56: Meeting the Duke and duchess

*Skye*

During the entire journey down the interminable flight of stairs, I not only see but feel all the eyes coming to bear on me and fear someone will discern the truth and yell out, "Fake, liar, deceiver."

But I hear only quiet murmurings, spot an eyebrow or two raised in curiosity. I straighten my spine, lift my chin. I've spent a good deal of my life playing a role. No reason to stop now.

As I step onto the floor, Ben leads me over to the Duke and Duchess of Northingdon, who are greeting their guests. They are a handsome couple, the duke as dark-haired as my own husband, the duchess with hair a much more pleasant shade of red than my own. I have always felt mine is too fiery, too harsh… perhaps because my father thought it a sign that I was possessed by the devil.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you," the duchess says with a kind smile.

"I'm honored," I say, dipping into a deep curtsy.

"Where did you find such a treasure, Ben?" the duke asks.

"My father introduced us. I could not