Marceline “Celine” Béatrice Rousseau

Celine is a 17-year-old woman who travels from Paris, France to New Orleans, Louisiana at the beginning of the novel in order to escape her past. She had murdered a man who had raped her. She feels immense guilt for this action, even though it was out of self-defense, and wants to make sure nobody in her new life will find out about it. Aboard the ship to New Orleans, she befriends Pippa Montrose and they go to live at the Ursuline Convent together. Celine attempts to conform the convent’s expectations for ladies, but finds these societal standards to be very stifling. She longs for adventure and finds herself in many dangerous situations. When she meets Odette, she jumps at the chance to design for her. She meets Bastien and is intrigued by him, despite the danger that clearly surrounds his life. She...