med by Alexander's words, his presence. He had awakened something in her-a desire she could not ignore. Yet, each time she caught herself thinking of him, the reality of her sit

groomed for felt more like a prison, and the world

ter of the servants could be heard from the hall, the soft sound of dishes being cleaned and the fire crackling in the hearth. Her mother was on the phone

g as it always had-predictable,

hing: her though

rived," the butler, Mr. Grant, announced with

had little regard for the rules of high society, and though she had been raised in the same gilded cage, Margaret had always found ways to

knowing that her cousin would be the one to offer an escape fro

. Grant," Evelyn replie

ark red gown that accentuated her fiery hair, her eyes sparkling with mischief and curiosi

been swallowed up by all this... society. It's like you're

ved by Margaret's candor. "Y

onfidence that Evelyn could not help but envy. "I don't have the luxur

been on my mind, Margaret. I don't know how much longer I can pretend everything's fine. I'm

have more choices than you think, Evelyn. You always hav

sting the hem of her dress. "I can't just walk away from everything-my family,

accept you if you walked away? Of course not. But they'll never understand that freedom is worth more than anyt

h of Margaret's words resonated deep within her, and for the first t

words felt foreign, but she knew it was time to say them. "Someone

asked, her voice teasing but also laced with concern. "Is

depth of her feelings, how Alexander's presen

with him, I feel like I'm seeing a different life, one where I could choose my own pat

s, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. And let me tell you something-no matter how much you try to sta

part of my world. He's not an aristocrat. I don't know how th

ut is nothing more than a collection of rules and expectations. It's what keeps you from truly livi

rove of Alexander, and their disapproval would be the least of the consequences. Yet, in her heart, she knew Margaret was right. She had t

ength to do it," Evelyn admitte

thing you find by staying still. You have to take a step for