On a chilly September morning, Miss Young and I boarded the London-bound train. We had to change for King's Cross on the Underground at Paddington Station. The thought of traversing the city beneath the streets daunted me. I felt inexperienced and nervous about my first journey away from home.

Miss Young took charge of the situation wonderfully. She knew her way around and kept me close at hand. My worst fear was becoming separated from my only lifeline. Nevertheless, we made the change uneventfully, and the Yorkshire-bound train chugged out of King's Cross on time.

Spencer booked a private compartment for us, much to my relief. We stretched out comfortably, and at noon, my governess opened our picnic lunch. Avidly watching the scenery pass, I enjoyed the sense of adventure we embarked upon.

I looked forward to seeing Spence again and meeting his family. He assured me of their friendliness and wished to invite me into their sphere. Although I felt nervous about the first meeting, Claudia Young alleviated most of my fears.

"Spencer is a very nice young man," she encouraged me. "If he is a reflection upon his family, I am sure they are kind people also."

"I'm sure, Miss Young," I responded, momentarily frowning at my turkey sandwich. "It's just...well, it's just...I feel inadequate. I've never left home before, and I'm meeting my new family for the first time. What if they don't like me? What if I'm too provincial for them? I could make a huge mistake and offend them. I could..."

"You're making up scenarios that haven't occurred yet," my companion cautioned, patting my knee comfortingly. "Simply take things one step at a time, and don't try to over-guess yourself."

"I suppose." With an effort, I pushed my fears aside and bit into my lunch. Still, after a few minutes, they crept back again. However, eating in silence, I gazed at the passing scenery.

The city fell behind. Long fields of grazing cows replaced the soot and dirt hovering above London. Occasionally, we passed through ugly industrial areas and finally entered Yorkshire. Relief filled me when we pulled into our station. Noticing Spencer waiting for us, I pressed my nose against the window and waved wildly. Beside me, Miss Young cleared her throat noisily.

"Don't appear over eager, Priscilla," she tersely warned.

I sat back against my seat and glared at my companion. What was wrong with showing my excitement? Spencer had waved back energetically. I could barely restrain myself from leaping onto the platform and flinging myself into his arms. If Miss Young hadn't detained me, I would have.

Spencer helped us into the waiting carriage and ordered the stationmaster to deliver our luggage. Without further delay, we began our journey to my fiancé's home. The medieval castle that greeted us left me overawed.

"It's impressive," Spence stated, noticing my stunned expression. "We've called it home for several centuries."

"You never said you lived in a castle," I muttered, letting out my pent-up breath.

"I suppose it never occurred to me to mention it," he answered nonchalantly.

The carriage approached the portcullis and slipped through the entryway. I couldn't help looking upward at the massive stonework above me. It all seemed magnificent and beyond anything I could dream of.

"You must provide a history lesson," Claudia Young suggested. "Priscilla will benefit from the information."

I sank against the cushioned seat in dismay. Miss Young never left the classroom behind. She turned every experience into a lesson. Although I longed to learn about my new family, I didn't wish for an ongoing educational experience.

Before I could protest, a youth hobbled toward us on a crutch. He halted beside the carriage and looked in at us, smiling broadly. I smiled back and noticed his resemblance to Spencer. I guess he was Benedick, and my fiancé confirmed it quickly.

"She's as pretty as you claimed," the youth briskly stated. Soft gray eyes met mine and twinkled merrily. "May I help you down?"

Swinging the carriage door open, Benedick bowed and offered me his arm. I accepted it gladly. Striding with a fast hobble, he directed me toward the enormous studded oaken doors. We entered a dim medieval hall. Blinking my eyes, I slowly became accustomed to the lighting. Suits of armor stood in alcoves along the wall, and a huge antlered candelabra hung from the ceiling. Lighted candles provided illumination and cast shadows all around me.

"The family is waiting to greet you in the drawing room," Spencer explained, arriving behind me with Miss Young. "Shall we?" When he offered his arm, I took it.

Benedick preceded us. Although his crutch caused a pronounced limp, he quickly managed the curving stone stairway. Rushing down a long corridor, he pushed open a door and announced our arrival loudly. I entered on Spencer's arm and faced his family.

His father stood as we approached, and I bobbed a curtsey. In the background, Miss Young smiled encouragingly. While we traveled northward, she spent time instructing me on approaching my fiancé's family. I wanted to make the best impression.

"You can dispense with all that," the Baron chortled, indicating for me to stand up.

Relief overflowed me. I felt nervous about the initial meeting, but Spencer's father put me immediately at ease. My fiancé made the introduction. The Baroness patted the settee cushion beside her, and I sat next to her. She asked after my journey. I explained it in great detail, stumbling on my words in my excitement.

"We shall have refreshment momentarily, my dear," Spencer's mother stated, smiling congenially. "I am sure you require it after your travels. Then, perhaps, Cordelia and Viola will show you to your bed chamber. They are both looking forward to getting to know you better."

I glanced at the sisters and smiled. The eldest, Cordelia, returned my expression. She appeared two to three years older than me. Her cornflower blue eyes seemed soft and kind, and her smile warm. Blonde ringlets framed her heart-shaped face. Sitting beside her, Viola looked about the same age as me. She was darker and more like Spencer, with brown hair and gray eyes. However, I could tell she was moody and was unsure whether she appreciated my engagement to her brother. Over the upcoming weeks, I hoped to know them better.

As I considered the sisters, the housekeeper arrived with a serving girl. They brought in a tea service and platters of sandwiches and pastries. When they left, Cordelia and Viola handed out the refreshments. I thanked them cordially for my portion. As we ate, we spoke of the weather and how well the gardens thrived. Finally, the Baroness set her plate down and instructed her daughters to show me my chamber.

