At 14, Grace lives at Rockfleet Castle under the strict supervision of Finola Bourke, who is trying to shape her into a proper lady. She feels trapped in her new life, replacing her former freedom of sailing and exploring. On All Hallows’ Eve, Finola takes Grace to a nearby village to practice her duties as a Bean an Tí (a chieftain’s wife). The villagers welcome her warmly, assuming that she’s betrothed to Walter, Richard’s older brother. One woman crudely remarks that Grace will be a “good breeder.”

Grace’s formal education continues with weekly Latin lessons alongside her brother, Richard, and Donal O’Flaherty. After each lesson, the two Donals predictably get into a fistfight. Richard advises Grace that her brother can end the recurring brawls by breaking O’Flaherty’s nose. He also reveals that he recently saw Grace’s brother kissing his sister, Nora.

Later, in the castle stairwell, Walter assaults Grace, grabbing her and forcing a kiss on her before Richard intervenes. In response to the confrontation, Richard leaves Grace a note offering to teach her how to throw a knife. During the secret lesson in the byre, their training culminates in a near-kiss, but they’re interrupted by O’Flaherty.