Summary: Giles, the butler, is in love with Elizabeth, the young noblewoman he has served since her birth. Elizabeth is unhappy about her upcoming marriage to Steel, a man she does not love. She tells Giles that she wishes to flee and join the low-borns, but Giles knows that she cannot. Giles tells Elizabeth that Lady Sheeks, her mother, insists that she wear her new blue gown for the ball. Elizabeth is not happy about this, but she knows that she has no choice. Giles leaves the room, feeling sorry for Elizabeth. He knows that she is not happy, but he cannot help her. 'Twas his crowning moment. Giles curled his rugged fingers at his sides, ready to serve. He raised his gray stubbled chin, and thence he took in a fine deep breath. Ah! How her vanilla scents were as strong, and more pleasant than the Azores. The better if she hadth speech to match, for her words drained souls. "Her heart ist made of brick," Elizabeth said, twirling the curls that fell at her wet cheeks, “...
What would you do to get the life you wanted? An eighteenth-century socialite plots to destroy her fiancé, the tyrant prince, to avoid the drudgeries of noble life. But after her jealous and ambitious sister comes out of the woodwork to interrupt her plans, they both learn pay a price to get the life they deserved.