By the fifth bell, the Markham estate should have been alive.
Instead, the outer hall echoed.
Only a handful of guests had arrived... merchants who traded grain and silk with the family, a minor guild representative, and two other families.
None of the officials invited, who always filled the house in the past years were present.
The servants stood around the house, shocked by the turn of events.
Although the family has managed to do some damage control, others are still reluctant to associate openly with them.
Sophia sat at the high table, her fingers clasped tightly in her lap.
Her eyes flicked again toward the entrance.
Margaret and Hannah also sat next to her, frowning to see their work go to waste.
"What are we going to do if anyone actually shows up?" Margaret asked quietly.
Sophia inhaled slowly, schooling her expression into calm dignity, but her pulse throbbed hard against her throat.
