y a few halos of light filtered through the immense windows, casting moving shadows

airy tale. Between her brother's hostility, the contemptuous looks of the family members and th

r, everything seemed frozen, as if the estate itself were holding its brea

to make out something beyond th

lightly. Her heart

Perhaps a simple play of light,

head and turne

taken a few steps w

pa

der his be

own and picked it up,

ce of paper

ng fingers

le there is

icy wave run

t this

antly, who want

ted. The housekeeper had made it clear that no one was

d the paper

ing? A

know anythi

n was that his arri

her robe pocket and pushed

g to have to

*

g, the tension

anor's customary elegance. Fine dishes, immaculate

head of the table, a newspaper in his hand. H

avoring her coffee, as if each si

, cousins, uncles, aunts. Unfamilia

seat without

broke th

taying a while, she said, car

looke

was elegant, older than Is

ly answer

gave a c

tere

ile

other m

s not to clai

swall

l eyes conv

she replied, measur

t laugh

ally looked up fr

here because you discovered your origins. And

her hear

re to un

er repeated with a sm

forward

it means to be a Richmont is also

eld hi

asking for

ot yet, h

ile

down his newspaper

d tonight. A perfect opportunity

mmediately

di

ciates, business partners, a few important figures. The perfec

rstood im

as a

ve all,

couldn't

he replie

der sm

erf

*

front of her bedroom mirro

efined. Nothing extravagant, but enoug

ep breath and

room, the guests w

sparkling jewels. Hushed discussi

, aware of every eye

er of it all, perfectly a

oming, a smile st

y, co

oached c

ou to Lord Kensington, on

efore her was old,

u, she said, hold

a moment before shaking her

hidden daughter

wasn't ex

to meet you, Lily

nder

. We are trying to intr

said with a polite smil

f champagne and h

ake a

her stom

pee

kn

as the

in broad

briefly at

ted, a

s were

r heart bea

a breath and g

her glass

e a speech, so I'

d around

hat the Richmonts are a family of strength and ambition. And

ile

urmur of

smile on

ver, kept his e

xpected her

ip and put h

family, s

s raised

won th

this was just