Prologue
Rating: PG-13 (This might change later on in the story..)
Dedications: See my dedication page
A stranger lurked outside the large iron gates that led welcomed travelers into a world of wealth and privilege. Rene d'Argente had at one time known this world of luxury, but he had willingly thrown away this life along with it's responsibilities at a young age. Clenching his fist remembering those painful memories, he continued on, unsure of where this dirt road would lead him. He hoped, however, that this dirt road would lead him to an inn where he could rest after a weary journey.
She was only 17, but she had learned much in her young life. She knew of heartache, anguish, pain, and despair; she had yet to see happiness, joy, or excitement. Corinna Morgan was, at one time, a lively and vivacious child. But since her parents deaths' 3 years ago, she had become a frail young woman, who at a glance, looked as though she would break in two. She now spent her days living with her cantankerous old aunt, Regina, instead of enjoying the London season like other young ladies her age.
Together, she and Regina lived at Shadow Hill Manor, a run-down French chateau. The exterior of the home was covered with ivy, which hid the crumbling stone walls from unlikely visitors that happened to chance upon the centuries old estate. Although the exterior was crumbling and dilapidating, the interior was as grand as it had been when the house was first built in 1686. The home consisted of three stories, was inlaid with marble floors, and housed over 30 bedrooms. Shadow Hill was located in Edinburgh, a days' travel from London. The land had been in the family for centuries, and the 400 acres were home to a rushing river, meadows, a forest, and any wildlife that chose to make Shadow Hill their home.
Corinna used to think herself beautiful before her parents' deaths. Perhaps this was because they told her how lovely she was on a daily basis. But on that tragic day three years ago next month, she found herself to be plain. Just plain and nothing extraordinary. Her hair was a deep auburn color, with copper-colored highlights throughout. Her eyes were just as dull as her hair. She hated her emerald colored eyes almost as much as she hated her petite, button-like nose. Her mouth was rather small, but it's shape made it look like Corinna was pouting 99 of the time. The only thing she considered about herself to be remotely better was her figure. She had grown from a gangly adolescent into a full and luscious woman. Her breasts were just the right size, and her thin waist helped accentuate the curve of her hips.
As she heard their private chapel chime the bell for midday service on that bright Sunday afternoon, she forgot all composure and propriety as she ran as fast as she could across the west meadow towards the chapel, trying her hardest to make it on time in one piece, so she could avoid one of her Aunt Regina's inevitable lectures about punctuality.