It hardly took the walk from the hansom up the broad, sweeping staircase to the massive open doors of the stunning stone mansion for my anxiety to double. I hated I felt anything of the sort and put on my sternest face in the hope my weakness wouldn't show.

I'd never been surrounded by such finery, or by so many people as stunningly dressed. The few times I'd attended functions with Mum had been interesting, but I now knew how much those people I'd met were merely playing at culture ...