Helena Rivera's mother had passed away just before her eighth birthday. She had loved her mother dearly, and the memories of their brief time spent together singing light-hearted songs and silly-dancing in the rain still caused her great pain. So much so, that she refused to be addressed as Lady Rivera. When someone did address her in that manner she would grow haughty, saying, "Lady Rivera was my mother. No other can possibly be worthy of that name, so I insist you call me Lady Helena."

Like her mother, Helena was gifted with long, thin legs and a delicate figure. Her dark, smoldering eyes and silky onyx hair drew a great deal of attention from the boys, which only increased with time—as did her bust line and her need for that attention. Her father, Lord Rivera, had little time for his daughter as he was a very successful businessman. He was often busy forming complicated deals and frequently away from home. Helena soon discovered that the best way to spend time with him was to take an interest in his work and travel with him on his business trips.

She showed a keen mind for figures, and a natural ability to read others. This proved vital in assisting her father in his many business dealings. Helena would smile shyly and flirt to distract his gentlemen associates, while her father maneuvered the deal to his favor. She observed everything carefully and redirected their attentions expertly. It was no surprise then, when Helena announced that she would be attending school with the goal of improving her business acumen. Her father gave his blessing, and promised to arrange for her to reside in luxurious apartments near the school of her choosing.

At the age of seventeen, she began her enrollment at North London Collegiate School for Women. The school had only just recently opened, and was the first of its kind to teach the higher learning of mathematics and Latin to females.

It only took about a semester for Helena to become bored with her classes and fall into the wrong crowd of friends, bent on obtaining the affections of a group of audacious and politically motivated gentlemen who called themselves the London Ricardian Artists Society.

Joel Guyet was the brazen leader of the group, having the distinction of previously living in France, and some minor training under his father—who was also a painter. Since he likewise had the most notorious reputation as a socialist and troublemaker, he and Helena quickly became fast friends. The two attended a number of political protests together, leaving Helena greatly impressed with Joel's ideas on social, political, and economic reform. It was only natural that Joel would suggest Helena pose for his paintings in the nude. This happened regularly, though few of the paintings were ever finished before Joel would throw aside his brushes and take Helena to his bed. She was still young and naïve and before she knew what was happening, she had fallen for the young artist. But Helena was about to learn her first lesson about love.

When not attending her classes, she spent her free time posing for his paintings, or the two discussed the upcoming forms of art and music. They regularly attended the theatre together and could often be found at some small art gallery. At night, the two stayed out late with friends, drinking wine and visiting various opium dens. Joel believed the opium opened his mind to the true meaning of life and the abstract beauty of the senses. Helena had tried the sickly-sweet smoke, but she couldn't abide how the haze made her mind flow slowly in any direction that it pleased. She preferred to have her wits sharp and be in control of the direction that her thoughts took. She favored the effects of cocaine, particularly when added to a cup of wine known as Vin Mariani wine.

One afternoon she returned home from school early when the day's classes were unexpectedly cancelled. She climbed the stairs to the spacious apartments that her father rented at considerable expense. Helena selected them because they overlooked a delightful little garden with a small, picturesque pond complete with tiny shimmering fish. From her window you could watch the white-cheeked Pintail ducks take flight as the golden sun rose over the water. The apartments themselves were warm and welcoming with rich, comfortable furniture and a small, convenient hearth. Joel had secretly moved in a few weeks ago while maintaining the façade of dwelling with his cousin. He claimed one of the bedrooms as his studio. The two shared the master bedroom and the small, but modern kitchen. Helena was as happy as she had ever been.

As she opened the door, she had an immediate feeling that something was wrong.