The blisters on Audrey's feet had burst open again. Each step sent sharp pain shooting up through the burns on her calves.
She limped her way to Langley Manor, where the banquet was already in full swing. Every head in the room turned the moment she appeared in the doorway. Whispers rippled through the crowd, fingers pointing without shame. Audrey kept her chin up and pretended not to notice.
She presented her gift, offered Gwendolyn a gracious birthday blessing, and found herself a seat at the far end of the table.
A noblewoman approached her almost immediately, her voice loud enough for the entire hall to hear. "Ms. Harlow, I heard you volunteered for the virginity examination just to marry into the Langley family. How devoted of you!" She tilted her head with a thin smile. "But you w
