Chapter 40 - Glamor and games (1/2)

Loulou grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her away. ”We don't have to listen their boring business talk.”

She winked at Lily.

Louise grabbed two champagne glasses with an orange liquid in it and pushed on of it in Lily's

hand. Lily eyed the glass suspiciously. ”Loulou thank you, but unfortunately I do not drink

alcohol.” She tried to protest.

”There's no alcohol in there.” Louise chuckled. ”Only orange juice. Try it! ”

Lily sipped the orange liquid for a moment. A sweet, almost hedge-like taste of oranges spread in

her mouth. She took another sip of the drink.

”See...” Loulou said self-satisfied. Then she pulled her sister-in-law to a group of upper class ladies.

Lily guessed that they were about their age. At least, Alexandre had said that this ball was meant for

the younger generation of the upper classes. Most of the guests were between the age of seventeen

and thirty-five.

Lily knew such kinds of events served more as a marriage market for the young debutantes. But it

was also a place to develop business relationships, make new acquaintances and cultivate old

acquaintanceship. The top motto was 'to see and to be seen.'

She had hated such events. Her grandmother had often taken her along. But each time Lily felt like

a cattle to be sold to the highest bidder. She was dressed up and presented. Just so she could be

judged by old matrons. Today she did not feel different.

”It almost seems like an eternity.” Louise welcomed her friends exuberantly. ”I brought you a gift.

This is Lillian de Clermont. The woman who forced my brother to his knees. I ask for applause.”

The elegant group of ladies dressed in velvet and silk watched enviously at Lily.

With a graceful head movement greeted one of the ladies Lily. ”I am very happy to make your

acquaintance. Mademoiselle de Clermont.” Her smile seemed frozen. Her eyes staring at her with

murderous intend. Lily would have done anything to listen to the business talks of the gentlemen at

this moment than to endure this silent war.

Lily, however, held her gaze. She knew that this Lady did not follow women's social rules. With

etiquette, her grandmother had always been meticulous. A lady should never act like a

blabbermouth!