He could imagine Samantha in full moon festival, a breath of spring in the frigid drawing rooms and ballrooms of aristocrats who had long ago turned into ice sculptures, existing without the spark of life. Like his father.

"I met Avesbury my first night at the festivals. I remember standing beside my grandmother terrified of how I would disappoint her if no one asked me to dance. She had taken such pains to make sure I received a voucher." Samantha smoothed her hand over the ivory silk covering her knees as if to soothe the terrified girl she saw in her memories.

"I was convinced I was too tall, my...