She was very impressed by the porticoed entrance to the Duc’s mansion, the flunkeys in resplendent green and gold livery in the lofty hall.
The salon was filled with treasures, but she barely noticed them as she passed through to the Winter Garden, where she had learnt they were to assemble before dinner.
“There is a flight of steps down into it,” Aimée had told her. “Stand at the top of them for a moment, looking round as if you were searching for me and then descend them very slowly, letting people see both you and your gown.”
Now that the moment was upon her, Yola felt shy.
She had a sudden longing to run away, to go back to The Castle and meet the Marquis at the beginning of the next month, as her grandmother wished her to do.
‘Why should I go to all this trouble for him?’ she ask
