Isabel is twelve years old and living in London, England in 1592. Isabel loves high adventure and is thought to be very bold, as she has gone out of the house without permission, and speaks insolently to her Aunt Elinor. Isabel dreams of travel and often wishes women could do the things men do. Isabel loves Latin, poetry, and philosophy. She had a private tutor before she was banished from London, and her Aunt de Vere became her tutor. She is often caught in her dreams or "moonshine" as Aunt Elinor describes it.