Part One, Beginnings: And So We Began... and Gardens Summary

The next morning Miss Winter begins her story. Miss Winter begins with the story of Isabelle and Charlie Angelfield, the occupants of Angelfield House where Miss Winter lived as a child. Isabelle was born during a rainstorm. The doctor was unable to get to the house in a timely manner and Isabelle's mother died while giving birth. Isabelle's father, George, was so distraught over the loss of his wife that he locked himself in his study. The housekeeper, Mrs. Dunne, or the Missus, took the baby to him, convinced it would make him come out of his depression. It worked. George became so enamored with his child that she became like an obsession to him to the exclusion of all else, including his older son, Charles.

Charlie...