Sierra stood in her room, freshly bathed. She stared at herself in a full-length mirror dressed in white-organdy eveningwear, trimmed with lace inserts, narrow ruffles, and a yoke of handmade Brussels lace.

It was the best dress she owned, and it perfectly complemented her figure, she thought. She hoped it was enough to make her look cultured. She hoped that Drake liked her in it.

She exhaled as she rechecked her appearance. Should she try to impress him? Part of her ...