~Chapter One~
New Guinea, 1754
"Father is signing a contract with the East India Company," exclaimed Rose.
Every head save mine lifted and turned towards the door where my younger sister stood, brandishing an envelope. A babble of excitement erupted at the dining table, but I paid scant attention towards the announcement and continued to look out of the window.
Edward and Philip were always in competition and now was no different. I watched them spar and made note of every technique I thought worthy, especially the footwork for grace neglected me since childhood and I lost my footing more times than I can recall.
I wasn't particularly mother's favorite child because I lacked elegance and became an embarrassment to her. At fancy gatherings I was under no circumstances to leave my allocated position which was usually somewhere out of the way and honestly I was thankful for it.
The first class disliked me no more than I disliked them and I had no desire to pretend otherwise. If I had known what this attitude would get me into I wouldn't have changed a thing given the chance, but it is worth knowing what had happened.
My name is Cordelia Quinn and this is my story, starting from the day I pushed Governor Jessop's daughter into a horse and supposedly left her in a coma after it hit her (one of the major events that got me into a state hospital for the mentally ill).
A/N: I really hope I was able to spark your interest.