Chapter EightVentura was tired.
The Court Ball seemed to have been going on for a very long time. At first she had been entranced by the magnificent dresses, the glittering jewels and the elaborate formality of the scene.
The great gold and white ballroom with its glittering chandeliers lit with a thousand tapers, was a perfect setting for the beauty of the women and the gallantry of the Courtiers.
Sitting in an obscure alcove where the pages were allowed to watch their Masters, Ventura thought at first that this was a Fairytale come true and then, as if the scales dropped from her eyes, she was forced almost against her will to see the truth.
Beneath the glitter, the pomp and the splendour of the party there was unhappiness, malice and evil.
She saw the Queen scheming even while she
