Bertrut sighed happily as she settled herself on the cushions.Margerit moved over to make room in the carriage and it swayed on its springs as Uncle Charul stepped up to sit opposite. She was content for Bertrut to claim her share of the credit for Sofi’s coming out. They had closed the summer, as had become custom, by gathering in Chalanz and entertaining their old acquaintances with a grand ball at Fonten House. This year it had been in honor of her cousin’s entrance into society. Soon enough, it would be Iulien’s turn as well, though as yet that was hard to imagine. Now Fonten House was closed up again, the ballroom swathed in covers after its brief moment of glory, and a few days’ travel would see them in Rotenek.Barbara had left before the ball and returned to the city ahead of them. For an ordinary soirée it would have been quite the coup to have a titled baroness in attendance, but Barbara hadn’t wanted to outshine Sofi in importance and had pleaded the press of business as an acceptable excuse.“What’s that in your hand?”
