The splendour of Darcy House had not prepared Lizzy for the opulence of the Earl of Greymore’s home. It was built of ash grey stone with Corinthian columns flanking the entrance. Pediments and balconettes adorned the windows.
Inside, the wide marble floor of the foyer led to a curved staircase. The blue-painted walls were lined with neoclassical statuary. The prisms of the crystal chandelier sent refracted light in all directions.
Darcy had timed their arrival for optimum notice. Perhaps fifty people were milling about the spacious conservatory, but it wasn’t yet a crush. When Darcy’s party was introduced, every eye turned to them.
Lizzy knew those eyes were assessing her. She was dressed in blue silk with a silver lace overskirt. The décolletage was lower than she had ever worn before,
