Chapter one
Suffolk country
Witherspoon Manor
1818
"Rise and Shine Annalise!"
Annalise Witherspoon's hands flew to her face as light spilled into her chamber, lightening the large room up, with rays of the morning sun. She held back the expletives that would have escaped from her lips, realizing now that her mother was the one in her room, not her maid, Aretha. Sitting up, she sighed and rubbed her eyes, shielding them from the windows which no longer had the protection of the golden silk drapes and tapestries.
"Good morning mother." Her voice held not the least bit of enthusiasm as she sat up. Not only was morning her least favourite time of the day, she hated being so rudely awakened, especially from a beautiful dream that had her ears grinning in the land of dream.
"Good morning
