Hidden Beauty

Prologue

England, 1798

The Prince of Blackmane Castle, second in line to the throne and all its riches, knew he had made the right decision to leave. He was aware the moment they covered his beautiful wife in the coffin that Blackmane was no longer his home. He had swallowed back a sob, the pain in his heart like a rope, squeezing and smothering him. Gazing down at the hand-carved mahogany wood that was now keeping his beloved wife in silent comfort, he watched a single droplet of rain splash on its surface; it stayed there an entire minute before another made its mark.

It had rained the morning of Cecily's burial, not enough to stop the ceremony and not long enough to compare to the tears he had cried since he learned of her death. Nothing would ever be the same again. His life was not his anymore, but he must think of his daughter that she left behind. He turned at the sound of giggles. Her laughter had never made him cry before. She was so beautiful like her mother, but oblivious to the scenes of swirling emotions around her as her tiny fingers reached out to tug on dark tresses, as she strangled the nursemaid's hips, so innocent. A life he would do anything to protect.

Was it pure mockery or a coincidence from nature that Cecily was strangled on a gloomy evening much like the one she was being laid to rest on? If only she hadn't left the castle to meet a dear friend who had recently returned from the continent. She had not told him of the meeting. Luke never liked John, but his dislike of the man was because the man was obsessed with his wife. Once John had even hurt her when he had first met her. Her kind nature made her forgive him easily.

All the time....

She thought he had changed, that years apart might make him realize his obsession was only temporary. He did change, Luke had thought as the dirt banged against the coffin, echoing every beat of what was left of his heart. John's obsession had manifested into hatred. Prince Luke of Blackmane Castle took a long intake of breath and threw the bunch of white and pink roses in the hole to join her. Anger wouldn't bring Cecily back, nothing would. The only control he had was protecting his daughter from the monster that was still out there.

He needed to start another life.

A few days after the funeral, he left Blackmane Castle. Never fond of its formalities and the restrictions of royal life, taking residence in London on a beautiful estate seemed a suitable idea and might prove fruitful. Literally. The fields of strawberries he owned was enough to not arouse suspicion. Every day, he delivered the fruits to vendors, houses and shop sellers, maintaining a source of income that others admired. For the last two years, he made a simple life for him and his daughter.

He groaned, stepping out of the sweetshop. The only thing he disliked about London was its constant rains and its many street urchins and beggars. Tapping his hat on his head, his pace quickened down the pavement, as the weather took a drastic turn for the worst. His eyes beheld the darkening skies ahead as he aimlessly pushed the pastries the lady had given him out of generosity for delivering his strawberries on such short notice in his pocket.

If only I can make it home before a river starts running from the clouds.

Reaching his carriage seemed like an achievement, the streets were frantic with the approaching weather, everyone wanted to get home or their point of destination with haste. Luke took a moment to dwell on the scene as his carriage moved at a leisure pace, much to his annoyance. Shops were closing, dresses that swept the floor were held in the hands of the figures they embodied. Lost in the bustle of the ton, he heard the scream of a woman and turned immediately to see the child that skipped around the street. He pulled at the reins, and the horses protested before coming to a halt.

His heart pounded so intensely that he thought it would burst. He climbed down immediately.

The mother and child were in a warm embrace.

"Are you all right? Did she get hurt?" His voice was shaky as well as his fingers, which he balled into a fist to keep them steady.

The little blonde girl stared at him from over her mother's shoulder, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. "A plum!" she chirped, evidently not realizing the danger she had just escaped. She opened her palm to reveal a small stone.

It wasn't a plum, but it sure looked like one. Her lips twitched in a smile as she grinned toothily at him.

Her mother, who was equally attractive, stood and returned to the sidewalk, but not before giving him a glare.

"Look, I'm sorry, Lady, I didn't see her." He trailed behind the mother, stopping when she sat beside another child. This girl looked older than the other, and she glared at him too.

Like mother, like daughter.

"Sir, no one got hurt, so you can leave me be now," she said in dismissal, turning her head to the other side.

He stared at her for a while, then sighed, turning to leave. After walking a few steps, he pivoted his head to stare at them once more. It looked like they had been there for a while, their clothes were dishevelled, with dirt and stains. Hair uncombed. The older child was scratching her neck, while the little one he almost ran over was trying to bite the object that had almost caused her untimely death.

Luke returned to the lady. "Are you waiting on someone? I can give you and the girls a ride. It's going to rain soon."

"We have nowhere to go," the older child said and was soon scolded for talking out of turn. Her bottom lip wobbled as she suppressed tears that lingered in her dark blue eyes.

Luke felt the first drop of rain, as it slashed across the back of his hand. His gaze moved to the sky once again and back to the lady and the girls. They can't stay here. His eyebrows drew together as he crunched on his knees. "Come with me." One hand stretched outward and he smiled at her hesitation.

The lady's blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I can't. You are a stranger." Her arms tightened around the younger one, and she reached out to hold the older girl's arm. "Unless...you are giving me employment?" Hope suddenly sparkled in her eyes. "I can cook. I'm very excellent at cooking."

"I'll give you much more than that."

And after a momentary hesitation of looking and searching in his eyes, she gingerly took his hand.