Chapter 32: The Invitation
The manor felt lighter the morning after the fundraiser, filled with a warmth that had been missing for weeks.
Mrs. Brooks moved through the kitchen humming to herself, pausing every so often to repeat some version of the same sentence. "Did you hear how they applauded our girl? I've never heard that hall so loud."
"You've mentioned it four times," Charlotte said, though she was smiling as she said it.
"I'll mention it a fifth if I feel like it."
Amelia sat at the table with her tea, still glowing faintly from the night before, and Adrian watched her from across the room with a quiet contentment he didn't bother hiding.
It had quickly become one of his favorite sights, her smiling like that, unguarded and easy.
The moment didn't last long.
A formal envelo
