“Who do we have here?” Fanny, who was the first person to catch sight of me, said. His face lit with uncertainty, and he gave a lopsided grin.
Instantly every eye came upon me and I lowered my gaze and pressed my lips tightly in exaggerated shame. I paused at the doorstep, shivering and fondling the torn hem of my dress. Certainly my intention was stated, and I wondered with which face I would use to behold this wealthy family to remind them I was eager to sign the marriage contract now.
The entire Fanny’s and their laborers were having a delightsome dinner at the time, so everywhere smelled of roasted prawn, almond and strawberry. Heavy chuckling and clattering hung over them too.
The hotness that churned in my stomach wasn’t inspired by hunger but by thought of what awaited me. All my
