November 16, 1794.
The snowflakes fell all around me as I exited the cab, the footman taking my hand as he guided me down the steps. Tall building cast dark shadows over me, made with dull, grey stones and bricks, but with glimpses of bright colours in darkened corners. It was beautiful, and little bubbles of excitement began to form in my stomach, while my sisters quietly chatted to each other, leaving me alone as I took in my new surroundings. This was it. This was Moscow, the capital city of Russia.
***
Elizabeth Osgood - an unmarried, educated and intelligent young woman from London - is obliged to join her father, a wealthy businessman, on his journey to Moscow while he runs an errand for the British government. For the duration of their visit, they stay at the estate of Sir Eduard Arvoskaya, a consort of Empress Yekaterina, who permits them to stay at his home.
At first, it's simply a case of sending messages for her father and studying the country's language and culture in her free time, but she soon finds herself probing deep into a mystery concerning Viktor Braginsky, the mute servant working for Arvoskaya. But she doesn't realise the whole thing - the mystery - is all a game. A game that no one can win. And the price of loosing is death.
Just when she's decided to leave the Town, Lady Cressida Belverst is forced to marry Lord Calan Haverston, the man who coincidentally knows a way out. Agreeing to marry for all the wrong reasons, can Cressida and Calan find out where their hearts truly belong?
***
It is impossible to leave the Town, but one woman is determined to escape with the help of her betrothed.
Lady Cressida Belverst has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tries (on some rare occasions) to be proper! When her parents arrange for her to marry a rich lord, Cressida has had enough. She has to leave the Town because she will not be forced to live with a man she doesn't love. But what happens if the very man she's betrothed to is the only one who can help her get out?
Calan Haverston, the Lord of Easton, takes the risk and helps his betrothed by using his knowledge of the Town's secrets because he is as willing as she to stay free of marriage for reasons completely different. He has dark secrets he cannot share with her, and his life is not one he can likewise open to anyone. But what happens when she leaves after awakening desires he thought he has under control? And what happens when he finds himself longing for her?
Cressida goes to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. But love, mystery and secrets will chase her and it will only be a matter of time before she realizes what her heart truly desires.
*This story is a standalone title in the Haverston Family series.