Marriette rode home from the ball in blissful exhaustion. Soon after they came home from Northdale, an invitation to a royal ball had arrived. They had too little time for Marriette to get a new gown, so she wore the gold one from the Summer Ball. The king himself complimented her on her dress, silencing the women who whispered about the poor taste of wearing the same dress twice. Torrance danced with her three times. She looked over at her husband whose expression was a fair match ...