Chapter 27: The Body, the Proposal, and the Faked Death

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Hazel and Jack visit Simon at the Kew Infirmary to ask for help procuring a body. Simon, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, offers to purchase a body legally rather than steal one. At the College, Hazel selects a young female corpse that resembles Princess Charlotte. On the carriage ride back, Simon proposes marriage, but Hazel declines because her heart belongs to Jack. They disguise the body in a rug and deliver it to Warwick House. Princess Charlotte prepares to flee disguised as a servant. That night, Hazel and Jack share an intimate moment, acknowledging that Hazel’s reputation will be ruined once the Princess’s “death” is discovered. The chapter ends with a newspaper announcing the Princess’s demise.

Key Events

Hazel and Jack find Simon cutting bandages at Kew; Hazel asks if Simon can access a body through the Royal College of Surgeons.
Simon agrees to help and takes Hazel to Lincoln’s Inn Fields, where he purchases a young female corpse instead of stealing one.
On the carriage ride, Simon proposes marriage, envisioning a shared life of medicine and family, but Hazel refuses because she loves Jack.
Simon suggests disguising the body in a rug to avoid suspicion; they deliver it to Warwick House.
Princess Charlotte examines the corpse, noting minor discrepancies (eye color, foot size), then changes into a servant’s dress to flee.
Hazel and Jack spend the night together; they discuss the inevitable backlash Hazel will face once she “discovers” the Princess’s body.
A newspaper clipping dated 27 August 1818 reports the death of Princess Charlotte, blaming “Roman fever” and naming Hazel as the attending physician.

Character Development

Hazel Sinnett – She confronts the cost of her loyalty to Charlotte, realizing that her hard-won medical reputation will be destroyed. She also affirms her love for Jack, rejecting Simon’s rational offer of a safe partnership.
Simon von Ferris – Demonstrates his deep respect for Hazel by proposing a marriage built on mutual ambition and companionship, not passion. He accepts her refusal with grace and practical help.
Jack Currer (Ellis) – Shows his unwavering support for Hazel, offering a future in Scotland if England turns against her. His scars and strength hint at the hardships he endured during their separation.
Princess Charlotte – Takes an active role in her own escape, examining the corpse for flaws and preparing to travel under a false identity. Her decision to write to her grandmother shows her humanity.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Class and privilege in medicine – Simon’s status as a Royal College Fellow allows Hazel to acquire a body openly, contrasting with the illicit grave-robbing in Edinburgh. The gleaming white “temple to science” underscores the hierarchy.
Sacrifice of reputation – Hazel knowingly tarnishes her name to save Charlotte’s life, a deliberate choice that puts the Princess’s freedom above personal gain.
Love versus ambition – Simon’s proposal offers a balanced life of medical partnership; Jack offers passionate devotion. Hazel chooses love but remains committed to surgery.
Appearance versus reality – The disguised corpse, the servant’s dress, and the deceptive newspaper article all highlight the gap between public perception and private truth.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter executes the central deception that drives the novel’s plot. Hazel’s decision to fake Charlotte’s death sets up the consequences she will face in subsequent chapters. The proposal scene deepens the emotional triangle between Hazel, Simon, and Jack, while the newspaper clipping solidifies the official—and false—narrative. It also marks Hazel’s moral turning point: she willingly accepts being a pariah for a cause she believes in.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Simon propose to Hazel, and how does she respond?
Simon proposes because he values mutual respect and shared ambition over passionate love. Hazel declines because her feelings for Jack are too strong, but she also realizes she does not want to marry just to secure a surgical career.

2. What is the practical purpose of wrapping the body in a rug?
The rug conceals the corpse during delivery to Warwick House, making it appear like a piece of furniture. This prevents neighbors or servants from noticing anything suspicious, as Pall Mall remains well-lit at night.

3. How does the newspaper article frame Princess Charlotte’s death, and what political consequences does it mention?
The article cites “Roman fever” as the cause and emphasizes national grief, stock market decline, and the disturbance of royal succession. It reflects the public’s adoration of Charlotte and the political instability her “death” creates.