Chapter 1

I was the only daughter of a wealthy merchant in Fairford. Unable to abide by the custom that allowed a man to keep mistresses, I remained unmarried under my father’s roof until he could no longer sit still.

Desperate to see me wed, my father spent a small fortune arranging a grand public ceremony at which I was to cast a bridal bouquet and marry whichever gentleman caught it.

To my surprise, fortune delivered me a tall and remarkably handsome young man.

He appeared inclined to decline, but when his eyes fell on me, he fell silent as though struck dumb.

My temper might have left something to be desired, but no one had ever found fault with my face.

So, after meeting only once, the gentleman and I exchanged our vows and became husband and wife.

To our mutual surprise, married life suited us exceedingly well. It was not long before I found myself with child.

I was returning home in high spirits, eager to share the happy news with my husband, when I saw him escorting several ladies in fine attire into an inn.

My mind went completely blank. He clearly told me that he was meeting merchants from the capital.

I handed the pastries to my maid, June Branson, and hurried inside, where I engaged the private room adjoining theirs.

I had just taken my seat when the muffled voice of my husband, Edmund Montmirail, reached me through the wall.

“Did she send you?”

“Her Maj—I mean, the lady is waiting for you, sir. Please don’t be displeased with her. You know as well as we do that His Ma—His Lordship has not long to live. If you don’t return soon, it may be too late!”

‘Lady?’ I wondered.

Edmund dared to marry me when he already had a wife!

Just the night before, he had sworn that he would love me forever and that he would never deceive me. Yet here I was, discovering that he had a wife waiting for him elsewhere.

I sneered. Just as I was about to storm into the next room and demand an explanation, the inn’s porter began shouting in terror that a fire had broken out below.

I had no choice but to follow the crowd rushing downstairs.

By the time I had gathered my senses, Edmund and the women had vanished.

With no sign of them anywhere, I could do nothing but return home.

Upon returning home, I seated myself in the drawing room to await Edmund, yet he did not come back until night had fully fallen.

He looked thoroughly exhausted.

“Matilda, there has been some trouble with my father’s affairs in the capital. We must gather our money and valuables at once. We leave tomorrow.”

I had not expected that his first words to me would be a command to journey to the capital.

What possible purpose could he have in taking me there? Did he mean to present me to his lawful wife? I had no intention of living beneath another woman’s authority.

I touched the face I had just dusted with pale powder and let out two feeble coughs.

“I visited the doctor only today. He told me my ailment isn’t yet fully mended. I’m in no fit state for the rigors of travel.”

Edmund frowned and hurried over to rub my back.

“Didn’t the doctor say that you were nearly well? How has it worsened? Perhaps the doctors here aren’t as capable as they ought to be. Once we reach the capital, I shall have the finest doctors brought to attend you.”

I continued to shake my head and insisted that my monthly courses were nearly upon me and that I was in no condition to travel.

Perhaps my pallor was convincing enough, for Edmund could find no way to persuade me and at last relented.

“Very well. Once I have settled my father’s affairs in the capital, I shall return and take you there myself. Will that suit you?”

I nodded in agreement, though in truth, I had resolved to flee.

In the six months since my escape, the kingdom had undergone a great upheaval.

The king had died. His little-known fifth son had ascended the throne.

No sooner had the new king been crowned than he ordered a search throughout the kingdom for a woman.

The king’s romantic entanglements were no concern of mine. What did concern me was that his search brought new inspections to every road and trading post, which made the transport of my goods far more troublesome than before.

Still, he was the king. However much it vexed me, I could do nothing but wait my turn.

As usual, I joined the line to pass through the checkpoint, only to be stopped at the final inspection by an officer in a slate-blue uniform.

“Sir, take a look at this woman. Don’t you think she bears some resemblance?”

What possible connection could I have to a woman sought by the king?

I cast a glance at the portrait.

Good heavens! How was it that this woman truly did look rather like me?