Chapter 142: The Glittering Night

~ ZARA ~

I gripped my skirts as Agatha took the elbow of a woman I didn't know and ushered her away with a whispered command to me to make myself scarce.

Well, fuck.

I turned away from her wondering where to go next and kind of took in the view.

The Grand Ballroom was gorgeous tonight—literally glowing with what had to be thousands of candles on the chandeliers and in the sconces on the wall, as well as placed on the tables around the room. It gilded everything—including the people—in gold.

People who were already drenched in gold and twinkling gems. All around me everyone was dancing, or standing talking, draped in the most luxurious and rich looking fabrics, hand-sewn embroidery, beading…

Abigail had taken almost three hours to prepare me for this night and I wished I could see myself through Ash's eyes, because he'd stopped cold when he was allowed into the room after I'd finally been corseted and dressed.