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