The wedding party travels in three coaches to Lord Evermore's estate. Hester rides with Imogene and Cordelia, while Evangeline (Doom) rides alongside Richard and the Squire on Falada, her uncanny white horse with pale green eyes. Imogene insists on staying to help Hester restore the town house, which Doom accepts. After a bruising ride, the party transfers to ponies for the final approach through the lush, jungle-like woods surrounding Evermore House.

At the manor, geese swarm from the lake and hiss aggressively at Falada. Hester pointedly notes that geese are traditional wards against evil magic, which Evangeline sharply dismisses. Richard pleasantly defers, claiming the geese simply mistake the white horse for a swan. Cordelia and Evangeline both suspect the geese sense Falada is a familiar.

Cordelia is delighted by Evermore House's plain, unpretentious interior, particularly her tower bedroom. Her mother criticizes the decor and warns Cordelia sternly that during her three-week absence, Cordelia must never be alone with Richard, lest she be compromised before the wedding. Then Evangeline drops the worst news: she is leaving Falada behind to watch over Cordelia.

The next morning at breakfast, Hester struggles to remain composed, poking Imogene to keep her from blurting something clever. Evangeline flatters Richard's hospitality and emphasizes Cordelia's future role as mistress. Hester embraces Samuel with a rush of affectionate guilt, knowing she is sending him off with a dangerous sorceress. After the Squire and Evangeline depart on their honeymoon, Cordelia weeps with relief. Hester proposes they begin investigating Richard's library immediately.