’s friend, sauntered into the room. She locked the door behind her and dashed to sit next to Annalise.
It was past both of their bedtimes, but that was the only time the two girls could meet. As much as Annalise’s parents ignored her, they filled up her day with piano lessons, etiquette instructions, French and other languages, and many other things.
Annalise enjoyed the piano lessons the most. She’d also developed a fascination with Italian culture and language. No other activity kept her interest. During the other lessons, she would look longingly outside at the beautiful weather and sigh.
The weather wasn’t always beautiful in Essex; sometimes it was rainy and dull. But even on those days, she would be happy to frolic in the rain instead of sitting in stuffy old rooms with stuffy old teachers.
It was even worse when the guests were in the house, which was almost always. So she was hidden and restricted only to her rooms and the library.
Usually, she sat in this garret by herself. But when there was a house party, she was lucky if Lavinia’s father brought her along.
Lavinia’s father mostly didn’t pay any attention to his daughter either. He was busy getting drunk and spent most of his days passed out in one part of the house or another. But on the days he did remember Lavinia’s existence, Annalise knew she wouldn’t see her friend for days. And then, days later, Lavinia would appear by her side again, with fresh cuts and bruises. But her spirit never wavered.
“There’s a beautiful full moon out tonight,” Lavinia whispered as she sat closer to Annalise. “We can have our tea party outside.”
Annalise stifled a chuckle. “Our groundskeeper would chase us away. Or even worse, alert our parents.”
Lavinia shrugged. “It’s rare that the moon is so full in a cloudless sky.”
Annalise tapped her lower lip with her finger. “I know what we can do. I read it in a book once. An old book of spells and enchantments.”
Lavinia’s mouth dropped open. “Where did you even find it?”
“In our library. It was hidden behind other books on the top shelf.”
“Which you found by—”
“Perusing the shelves for something on the etiquette of doing boring things with boring people.”
Both girls chuckled.
“Anyway, this book says that if you write down your wish on a piece of paper and then burn it by the candlelight on a full moon, your wish will come true.”
“Truly?”
“That’s what it said. Do you want to try it?”
Lavinia’s eyes lit up with mischief. “I’ll look for a piece of paper.”
“I’ll find us a quill and an ink!”
The girls scattered about the dusty garret, searching for their treasures. Once they found them, they sat back, their legs dangling from a windowsill.
“What are you going to wish for?” Lavinia asked.