The Idealist
Prologue
The pounding of her footsteps was the only sound she could hear in the forest. It seemed that she snapped every twig and crashed into every branch as she tore through the dark wood.
In her ears, her heart pounded a frantic rhythm – quickened by a mix of fear and exertion.
Somewhere above her, she heard an owl screech. But at least for now, she seemed to be alone with the night creatures.
Silently cursing, she yanked up the skirts of the gown as they caught on yet another bush - the same gown that she had so carefully and lovingly slipped into just four hours before.
She stopped. Heaving gasps escaped from her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath. For the first time she became aware of the aching in her shoeless foot.
How could she have lost one of Mother's precious slippers?
She felt tears coming to her eyes as she remembered how lovely they had been - ivory satin underneath and covered in thousands of beads – beautiful and utterly unique. Regretfully, she raised the lone remaining slipper – stained and scuffed. It was a mockery of its once perfect beauty.
A gap had been torn in the silk where the beads had been wrenched away. She was about to touch the space created when a new sound reached her ears. Loud and piercing against the still of the night.
Hoof beats.
Without a thought, she plunged recklessly into the forest. She had to be near Felden, it couldn't be that far.
A new sound reached her ears, a long drawn out call. "Nell!"
She froze, rooted to the spot. But she hadn't called herself Nell ... how did they know?
Truly frightened now, she suddenly caught a glimmer of light. Felden!
With renewed energy she tore towards the manor house. If only she could get in and out before they arrived, maybe Meg and she could slip out the side before they were caught.
Desperately, she raced across the front lawn, running to escape from the pounding sound of the pursuing riders...