Prologue:

White fog. All I can see is fog. It’s like the kind that comes in through my bedchamber window from the bay in the mornings at dawn, and adds a slight chill to the room. The mist floats around me, blocking the view of my surroundings. It clings to me tighter than a corset.

I reach out to touch anything that could be hidden from my sight, but my fingers touch only the dampness of the air. I decide to try another approach by taking a step forward into the fog that is chilling me down to the bone through my tight clothing.

The fog starts to clear up as if by magic, allowing me to see a woodsy area. I find myself standing alone in the open area surrounded by gigantic trees that seem to be getting taller by the second. I feel closed in as I look down to find that I am dressed in tight clothing from head to toe in the leather breeches and all. There is the exception of the corset that is clearly visible. The morning sun shines off of the dew in my curly hair, which is a tangled mess about my head …

…And I see him. I see a man slowly backing away with a convincing, warm smile, yet his eyes tell me of his sadness, a heartbreaking sadness. I can feel it coming from him toward me. I know him well, and find that there is sadness within me as well to see him go. He shouts my name one last time before he runs out of sight into the fog. Tears spill over my lashes as I whisper his name. Moments later I begin to scream bloody murder again and again.

I awaken to find myself crying alone in the dark only seconds before the double door entrance to my bedchamber bursts open.

Chapter One:

“Mary Jane, my dear, wake up,” a familiar voice ordered as the familiar touch of my mother’s hand shook me awake, clearing the thoughts of my dream. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, remembering the dream of dancing with a charming man whose face I could not see for he was too tall. It did not seem to make a difference in the dream, for he was the perfect man for my marrying.

The carriage pulled to a stop with the whining of stubborn horses, and I, Mary Jane Pendleton, miserably stepped down to the ground. My mother, Elizabeth Pendleton and I followed my father, Jacob’s lead.

“Do you seriously think this is such a wise decision?” I asked them, showing how depressed I was, speaking out of line by questioning my father motives.

“No, I do not, but I agreed to this the day you were born,” Father answered smoothly. “And I am the governor.”

“But that was before you became the governor.”

“Well, as the governor, it is my duty to carry out my promises to the people.”

“Father, these aren’t people…they are rich, snobby, noblemen. Not that I am saying that about you, Daddy.”

I sighed dejectedly as the governor of island led the way to the front entrance of the manor. We had not arrived for more than a minute and my father was already angry with me. Not that this was anything new. I would be facing the consequences when we arrived back home.

Years before, my father had made a deal with Jonathon Leroux. He had saved my father’s life during a war many years ago. The deal was that on the eve of my nineteenth birthday, I would marry his son, James. The only reason the deal was official is for the reason that this certain family is the second richest on the coast and the richest family was full of females…that of course would not work out so well. Then there is the fact that after seeing me at an annual event, James insisted on it, which disgusts me because he is so much older than I, at least twenty years. I surely did not want to mother his children.

At the end of the year, Father would step down and James would try his best to be elected governor.

As all can see, my life was already planned out for me and I did not get any say on the matter. In my opinion, such a thing as this was nothing but absurd. But like this was anything new. Every single blasted rich woman like myself went through this. Why did I have to be rich?

Not only had I never met my fiancé, but also I knew without the shadow of a doubt that I would never be able to love him. I dreamed of love…not fondness. Love was something I had always desired for as long as I can remember, that was all I wanted in my future. I had a feeling that I would, but now that I knew that my future was already planned for me…well, that would never be possible. Unless, my fiancé died, that is not a bad idea.

Know anyone who kills for free? This is nonsense.

I had always looked forward to the adventure of finding love, but being married to a stranger would never fulfill that. Again I say it, why do I have to be rich? Like leaving the mansion behind and living with a normal man would be better than the boring life in the mansion with a complete stranger. But I never considered complaining for the reason that I would disappoint my parents, which was something I did not want. They had been so good to me. But I am already disappointing…oh well.

My thought ended when the door swung open, revealing one of the many servants that I knew the Leroux’s had. The young girls eyes grew wide with surprise. It was the normal expression that the normal people had on their faces every time we appeared in public. For my parents were rich and I was a natural beauty, the beauty of the island.

“We are here to acquire a visit with Sir Jonathon Leroux,” Jacob stated, placing a hand against my back.

“Come in,” she told us before heading down the hall yelling, “Lord Leroux, Lord Leroux!”

Mother and I sighed and followed the king inside.

Do you not just love my nickname for him? My mother was not too excited about me marrying a complete stranger either. She had tried to talk him out of the deal, but once my father’s mind was made up…well, there was no changing it. Wild horses couldn’t stop him. Even though my parents were married by an arranged marriage. I do not think the idea of an arranged marriage made anyone in my family very happy. My parents proved that. They never agreed on anything.

Moments later, I found myself in a library surrounded by servants watching me. While my parents were talking to James’s parents, I had wondered off.

Looking around I found that the library was filled with paintings, candles that were gleaming off my blond curls, and bookshelves. But in the center of the room was a sitting area. That was where I found a young man sitting comfortably with a thick, black, book in his hands.

I was about to address him when suddenly, a man’s voice said, “Ah! Here you are Mary Jane…or should I call you Miss Pendleton?”

The young man glanced up at me, thinking that he was alone. It was as though he could not remove his eyes from gazing across the room at me. His gaze held mine until Jonathon Leroux approached my side.

“Mary Jane is fine,” I answered, looking into the man’s eyes.

“I see that you have met my nephew, Matthew Bromley,” he commented with a very odd sounding tone. It was like disappointment.

Strange.

“Indeed.” And he is gorgeous I finished silently. We had met. True. But by the exchange of looks and not words.

James’s father linked my arm with his own, saying, “James cannot wait to make your acquaintance.”

With that said, he began pulling me away. The young man and myself did not take our eyes off each other until I had been led out of the room. He had sat with his legs crossed, with the black book in his lap. Matthew’s brown hair was pulled back into the latest fashion with a black ribbon and his dark, blue eyes twinkled with excitement. It were as though we had just had a moment…both of us knew what the other thought.

As my parents came into view, I silently hoped that I would get to see that handsome devil again.

James was not the handsome man that everyone claimed he was. He looked more feminine if anything. When he kissed the top of my hand in greeting, the only thing that ran through my mind was how the heck did such a good-looking man have such a girly son?