Cordelia stood immediately, but Viola hesitated. For a moment, I thought she would refuse her mother's directive. When she did stand, she seemed reluctant. I hoped she wouldn't present a problem. I'd already had enough of Lottie's attitude against me.

"It's just this way," the elder sister stated, leading the way. "Oh, you too, Miss Young. You'll occupy the chamber next to Priscilla."

"Yes, of course." My governess rose and graciously thanked the Baroness for the refreshments. Dutifully, she followed us into the corridor.

We climbed a spiral staircase into the north tower. Cordelia warned us always to use the rope banister because the steps narrowed at one end.

"It is easy to lose footing if you are not careful," Cordelia explained. "We wouldn't want an injury on your first visit."

"Indeed," Miss Young muttered, grasping the rope firmly.

We traveled upward with Cordelia in the lead. I followed immediately behind her with Miss Young and Viola brought up the rear. At the top, we entered a small rotunda containing two doors opposite each other.

"This is the blue room," the older sister explained, throwing open a door.

The room was semicircular, with a vast four-poster bed dominating the area. A beautiful sapphire counterpane covered it with pillows beneath matching shams. The plush carpeting and wallpaper were blue with silver swirls. Looking around in awe, I gasped audibly.

"Miss Young is in the green room," Cordelia continued hastily. "There is a connecting door." She strode toward it, and we entered the next room. It was identical to mine except in shades of emerald and gold. "We will leave you to rest and clean up. Traveling is such a chore. The return journey from the London residence wears me out."

"Thank you, Cordelia." I smiled and turned to my carpet bag on the bed. "I do feel a bit weary."

"We dine at seven," Spencer's sister continued. "One of the maids will conduct you to the dining room." I thanked her again.

I began to take my toiletries from my sponge bag. When I turned to enter the small washroom, I nearly walked into Viola. I had not realized she remained in the room.

"Oh, hello," I gasped in surprise.

"Hello yourself," the younger sister snapped harshly. "You won't get far here if you're a gold digger. Papa will make you sign a prenuptial agreement."

"Oh, is that so?" I asked sharply. "Is that supposed to make a difference?"

Viola stared at me contemptuously. I shrank inside myself. I hoped the younger sister didn't regard me like I regarded Lottie. In all honesty, I never thought of Spencer's financial situation. I loved him for himself.

"Hmm," the young sister hmphed. "See to it that it doesn't make a difference."

"I don't know what you take me for," I snapped harshly. "I'm not like that."

"Whatever," Viola stated drily. She started to say more, but Cordelia reappeared in the doorway.

"Priscilla wants to rest after her journey," Spencer's sister remarked, taking Viola's arm. "Leave her alone."

I noticed the sharp exchange of expression between the sisters. They certainly had different personalities. In my secret heart, I hoped I could break through to the younger. I wanted them as my friends and didn't want to start as enemies.

Maybe I should have thought of first impressions. I recalled Lottie Plumb's sudden appearance and her contemptuous attitude. In the first moments of our acquaintance, I pegged her as a gold digger. She was crude and dominating. Her pregnancy assured her of becoming an Everstow. I disliked her and certainly did not wish for comparisons between us.

I conducted myself differently than Lottie. There was nothing bold or controlling in my approach to Spencer's family.

I returned to my unpacking and drew out a lavender gown for dinner. As I hung it in the wardrobe, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," I called, turning. Cordelia stepped into the room.

"I must apologize for my sister," she began in a serious tone. "Viola is inherently suspicious. If she said anything..."

"Well..." I hesitated momentarily. Finally, I blurted, "She accused me of gold-digging."

"I am sorry." Cordelia lowered her lashes demurely. "Don't pay any mind. She'll come around once she gets to know you. Oh, that is a lovely gown." Taking it from the wardrobe, she held it against her.

"I plan to wear it to dinner tonight," I stated, smiling. "Is it appropriate for this evening?"

"Yes, definitely," Spencer's sister responded, sharing my grin. "I have a lavender dress, too. I shall wear it, and we'll match."

"Oh, I do like that idea," I exclaimed excitedly. "I don't have a sister. I have two older brothers. Besides my cousin, Dinah, I've never had any girlfriends." Quickly, I told Cordelia about Joel and Grayson. I purposely omitted mention of Lottie and her pregnancy.

"We're going to become best friends," my new companion remarked, holding my dress against her body again. "And don't worry about Viola. She'll come around eventually once she gets to know you better."

When Cordelia left me, I lay on the bed staring at the canopy. I appreciated her welcoming nature and hoped to get through to Viola. I did not want animosity in my new family. Everyone else seemed cordial and accepting. I decided on a friendly attitude toward the younger sister and anticipated my sincerity would win her friendship.

An hour later, Miss Young tapped on the connecting door and entered. She wore a black bombazine dress with a high collar and a white lace cravat pinned with a cameo. I thought she looked too severe compared with my lavender silk.

"I am, after all, still your governess, my dear," Claudia Young stated grimly. "I must look the part. I expect, after tonight, I shall take my meals in my room. You are the guest of honor. I am merely your chaperone."

The maid appeared promptly at the proper hour and guided us to the dining room. True to her words, Cordelia wore a lavender gown similar to mine. Spencer smiled at us appraisingly and offered us seats on either side of him. Benedick sat opposite Spencer with Viola and Miss Young on his left and right. The mother and father took the head and foot of the table. With the whole family gathered together, I felt confident. I did want to make the right impression.